Experience

Conservation Voters of South Carolina

• United States
• Political Organizations
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Director

  • Oct 2016 - Present

• Political Director

  • Feb 2016 - Oct 2016

  Serves as the chief political strategist for the organization, both long-term and for each election cycle. Develops and implements educational and political initiatives to build power with elected leaders, including voter ID, persuasion and turnout efforts and manage Independent Expenditure Campaigns.Identifies and promotes a pipeline of conservation-minded and viable candidates.Manage PAC and endorsement process and ensures compliance with both the spirit and letter of SC State election law.Ensure that educational programs support capacity and coalition building efforts, including the execution of accountability/voter education programs statewide and in key districts, including mail, phone and field canvasses.Assist with major donor fundraising for CVSC as well as the CVSC PAC.



Central Arkansas Water

• United States
• Utilities
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Customer Relations & Public Affairs

  • Nov 2013 - Feb 2016

  Oversees a 60-staff department with a budget of $4.5 million, consisting of a call center, field service representatives, meter readers, and all marketing and communications efforts for a public water utility that serves 400,000 individuals through 125,000 accounts.Establishes and implements department procedures regarding customer service and staff management.Responds to customer service concerns that escalate beyond section manager.Serves as the utility spokesperson for all media inquiries.Directs all advertising and marketing campaigns.Acts as liaison to local, state, and federal elected leaders for utility business.

• Watershed Protection Manager

  • Jun 2012 - Nov 2013

  Oversaw activities of utility's watershed protection program, ensuring the protection of a high quality water source for a utility that serves over 400,000 with drinking water.Successfully lobbied for the adoption of development standards and land use policies for a substantial portion of the Lake Maumelle Watershed.Led public relations efforts to seek safety improvements and/or the removal of the ExxonMobil Pegasus pipeline from the Lake Maumelle Watershed.Implemented land management activities on 9,000 acres of utility land, including fire management and reforestation efforts.



Sustainnovate, LLC

• Greenville, SC

• Founder and President

  • Sep 2011 - Jan 2014

  A strategic consulting company focused on facilitating connections and providing innovative solutions to improve natural resource management. Surveyed 50 water utility professionals throughout the US, focusing on source water protection through community partnerships. Developed a strategic action plan for creating source water partnerships between forest landowners and water utilities with goals of reducing utility capital and operational costs and enhancing forest protection. A strategic consulting company focused on facilitating connections and providing innovative solutions to improve natural resource management. Surveyed 50 water utility professionals throughout the US, focusing on source water protection through community partnerships. Developed a strategic action plan for creating source water partnerships between forest landowners and water utilities with goals of reducing utility capital and operational costs and enhancing forest protection.



Greenville Water

• United States
• Utilities
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Elected Commissioner

  • Nov 2009 - Jul 2012

  Public utility that provides award-winning drinking water to 450,000 individuals throughout the region while maintaining a AAA bond rating with an annual operating budget of $45 million and capital budget of $35 million. Organized and managed successful grassroots campaign for a City At-Large election, demonstrating successful branding and public relations abilities. Led the creation of numerous policies, including improved transparency, new water conservation efforts, and ongoing small grants and partnerships with charitable organizations within the utility service area. Approved issuance of $75 million in new bonds and $60.485 million in bond refunding for capital projects. Provided critical guidance to staff for creation of a comprehensive water conservation program as well as legislative and legal efforts to protect existing water supplies, ensuring continued regional growth, development, and economic well being.



Upstate Forever

• Deputy Director

  • Jun 2006 - May 2012

  Developed, tracked, and managed an annual budget of $500,000 and supervised four director-level staff, consisting of nearly 60% of the organization’s human and financial resources. Led strategic planning, fundraising, and day-to-day management activities for all programmatic efforts, including the Clean Air & Water, Land Trust, and Sustainable Communities Programs. Raised over $800,000 in grants from local, regional, and national foundations and governmental agencies. Edited and approved all published materials (monthly newsletters, advocacy alerts, press releases, annual magazine), ensuring consistency and clarity of message for all outreach and education efforts. Directed programs and education efforts through a time of organizational restructuring as well as through significant budget and staff reductions.



Self employed

• Greenville, SC

• Team Building Facilitator

  • Jan 2002 - Dec 2009

  Provided team building and retreat planning services for clients ranging from corporate groups to at-risk youth. Designed and facilitated daylong programs and multi-day retreats to improve communication, foster teamwork, and build trust within groups of diverse individuals. Developed a heightened awareness of the varying phases of group interaction and development. Provided team building and retreat planning services for clients ranging from corporate groups to at-risk youth. Designed and facilitated daylong programs and multi-day retreats to improve communication, foster teamwork, and build trust within groups of diverse individuals. Developed a heightened awareness of the varying phases of group interaction and development.