PRSSA National Committee Members

A Brief History | The First Chapters | National Committees

Travis Parman, APR

Travis Parman, APR, is the manager of product communications for Chevrolet responsible specifically for Corvette, Chevy Racing, the Camaro concept, Impala, Monte Carlo, Malibu and the Chevy SS performance lineup. Travis just launched the 505-horsepower Corvette Z06, the fastest car ever offered by General Motors, significantly increasing overall coverage—especially in lifestyle publications, broadcast media and Internet/viral channels.

Some notable recent projects included Lance Armstrong and Colin Powell driving Corvette pace cars for the Indianapolis 500, Good Morning America live Corvette Z06 test drive, Esquire Corvette Z06 vs. Cobalt race with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jay Leno/Jeff Gordon SSR burnout competition on The Tonight Show, the Camaro concept unveil and the Camaro concept design story in GQ. Travis has been in this role since August 2004.

Prior to his current position, Travis was on a special assignment with GM Europe at Vauxhall in the United Kingdom. He counseled Vauxhall on an internal communications strategy to improve communication between headquarters and its manufacturing facilities. He focused on plans for a turn-around plant in Northwest England and developed recommendations for improving internal communications processes for all of GM Europe.

Before the European assignment, Travis served as global internal communications manager for the GM Information Systems & Services staff supporting GM’s Group Vice President and Chief Information Officer. In this role, he communicated to IS&S staff and GM computer users worldwide on information technology issues and business strategy for the organization.

Travis joined GM as a business communications integrator for the Metal Fabricating Division in Indianapolis in 1998. He was responsible for piloting the GM North America internal communications improvement program. In this role, he provided counsel to senior management, directed internal and external communications, conducted communications effectiveness research, coordinated internal branding activities for GM products and services and made recommendations on further implementation of the corporate internal communications program as part of the GM Integrator Advisory Board.

Prior to GM, Travis held positions in internal and external communications with Lockheed Martin where he developed and implemented communications to address change-management issues surrounding downsizing, restructuring, benefits, safety, diversity and retiree relations. He also directed technology transfer outreach and awareness programs for three Department of Energy facilities. Travis has completed freelance assignments for the University of Tennessee Energy, Environment and Resources Center and the Baptist Health System of East Tennessee.

He is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America and has served on national PRSA task forces including the National Education task force, the New Professionals Section organizing committee, the Student-to-Professional task force and the Fundamentals in Public Relations student accreditation pilot study. Additionally, he has served on the PRSA Corporate Section executive board and in numerous roles in the Detroit, Indianapolis and Knoxville chapters.

Travis currently is serving as a national professional adviser to the Public Relations Student Society of America. This is a role he is especially happy to have since he served as national president of the PRSSA while attending the University of Tennessee where he earned a B.S. in Communications in the public relations sequence of journalism.

Travis currently is pursuing an M.S. in Communications Management from the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University in New York. This program blends coursework from the graduate schools of business, communications and public policy. Travis also serves as a communications intern recruiter for GM and as a news anchor and reporter for GM Drive Time, an automotive industry news broadcast.