Gina Cuclis

Email: abqgcu@r.postjobfree.com

Address: **** ******* **.

City: Sonoma

State: CA

Zip: 95476

Country: USA

Phone: 707-***-****

Skill Level: Management

Salary Range: $40,000

Primary Skills/Experience:

See Resume

Educational Background:

See Resume

Job History / Details:

GINA CUCLIS

Public Relations Specialist

707-***-**** * abqgcu@r.postjobfree.com * cuclispr.com * linkedin.com/in/ginacuclis

Twitter @ginacuclis

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Accomplished and award-winning public relations expert with more than 25 years professional experience in a wide range of communication specialties and a track record of achieving desired results. Proven creative talent with excellent conceptualizing, writing and presentation skills, and distinct ability to effectively communicate complex material. Demonstrated abilities to facilitate and guide diverse personnel to develop clarify and achieve communication objectives. History of sound judgment and effective decision-making abilities, with a distinction for identifying issues and potential problems and achieving mutual and workable solutions. Experienced workshop and large group presenter.

Highlights of Expertise:

* Strategic Messaging * Media Relations & Press Releases * Blogging/Social Media

* Communications Planning * Media Training & Spokesperson Coaching

* Government Relations * Campaign Development * Project Management

* Branding/Integrated Campaigns * Presentations & Oral Communications

* Special Event Coordination * Group Facilitation

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Trustee Area 1, Sonoma County Board of Education December 6, 2012 - Present

Elected with 61/4% of the vote, defeating an incumbent. Managed own campaign.

Candidate, 1st District Supervisor June 2011 - June 5, 2012

County of Sonoma, Sonoma Valley & Santa Rosa, CA

First time run for public office finishing third out of six candidates, including finishing ahead of two elected office holders.

Principal, Cuclis PR, Sonoma, CA Oct. 1997 - 2012

Public relations consultancy specializing in strategic communications, media relations, public affairs and public relations campaigns for professional services, health, human services, nonprofits and public agencies. Conducted public relations

workshops and presentations for community, civic and business groups. Wrote press releases and marketing materials.

Representative Project Achievements:

Sonoma Valley Hospital - Positioned this district hospital to pass a bond measure by clearing up confusing public communications via a coordinated strategy communicating the hospital's facility needs and financial performance. Coached and media trained the CEO, wrote guest editorials, FAQs, and a ballot measure argument, and lobbied city councilmembers and state legislators. Secured a state senator's commitment to carry a crucial piece of successful legislation.

Southern Sonoma County Resource Conservation District - Expanded this special district's relationships with constituents by crafting a message about what it does, obtained publicity for its projects, and managed the creation of a report summarizing SSCRCD's 50 years of accomplishments.

Drug Abuse Alternatives Center - Moved agency from obscurity to high visibility by creating a brand identity through a logo and slogan, and by developing a strategic public education campaign that received local and regional media coverage (including Spanish language TV) and invitations for public appearances. Conducted a spokesperson training for people-in-recovery role models, created an advisory committee of public officials and community leaders, and organized a campaign launch event. Helped executive director win planning commission approval for a controversial facility. Developed talking points, rehearsed client for hostile media interviews, identified supporters of influence to speak at the commission meeting, and obtained newspaper editorial support.

Sonoma County Department of Health Services - Obtained local and regional media coverage (including Spanish language media) and attracted attendance to events by facilitating committees of representatives from several agencies to create public awareness campaigns on the public health issues of teen smoking, hepatitis C, HIV prevention, and alcohol and drug treatment. Coordinated press conferences, marches and rallies. Wrote press releases and other items.

Meyers Financial - Obtained new clients via targeted press releases.

Sonoma Hills Retirement - Attracted prospective residents and referral sources to this independent living community by developing a program of monthly events and publicizing them.

Santa Rosa Junior College - Wrote articles for a glossy newsletter promoting the quality of SRJC's programs.

Center for Applied Research Solutions - Worked with an adult learning expert to develop a full-day training for substance abuse prevention specialists on media advocacy in environmental prevention. Training included how to frame a message and use digital and traditional media to deliver it. Conducted the trainings throughout California.

Sebastiani Theatre Foundation - Helped launch the organization by facilitating its Board of Directors to create a communications plan, mission statement and key messages. Wrote FAQs and web site copy.

Communications Manager 1995 - 1997

United Way of Sonoma, Mendocino, Lake, Santa Rosa, CA

Developed and implemented the integrated marketing-communications plan helping the fundraising campaign raise more money each year. Overhauled community-wide special event to resolve complaints and restore customer satisfaction, resulting in increased participation from agencies and businesses and tripling of sponsorships.

Director of Public Education 1991 - 1995

Council on Aging, Santa Rosa, CA

Increased the numbers of clients and donors by publicizing services, creating targeted marketing materials, organizing

events and implementing other low cost marketing tactics.

Reporter/Producer, KFTY TV-50, Santa Rosa, CA 1987 - 1990

Freelance Radio Newscaster/Producer, KZST, KVON, KTOB, KSRO,

Sonoma & Napa Counties 1987 - 1988

News Director/Anchor and Reporter, KINS Radio, Eureka, CA 1985 - 1986

Community Outreach Director, Youth Educational Services, Arcata, CA 1983 - 1984

Agency Coordinator, Mother Lode Women's Crisis Center, Sonora, CA 1980 - 1982

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, Communication Studies with Honors 1980

University of California, Santa Barbara

Certificate of Study, Journalism News 1984

Humboldt State University, Arcata, California

AWARDS & HONORS

Communicator Awards - Award of Distinction, News Release Writing 2006

Springs Resource Center, Springs Up Award - for community leadership 2004

Communicator Awards - Honorable Mention, News Release Writing 2002

United Way of America Communications Contest - Second Place, Annual Reports 1997

United Way of America Communications Contest - Third Place, Radio Advertising 1997

United Way of America Communications Contest - Third Place, Radio Advertising 1996

Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence - Third Place, Radio News Reporting 1984

Norman Lee Memorial Broadcast News Scholarship, Humboldt State University, Journalism Department 1983

PUBLIC SERVICE & COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

Sonoma County Prevention Partnership Policy Subcommittee January 2011 - Present Sonoma County Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health Advisory Board March 2010 - Present

Strategic Planning Committee, Sonoma Valley Health Care District May 2006 -

April 2009

Planning Commissioner, City of Sonoma July 1997 - June 2006

Director-at-Large, Sonoma County Press Club 2003 - 2006

Alumna, Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce Leadership Sonoma Valley 1998

President and Co-founder, Verano Springs Association 1993 - 1997

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