Professional Bilingual for Communications & Marketing/Sales

Marlene Figueroa Ross, **** Bayridge Rd, Lantana, FL 33462

561-***-**** - **********@*****.***

EDUCATION

-Bachelor of Arts in Science/Psychology, FAU 1989

-Masters in Education (Counseling Education), FAU 1994

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Public Broadcasting/Public Media Professional (PBS & NPR stations) 1999 - Present

Additional experience in the non-profit & education sector 1992 - 1999

Most Recent Position, Oct 2012 to Sept 2014:

South Florida Public Media-WLRN TV/FM Strategic Initiatives Director: WLRN includes WLRN Ch 17 & WLRN 91.3FM, licensee in the Miami DMA and WKWM 91.5, licensee in the Marathon-Key West DMA. I’m part of the management team for a top market PBS & NPR station in the country, which includes the WLRN-Miami Herald News enterprise partnership. The viewing and listening area for WLRN in South Florida includes Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe Counties. WLRN TV reaches 600,000 households per month in Miami-Fort Lauderdale alone. WLRN's radio audience in 2013 was at 364,700 listeners per week and has continued to grow for several years now. My responsibilities include:

*Strategize internal communications between the General Manager’s Office and the middle management team as well as developing logistics with the fundraising arm (Friends of WLRN) and other strategic external organizations. The internal departments include TV Production, TV Programming, Radio Programming & Operations, WLRN-Miami Herald News, IT Administration, Engineering, Special Projects.

*Coordinate with the General Manager to facilitate the annual internal budget process with the management team.

*Serve as the station contact for the Nielsen Audience Research Rep. on ratings and other viewership information and I organize internal education meetings & calls for the designated Nielsen group of staff members.

*Serve as the station’s contact for state funding issues through FPBS/Florida Public Broadcasting Service, the association for public radio and public television stations in Florida.

*Serve as the station’s liaison to Friends of WLRN, Inc., which is the fundraising arm for WLRN. One major assignment requires me to cultivate major donors for WLRN’s campaign for establishing a news bureau in Key West, Florida: Southernmost Bureau.

*Serve as manager/station liaison for both of WLRN’s Community Advisory Boards (WLRN in Miami & WLRN-WKWM in Key West). These boards represent individuals in the community who represent the viewership and listenership base of WLRN/WKWM.

*Write copy and serve as an editor for the monthly e-newsletter that Friends of WLRN sends to its list of 35,000+ members who are viewers and listeners. WLRN TV reaches 600,000 households per month in Miami-Fort Lauderdale alone. WLRN's radio audience in 2013 was at 364,700 listeners per week and has continued to grow for several years now.

1999 – 2012:

WXEL TV/FM-WXEL Public Broadcasting Corp.: Community Affairs Director – Education, Outreach & Advocacy for a top 50 PBS & NPR station, licensee in the West Palm Beach, Florida DMA

1992 – 1999:

PRIDE Misdemeanor & Probation Services educator/Assessment Specialist. I completed addictions assessments on clients referred by the criminal justice system. I led educational groups in Spanish & English for first-time DUI offenders. I also participated in "Drug Court" when recommendations included referrals to the PBC Sheriff's Drug Farm.

Other Non-profit Positions (United Way PBC Fundraiser, SunFest Hispanic Media Coordinator, School District of PBC/Teacher at South Area Alternative High School).

Skills & Interests

*Bi-lingual in English & Spanish, excellent skills in speaking, reading & writing both languages

*Advocate for children & families by supporting local and national organizations dedicated to their welfare, including faith-based organizations; Advocate for individuals and families who are facing the disease of addiction and are hopeful about recovery for themselves and their families; Advocate for research on the treatment of addictions and dual diagnosis; Advocate for pets/animals and organizations dedicated to their welfare

*Excellent writing and editing skills for copy points for creative work, e-newsletters, articles, narratives, program guides

*Markets of all types, Cooking & Gardening

References:

Lila Kipp, LMHC in private practice in Boynton Beach, FL: ******@*********.***; 561-***-****

Jerry Carr, past President & CEO of WXEL TV/FM (PBS & NPR), former executive with various commercial media companies in Miami and South Florida: ************@*****.***; 561-***-****

Marybel Reinoso Coleman, Attorney at Law and former State Prosecutor for 10 years for Florida's 15th Judicial Circuit: *******@****************.***; 561-***-****

Maria Batista, Former Language Facilitator and retiree of School District of Palm Beach County, 30-year career: ************@***.***; 561-***-****