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Chief, Command Information
U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood, Fort Hood, Texas
01/2011 to present
Pay Grade:GS-1035-12
- Plan, direct and implement the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood command information program, which includes support for III Corps, 1st Cavalry Division and the other units that make up the Army's largest installation.
- Oversee the production of the Fort Hood Sentinel newspaper, Fort Hood on Track weekly television broadcast and FortHoodRadio.com.
- Manage the installation's social media presence and find innovative ways to incorporate the traditional media with new media.
Strategic Communications Officer
Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center Public Affairs, Fort Hood, Texas
09/2010 to 01/2011
Pay Grade:GS-1035-11
- Developed and implemented the strategic communications plan for one of the Army’s largest health care facilities, incorporating command information, media relations, community relations and marketing tactics.
- Planned, produced and edited CRDAMC articles, briefs and photos for III Corps and Fort Hood command information media, such as the Fort Hood Sentinel and Phantom Distro. Products were planned in coordination with MEDCOM and IMCOM strategic calendars, in order to promote effective communications.
- In conjunction with III Corps and Fort Hood media relations team, answered CRDAMC-related media queries using the Fort Hood Press Center/PIER System.
- Planned and conducted an external information campaign to military and civilian publics through news releases, media interviews, press conferences, media days and media escorts.
- Implemented and managed CRDAMC’s Web presence through the Army’s CORE platform and Facebook. Developed a CRDAMC-specific PIER site with press releases, fact sheets and FAQs to support the III Corps and Fort Hood Media Relations program.
- Prepared speeches and/or talking points for hospital, Fort Hood, Southern Regional Medical Command and MEDCOM leadership for community relations events, such as the Collier Clinic memorialization ceremony and new hospital groundbreaking ceremony.
- Measured success of strategic communications plan by monitoring quantity and tonality of media clips, reporting outreach using the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs 3+2+1 Support Site and by meeting and exceeding overall command information communications goals.
Command Information Officer
USAG Benelux Public Affairs, Chièvres, Belgium
07/2008 – 08/2010
Pay Grade: YA-1035-02 (GS-11 equivalent)
- Planned, directed and implemented the U.S. Army Garrison Benelux command information program, which included support for units located at SHAPE, NATO Headquarters in Brussels and at USAG Schinnen in the Netherlands.
- Duties included editing both a weekly and quarterly publication, which required the development of an editorial calendar, assigning stories to eight journalists, reviewing content to ensure it abided by Army Regulations and Associated Press Style, color-correcting photographs, laying out the publications and working with the printer to ensure the products met deadlines.
- Worked with Public Affairs Officer to find innovative ways to implement the strategic communications plan to raise awareness of the USAG Benelux to decision makers and incoming Soldiers, civilians and families while monitoring strategic communications messages from higher headquarters. As an example, issues of the Benelux Edge magazine localized larger topics like the NCO of the Year, Army Family Covenant and the IMCOM Campaign Plan.
- Wrote stories, took photos and designed graphics in line with the strategic communications plan and marketed them to higher headquarters and external media outlets. In two years, 110 stories were posted on Department of the Army website. Of those, 11 appeared on the Army’s homepage, 12 were released through the Stand-To!, five were posted to IMCOM’s CNN iReport, one was featured in Soldiers Magazine and one appeared in the NCO Journal. Additionally, 14 stories were posted on the Department of Defense website and four were marketed to the world through the American Forces Press Service.
- Acted as a key player in the Department of Defense’s recognition of the 65th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne, Belgium, by producing a special edition 52-page magazine, producing a media kit, coordinating the community relations plan with other staff members and organizing promotion with American Forces Network and DoD. The command information campaign was awarded a Thomas Jefferson Award and the community relations program and special edition magazine were recognized as the best in the Army through the annual Keith L. Ware journalism competition.
- Gathered background information and prepared command information plans for crisis communications incidents like the H1N1 flu outbreak. This involved working with Europe Regional Medical Command, SHAPE Healthcare Facility commanders and preventive medicine personnel; ordering materials through U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine; and preparing local information for a Benelux H1N1 website.
- Acted as garrison PAO, when needed.
- Received a five rating on the NSPS annual appraisal.
Public Relations Executive & Branding Strategist
The Cirlot Agency, Flowood, Mississippi
11/2007 – 04/2008
- Created in-depth marketing and public relations plans for local, regional, national and international companies such as online retailers, major universities and Department of Defense contractors.
- Presented briefings and conducted sessions with top executives in order to develop a corporate image that was used as a foundation for all marketing and public relations tactics.
- Planned, organized and managed logistics for a U.S. presidential debate, client branding sessions, grand opening ceremonies and trade shows.
- Provided budget recommendations for clients and organized and administered tactics based on the most effective use of the client's money. (Clients' budgets ranged from $25,000 to more than $1 million.)
- Prepared public affairs guidance for crisis communications.
- Wrote and pitched public relations materials such as news releases, fact sheets and media kits for clients and the agency.
- Worked directly with local, regional, national and international media to expand the public relations coverage for each client.
Promotions Producer
KVBC TV-3, NBC, Las Vegas, Nevada
08/2006 – 09/2007
- Worked to enhance the overall image and ratings of KVBC using video, print and Web-based promotional materials.
- Wrote and produced commercials of varying length to promote sweeps pieces, on-air talent, daily newscasts and the networks syndicated shows, using an Avid editing system and Photoshop.
- Worked as the liaison with Engineering and IT, assisting with the changeover to High Definition.
- Developed manuals for procedures used by the promotions department.
Promotions Producer
WLBT TV-3, NBC, Jackson, Mississippi
09/2005 – 06/2006
- Developed marketing strategy for the number one news channel in Jackson to ensure the station remained in first place after each ratings period.
