Experience

Tusculum University

• Higher Education
• 200 - 300 Employee

• Director of Communications and Marketing

  • Jun 2021 - Present

  Private, Presbyterian-affiliated university providing traditional and online courses and offering associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees and dual enrollment opportunities, all in a caring Christian environment that equips students to be career-ready professionals.Develop, implement and direct the strategic priorities for communications and marketing initiatives through an integrated approachOversee production and dissemination of all internal and external communications, advertising, email marketing, geofencing and video as well as content on all university's social media channels and Tusculum’s websitePartner with stakeholders throughout the university on communications and marketing initiativesProtect and promote the university's brand and reputation and advance the institution’s mission and goals through a comprehensive communications and marketing strategyAnalyze the effectiveness of all communications and marketing materials and campaigns and modify, as needed, to enhance resultsSupervise employees in the Office of Communications and MarketingServe on multiple university committeesRetain previous responsibilities from prior role Show less

• Director Of Communications

  • Sep 2018 - Jun 2021

  Private, Presbyterian-affiliated university providing traditional and online courses and offering associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees and dual enrollment opportunities, all in a caring Christian environment that equips our students to be career-ready professionals.Primary responsibilities:Strengthened brand through comprehensive internal and external written materialsCounseled president and other leaders on communications strategiesPartnered with constituencies throughout university to shape messaging for projectsOversaw university’s interaction with media and served as spokesmanSupplied content for university’s social media outletsApprised university leaders about media coverage of developments in educationSupervised intern to grow student’s skill setAccomplishments:Led communications planning and execution for announcement of new presidentWrote all messages about selection of acting presidentDirected nominations of four 40 Under Forty award recipients and wrote nomination for two Healthcare Hero award recipientsProduced virtually all written content for three issues of university magazine Show less



Wellmont Health System

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Media Relations Director

  • Nov 2009 - Apr 2018

  Regional health care provider featuring seven hospitals, physician practices, skilled nursing facility, assisted living facility and outpatient facilities. Media relations director: December 2015-April 2018 Media relations manager: November 2014-December 2015 Media relations coordinator: November 2009-November 2014 Primary responsibilities: Advanced company goals through earned media Counseled leaders, physicians and staff about communications strategies Created news releases, media advisories, statements, speaking points, op-ed columns, video scripts and award nominations Drafted internal and external messages for executive leadership team members Edited news releases, newsletters, advertisements and other collateral Executed frequent media events Supplied content for social media posts Prepared detailed weekly reports for board of directors about media coverage Managed Vocus and Meltwater monitoring and distribution systems Partnered with fellow communications team members from other organizations during strategic options review and complex merger with primary competitor Promoted company’s transition to newly formed, 21-hospital company Directed communications response to crisis incidents and drills Collaborated with NASCAR and Bristol Motor Speedway during race weeks Supervised interns and guided them toward improved performance Accomplishments: Granted President’s Award for work on strategic options and merger activities Appeared with other leaders in organization before Tennessee attorney general to make case for selection as new owner of independent hospital Negotiated significant cost reduction for replacement media monitoring system Co-wrote updated department crisis communications plan Earned awards from Tennessee Society for Healthcare Marketing & Public Relations and Tri-Cities chapter of Public Relations Society of America Show less



Johnson City Press

• Erwin Bureau Chief

  • Sep 1988 - Nov 2009

  Daily newspaper circulating in four counties in Northeast Tennessee. Erwin bureau chief: March 2005-November 2009 Court reporter: June 1997-March 2005 City hall reporter: January 1989-June 1997 General assignment reporter: September 1988-January 1989 Primary responsibilities: Wrote hard news and feature stories Performed still and video photography and prepared video reports Accomplishments: Reported on issues of long duration — landfills, annexation, crowded jails, special panel elected to examine city charter, effort by one community to incorporate Covered multiple municipal and county election campaigns Earned several writing awards Show less