Experience

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  Gelia

  • Williamsville, New York

  • Director of Public Relations

    • Oct 2007 - Present
    • Williamsville, New York

    • Leads public relations function for a global marketing communications agency serving Fortune 500 clients in the heavy-duty equipment, engine and powertrain, drive and motion, power generation, and aftermarket sectors.• Counseled clients including multiple divisions of Caterpillar (Electric Power, Industrial Power Solutions, Building & Construction Products, Oil & Gas and Perkins Engines), Dana (Off-Highway Drive & Motion, Commercial Vehicle Drive & Motion, Light Vehicle Drive Systems, Power Technologies and Corporate Communications), MANN+HUMMEL (Purolator Filters, WIX Filters and MANN-FILTER), and First Brands Group (TRICO wiper blades and Carter fuel and water pumps).• Strategizes and executes major product launches, including high-efficiency engine platforms, hybrid microgrid and hydrogen-fueled power solutions, electrified and hybrid drivetrains, and battery powertrains. • Supervises multi-pronged marketing communications campaigns including advertising, public relations, social media, thought leadership, lead generation, customer referencing, trade show planning, special event strategy, speaking and awards program management, dealer engagement, and reporting and measurement.• Spearheads marketing communications campaigns targeting original-equipment manufacturers and equipment buyers across a diverse range of industries, including construction, mining, agriculture, material-handling, oil & gas, commercial-vehicle, data centers, utilities, telecommunications, hospitals and health care, facilities management, and water and wastewater treatment.• Drives joint marketing and customer referencing initiatives with major industry players including Microsoft, Ford, Fendt, Kenworth, Sandvik, Peterbilt, Hyster Yale, Manitou and JLG, among others.• Directs all aspects of client engagements, including strategic planning, budget development and management, team staffing and supervision, campaign execution, and program analytics and reporting.

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  Pendleton Athletic Booster Association

  • Lockport, New York

  • President

    • Nov 2010 - Nov 2018
    • Lockport, New York

    • Coordinated a team of volunteers supporting a leading youth sports organization in central Niagara County that offers football, cheerleading, wrestling, flag football, and lacrosse.• Helped spearhead the establishment of Niagara Erie Youth Sports Association (NEYSA), which currently oversees 16 member organizations throughout the region.• Directed a community campaign supporting the passage of a $15.4 million capital improvement project in the Starpoint school district that included the installation of a multi-purpose turf field, sports lighting, and video scoreboard.• Secured designation as a 501(c)3 organization• Supported numerous fundraising campaigns raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities and families in need.

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  SAS

  • Public Relations Program Manager

    • Oct 2000 - Sep 2007

    • Spearheaded global public relations campaigns promoting software for activity-based management, business intelligence, data integration, data mining, health care, human capital management, IT management, life sciences, pharmaceuticals and strategic performance management.• Led efforts to formulate and launch the strategic public relations campaign for company's $136 million annual life sciences business. Efforts resulted in hundreds of articles appearing in business, technology and industry publications.• Delivered additional coverage for company and its products in numerous consumer, technology and trade media outlets including the Associated Press, BusinessWeek, CIO, Computerworld, eWEEK, The Financial Times, InformationWeek, InfoWorld, Intelligent Enterprise, Time and USA Today.

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  SouthPeak Interactive

  • Senior Media Relations Specialist

    • Jan 1997 - Oct 2000

    • Built the public relations function from the ground up with responsibility for all PR activities from strategic planning in coordination with marketing, sales, product development and marketing creative to program execution.• Instituted product review program with the creation of press website for downloadable support materials, shipment of preview and review copies to key reviewers, and follow-up to ensure coverage. Reviews appeared in major gaming publications such as Computer Games, Computer Gaming World, Electronic Gaming Monthly, GamePro, GameSpot, Official U.S. Playstation Magazine, PC Gamer and PSM.• Directed global promotional campaigns in collaboration with major entertainment companies including Cartoon Network, The History Channel, Sundance Institute and Warner Bros.

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  Special Olympics World Games ‘99

  • Venue Media Manager

    • Dec 1998 - Jun 1999

    • Led a media relations team of more than 25 volunteers for the nine-hole golf competition

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  Carr Marketing Communications

  • Account Executive

    • Sep 1994 - Jan 1997

    • Piloted public relations and public affairs campaigns for clients including American Ref-Fuel, Citibank, CTG, General Dynamics Electric Boat Division, North AmeriCare and the World Veterans’ Athletics Championships.• Commanded media relations activities to promote the XI World Veterans Athletic Championships. Placed more than 200 articles in the year leading up to the event to build competitor, sponsor and spectator interest. The event attracted more than 5,500 competitors and brought an economic impact to the Buffalo area estimated at $25 million. Efforts earned a Silver Award at the Sixth Annual Excalibur Awards for the Buffalo/Niagara Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.• Organized Citibank’s annual promotional activities in the Buffalo area for National Children’s Dental Health Month, including the production of commemorative giveaways for area school children, the creation of signage for regional bank branches and the recruitment of media to local events.

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  Wolf Carr Public Relations

  • Account Coordinator

    • Mar 1992 - Aug 1994

    • Guided public relations initiatives on behalf of American Ref-Fuel, BernzOmatic, the Buffalo Convention and Visitors Bureau, Bush Industries, Citibank, Fleet Bank, Shur-Line and the World University Games - Buffalo ‘93.

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  WHDL-AM/WOLN-FM (now WHDL-AM/WPIG-FM)

  • Announcer

    • Aug 1985 - Aug 1989

    • Produced news, sports, weather, commercial and entertainment programming and served as full-time on-air talent for weeknight show.

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  WMNS-AM/WBJZ-FM (now WOEN-AM/WMXO-FM)

  • Announcer

    • Aug 1983 - Aug 1985

    • Produced news, sports, weather, commercial and entertainment programming and served as part-time on-air talent.