Real Estate Development

Profile

A motivated, enthusiastic and energetic leader with a 24-year history of

successful public advocacy, detailed policy development, analysis and

implementation. A talent for analyzing potential obstacles to enactment of

complicated policy initiatives, as well as the ability to explain and

advocate complicated issues in an understandable and persuasive manner.

Diplomatic and tactful with professionals and non-professionals at all

levels, but able to move ideas into action when necessary. Accustomed to

handling sensitive, confidential information and records.

Skills Summary

Policy Analysis & Strategic Planning Relationship Development

Development Economic Developer

Expert on Legislative Public Relations Vocal Talent

Procedures Grassroots Fundraising &

Award-winning Writer Organization Development

Persuasive Speaking Professional

Presentations

Professional Experience

Oklahoma State Senator - 2002-2010

o As one of only 48 members of the Oklahoma Senate, successfully

shepherded dozens of bills through the legislative process, enacting

more than 100 Oklahoma statutes, and a constitutional amendment

approved by voters, in policy areas which include: economic

development; telecommunications; revenue and taxation; criminal

justice; and, health care.

o Wrote and advocated complicated legislation relating to the state's

tax code as chair of the Senate Finance Committee, affecting every

aspect of the state's economy and business community.

o Analyzed and made critical decisions on measures containing an average

$6 billion annual state budget.

o Mastered an array of policy subjects affecting a statewide population

of more than 3.5 million people.

o Presented hundreds of legislative updates, distilling complex issues

into understandable language for constituents, all while advocating

critical policy initiatives and responding to constituent and media

questions.

o Conducted statewide news conferences on a varied array of policy

subjects, responding to media inquiries.

o Managed effective constituent and statewide media plan for policy

advocacy and voter contact, including more than 400 weekly opinion

newspaper columns and dozens of statewide opinion newspaper columns.

o Coordinated and managed three separate campaigns for office with

average budgets of $250,000, including broadcast media strategy and

buying, print advertising design, direct mail design and delivery, and

all facets of communication with a diverse voter population.

o Won numerous awards of excellence for work as lawmaker from varied

civic and interest groups.

Executive Director - Durant Area chamber of Commerce - 1998-2002

o The executive director is the chief executive and administrative

officer of the chamber, which serves over 600 business and individual

members and a county with a population of 35,000. Duties and

achievements included, but were not limited to:

o Writing and advocating community's first job creation plan,

which has led to the creation of more than 5,000 new jobs over

the past decade.

o Public and media contacts on behalf of the chamber of commerce,

which included more than 200 bi-weekly newspaper columns,

handling all media requests and public relations duties,

including serving as spokesperson for the chamber and its goals.

o Providing support to a board of directors comprised of 32

business and civic leaders.

o Managing budget and finance, including development and advocacy

of all facets of annual budget in excess of $100,000.

Responsibilities also included accounts payable/receivable,

payroll, payroll taxes, invoicing, collections, and budget

reconciliation.

o Hiring and supervision of all chamber employees, including

development of job descriptions, work assignments, and

management.

o Building management, including: facility maintenance,

improvements, and rentals.

Consultant-speaker/Property investor/Realtor - 1998-

o Clients include Native American tribe covering a 10 county region of

Oklahoma.

o Provided business expansion planning and implementation, as well

as planning for policy initiatives advocated on behalf of tribal

government.

o Initiated new business endeavor for tribe, creating dozens of

new jobs in tribe's headquarter community.

o Conducted hundreds of informational, motivational and entertaining

speeches for a variety of audiences on an array of subjects. Among the

groups addressed are students, graduates, business executives, tribal

entities, and civic clubs.

o Will complete class work to sit for the Certified Economic Developer

examination in January 2011.

o Provided course work on legislative and parliamentary procedures for

collegiate classes, civic clubs and advocacy groups. At the collegiate

level, the presentations were a component of course requirements. At

the volunteer and civic level, presentations where to help club

members conduct business more professionally and to shed light on the

legislative process, helping citizens better understand their

government.

o Hold real estate sales associate license issued through the Oklahoma

Real Estate Commission.

o Own and manage 10 residential rental properties.

Senior Staff - Oklahoma House of Representatives - 1986-1998

o Provided nonpartisan support for 101-member legislative body, with

primary responsibilities in media and public relations, legislative

procedures and drafting of bills and resolutions.

o Provided award-winning speech scripts to all members regardless of

party affiliation.

o Drafted award-winning news release on virtually every policy issue

facing state lawmakers.

o Wrote, produced, edited and provided vocal talent on radio news

releases on behalf of state lawmakers. Packages were distributed to

local radio stations in all regions of the state for broadcast.

o Developed, designed and maintained first website for direct online

distribution of print, video and audio releases.

o Provided general media and public relations strategy to lawmakers for

both issue advocacy and public exposure. During such time, the

Oklahoma House of Representatives had the lowest "forced-turnover"

rate of any state legislative body in the nation, showing the

effectiveness of the media and public relations efforts.

o Was elected to national officer position in legislative staff

organizations affiliated with the nonpartisan National Conference of

State Legislatures.

Education

southeastern oklahoma state university - Durant, OK

Bachelor of Arts Degree - Political Science, 1986 GPA: 3.17/4.0

Served as Student President an unprecedented three terms. Was elected

Governor of the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature - the highest student

government post in Oklahoma. In 2008, Southeastern Oklahoma State

University bestowed the "Distinguished Alumni Award," the highest honor any

alumnus can receive from the institution.

durant high school - Durant, OK

Class of 1982 GPA: 3.1/4.0

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