Kara Owens is spokesperson, information officer, state program administrator and boat and water safety specialist at Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In her less than six months at the DNR, she has already been interviewed and quoted in over 200 newspapers and radio and television stations. Kara has developed a successful media strategy and plan regarding boat and water safety in Minnesota- the goal toward zero deaths on the water in Minnesota. She comes to the DNR from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS), where she worked as a Public Information Officer/ Social Media Coordinator. She managed all social media pages for DPS and assisted in the public relations management for the State Patrol—from writing news releases/ new agency messaging to prepping Minnesota State Patrol spokesman for interviews. She was the state's lead PIO during the Cannon Falls flooding in 2012. Kara was also the lead social media manager during the activation of the State Emergency Operation Center. She is a well known presenter and instructor regarding social media in law enforcement. She has spoken at an international police conference in Dallas, TX along with the Minnesota Governor's Conference and the Minnesota Association of Emergency Managers Conference. Kara began employment with the State of Minnesota in January of 2011, after working nine years as a Television News Producer. During her broadcast years, Kara won five Emmy Awards, including one in 2009, in which she produced serious news feature story about a group of Minnesota men who use a vintage airplane to honor the Tuskegee airmen.