Qualifications Summary

Highly effective marketing, communications, public relations, public

affairs professional with 20 years experience:

. Excellent writing, editing and promotional skills

. Strong media relations including track record in writing and placing

news releases

. Strategic communications planning and implementation

. Solid understanding of branding and marketing strategies

. Ability to spark interest by directing the development of eye catching

collateral materials including annual reports, brochures,

advertisements and Web copy

. Able to manage several projects simultaneously and meet all deadlines

and collaborate with multiple constituents

. Goal-oriented, results-driven, organized self-starter

Career Accomplishments

. Revised and updated Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County Web site

(2009).

. Coordinated creation of Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County 35th

Anniversary Promotional DVD (2009).

. Directed creation of South Bend/Mishawaka Convention and Visitors

Bureau (CVB) database and Web site (2008).

. Directed development, launch and marketing of South Bend/Mishawaka

promotional DVD (2006).

. Developed CVB's key Advocacy Messages (2005).

. Directed CVB's initial and updated Destination Visioning and Strategic

Plans (2002 - 2003).

. Directed community task force, launch, promotion and implementation of

two destination brands for St. Joseph County - Live the Legends (1998)

and South Bend/Mishawaka ... Notre Dame and a Whole Lot More (2004).

. Secured local, regional and national media exposure for St. Joseph

County and Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County (1992 - 2009).

February 2009 - September 2009

Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Joseph County, South Bend, Indiana

As manager of marketing and communications, provided leadership, management

and policy recommendations in resource development, marketing, public

relations and communications for this youth development organization.

. Maintained and expanded successful donor relationships through

targeted, on-going communications including Branching Out, the Club's

semi-annual newsletter, email blasts, personalized communication,

events and personal contact.

. Planned and coordinated Coming Together for Kids, the Club's signature

donor dinner, raising $50K for Club programming; managed community

volunteers and all aspects of donor solicitation.

. Managed development and launch of 35th Anniversary video highlighting

storied history of local organization.

. Developed editorial content and directed refresh of Club's Web site.

. Successfully pitched story ideas to area news media resulting in print

and electronic coverage of Club activities and events.

September 1991 - December 2008

South Bend/Mishawaka Convention and Visitors Bureau, South Bend, Indiana

Held a variety of positions including sales representative, sales and

services manager, director of sales and services, public relations manager,

director of communication and public relations, director of marketing and

interim executive director for the official destination marketing

organization in St. Joseph County.

. In a sales capacity, sold community's meeting and guestroom space

through telephone and sales calls, sales missions, trade show

participation, bid solicitations and site inspections; performance

driven with negotiation and closing skills and ability to provide

solutions to customer needs.

. Developed and implemented public relations, communications and leisure

marketing objectives with a $100K budget.

. Developed and directed implementation including strategic planning and

media campaigns to launch and promote two destination brands.

. Successfully pitched and received print and electronic media coverage

in area, regional, national and international news media due to strong

media contacts resulting in an average of 10 million impressions in

print media and an average value of $500,000 in broadcast and print

media coverage for the community.

. Directed, wrote and managed the development and production of CVB

collateral including the South Bend/Mishawaka Travel Planner and the

Annual Report to the Community; worked closely with graphic designer

to develop visually effective marketing messages.

. Directed leisure advertising and promotional campaigns including

planning, creative strategy and execution; targeted placements

generated leads and value for industry partners.

. Designed and coordinated signature special events including the

National Tourism Week Luncheon to tout initiatives of organization and

value of industry; luncheon attendance grew each year.

. Designed and refreshed four CVB Web sites.

. Selected and implemented three databases for the CVB.

. Acted as media spokesperson to promote destination and events.

. Routinely delivered marketing presentations to industry partners.

. Active participant in design, preparation and implementation of CVB

annual $850K budget.

January 1989 - September 1991

Studebaker National Museum, South Bend, Indiana

Served as Membership/Public Affairs Manager in a newly created position for

the museum; directed membership and public affairs departments.

Education and Professional Development

Master of Science - Administration, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame,

Indiana, 1990

Bachelor of Arts - Telecommunications, Indiana University, Bloomington,

Indiana, 1983

Northern Indiana Tourism Development Commission Board of Directors/Task

Forces, 1992 - 2008

Indiana Bed & Breakfast Association Annual Conference Speaker, 2004

Hoosier Hospitality Annual Conference Speaker, 2003 and 2005

Leadership South Bend/Mishawaka Class XX, 1993 - 1994

Community Involvement

Art Beat, Marketing Co-Chairperson, 2008

St. Monica Home and School Association, 1999 - 2008, served as President

during 2004 - 2005 school year

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