Red Banyan Founder and CEO Evan Nierman spoke at the National Association of State Veterans Homes' 2026 Winter Conference, sharing practical crisis communications guidance tailored to the reputational realities veteran home administrators face.
ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Evan Nierman, founder and CEO of crisis communications and reputation management firm Red Banyan, delivered an in-person learning session last week at the National Association of State Veterans Homes (NASVH) 2026 Winter Conference in Arlington, Virginia.
Nierman's address, titled Critical Communications: Smart Steps to Protect Your Facility, centered on the idea that reputation must be actively powered long before a crisis occurs. Addressing administrators from state-run veterans homes across the country, he emphasized that brand-building, trust and communications discipline are not secondary considerations but essential leadership functions for long-term care providers.
During the session, Nierman spoke about how facilities can prepare to avoid crises, respond effectively when incidents occur and how to manage high-risk flashpoints that can rapidly attract regulatory, media and public scrutiny. Topics included strategic planning, incident response decision-making, strategic engagement with various audiences and the importance of shaping narratives and not leaving criticism unanswered. He underscored that communication cannot be treated as an afterthought, particularly in environments where trust and credibility are mission critical.
Introducing attendees to Red Banyan's Press the Truth® philosophy, Nierman outlined a disciplined communications approach designed to help leaders establish credibility early, orient stakeholders to verified facts and reduce reputational harm when pressure spikes. The framework emphasizes accuracy, transparency and calm leadership during periods of heightened uncertainty.
"Credibility is often reinforced or lost in the first moments of a crisis," said Nierman. "Leaders who communicate early with verified facts to families, staff, and other stakeholders reduce uncertainty, earn trust, and prevent misinformation from filling the vacuum."
State veterans homes, and long-term care operators in general, function in an environment where routine issues can quickly escalate under public and regulatory scrutiny. Resident safety incidents, staffing disruptions, outbreaks, online allegations, and other matters can rapidly turn internal challenges into external, high-stakes reputational scenarios. In these situations, leaders often face simultaneous pressure from families, media outlets, elected officials, and oversight agencies, narrowing the margin for error.
"State veterans home leaders play a vital role in protecting the dignity and well-being of America's heroes, often under intense public and regulatory scrutiny," said Nierman. "The work these administrators and their staffs perform every day deserves a reputation that reflects their professionalism, preparation and patriotism."
The NASVH Winter Conference convenes executives and administrators from state veterans homes for professional development, peer collaboration, and discussion of operational and reputational challenges unique to veteran care environments.
Evan Nierman is a crisis management expert and the author of the bestselling book Crisis Averted. His work sits at the intersection of reputation, public scrutiny, and high-consequence leadership, particularly in regulated environments where trust and credibility are tested in the news cycle.
About Red Banyan
Red Banyan is a strategic communications firm specializing in high-stakes reputation management. The firm advises business leaders, organizations, institutions, and high-profile individuals operating in scrutinized or regulated environments where perception, trust, and brand equity directly influence outcomes. Drawing on expertise across strategic communications, crisis communications, legal and litigation PR, government relations, media training, and online reputation management, Red Banyan delivers disciplined, strategy-led communications designed to support business growth and navigate moments that test it. Learn more at https://redbanyan.com.
Media Contact
James De Marco, Red Banyan, 954.379.2115, [email protected], https://redbanyan.com/
SOURCE Red Banyan
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