Member Spotlight: Galen Motin Crawford

One of the early members of the Washington state chapter of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), Galen Motin Crawford, will be retiring in July. Galen was the chapter’s first secretary and has been a dedicated leader of our chapter’s Communications Committee. In addition to editing chapter communications, she served as co-emcee for our 2024 and 2025 galas.

Over the course of her career, Galen has held a wide range of communications positions. She graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Washington State University and went on to work in broadcast journalism as a reporter for a Black public affairs news magazine in New York, and then as a television news reporter in Seattle. She also hosted a local news magazine show. She transitioned from TV news to communications roles for the Seattle Aquarium, Fred Hutch and the Bainbridge Island School District. For the past eight and a half years, Galen has worked at Sound Transit as a senior internal communications specialist.

Galen has been awarded numerous honors, including the Washington School Public Relations Association’s Award of Excellence and Award of Merit; two Washington State Tourism Georgie Awards; and the King County Event Producer Awards for Best Special Event for The Seattle Aquarium's annual Salmon Homecoming Celebration and Trick or Treat on the Waterfront. Additionally, Galen was Seattle’s first African American Seafair queen.

Galen Crawford, COMTO WA's first secretary and dedicated leader of our Communications Committee.

Now, on to the questions!

Q: Tell us a little bit about your background and what drew you to COMTO WA.

A: I came to COMTO shortly after the initial group created the chapter. I was COMTO WA’s first secretary and did communications before we had a committee. At the time I was new at Sound Transit (Linneth Riley-Hall invited me to a meeting), and the realization I could help the fledging chapter tell the region about itself hooked me. The people in the room were welcoming; they had big goals and the sense of being at the start of something big was heady. COMTO included me and I could use my skills to help extend that inclusion to others.

Q: What do you see as strategic priorities for COMTO moving forward?

A: I think one priority is something we can achieve at the member level: Increase outreach to individuals within each member agency or business. Organizational membership comes with a certain number of individual memberships that can go unused. I’d also like to see more emphasis on professional development for members. 

Q: You have written countless articles for Sound Transit. What was one of your favorites and why?

A: Let’s say I’ve edited countless articles for Sound Transit. Most of what I do at Sound Transit is kind of invisible. I do a certain amount of ghost-writing, but my main role is to help others shape and share their news within the agency. However, the five-part series I created on writing was pivotal in that it led to the creation of a writing class — Write This Way — at the agency. Teaching that class was the most rewarding, most enjoyable thing I’ve done at the agency. The prospect of doing it scared me, but I learned how much I have to share, and it was a joy.

Q: You are known for your mastery of AP Style. What tips do you have for non-journalists to improve the accuracy, consistency and clarity of their writing?

A: First, pay attention to words, and if someone edits yours, notice what they did and why. Nothing has been more frustrating than to have the same people repeatedly submit articles with the same mistakes. I usually explain my edits because I am hoping they will take note and write that way next time. It seldom happens. There’s a tendency for people to just stick to their own fields and interests. Once someone told me, “We count on you to fix it.” While I appreciated their trust, I wanted them to use our work together as an opportunity to nurture a new skill. Editors can show you things you can do on your own in the future.

Next, say it simply and lead with what is in it for the reader. Don’t say “HR is excited to announce …” Describe what it is you are announcing (showing vs. telling). Also, notice when you stop reading something someone else wrote and have to start over. In most cases, that’s too much trouble and you’ll just stop. Listen to the flow of words. Avoid using jargon, acronyms and redundant words and phrases like global pandemic, feedback received, partnering together, new beginnings … the list is endless (and kind of funny).

Use active voice. Only use passive voice if you do not know who is doing the acting.

Finally, use the online AP Style Book. There are lots of style guides, but the Associated Press is what journalists use. I recently learned anyone with a Seattle Library Card can have free access to the AP’s online style guide. I don’t know it all, but because I use the AP guide every day, I write like I do. The more you know about writing, the more fun you will have and more you will be able to contribute.

Q: What’s your passion outside of your job?

A: I’m a little afraid of the fact I have so many. My kids will always be my first passion, but they have their own lives, so I look forward to having time to finally focus on my own. I used to live on a sailboat and would love to get back to boating. I want to see if I have the discipline and skills to write and publish a book or two. I love gardening and making things around me beautiful, especially for guests who stay in my Airbnb. I became a superhost after four months and enjoy trying to create a small oasis for guests to enjoy. I used to be a figure skater, so I love watching skating and traveling to competitions (I went to Boston in March to attend World’s). Also, after 27 years with my harp as household decoration (or in storage while living on a boat), I am finally learning how to make music.

Q: Before joining Sound Transit, you worked in a wide range of communications roles and in broadcast journalism. Tell us about some of your career highlights.

A: I am a late bloomer. I could have started my career with a bang after Seafair. Instead, I went to New York and stayed for 13 years. The first seven were successful: I modeled and worked as a principal actor in national TV commercials. When the commercials stopped, I struggled until I found a mentor in TV host Bill McCreary. He helped me combine my experience on-camera with my ability to write. While other correspondents on his show, The McCreary Report, envisioned an Entertainment Tonight kind of future. I just wanted to come home to Seattle. KIRO 7 was the Seafair channel, and they hired me as a reporter. All I will say about that experience is: Starting TV news in New York put a target on my back. I only survived at KIRO thanks to a mentor who nurtured my growth as a storyteller. Long story short, I left KIRO to work in media relations and public information and, aside from hosting a TV show for TVSEA (now the Seattle Channel) I have been doing PR-related work ever since. I owe my career to great mentors I’ve had along the way, including my manager at Fred Hutch, who made me read the AP Stylebook cover to cover — an assignment that transformed my writing.

Q: What are you most looking forward to in retirement?

A: I can’t wait to become a grandparent for the first time in September (my daughter announced her pregnancy on my birthday). 

Q: What advice do you have for young professionals?

A: Embrace opportunities to learn. And consider that growing as a writer increases your value to your team. Everyone, every team, every project has a story. Become interested in how words are tools of connection. If you are an engineer, I will never be able to do your job, but whatever you learn about my job, about writing, will make you better. You can help shape the world around you by the stories you are able to tell and the connections those words help you form. 

Q: What else would you like COMTO members to know?

A: Writing is my life passion, and I plan to keep doing it after I retire. I’ve created a two-part writing class that I hope to take to other companies as a consultant. Reach out to me if you would like help improving your internal and external communications.

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Thank you, Galen, for your service to our chapter. On behalf of COMTO, we wish you all the best in your retirement.

By: Jessica Matthews, HDR