Experience

Texas EMS, Trauma & Acute Care Foundation (TETAF)

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Communications Director

  • Jul 2019 - Present

  Strategic director and sole creator of content and design for statewide nonprofit with multiple service lines. Create solid messaging on marketing collateral, websites, emails, monthly newsletters for two divisions, and social media for a cohesive brand message. Sole person to draft press releases, pitch to media, and achieve the desired result in earned media. Successfully increased attendance for a monthly virtual forum through targeted marketing. Develop content and design for all publications to transition the nonprofit to a digital publication format. This includes the Annual Report and Advocacy Report. Developed and successfully launched first virtual Legislative Focus Week with virtual audience and interview of a state representative. Develop brand messaging, thought leadership, and key talking points.



Quicklight Media

• United States
• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Marketing Communications Director

  • Jun 2016 - Jul 2019

  Strategic director of all communication for multiple growth companies Created solid messaging for clients on marketing collateral, websites, blogs, emails, newsletters, and social media for a cohesive brand message Sole person to draft press releases, pitch to media, and achieve the desired result in earned media for all clients on local, state, national, and international levels Planned short and long-term internal and external communication, media, and social media plans for clients Counseled clients on brand messaging, thought leadership, and key talking points SEO content writer using pillar and cluster content method to boost local client to page one on Google, ahead of a national competitor



Western Governors University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Public Relations Manager

  • Mar 2015 - May 2016

  Managed all media relations, external communications, and internal communications for WGU Texas Successfully launched the first statewide poll with earned media coverage and continued strategic messaging points throughout a one year period Led a team of three senior public relations professionals Strategic development of key messages, including press releases, media advisories, talking points, speeches and content for marketing collateral that ensured brand awareness resulting in increased student enrollment Created content for thought leadership and legislative speaking opportunities for chancellor Maintained excellent working relationships with state, local and trade reporters Worked with legislative team on higher education issues affecting the university Remained current on key issues affecting higher education Managed social media channels for WGU Texas by developing content and strategy Managed Chancellor's Club composed of students and alumni



Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services

• United States
• Government Administration
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Communications Specialist - Team Lead

  • 2013 - 2015

  Managed all media relations, internal communication and external communication for the agency statewide Served as agency spokesperson Strategically redesigned the agency's annual report for a more targeted message to consumers and legislators Led a team of four writers Created external publications ranging from the agency's annual report to legislative reports Created internal and external communications content for agency commissioner Developed communication strategy for stakeholder messages Managed social media, website, and intranet content



ECPR Texas

• United States
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Account Executive

  • 2012 - 2013

  Developed press releases, media advisories, talking points, speeches, and legislative testimony that further the message desired by clients Planned press conferences Aggressively publicized initiatives for clients Created comprehensive media plans Remained current on key issues affecting clients Conducted media training for clients Developed press releases, media advisories, talking points, speeches, and legislative testimony that further the message desired by clients Planned press conferences Aggressively publicized initiatives for clients Created comprehensive media plans Remained current on key issues affecting clients Conducted media training for clients



Austin Independent School District

• United States
• Primary and Secondary Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Media Relations Coordinator

  • 2011 - 2012

  Built relationships between the nation's 37th largest district and local, state, national and international media Served as district spokesperson on a vast range of topics Managed communication during crisis events Developed key messages for media responses and media materials Planned press conferences and breaking news conferences Provided ongoing media strategy and counsel to top district officials for media interviews Generated broadcast, print and internet coverage for the district Created comprehensive media plans Collaborated with internal/external communications team to extend the value and reach of stories Created press releases, media advisories and talking points



Central Texas Medical Center

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 100 - 200 Employee

• PR/New Media Specialist

  • 2010 - 2011

  Created press releases and media advisories. Developed and managed first social media sites for CTMC, including the development of the first social media policy for CTMC employees. Increased attendance at CTMC health programs through successful social media targeting. Created press releases and media advisories. Developed and managed first social media sites for CTMC, including the development of the first social media policy for CTMC employees. Increased attendance at CTMC health programs through successful social media targeting.



KTBS

• Anchor/Reporter/Bureau Chief

  • 2004 - 2011

  Managed news coverage for 15 county area and operations in Texarkana bureau Developed first webcast for Texarkana viewers Produced and anchored cable newscast for Texarkana Stories consistently in most searched section of website Doubled coverage from bureau with a two person team doing what a five person team did previously Managed news coverage for 15 county area and operations in Texarkana bureau Developed first webcast for Texarkana viewers Produced and anchored cable newscast for Texarkana Stories consistently in most searched section of website Doubled coverage from bureau with a two person team doing what a five person team did previously



KETK

• Weekend Anchor/Bureau Chief

  • 2001 - 2004

  Anchored, reported and produced three weekend newscasts Managed staff of four employees in Longview bureau, including hiring and firing Consistently generated more than half of stories used in newscasts Anchored, reported and produced three weekend newscasts Managed staff of four employees in Longview bureau, including hiring and firing Consistently generated more than half of stories used in newscasts



KXXV

• Reporter/Anchor

  • 1999 - 2001

  Chosen to cover major news stories that made national headlines Stories aired on national news outlets (CNN and ABC News) Chosen to cover major news stories that made national headlines Stories aired on national news outlets (CNN and ABC News)



KAMC

• Reporter/Anchor

  • 1998 - 1999

  Reported multiple stories in a day and met tight deadlines for two stations with simultaneous newscasts Anchored and produced newscasts as needed Reported multiple stories in a day and met tight deadlines for two stations with simultaneous newscasts Anchored and produced newscasts as needed