Manager Relations

Rebecca Virden

Lakeville, MN *****

***********@******.*** • 479-***-****

www.linkedin.com/in/beccavirden

Qualifications Profile

Generate and maintain productive relations with key stakeholders to advance an organization's mission.

Curate future leaders through the encouragement of staff development for the second largest grocery chain and the third largest traded energy company.

Provide an intellectual atmosphere conducive to the stimulation and interchange of ideas with internal and external stakeholders.

Institute industry best practices, timely communications to all stakeholders, increase level of engagement, and encourage the company and community to speak with one voice.

Professional Experience

Minneapolis Office of Emergency Management, Minneapolis, MN

Communications and Outreach Branch Director, June 2019 - present

Direct internal and external communications which include crisis communications, community engagement, public education, and other partners to ensure consistent and complete messaging. Analyze, interpret, and implement regulatory, statutory, and policy guidance and mandates as they apply to emergency management operations; and communicate with state and federal governments to evaluate and assess operations against requirements and/or guidance. Participate in formulating strategic plans, department policy, Emergency Operations Center decisions, and in interpreting department policy and communication initiates for branch section.

Serve as the Public Information Officer during Emergency Operations Center activation at level 1 (highest activation) due to protests during a visit by President Donald Trump.

Consult with Twin Cities Public Television to seek and launch a Community Resiliency Council to learn ways to engage the public so they can learn how to be prepared before, during, and after manmade or natural disasters.

Xcel Energy, Minneapolis, MN

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Compliance Analyst III, March 2019 - June 2019

Managed and supported overall Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) compliance programs for electric energy transmission operations. Conducted research to understand requirements of pertinent federal, state and local regulatory schemes in reference to all business units within the organization. Monitored operational compliance practices and performed risk assessments. Analyzed existing policies, identified gaps, and recommended new or revised policies and procedures, approval processes, and methods.

Collaborated with Transmission Business Operations to help the operations achieve 100 percent compliance with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requirements.

CenterPoint Energy, Minneapolis, MN

Public Relations Manager/Spokesperson/Strategic Council, 2008 - 2019

Conducted media training for leadership, prepared and executed communication plans and tactics, public awareness of company image, and brand through proactive relationship building, program development, regulatory liaison and execution for issues such as safety, conservation, and customer programs. Served as lead spokesperson with 24/7 responsibility for news media inquiries and crisis communication, advertising, account management of programs and client budgets.

Led Corporate Public Safety Awareness Team (C-PSAT) supporting gas system integrity and reliability for six states. Developed and oversaw public awareness program that complied with federal and state law for RP1162 as lead on regulatory audit of the program with the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety. Program changes produced the first zero exception report audit.

Spearheaded communication efforts that helped increase customer repayment of debt by over 20 percent in first year and over 80 percent over life of communication plan. Unprecedented use of the media contacts increased calls to CenterPoint Energy call centers to pay past due bills by 75 percent.

Served as District Operations supervisor for CenterPoint Energy, manager of Kroger Foods, and news broadcaster for TV 33.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Broadcast Journalism and Public Relations

Arkansas Tech University – Russellville, AR

Professional & Community Involvement

Advisory Board Member, ECHO Multi-Cultural Committee

Crisis Communications event lecturer, CGA Excavation Safety Expo, Pipeline Safety Conferences, EICC and AGA

Professional Development and Networking Committee volunteer, Public Relations Society of America-Minnesota Chapter and International Association of Business Communicators board leadership

Member/President, Muscular Dystrophy Association Board

Certifications/Awards

FEMA - Texas A&M Engineering and HSEM Emergency Management

Top Energy Oil & Utility Woman Best of the Best 2013, Professional Woman's Multicultural Magazine

Strathmore's Who's Who Worldwide Honors

Silver Telly Award- web based communications

Breakthrough Women 2018, Houston Business Journal

Communications/Journalism/PR, Society of Professional Journalists

Center for Creative Leadership (CCE)

Executive education/Leadership Development Program (LDP) certification, Power Talk, The Bergerac Group

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