Summary

​

Talented and driven communications professional with 22 years in media relations, crisis management, internal and external communications and strategic planning. Areas of expertise include print, broadcast, web and social media content development, publications, serving as company spokesperson, project management and media training.

​

Highlights

​

Media relations expert

Deadline-driven

Superb writer and editor

Exceptional problem solver

​

​

Accomplishments

​

Managed communications and public relations efforts for more than 45 projects, including a school district's $695

million budget, 1/4-cent sales tax request, transportation changes impacting 135,000 people, and employee recruitment.

​

Developed and implemented an innovative communications strategy for a $35.2 million federal grant that paid for the largest one-time rollout of tablet computers (17,000 devices) in the country. Managed crisis communications, including

handling internal communications and local and national media, when safety concerns prompted the computer program's suspension.

​

Initiated a targeted social media campaign that increased Twitter followers by 600 percent in fewer than six months and increased Facebook followers by 102 percent in fewer than two years.

​

Experience

​

Public Information Manager, Charlotte Fire Department        Charlotte, NC

​

Defined department's communication vision, strategies and tactics. Established long-range objectives and developed innovative strategies to help achieve them. Managed all media, press and public relations issues. Coached less experienced public relations staff members on corporate communications practices. Designed new external website (SharePoint). Developed a brand identity, including a distinctive graphic style and tone, for all department communications.

​

Director of Communications, Guilford County Schools          Greensboro, NC

​

Managed staff of nine, which includes all aspects of communications for the third-largest public school district in the state. Researched, negotiated, implemented and tracked public relations activities, including internal communications, media relations and marketing and branding.

 

Developed and implemented at least a dozen comprehensive communications plans each year. Acted as communications liaison for all internal teams, including finance, transportation, curriculum, human resources and accountability. Cultivated positive relationships with the community through public relations campaigns.

​

Key Achievements:

​

Managed all media, press and public relations issues.

​

Edited and distributed press releases and pitches to local and national media outlets, securing positive coverage in multiple publications.

 

Increased positive media coverage of key events and initiatives:

State of Our Schools 2013: 52 media stories resulting in 5.2 million media impressions.

State of Our Schools 2014: 50 media stories resulting in more than 20 million media impressions.

​

Led district crisis communications.

​

Provided crisis communications and strategic messaging as needed to superintendent, senior staff, regional superintendents and principals. Provided virtual and on-site internal and media relations for more than 100 school and district incidents, from employee and student deaths to payroll issues. Cultivated positive relationships with local law enforcement and media to ensure teamwork during crises.

​

Managed communications for $35.2 million federal grant.

​

Funding provided 17,000 tablet computers for students and staff; largest K-12 1:1 initiative at one time. Secured media placement in top publications such as The New York Times Magazine and EdWeek. Managed crisis communications when safety concerns led to the project's suspension.

​

Wrote and developed budget communications plans.

​

Devised optimal communications strategies to reach target audiences; increased supporters who spoke at public hearings by 1,000 percent. Increased number of emails supporting district needs sent to commissioners increased by 7,400 percent.

 

Re-launched Internal and External Key Communicator programs.

​

Increased active participation in Internal Key Communicator program by 400 percent.

Increased active participation in External Key Communicator program by 900 percent.

​

Researched, negotiated and managed transition to new content-management system (website).

​

Collaborated with 126 schools and 9 departments to create and implement successful transition plan. Developed layout and content for new district mobile app.

​

Executive Director, Bruce Irons Camp Fund          Charlotte, NC

​

Effectively managed successful nonprofit organization focused on supporting low-income, high-potential public- school students. Developed strategic marketing campaign to ensure organization met financial goals. Increased donations by 14 percent each year, which won organization $75,000 in grant funding. Researched and purchased new donor-management system; transitioned thousands of donor records from Axis database to eTapestry (Blackbaud).

​

Media Relations Supervisor, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools          Charlotte, NC

​

Developed and implemented communication strategies and information programs for $1.5 billion organization. Edited and distributed press releases and pitches to local and national media outlets, securing positive coverage in multiple publications, including T.H.E. Journal, the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and EdWeek. Planned and executed weekly news conferences. Managed crisis communications, including virtual and on-site support for superintendent, principals and other school staff for incidents including employee arrests, gunfire at a school and issues at athletic events.

​

Producer, WSOC-TV          Charlotte, NC

​

Emmy-Award nominee for Outstanding Newscast. Produced market's top local newscast, including complete coverage of breaking news and developing news stories, investigative reports, and stories focusing on key issues across the Carolinas.

Grew newscast ratings significantly, resulting in consistent stretch of number one-rated newscast for more than two years. Rated top ABC-affiliated 6 o'clock newscast in the country; third-rated 6 p.m. newscast in the country overall.

​

Producer, WLOS-TV         Asheville, NC

​

Produced fast-paced newscasts focusing on local and national stories, special reports on parenting, health headlines, and education stories. Combined video, audio and graphics to effectively convey each story. Wrote factually correct, concise and engaging news stories within tight deadlines. Gathered and verified factual information regarding stories through interviews, observation and research.

​