KENNETH MCDONNELL

** ********* **** ******, ** 01520 774-***-**** acqd02@r.postjobfree.com

facebook.com/kenneth.mcdonnell @kenmcdonnell4

PROFILE Resourceful communications professional with an operating style that is innovative, flexible,

responsive and intensely customer-focused. Distinguished 25-year career in corporate

communications, resulting in superior external and internal visibility for major energy and

technology enterprises, academic institutions, and nonprofit health-advocacy organizations.

EXECUTIVE VALUE

PROPOSITION Practical, continuously demonstrated ability to conceive and implement sound,

bottom-line focused communications strategy, tactics and measurement.

Astute awareness of relationship between communications and organizational success.

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Entrepreneurial spirit and global perspective; skilled at fostering communication for

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internal and external stakeholders; proven ability to build cohesive, capable teams that

consistently surpass expectations.

Highly effective spokesperson, manager and individual contributor in high-stakes

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settings.

Effective, efficient program administrator

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Lifelong learner, receptive to new and evolving technology and techniques.

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CAREER

ACCOMPLISHMENTS WAKE UP NARCOLEPSY, INC., Worcester, MA, Communications Director, 2012-2014

Dramatically expanded positive visibility of this international nonprofit working to raise

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awareness and fund medical research for the sleep disorder narcolepsy.

Generated outstanding public presence, exceptional constituent engagement and

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positive fundraising through online, email marketing and offline content development,

constituent communications, press relations, events, more.

§ Provided hands-on management of website content, social media, email marketing, print

collateral writing, design and distribution, merchandise inventory and fulfillment,

fundraising support to the executive director and fund development director, more.

§ Worked closely with external resources, including website developer, event planners,

video producers, and internationally disbursed volunteers.

§ Expert command of ConstantContact and MailChimp email marketing tools.

§ http://www.wakeupnarcolepsy.org, http://facebook.com/wakeupnarcolepsy,

http://www.twitter.com/wakenarcolepsy

MOBIUS CONNECT BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS, Holden, MA, Independent

Communications Consultant, 2007-2012

Wrote compelling content for websites, social media, email marketing and multimedia

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marketing collateral.

Helped clients craft winning marketing strategies; editing and print production, graphic

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design and media outreach.

Clients included Jewish Family Service of Worcester, Pakachoag Music School, Second

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Chance Fund for Animal Welfare, Ingrassia Productions, The MotivAct Group,

Slowey+McManus Communications, CastleGroup, NewEra Consulting, more.

KENNETH MCDONNELL PAGE 2

ISO NEW ENGLAND INC., Holyoke, MA, Senior Media Relations Specialist, 2005-

2007

Planned and implemented multifaceted corporate communication program for ISO-NE,

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the federally-mandated operator of the regional power grid, including media relations,

broadcast, web and print communication, crisis communication, employee

communication and more.

Served as senior company spokesperson for radio, TV, print and web media

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opportunities; wrote extensively, including byline articles, news releases, talking points,

planning documents; planned and implemented media tours; served as

communications advisor to senior management.

Worked closely with all corporate disciplines, including legal, operations, planning,

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customer service, finance, IT and others.

http://www.iso-ne.com

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INTERVIEW EXCHANGE, Westborough, MA, Communications Director, 2002-2005

Drove all external communications programs including message development, media,

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analyst and investor relations, web development, newsletter, sales promotions and

more.

Generated consistently positive press and analyst reception of launch of this

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Internet employment recruiting solutions provider, including articles in regional

business dailies and trade press, invited presentations at industry events, and ongoing

relationships with industry experts.

Represented company as primary spokesperson and advised senior management on

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communications strategy.

http://www.interviewexchange.com

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EMC CORPORATION, Hopkinton, MA, Senior Public Relations Manager, 1998-2001

Following the attacks of 9/11, virtually overnight built cross-functional team to manage

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public visibility of the company’s response to customers affected by the tragedy …

Served as corporate spokesperson while balancing the company’s business objectives

in the midst of the national emergency … Resulted in early and consistently positive

press coverage of the company’s customer service excellence and its disaster-recovery

solutions, while avoiding public perception of opportunism.

Spearheaded all elements of a major business magazine cover story, leveraging

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relationships with top executives and editor ... Developed messages and coached

spokespeople, including the Chairman ... Resulted in story that declared the firm “the

world’s most customer-centric company.”

Developed and implemented a comprehensive, vigorous communications campaign to

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gain public visibility of the goals and accomplishments of the 50-company Storage

Networking Industry Association, consortium created to develop and implement storage

networking management standards ... Resulted in consistent, widespread publicity over

the two-year life of the organization ... Simultaneously handled the competitive

dynamics among many member companies and deflected the objections of skeptics.

Managed day-to-day print, Web and broadcast press relations programs for multiple

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enterprise software, systems and services divisions, corporate management and more

than 20 strategic partners ... Pursued dozens of press opportunities simultaneously ...

Conducted media training and coached spokespeople ... Handled crisis

communications and corporate mergers ... Managed PR agency relationship.

http://www.emc.com

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KENNETH MCDONNELL PAGE 3

DIGITAL EQUIPMENT CORPORATION, Maynard, MA, Corporate Public Relations

Manager, 1988-98

Edited quarterly customer magazine focusing on independent analysts’ views on

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computer industry issues ... Coordinated story development, hired writers and

photographers, oversaw production and distribution.

Drove media relations programs across a broad spectrum of corporate assignments,

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including high-performance computing, software applications, international operations,

and public policy communications ... Public policy initiatives included NAFTA, export

control, and return of U.S. business to post-apartheid South Africa … Managed four PR

specialists ... Managed public announcements of major new products and services ...

Coordinated product reviews by the press ... Worked with partner companies to

leverage joint marketing initiatives.

WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE, Worcester, MA, University Editor, 1982-88

Managed marketing communications program, including planning, writing, design and

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production of more than 300 pieces of academic and promotional collateral annually.

Hired and managed full-time and freelance staff of writers, designers, photographers

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and illustrators.

Edited award-winning alumni periodicals, selected story ideas, wrote and edited

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articles, managed distribution, chaired alumni editorial board.

http://www.wpi.edu

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EDUCATION Pennsylvania State University, B.S., Business Administration.

University of Pennsylvania, Editing and Publishing Institute.

Additional training in writing, design, photography and management.

COMMUNITY

SERVICE American Red Cross

Adult CPR, First Aid, AED Certification, March 2015

Platelet donor, monthly 1995 – present

Volunteer Service

Wachusett Greenways, Holden, MA

Board of Directors, 1997-2008

Treasurer, 2001-3

Oversee online outreach

Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center, Holden, MA

Recycling / reuse volunteer, 2008 – present

Gale Free Library, Holden, MA

Assist Archivist, 2015 – present

Jewish Family Service of Worcester, MA

Board of Directors, 1995-2003

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