- Wrote copy, collected video and produced television commercials using an Avid editing system, After Effects and Photoshop.
- Produced daily video teases to promote the 5, 6 and 10 p.m. newscasts.
- Created and produced image campaigns for on-air talent and the station.
- Filled in as an Associate News Producer, which involved developing and organizing evening and weekend newscasts and writing scripts for lead anchors.
- Developed print advertisements, logos and Web materials for contests.
Community Relations/Deputy Media Relations Officer
Fort Riley Public Affairs Office, Fort Riley, Kansas
04/2003 – 09/2005
Pay Grade: GS-1035-09
- Planned, directed and implemented Fort Riley and the 24th Infantry Division community relations and media relations programs, which included support for the 1st Infantry Division, 1st Armored Division and 75th Division (Training Support).
- Community relations duties included, but were not limited to, promoting the Army by coordinating participation in off-post community events and by organizing on-post community events open to the public. Responsible for event planning, marketing, implementation and logistics for nearly 300 community support requests. (Key events: Total Army Involvement in Recruiting requests, NFL Playoff Game, Fort Riley's 150th Birthday, Dole Institute Dedication, Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site Grand Opening, Chief of Staff of the Army's holiday message video shoot and visits by U.S. and state politicians and musicians/celebrities.)
- Prepared more than 130 speeches for division command group members for on- and off-post ceremonies and events.
- Media relations duties included, but were not limited to, conducting post publicity through news releases; local, national and international media interviews; press conferences; media days; media embeds and the post website. Those duties resulted in 580 news releases and 1,800 media interviews.
- Responsible for preparing local public affairs guidance and talking points for division, brigade and battalion commanders.
- Designed and coordinated flyers, brochures, catalogs, billboards and Web publicity for the installation.
- Provided budget requirements for community and media relations.
- Prepared stories, photos and graphics for newspaper and filled in as editor, when needed.
- Prepared office for command inspection, SRS and ISR-III.
- Acted as division PAO, when needed.
Adjunct Professor
Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas
08/2003 – 05/2004
- Taught junior and senior college students to demonstrate and improve basic writing skills as they relate to public relations and media relations.
- Taught students to select appropriate publics and prepare messages and objectives that target those publics through print and broadcast news releases, fact sheets, pitch letters, media advisories, speeches, press conferences and media kits.
Deputy Media Relations Officer
Fort Riley Public Affairs Office, Fort Riley, Kansas
01/2000 – 04/2003
Pay Grade: GS-1035-07
- Planned, directed and implemented Fort Riley and the 24th Infantry Division media relations program.
- Acted as post liaison and spokesperson to media and local communities, responding to more than 2,600 queries. Many incidents required quick-thinking, efficient crisis communications like deployments and mobilizations for Operations Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle and Iraqi Freedom; military and civilian casualties and security changes after Sept. 11, 2001.
- Prepared and disseminated 800 audio and print news releases to media, chambers of commerce, convention and visitors' bureaus and school districts to enhance the image of Fort Riley and disclose necessary information to the public.
- Planned, directed and implemented press conferences and media days. (Key events: Safe return of an Operation Iraqi Freedom POW and visits by Chief of Staff of the Army, Sgt. Major of the Army, U.S. and state politicians, musicians and celebrities.)
- Selected subject matter experts for recurring radio/TV shows and provided talking points.
- Prepared stories, photos and graphics for installation newspaper and filled in as editor, when needed.
- Prepared speeches for command group members for on- and off-post ceremonies and events.
- Reviewed media coverage about Fort Riley.
- Provided media escorts.
- Developed and maintained PAO section of the website, which included posting news releases, photos, events, alerts and more.
- Provided guidelines, parameters, goals and deadlines for GS-5s, KSU interns and Red Cross Volunteers in Community Relations/Media Relations Office.
Print Journalist / Photographer
Fort Riley Public Affairs Office, Fort Riley, Kansas
09/1999 – 01/2000
Pay Grade: GS-1035-07
- Assisted with the Fort Riley and 24th Infantry Division and Fort Riley command information program.
- Wrote three to five articles per week, concerning Fort Riley military and community activities. Volunteered for last minute stories to ensure proper coverage.
- Assisted with newspaper design and editing.
- Researched and corresponded with Fort Riley units and the off-post communities to seek information for media coverage.
- Communicated daily with field grade officers and community leaders to organize media coverage and maintained an effective network of contacts.
- Assisted coworkers in the media relations and community relations sections with their tasks, if necessary, to promote a team environment.
- Was named FORSCOM Civilian Journalist of the Year within six months and maintained that title four years in a row.
On-Site Marketing Representative
AAFES-Sprint Barracks Phone Office, Fort Knox, Kentucky
04/1997 – 09/1999
- Administered office management telephone operations for Soldiers living in barracks.
- Created and distributed advertising and marketing materials to attract target market.
- Handled an average of $150,000 in cash, checks and credit card sales a month.
- Implemented marketing strategies with an annual $2,000 budget.
- Maintained a database of more than 5,000 Soldiers.
- Interacted with more than 150 Soldiers a day, along with chain of command.
- Briefed program and positive or negative changes to Soldiers and chain of command.
Copy Writer / Editor
U.S. Cavalry, Radcliff, Kentucky
01/1996 – 04/1997
- Wrote descriptive copy for new products that appeared within the catalog to encourage sales to target market.
- Rewrote copy for older products that appeared within the catalog to provide a fresh perspective to influence sales.
- Wrote the president of the company’s letter, which appeared in every catalog.
- Proofread four 120-page catalogs and two 60-page catalogs per year.
- Helped with layout, copy and design of direct mail advertisements.
- Assisted in marketing decisions and product selections.
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