The Details

I’m an accomplished senior level communications specialist focused on developing and implementing strategic public relations and marketing initiatives that support business objectives.

Areas of Expertise:

• Communication strategies and planning
• Media relations
• Project management
• Writing/Editing/Proofreading
• Public relations
• Problem solving

Work Experience

Beacon College
Director of Communications (Oct. 2022 – Present)

• Social media communications: write content, design graphics, and engage with audiences.
• Website: managed complete redesigns of beaconcollege.edu and awodtv.org from RFP to implementation. Continuously updating and enhancing websites.
• Media relations: write and distribute news releases; develop media lists; follow up with pitches.
• Email Marketing: write, design, and distribute all email messaging for advancement, fundraising and communications office
• Event management: write, design and distribute all communication efforts and assist with event planning of the Salon Speaker Series, Alumni Weekend, Family Weekend and capital campaign
• Serve on Emergency Preparedness Team: Lead and strategize communication updates to parents and through social media during emergency/weather events

St. Paul Catholic Church
Communications Manager/Thrift and Gift Shop Manager (July 2018 – Sept. 2022)

• Developed all marketing materials for St. Paul Catholic Church and St. Paul Catholic School: advertisements, brochures, banners, social media, websites, and promo items.
• Managed redesign of school website.
• Wrote and published weekly bulletin and e-bulletin.
• Managed Thrift and Gift Shop: supervised three shop clerks and coordinated 75+ volunteers; revenue $275,000 annually.
• Event planner: parish picnic, hospitality weekends, volunteer appreciation lunch.

MCW Communications
Writer/Communications Consultant (Feb. 2012 – Present)
Leesburg, Fla. 205-523-3742

• Media relations: write and distribute news releases, target media pitching, and product placement submissions.
• Marketing: research and write case studies and blogs, submit product award entries, manage advertising placement schedule and submissions.

Emagination Unlimited

Account Manager (July 2014 – July 2016) (Agency closed in 2020)
Pensacola, Florida 

• Project manager for Covenant Care marketing materials throughout Northwest Florida and South Alabama. 
• Public relations strategist: managed media relations for QMotion.

The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Communications Specialist Senior (Jan. 2003 – Dec. 2012)

• Planned and implemented annual public relations, marketing and advertising strategies for UA College of Engineering and seven engineering departments.
  • brochures, viewbooks, multimedia, website, advertisements, social
• Wrote, coordinated design and published the College’s alumni magazine, the Capstone Engineer.
• Wrote and pitched news releases and research articles highlighting the engineering faculty, students and research.
• Supervised part-time student assistants and co-managed web programmer.
• Edited fundraising proposals and worked closely with development officers designing annual fund materials.
• Attended FEMA National Incident Management System Training.
• Service to UA – Campus Master Plan Committee (2010-2011); Student Health Committee (2009-2010); Professional Staff Assembly (2008-2010).

GS&F
Nashville, Tennessee
Senior Account Executive, Public Relations (May 1999 – Dec. 2002)

• Managed more than $200,000 in annual billings for numerous clients, including DESA International Heating Products Division, Lochinvar Corp., and Universal Lighting Technologies Inc.
• Developed and implemented annual public relations strategies and budgets
• Wrote news releases, newsletters, case study articles and technical white papers (more than 12 technical articles were published in numerous trade magazines)
• Coordinated trade show communications and press conferences and attended shows to strengthen editorial relationships
• Managed publicity plan for Universal Lighting Technologies Inc. sale from MagneTek Corp. and name change from MagneTek Lighting Products Group – more than 9 million impressions for 2001
• Coordinated Lochinvar Corp.’s new headquarters open house for more than 600 employees and a media familiarization tour of the new facilities

Aladdin Temp-Rite LLC
Nashville, Tennessee
Marketing Coordinator (Sept. 1998 – April 1999)

• Distributed communications materials

Higgins Advertising  (Agency closed in 2000)
Nashville, Tennessee
Media Relations Manager (March 1998 – Aug. 1998)

