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Education
Master of Science in Public Relations
University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Miss.
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; Minors: English and Communications
Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY
Professional Summary
Strategic planning and project management: served on executive team as communications lead for an extensive study of international utility’s U.S. business to identify business process improvements and efficiencies, organizational structure changes and funding for business priorities such as reliability; managed utility’s advisory board program for six boards across South Carolina consisting of CEOs, presidents and other community leaders; designed and implemented a corporate logo with a graphic identity standards manual; planned special events both large and small; and hired and supervised a public relations assistant and summer interns.
Marketing and media relations: developed and executed public affairs marketing plan for the expansion of statewide utility’s natural gas business; worked with local, state, national and trade media; developed college recruitment materials; assisted in the marketing of large multi-specialty healthcare clinic; and marketed a small southern city as a retirement destination.
Social media and online content: launched a Ning.com community for utilities to discuss social media - nearly 200 members in the first six months; leading mid-size utility’s efforts on Twitter and YouTube; manage and serve as chief blogger for an energy efficiency blog; developed social media policies and procedures; developed and maintained several corporate and non-profit Web sites and Intranets.
Communication and writing skills: developed internal communication plans to inform nearly 9,000 U.S.-based employees for international utility about mergers, change management and international travel issues; wrote corporate announcements and e-mails, speeches, press releases, newsletter and magazine articles, brochures, advertisements and Web site materials.
Crisis management: educated in the Incident Command system and experienced in managing the media during a crisis, such as natural and man-made disasters and negative consumer-driven scenarios.
Academic activities: taught introduction to public relations, public relations writing and public speaking courses; supervised independent studies in Web design and communication campaigns; supported full-time faculty with curriculum consistency and development; advised students about degree requirements and communication tracks; and served as professional advisor to student organizations.
Work Experience
Professional Activities
Presentations
Book Contribution
“Teaching the Campaigns Course,” Co-author Vince Benigni, Ph.D., College of Charleston. Lynne M. Sallot and Barbara DeSanto (Eds.), Learning to Teach, 3rd edition. New York: Public Relations Society of America, 2003.
Public Relations Society of America
Bethany United Methodist Church, Summerville, S.C.
Continuing Education
Interactive Media Design: This course introduced techniques and concepts used to develop proposals, treatments, production scripts and design documents that act as templates for interactive media applications.
Integrated Emergency Management Course: Consequences of Terrorism: A Federal Emergency Management Agency exercise-based course focused on preparing for and responding to the consequences of a terrorist act. In addition to classroom instruction, a simulated event allowed for structured decision making in a realistic learning environment. Course completed in January 2000 at the Mt. Weather Emergency Assistance Center in Berryville, Va.
Awards and Honors
City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA)
National Association of County Information Officers