Social Media Associate

• Oct 2021 - Present

Content Development Specialist

• Jul 2014 - Nov 2020

• Planned, edited and managed social media communications across several platforms and website pages with the communications team. • Managed requests for information from media and identified appropriate spokespeople and information sources as well as resource material. • Wrote effective talking points for media interviews and public speeches. • Photographed subjects and edited photos to accompany website and social media posts. • Worked with communications team to produce videos for social media and website. • Collaborated on a web project that was a City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) finalist for a 2015 SAVVY award. • Successfully identified issues and developed solutions for communications. • Worked with a diverse team to produce short- and long-term plans to meet targeted goals while identifying needs and best practices to best communicate municipal information to residents.

Reporter

• Dec 2006 - Jun 2014

• Prepared lively narratives by obtaining first-hand information from interviews with directly involved individuals. • Covered breaking news developments such as disasters, crimes and human-interest stories. • Planned top-notch news coverage by working closely with editors and cultivating sources. • Recognized by the Iowa Associated Press Managing Editors for reporting on a proposed fertilizer plant, a visit by President Barack Obama and local business issues with a thorough and accurate approach.

Reporter

• Jun 1997 - Dec 2006

• Recognized by the Illinois Press Association and Northern Illinois Newspaper Association for news and breaking news reporting with a thorough and accurate approach. • Recognized by the Illinois Press Association and Northern Illinois Newspaper Association for news and breaking news reporting with a thorough and accurate approach.