Sean McNamara Senior Associate  Sean McNamara brings to Reputation Australia an extensive background in journalism and corporate affairs, with more than 20-years in senior roles in the aviation, petroleum and nuclear science industries. After nearly a decade in journalism, Sean was chief-of-staff of The Canberra Times, and then worked with public companies Trans Australian Airlines (TAA) and Budget Rent-A-Car as manager of public relations.
Moving to United Airlines in 1987 as head of public affairs, Sean’s major focus was government relations, spending more than two years managing the intricacies of the Aviation Bilateral Negotiations for air routes between Australia and the United States. Subsequently taking a role with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation's public affairs unit, Sean continued to work in the sensitive areas of government relations and issues management. Appointed to a senior post with BP as Public Affairs Manager in WA, Sean handled all public, community and government relations for the oil giant's six divisions - manufacturing, retail, wholesale, marine, aviation and solar operations - in the state. This was a high level crisis/issues management role, encompassing the complexities of reputation management for a multinational in a localised economy. Issues included service station closures and related job losses, lead in petrol, air and ground water pollution, and the largest ocean oil spill in Australia’s history. Sean returned to the east coast in 1995 to work for Airservices Australia, the nation’s air traffic control provider, on a major system conversion project for air traffic control, and the extensive pilot and government relations required for a smooth changeover. Sean specialises in issues management, crisis management training, and media training for senior executives and in developing and executing multi-faceted internal and external communications programs for private and government enterprises. He qualified as a lawyer in 2004 and also holds a commercial pilot's license.