CAP Names Chief of Marketing and Strategic Communications

Today Civil Air Patrol National Commander and CEO Maj. Gen. Mark Smith announced the appointment of Catherine Sivills as CAP’s chief of Marketing and Strategic Communications.

Sivills will be responsible for brand and marketing strategy, internal and external communications, media planning, managing and directing the organization’s national marketing efforts, and partnering with CAP’s philanthropy team. Essential duties include the execution of a targeted, proactive year-round multi-channel marketing strategy, the coordination of national media relations, and leadership in the development and delivery of marketing-related training across the country.

Sivills will begin work on Feb. 25 and will lead a team of both paid and volunteer staff members.

“We are very excited to have Catherine Sivills join the CAP team. Her executive-level experience in marketing, communications, brand strategy and media relations will play a key role in helping CAP become more well-known for the many outstanding contributions our members make to their communities, states and nation,” Smith said.

Sivills brings more than 25 years of marketing and communication experience to the position. From 2008-2015, she served as the assistant vice president for Branding, Marketing and Communication for Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. In addition to receiving national recognition for ground-breaking social marketing campaigns, she led a rebranding strategy that resulted in a refined positioning of the university brand. Sivills and her team also successfully implemented an overhaul of the university website and celebrated historic enrollment numbers.

Most recently Sivills served as marketing lead for the west region of Baptist Health Kentucky from 2015 to the present. She brought creativity to her role while tackling media challenges and generating positive publicity, advancing Baptist Health’s image and reputation. She also developed best practices in the areas of general marketing, corporate communications and the digital realm.

Her portfolio also includes the positions of director of marketing and planning for Murray-Calloway County Hospital and account executive with Sutton Advertising. In addition to her strategic marketing responsibilities, Sivills also served as a public information officer in her last three leadership roles.

Sivills holds a bachelor’s degree in advertising/marketing and a master’s degree in public administration from Murray State University. She also earned a Certificate in Digital Media and Marketing from Duke University and has completed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s public information officer certification.

Sivills is married to Scott Sivills Jr. They have three children.

“I am honored to join the Civil Air Patrol team,” she said. “This organization is so unique with such a rich history and many amazing stories to tell. I look forward to building more partnerships and working to keep a spotlight on CAP. This opportunity is a privilege, and it’s a marketer’s dream to take Civil Air Patrol’s missions for America and communicate them to the world.”