Joe Buccino - Retired US Army Communications Director

US Army veteran Joe Buccino served in the military for 27 years before retiring on July 21, 2023, in a ceremony at the US Central Command (CENTCOM) headquarters in Tampa, Florida. US Marine Corps General Sean Salene presided over the ceremony. Joe Buccino retired as communications director at CENTCOM. In this role, he managed relationships with regional military chiefs of defense, developed and executed media plans and campaigns, and developed external and internal communications for CENTCOM military command. He was also responsible for the Department of Defense media engagements in the Middle East and Central Asia.

Previously, Joe Buccino served as a spokesperson for the US Secretary of Defense. He developed all external communications strategies for the Secretary of Defense, organized and directed media engagements (including Pentagon press briefings), and managed crisis communications after international incidents. Earlier in his career, he served as a communications director with the US Army XVIII Airborne Corps and public affairs officer with the 82nd Airborne Division. He completed five combat deployments and retired with several military honors, including the Legion of Merit, Combat Action Badge, and Defense Distinguished Service Medal.

Throughout his Army career, Joe Buccino excelled at leading communications teams, managing press conferences, and writing speeches. He has a knack for effective storytelling and intends to leverage these skills in his private life as a lobbyist or communications professional. He has a BA in English from SUNY Albany and an MA in public relations and corporate communications from Georgetown University.