Experience Regional Director of Communications, American Red Cross Palm Beaches-Treasure Coast Region October 2010 to Present Recruited to completely re-engineer the communications department of one of the largest Red Cross regions, representing over 2 million area residents. Responsible for the direct supervision of staff and volunteers, writing press releases and talking points for senior management and volunteer leadership. Accomplishments: • Re-engineered the Disaster Public Affairs Team, a group of 20 Public Affairs volunteers who assist in telling the Red Cross story, regardless of the hour; including creating a team intranet and increasing training. • Coordinated a 2-day telethon within 24-hours of 300+ tornadoes touching down in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi, raising over $127,000 for disaster relief; while receiving media mentions on all television networks and print outlets. • Launch of a regional blog, populating content multiple times per week and receiving an average of 1,000 hits per month. • Deployed as a National American Red Cross spokesperson in April 2011 for the Tornadoes in North Carolina, May 2011 for the Mississippi River flooding and June 2011 for the flooding in Minot, North Dakota. Account Executive, Profile Marketing & Public Relations September 2008 to October 2010 Manage client accounts helping increase revenue to their businesses, including Accounts Receivable, Inc. (ARI), G-Star School, Omni Advertising, Sleek MedSpa, and WellMed Medical Group to receive media placements, purchase advertising space, increase community presence and increase revenue. Accomplishments: • Launch of Broward Bank of Commerce, one of the last banks before a nationwide clampdown on new banks by the FDIC. • Launch of a social media campaign for Lang Realty, to increase awareness of their brand to a younger audience by using Twitter, Facebook and to recruit new Realtors® through Linked-In. • Hosting and producing the Legacy Place Food & Wine Experience to benefit the American Lung Association, with over 800 attendees and 40 restaurants. Served as event spokesperson. Public Relations Coordinator/Spokesperson, American Red Cross Palm Beach Chapter July 2007 to September 2008 Managed all aspects of Public Relations for one of the largest chapters of the Red Cross in Florida, including all disaster public affairs, promotion of CPR/First Aid Classes, Youth Services and select fundraising events. Secured media sponsorships for events including television, print and radio. Accomplishments: • Launch of Red Cross social media initiatives, including Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube. Public Information Specialist/Spokesperson, Parsons Brinkerhoff • Assisting with Disaster Public Affairs during the Iowa Floods of 2008, Hurricane Dolly in South Texas and Tropical Storm Fay in South Florida. Conducted interviews with The Weather Channel, BBC, MSNBC and Associated Press. July 2006 to July 2007 Consultant to Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, managing construction Public Relations for a 120-miles of Florida’s Turnpike in Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee Counties. Formed partnerships with community organizations to inform residents of Turnpike construction projects. Accomplishments: • Launched the Alexander Alden Ware Memorial Cable Barrier System Project in three counties, earning media placements in the West Palm Beach and Miami Media Markets. Public Relations Assistant, Rhode Island Department of Transportation • Received a “Thumbs-Up” from the Stuart News for keeping the community informed while the only Turnpike interchange in Martin County was closed for several days. September 2005 to May 2006 Assisted in increasing public awareness of Department of Transportation construction projects, including the $500 million “I-Way” projects, one of the largest construction projects in New England. Accomplishments: • International media coverage for the implosion of the “Old Jamestown” Bridge. • Receiving an award for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials for the departments newsletter. Education Masters of Business Administration, Florida Atlantic University – Boca Raton, FL Concentration in Crisis and Emergency Management, Executive Masters Program Bachelors of Business Administration, Bryant University – Smithfield, RI Concentration in Marketing and Communications Community Affiliations Past Chairman, Connect Florida – Statewide Young Professionals Organization of Leadership Florida Institute Chair, Connect Florida Past Treasurer, Public Relations Society of America Palm Beach County Chapter Advanced Public Affairs Team Member, American Red Cross |
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