Terry Gipson has over 25 years of experience in communications, public relations, government affairs, marketing, mass media, and experiential design. He’s a Lecturer in Communications at The State University of New York at New Paltz where he teaches Intro to Communication, Public Speaking, Public Relations, Argumentation, Social Media, Persuasion, Interpersonal Communications, and Political Communication. Terry is a former New York State Senator, a regular commentator on WAMC Public Radio, a columnist for Empire Report, and an Adjunct Professor in Communications at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Here’s Terry discussing voting and how it impacts the way that we communicate.

Recent Publications:

Our Voting History Begs The Question: Do We Really Want Change? Empire Report

How Art Can Help Us Improve Our Communication Skills, The Academic Minute

Critiquing The Artistic Stylings of Our Political “Leaders”, Empire Report

Gerrymandering Lessons in Our Own Backyard, Empire Report

Career & Education Summary: Prior to entering academia, Terry was a New York State Senator and a local elected official in Rhinebeck, NY. His government service was preceded by a career in public relations and experiential design for television networks, corporate brands, and nonprofits. As a Director for MTV Networks in New York City, he collaborated with network executives and producers to develop entertainment programming and hundreds of public relations events for MTV, Nickelodeon, CMT, Comedy Central, and other Viacom properties. In 2006, Terry launched Gipson Design Group where he led the development of experiential marketing events for MTV, American Express, Disney, Verizon, PBS and other brands. Terry has a Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from Texas Tech University.

Public Service: Terry is former New York State Senator from the Hudson Valley. He was elected in 2012 and is the first Democrat to have represented the district since Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1913.

Building stronger communities has been the cornerstone of Terry’s commitment to public service. He was a volunteer fireman in Hartsdale, NY and was elected to two terms as a Rhinebeck Village Trustee where he worked extensively on the development of new infrastructure. As a State Senator, Terry was the ranking member of both the Local Government and Agriculture Committees.

Environmental Advocacy: Senator Gipson fought to protect our drinking water by supporting a ban on Fracking and increased investments in the Environmental Protection Fund. In recognition of his commitment to environmental conservation, Terry received the highest possible rating from Environmental Advocates of New York.

Lyme Disease: Terry Gipson’s legislative work on behalf of Lyme disease victims is well documented. It was the advocacy efforts of his Senate office that led to the increased funding of Lyme disease research, and a new law protecting doctors that treat patients with long-term Lyme disease. Terry sponsored legislation to hold insurance companies accountable for covering the cost of Lyme disease treatment.

Community Support: Terry designed “Hire NY”, a program to help small businesses owners hire more people in their local community. He worked to create a more expedient family court system, and helped local organizations expand programs for victims of domestic violence and individuals with developmental disabilities. Terry is a staunch supporter of public school education and sponsored the bill that banned Pearson standardized testing.

Roots: Originally from Texas, Terry comes from a long line of farmers and laborers. Terry has lived in New York for over 25 years and resides in the Hudson Valley with his wife Michelle, a native New Yorker.

Recent Campaigns: Terry continues to advocate for a government that puts the needs of the people first. Towards that end, he campaigned across New York State from Fall 2017 to Spring 2018 as a Democratic gubernatorial candidate. (Buffalo and Queens events pictured below.) Here’s a link to the Gipson For New York campaign video “We The People”. Terry ended his campaign in March of 2018. Here’s a link to his statement http://www.terrygipsonny.com/gipson-ends-2018-campaign-for-governor-of-new-york

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Contact Terry via Email or Follow Terry on Twitter or Facebook @TerryGipsonNY