Experience

• 

  RMS Media Consulting

  • Georgetown, TX

  • Owner

    • May 2010 - Present
    • Georgetown, TX

    Strategic consulting on media relations in law enforcement with emphasis on crisis resolution, public image and reputation management

• 

  Los Vinos Amigos

  • Partner

    • 2008 - Present

    Importers of fine wines from around the world

• 

  The Pueblo Chieftain

  • Pueblo, Colorado Area

  • General Manager

    • Oct 2011 - Feb 2014
    • Pueblo, Colorado Area

    Succeeded in doing this turnaround resulting in company's largest profit in recent years in 2012 and added even more profit in 2013 to this family-owned daily newspaper, plus negotiated the best labor contract in more than 30 years. This daily covers 16 counties in southern Colorado. My goal, aside from profitability was to bring it into the 21st Century including cost efficiencies on the print side and re-launching a dormant digital effort, while growing revenue in all areas including commercial printing.

• 

  El Paso Times

  • President/Publisher

    • 2006 - 2010

• 

  2006 - 2010 MEDIANEWS GROUP

  • President/Publisher Texas

    • 2006 - 2010

    Oversight of eight newspapers, six dailies, seven weeklies, plus the El Paso Times Handled corporate communications for MediaNews involving properties in Texas and New Mexico Re-launched emphasis on website development, hiring internet director and staff Launched award winning "Get It" branding campaign utilizing various media, promotional items, banners Initiated iPhone app campaign promoting application for newspaper consumers through smart phones Launched use of social media, including Facebook and Tweeter feeds promoting newspaper and driving traffic to website Assembled a team to study benefits, results of utilizing direct mail, email blasts Improved quality of advertising utilizing a centralized marketing/creative staff for all Texas and New Mexico publications Interacted with city, county, state and congressional representatives on major issues

• 

  FREEDOM COMMUNICATIONS

  • The Orange County Register, Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President, General Manager

    • 2002 - 2006

    2002 to 2006* Responsible for the entire daily paper, plus 26 weeklies, a Spanish weekly, three magazines, commercial printing and two internet businesses; developed crisis management response for organization* Conducted advertising agency reviews * Handled media inquiries, reviewed marketing plans and represented company in public meetings; partnered with electronic media to increase exposure of newspaper* Resurrected internet momentum, developed aggressive business plan* Directed team focusing on growth of Hispanic product in market* Implemented series of meetings eliminating union activism and improved associate morale through an aggressive communications program Worked with state involving clean air issues, recycling goals and underground pollution

  • Southwest Regional Vice President, Publisher

    • Jan 1994 - Jan 2002

    * Responsible for oversight of eight newspapers in Texas, New Mexico and Missouri, including The Monitor in McAllen* Initiated regional meetings to determine and share best marketing, communications and business practices across the eight dailies* Developed comprehensive branding campaign "Our Life...Valley Life" and associated marketing for it with print, electronic and direct mail* Crafted editorial direction including writing some stories, opinion pieces* Conducted advertising agency reviews, implemented first media convergence partnership working with television and radio increasing exposure of newspaper at no cost* Utilized extensive focus groups to develop strategic plans across; * Led team that constructed a new facility for The Monitor, including site selection, architect, contractor* Lobbied in Austin on behalf of Texas Daily Newspaper Association involving legal notices, recycling

• 

  Odessa American

  • Publisher

    • Jan 1990 - Jan 1994

    * Initiated focus groups and polling to help determine strategic direction of this property* Represented company in various public meetings, boards and in non-profit organizations* Recognized statewide with General Excellence Award by Texas Press Association* Launched company employee publication to communicate strategic plans, improve morale* Worked with advertising agency to create common themes for publications, commercials for television and radio

• 

  LESHER COMMUNICATIONS

  • General Manager

    • Jan 1986 - Jan 1990

    Worked with city and county for zoning, permits and then constructed 40,000 sq. ft. design-build office facility* Invoked media crisis management experience after newspaper carrier was killed while collecting* Three national awards for excellence, more than a dozen statewide* Suburban Newspapers of America rated it among top ten in nation* Introduced media teams incorporating an advertising consultant, creative artist and a reporter* Initiated "commuter newspaper" for the San Francisco Bay area

• 

  BUCKNER NEWS ALLIANCE

  • Publisher

    • Jan 1984 - Jan 1986

• 

  Pecos Enterprise

  • Editor/Publisher

    • Jan 1980 - Jan 1984

    * Handled editorial direction, including writing for Opinion page, creative for advertisers* Recognized with over 40 editorial awards* Returned paper from news wire only to hometown daily

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  Dallas Times Herald

  • Executive News Editor

    • Jan 1978 - Jan 1980

  • Assistant City Editor

    • Jan 1977 - Jan 1978

  • Assistant News Editor

    • Jan 1977 - Jan 1978

  • Business Editor

    • Jan 1976 - Jan 1977

  • Assistant Business Editor

    • Jan 1975 - Jan 1976

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  Fort Worth Start Telegram

  • Makeup Editor

    • Jan 1974 - Jan 1975

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  AMON CARTER, INC

  • Copy Editor

    • Jan 1973 - Jan 1975

• 

  Fort Worth Star Telegram

  • Copy Editor

    • Jan 1973 - Jan 1974

• 

  Arlington Daily News

  • City Editor

    • Jan 1971 - Jan 1973

  • Reporter/Photographer

    • Jan 1970 - Jan 1971

• 

  BELO CORPORATION

  • City Editor/Reporter

    • Jan 1970 - Jan 1973