Jimmy Lee
Director of Public Affairs
Contra Costa County
Office of the Sheriff
...has been in the glare of the media spotlight like few others. As the Director of Public Affairs for the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, Jimmy has been the high-profile spokesperson for major cases that have generated national and international attention. He was one of the key spokespeople for the Jaycee Dugard kidnapping case, Laci Peterson homicide case and the killing of Pamela Vitale, the wife of a prominent attorney. Jimmy has been seen on major news programs including CBS Evening News, NBC Nightly News, The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Early Show, CNN, Fox News, Inside Edition and America's Most Wanted.
As the Director of Public Affairs, Jimmy oversees a full-service operation that includes proactive media relations, crisis communications, public information, community relations, media training, internal communications and video production. Jimmy has been with the Sheriff's Office for ten years.
Jimmy has also been on the other side of the fence as a television news anchor and reporter based in Asia during the 1990's. The native San Franciscan first worked for local television news stations in Hong Kong (TVB) and Singapore (TCS). Later, when CNBC established its Asia production center in Hong Kong, he worked for the business news channel as an anchor and reporter covering regional financial stories. In 1997, Jimmy joined CNN International as a morning anchor based in Hong Kong. Major stories he has covered include the 1997 handover of Hong Kong to China, the Asian economic crisis and the bird flu. During his time in Asia, Jimmy traveled to nearly a dozen countries and is the first TV business journalist to report from North Korea. Jimmy has interviewed hundreds of politicians, newsmakers and celebrities.
Jimmy's experience and background as a TV journalist and high profile spokesperson has been a tremendous asset as a media trainer for government agencies and companies. Many frequently ask for his advice and counsel on sensitive issues. He has also been involved in numerous JIC/JISs, in big and small events and in the statewide Golden Guardian and Silver Sentinel exercises and is a key member of the County Emergency Public Information Officer team. Agencies Jimmy has trained include the cities of Berkeley, Lafayette and San Ramon, the State Sheriff's Association and California Law Enforcement Association of Record Supervisors. He has also made many appearances as a panelist or speaker: San Ramon Valley Leadership Conference, Contra Costa Public Information Network, Contra Costa County Peace Officer's Association, California Office of Traffic Safety and DELTA (Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancements and Leadership). Jimmy was also a consultant to the California Peace Officers Standards and Training for a media relations video production. He is a regular trainer at the Contra Costa County Regional Law Enforcement Training Center.
Jimmy earned a B.S. in Broadcast Communications and an A.S. in Criminal Justice. He has completed the Crisis Communications and the Media series at the California Specialized Training Institute.