Experience

McLean County Health Department

• United States
• Health, Wellness & Fitness
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Public Affairs Coordinator

  • Jan 2021 - Present

  • Media relations lead. Build and maintained strong media and government relationships. • Schedule regular promotional campaigns to benefit MCHD. • Create media interview schedules, press releases, talking points, media statements • Manage cross functional website content and social media campaigns. • Social Media management: create graphics; schedule posts; maintain communications with social media audiences; provide analytics. Experience with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, Canva, HooteSuite, WhatsApp and more. • Create mass email and survey marketing materials and maintain listing. Experiences with Constant Contact, MailChimp, Salesforce, SurveyMonkey and more. • Create Marketing campaigns to promote public education & promote services including writing, producing, and voicing TV ads, radio ads, billboards, bus ads, and digital/online/app platforms. • Assist County Administrators, Board of Health members and County Government officials to respond to media inquiries, write press releases, promote new services and programs, write media statements, plan and conduct press conference, plan and produce town hall meetings, write and establish placement for major newspaper OpEds, public letters and public responses to promote programs and handle all crisis communications situations. Show less



Illinois Commerce Commission

• Springfield, Illinois

• Director, Office of Public Affairs

  • Nov 2016 - Jan 2020

  • Managed 3-4 communications specialists while serving as Commission spokesperson. • Utilized strategic communication efforts to reinforce message, narrative, and annual themes. • Created and edited external press releases, press conferences, media statements, media advisories, mass emails, policy sessions and town hall meetings, often in collaboration with Governor’s office. • Wrote the first internal Media Training Manual. • Coached Chairman and executives for media interviews and speeches. • Managed cross-functional website content and social media. • Project manager for Annual Report to Governor. • Produced monthly newsletter. • Established crisis communication protocols; drafted first Citizens Guide; first complete 100+ year history off ICC. Show less



Illinois Dept of Human Services

• Springfield, Illinois

• Director of Communications

  • Jan 2016 - Dec 2016

  • Directed communications functions, agency spokesperson during Illinois' historic 2+ year budget impasse. • Collaborated with the Governor's administration on uniform messaging, promoting legislation and battling multiple crisis media situations. • Managed team of 4-5 to organize town hall meetings, ceremonies, press conferences, and preparing for protests. • Coached Acting Secretary for Senate confirmation hearing and budget presentations to General Assembly. • Project manager for employee newsletters, social media, website, intranet video productions, community affairs events, annual publications, and other printed materials. Show less



WAND-TV NewsCenter17

• Decatur, Illinois Area

• TV News Anchor & Reporter

  • May 2013 - Dec 2015

  • Achieved #1 Neilsen-rated evening news programs (up from #3) immediately after leaving competing station. • Anchored and produced special reports for 4pm, 5pm, 6pm and 10pm newscasts. • Developed cross-functional social media strategy, taking WAND-TV to #1 most active online station in the market using website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest & Snapchat. • Achieved #1 Neilsen-rated evening news programs (up from #3) immediately after leaving competing station. • Anchored and produced special reports for 4pm, 5pm, 6pm and 10pm newscasts. • Developed cross-functional social media strategy, taking WAND-TV to #1 most active online station in the market using website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest & Snapchat.



WICS-TV ABC Newschannel 20

• Springfield IL

• TV News Anchor & Reporter

  • 2008 - 2013

  • Deadline-driven Anchor and Reporter for (then) #1 rated 6pm and 10pm newscasts. • Established separate identity for 9pm Fox newscast (WRSP/WCCU-TV) as solo anchor and co-producer. • Deadline-driven Anchor and Reporter for (then) #1 rated 6pm and 10pm newscasts. • Established separate identity for 9pm Fox newscast (WRSP/WCCU-TV) as solo anchor and co-producer.



KRGV-TV ABC News Channel 5

• McAllen, Texas Area

• TV News Anchor & Reporter

  • 2004 - 2007

  • Maintained ratings for #1 rated English speaking station in Nielson's Top 10 Hispanic market, effectively communicating image as “breaking news” station. This station is located 4 miles from the Mexican border. • Collaborated with Homeland Security to report on immigration, drug cartels, human trafficking, border security. • Maintained ratings for #1 rated English speaking station in Nielson's Top 10 Hispanic market, effectively communicating image as “breaking news” station. This station is located 4 miles from the Mexican border. • Collaborated with Homeland Security to report on immigration, drug cartels, human trafficking, border security.



QVC

• United States
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• National TV Host

  • 2000 - 2003

  • Hosted non-scripted shows for viewers in 90-Million homes for one of America’s first HD network. • Approximately $225-Million annual sales for #2 most profitable network in US. (Our IT dept. could monitor precise profit figures within 7 seconds of live presentation). • Hosted non-scripted shows for viewers in 90-Million homes for one of America’s first HD network. • Approximately $225-Million annual sales for #2 most profitable network in US. (Our IT dept. could monitor precise profit figures within 7 seconds of live presentation).



FOX 35 Orlando, WOFL-TV

• United States
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 1 - 100 Employee

• TV Weather Anchor/Reporter

  • 1999 - 2000

  Note: Worked part time while maintaining full time position with WXXL • TV Weather Anchor and Reporter for flagship 10:00pm News at Orlando’s FOX affiliate • Familiar with Weather Mapping Systems graphics and design Note: Worked part time while maintaining full time position with WXXL • TV Weather Anchor and Reporter for flagship 10:00pm News at Orlando’s FOX affiliate • Familiar with Weather Mapping Systems graphics and design



WXXL-FM XL 106.7 (Metro Networks)

• Orlando, Florida Area

• Airborne Traffic Reporter/News Director/Morning Show Personality

  • 1993 - 2000

  • Produced airborne traffic reports 4X/hour for this top-rated mega station (Metro Networks). • Assisted emergency managers in hurricane evacuations across Florida (Metro Networks). • Promoted to in-studio morning show host and news director. • Hosted and produced two additional weekly public service programs. • Collaborated with Promotions & Sales on content and time blocking for live remotes, including the grand openings for Walt Disney World's "Animal Kingdom" and "Universal Studios," and two live concert venues per year each drawing an audience up to a quarter million people. Show less



TV Facts Magazine

• Orlando, Florida Area

• Owner and Publisher

  • 1990 - 1993

  • Own and operate the Orlando franchise for this free weekly TV listings magazine, as direct competition for "TV Guide" (America's #1 publication at the time) • Delivered all advertising sales, marketing strategies and advertising designs on tight weekly deadline • Work closely with publishing company and printing press operators to produce weekly magazine • Plan and purchase all distribution placement in major retailers and high traffic businesses • Purchase or create distribution boxes • Manage company budget, including all billing and collections • Write all news and feature articles and organize weekly 24/7 TV listings • Hire, manage and train all staff, while maintaining payroll and taxes (S-Chapter corporation) Show less