Experience

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  CanAm Enterprises

  • New York City Metropolitan Area

  • PR and Communications Manager

    • Jul 2022 - Dec 2023
    • New York City Metropolitan Area

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  Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

  • Newark, NJ

  • Public Relations Manager

    • Aug 2010 - Jul 2022
    • Newark, NJ

    Public Relations ManagerHorizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New JerseyNewark, NJAugust 2010 – July 2022Point of contact for members of news media and influencers/spokesman for New Jersey's largest health insurer and its subsidiary companies.Story-telling, article writing and content generation for corporate newsroom, Horizon Health News. Prepares news releases, opinion articles, speeches for senior company executives, slide presentations, website and intranet content; start-to-finish execution for all ingredients of media events.

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  New Jersey Department of Treasury

  • Director of Communications

    • Jan 2002 - Feb 2010

    Media Relations:Served as primary point of contact for major state agency with 12 diverse operating divisions. Managed media response, media project planning and execution strategies; provide tactical counseling, reputation management and crisis communication for department and administration.Functioned as Press Secretary for State Treasurer, coordinating chief executive-level media contact, news interviews, public appearances and events.Communications:Coordinated efforts in support of the department's major functions, with emphasis on fiscal management of the state’s $30 billion budget, $32 billion debt portfolio, procurement, $68 billion pension investment program, public employee benefits, property management and construction, economic development, tax law and policy and statewide support services. Considerable emphasis on managing proactive and reactive press for strategies and decisions on pension portfolio and public debt transactions.Oversaw all agency publications. Manage and/or assign writing responsibilities for news releases, speeches, opinion columns, talking points, select correspondence, direct mail, web page content and other collateral materials. Maintained external relations with other related agencies, Governor’s Office and private sector stakeholders to assure coordination of executive branch media activities and policies.

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  NJ Senate

  • Communications Specialist

    • Mar 1995 - Jan 2002

    Identified and seized opportunities in the state and national news media to position caucus members as leaders and innovators of public policy.Launched policy and program initiatives through news conferences and special events; managed all support materials, such as press releases, press packets, talking points, and photo-op materials.Built and cultivated relationships with media contacts, including reporters, senior editors, producers and publishers. Counseled legislative leadership and Caucus on tactical public relations strategies.Prepared news releases, speeches, op-ed articles, white papers, Q and A materials and other documents that conveyed positions by minority's delegation on a broad range of policy issues.

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  Mayor's Office, Edison Township

  • Public Information Director

    • Mar 1994 - Dec 1994

    Managed and directed all public relations and media relations responsibilities for administration of New Jersey's 6th largest municipality.Served in key point of contact role in managing crisis communications and notification responsibilities associated with natural gas pipeline disaster.Used effective public relations strategies and media relations to communicate new mayor's policy goals and vision for major initiatives in economic development, government access reform and youth service program.

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  Commissioner's Office

  • Public Information Director

    • Jun 1992 - Mar 1994

    Executed all internal and external communications on behalf of cabinet officer and state agency with 650 employees.Developed and executed strategies to position agency as a national trendsetter in public workforce management.Managed crisis communication duties with hostile media in the midst of state's largest workforce reduction Conceived innovations that converted annual report into a customer-friendly informational guide and marketing tool.Prepared Personnel Commissioner's speeches, news releases, testimony, op/ed articles; prepared department's annual report and internal newsletter.Expanded and diversified internal newsletter to better communicate organizational goals and highlight employee contributions.NJ General Assembly, Minority/Majority Office

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  NJ Assembly

  • Communications Specialist

    • Jan 1986 - Jan 1991

    Led team of writers, photographers and media specialists on public relations campaigns to promote Assembly leaders and members as major players on public policy issues.Developed and expanded opportunities for members to espouse positions through news conferences, editorial board meetings, publicity events and other media venues.Directed state, national and international news media coverage of major legislative initiatives.

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  The Home News

  • News correspondent/feature writer

    • Mar 1986 - Jun 1986

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  WCTC Radio

  • Writer/Anchor/Senior Editor

    • Feb 1982 - Dec 1985

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  WNDB Radio

  • News reporter/Sportscaster

    • Jun 1981 - Feb 1982