Campbell County will be represented on the national stage as the Federal Emergency Management Agency welcomes Justin Otto into its 2026 executive public information officer cohort.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Disaster and Emergency Management University announced its 2026 executive public information officer cohort, marking the 10th class since the program’s inception.
Otto serves as Campbell County Assistant County Administrator and public information officer.
Otto was among the 24 public information professionals representing 16 states and the District of Columbia. He becomes only the fourth Kentuckian chosen for this program.
Over the course of 10 months, the program will “strengthen participants’ capabilities in strategic decision-making, leadership and policy development,” per a press release. Each participant will also complete a research-based paper designed to advance the public information profession and contribute to the broader emergency management field.
“I am honored to be chosen for this elite program,” Otto said in the release. “I am grateful to the Campbell County Fiscal Court for its support of continuous training and professional development. This opportunity will allow me to bring back valuable knowledge and leadership strategies to strengthen our community.”
Otto brings more than 20 years of public information and crisis communication experience to his current role, overseeing public information, public affairs, community development, and economic development. He has served as lead public information officer during two of Kentucky’s disasters: the Western Kentucky tornado in 2021 and the Eastern Kentucky floods in 2022. Most recently, he coordinated countywide messaging during major flooding events in February and April 2025.
“Justin Otto has been a trusted leader in public information for Campbell County,” said Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery in the release. “His selection to this distinguished program is a testament to his professionalism and dedication. We are proud that Campbell County will be represented at the highest national level of public information training.”
The executive public information officer program is the highest level of public information officer training offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Management Institute. Since its launch in 2015, about 200 public information professionals nationwide have completed the program. Otto is the first participant from Northern Kentucky to be selected.