Experience

National Corn Growers Association

• United States
• Farming
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Renewable Fuels

  • Dec 2022 - Present

• Communications Director

  • Oct 2020 - Dec 2022

  In my current role, I work cross-departmentally to execute on media outreach and paid plans, develop communications strategies, pull data and analytics for the organization while providing key insights and serve as a mentor for many in the organization. -Collaborates with other departments on sellback materials and brand awareness to internal and external stakeholders including government officials, industry partners, dues paying members, state association partners, and 50 state grower and checkoff boards-Develops a reporting strategy and provides quarterly and yearly analytical reports for NCGA’s communications channels-Builds quarterly and yearly communications, PR and marketing plans-Manages crisis communications for various portfolios across the organization-Serves as a people manager for the communications and market development departments-Works on various executive communications initiatives including power point presentations, internal communications, blog posts, media statements and podcast episodes-Oversees multi-million-dollar marketing and communications campaigns in various geographies across the U.S.-Responsible for managing and maintaining the NCGA brand-Engages with stakeholders up and down the value chain-Continues with the duties of media relations lead, project manager and media and social media training

• Senior Communications Manager

  • Oct 2018 - Oct 2020

  -Served as head of media relations and point of contact for regional and national media outlets-Project Management: Oversees projects from start to finish including but not limited to budgeting, creative execution, media planning and PR for tradeshows, product launches, internal and external events.-Conducted media and social media trainings to groups throughout the year-Continued with the manager duties of social media posting, communications lead and consumer facing materials

• Communications Manager

  • Aug 2017 - Oct 2018

  -Social Media Manager: Implemented a digital paid and organic posting strategy and implemented use of a social media management platform-Served as the communications lead for the market development portfolio, which includes ethanol, animal agriculture and new uses-Assisted with the development of a consumer facing marketing campaigns



Osborn Barr

• United States
• Advertising Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Associate Director

  • Jun 2016 - Aug 2017

  -Managed budget and scope for $2M client (Dekalb ASGROW) and served as the account lead and liaison -Strategic yearly planning: Provide input and oversight of fiscal year planning with creative, media and PR campaigns -Collaborate with partner agencies and media vendors to generate new and innovative ideas, for experiential and events marketing and traditional and digital media buys to meet the clients’ needs -Project Management: Oversaw projects from start to finish including but not limited to budgeting, creative execution, media planning and PR for tradeshows, product launches, internal and external events



DuPont Pioneer

• Heartland Business Unit

• Communications Manager

  • Dec 2011 - May 2016

  -Led communications initiatives for a 3-state region with more than 1000 employees and 600 independent sales representatives. Served as one of 10 individuals on the leadership team for sales and marketing initiatives in this geography -Submitted stories promoting local initiatives to the global external facing website and internal employee facing website -Created and distributed monthly newsletters for employees -Change Management Coordinator: Helped employees work through company changes (layoffs, new programs/benefits) -Served as the industry and university relations manager in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri -Assisted with local and state government relations and rapport development -Project Manager: Created deadlines and goals for communications and marketing initiatives -5-year Planning: Assisted in the creation of marketing, sales and communications goals for 5-year plans -Community Investment and Relations Program Manager: led the program with a budget of approximately $500K -Led all Public Relations efforts for the region and served as the primary media relations contact -Managed a budget for sponsorship and membership opportunities totaling $1M, for university giving, sponsorship opportunities and media dollars -Local Brand Manager: Served as the key brand spokesperson and managed brand standards -Hosted annual business conference for employees, in addition to many external events throughout the year with various budgets. Coordinated event logistics, media, special guests, entertainment and the CEO of DuPont and President of Pioneer



Illinois Farm Bureau

• United States
• Farming
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Radio News Manager

  • Sep 2009 - Dec 2011

  -Served as affiliate relations manager for 75 network partners as well as established and fostered relationships with industry and government partners -Produced 3 hours of daily programming and was a web content provider and backup web editor for rfdradio.com -International Travel Experience – Mexico, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil -Served as affiliate relations manager for 75 network partners as well as established and fostered relationships with industry and government partners -Produced 3 hours of daily programming and was a web content provider and backup web editor for rfdradio.com -International Travel Experience – Mexico, Panama, Colombia, and Brazil



Tri States Public Radio-Western Illinois University

• Macomb, Illinois

• Morning Edition Host / Reporter

  • Mar 2009 - Sep 2010

  -Feature reporter and city council and county board beat reporter -Assisted with annual giving campaign -Feature reporter and city council and county board beat reporter -Assisted with annual giving campaign



WGIL-AM Galesburg, IL

• Galesburg, Illinois

• News & Content Director

  • May 2008 - Mar 2009

  -Managed newsroom and content operations -People manager -Midday News Anchor and City Council and County Board Beat Reporter -Managed newsroom and content operations -People manager -Midday News Anchor and City Council and County Board Beat Reporter



WJPF Radio

• Carterville, Illinois, United States

• News Reporter

  • Jan 2007 - May 2007

  -Afternoon News Anchor/Reporter for WJPF-AM & Magic 95.1 and Morning News Anchor for New Country Z-100 -Afternoon News Anchor/Reporter for WJPF-AM & Magic 95.1 and Morning News Anchor for New Country Z-100