Erwin-Penland Inc.
Greenville, South Carolina
Account Executive, Public Relations (June 1996 – Dec. 1997)

• Managed corporate sponsorship program for Bell Atlantic Mobile
• Coordinated editorial coverage for Greater Greenville Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Palmetto Expo Center
• Compiled monthly clipping reports

Teaching Experience

The University of West Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Adjunct Instructor (Aug. 2013 – May 2014)

• PUR 3100 Writing for Public Relations (Department of Communication Arts), Spring 2014
• MMC 2000 Principles of Mass Communications (Department of Communication Arts), Fall 2013
• Public Relations for Nonprofits (Distance & Continuing Education), Fall 2013

Pensacola State College
Pensacola, Florida
Adjunct Instructor (Aug. 2013 – Dec. 2014)

• MAR 3802 Marketing for Managers (online), Spring 2014, Fall 2013
• MNA 1161 Customer Service Fall 2014 (online), Summer 2014 (online), Spring 2014

The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Adjunct Instructor (Aug. 2009 – Dec. 2009)

• APR 433-001 Public Relations Campaigns, Fall 2009

Education

The University of Alabama
Master of Arts – May 2009
College of Communication & Information Sciences
Thesis: Exploring Internet Usage of University of Alabama College of Engineering Freshmen During Their College Selection Decision Process (Adviser: Dr. Joe Phelps)

Florida State University
Bachelor of Science – Aug. 1995
College of Communication (Public Relations)

Certifications and Memberships
Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), September 2013; renew June 2025
Florida Public Relations Association Lake County 2016-2025
Florida Public Relations Association Pensacola 2012-2016
Public Relations Council of Alabama 2003-2011

Awards and Honors

• Florida Public Relations Association Silver Pinnacle Award 2024 for Beacon College Communications Team
• FPRA Golden Image Award of Distinction 2024 for Beacon College Salon Speaker Series
• FPRA Judges’ Award 2024 for Beacon College Salon Speaker Series
• PRSA Sunshine District Best of Sunshine Radiance Award 2024 for Beacon College Salon Speaker Series
• AAF Fourth District Angel Award 2024 for “A World of Difference” awodtv.org website design
• Florida Public Relations Association Image Award Judges’ Award 2017 for FPRA Lake E-Newsletter
• Florida Public Relations Association Image Award Award of Distinction 2017 for FPRA Lake E-Newsletter
• Public Relations Council of Alabama Award of Excellence 2011 for website development
• Southern Public Relations Federation Award of Excellence 2010 for recruiting brochure project
• Southern Public Relations Federation Award of Merit 2010 for media relations project (oil spill experts)
• Public Relations Council of Alabama Award of Merit 2010 for media relations project (oil spill experts)
• Public Relations Council of Alabama Award of Merit 2010 for recruiting brochure project
• Addy Gold Award (American Advertising Federation of Tuscaloosa) 2010 for Capstone Engineer article spread (Where We Started)
• Addy Gold Award (American Advertising Federation of Tuscaloosa) 2010 for Engineering Plus recruitment brochure and pocket folder
• Addy Silver Award (American Advertising Federation of Tuscaloosa) 2009 for engineering holiday card
• Public Relations Council of Alabama Medallion Award 2008 for external magazine publication
• Public Relations Council of Alabama Medallion Award 2008 for brochure project
• Public Relations Council of Alabama Award of Excellence 2008 for brochure project
• Public Relations Council of Alabama Award of Excellence 2008 for writing-op/ed pieces
• Addy Gold Award (American Advertising Federation of Tuscaloosa) 2008 for engineering recruitment viewbook
• Addy Silver Award (American Advertising Federation of Tuscaloosa) 2008 for engineering dean announcement cards
• Public Relations Council of Alabama Medallion Award 2007 for writing-news release
• Public Relations Council of Alabama Medallion Award 2005 for special publication
• Parthenon Award 2001 for Among Friends newsletter