Writer Social Media
Resume:
MELVIN E. EDWARDS **** resume
no
Melvin E. Edwards
Director of Communications/Senior Writer
C ONTACT P ROFILE
I have provided highly trusted strategic counsel and editorial consultation to the governor of the State of Texas, two Texas state senators, an HBCU university president, a public school superintendent and its school board, the mayor of Baltimore, and the city’s public housing commissioner, with a proven track record in public relations, public policy, and media relations during more than 30 years as a successful senior writer/storyteller. A steady cross-functional leader and mentor, I have used my analytical and interpersonal skills and tested experience to solve problems as the communications expert for C-suite education and political executives. Personal- and career-growth aspirations are compelling me to seek a communications management/director role in San Antonio, Texas. K E Y H I G H L I G HTS
Compelling and versatile storyteller across multiple traditional and digital formats. More than 5,000+ social media hits per day.
Two-time award-winning author in 2021.
On-the-record spokesperson/ Face of large city public housing agency.
Relationship-builder across all levels of organizational structure.
Unflappable crisis communicator and strategist.
Respected thought leader and internal and external communicator.
Managed concept-to-ribbon-cutting projects, while containing costs and supervising vendors.
Appointed by Post Commander to oversee all athletic and business operations for American Legion Baseball’s local and state programs.
admhdx@r.postjobfree.com
1700 Wilkshire Dr.
Crofton, MD 21114
www.linkedin.com/in/mel
vin-e-edwards-475a2412/
P ROFESSIONAL E X P E R I E NCE
SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Anne Arundel County Public Schools / Annapolis, MD / 2006 - Present
• As the senior staff writer for superintendent and other C-suite executives, I am highly analytical with excellent interpersonal, organizational, and critical thinking/problem-solving skills.
• Projects include original speeches, scripts, letters, and other important correspondence from AACPS’ highest office. Lead feature writer/storyteller.
• Write scripts, select honorees, and generate media coverage for special public recognition ceremonies during twice-monthly Board of Education meetings. Honorees can include students, teachers, administration, or volunteers for outstanding achievement.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Produce and execute varied and integrated communications and marketing strategies and products. Social media posts generate more than 5000+ hits per day.
• Managing editor of weekly electronic newsletter to over 85,000 students and 9,000 employees.
In Maryland: 2002-Current
E DUCATION
Bachelor of Science
John Brown University
Journalism
Evangel Christian University
K E Y S K I L L S
Digital research
Storytelling
Crisis communication
Cross-functional leadership
Organization and prioritization
Problem solving
AWARDS
Journalism Writing – 20+
Author Awards – 2
A U T HOR
The Eyes of Texans: From
Slavery to the TX Capitol
MELVIN E. EDWARDS 2021 resume
• Provide strategic counsel on communications, employee experience, and recruitment outreach.
• Prepare and present ideas/recommendations to colleagues and management on short notice.
• Liaison for school system at employee seminars, press events, and community functions.
• Assist in developing and updating the organization’s communication policies (e.g., procedures, strategies), including policies related to public communications on the Digital and Social Media to ensure policies are in accordance with all federal laws, state statutes, county ordinances, and other regulations.
• Advise organization on issue management and media responses.
• Respond verbally and in writing to inquiries regarding organization’s activities and events.
• One of the 50 largest school districts in the United States. DIRECTOR OF BASEBALL OPERATIONS
American Legion / Annapolis, MD / 2015-2021
Led the Annapolis Post 7 baseball team as its general manager for six seasons as a volunteer, taking fledgling local team from a 3-25 record in 2015 to consecutive winning seasons in 2019-20; mentoring three Maryland Scholar-Athletes of the Year in four years; and having more than a dozen players recruited by college baseball programs.
In charge of all baseball operations, including managing sports annual budget; hiring coaches; recruiting players; ensuring adherence to national and state Legion rules; monitoring academic eligibility of players; coordinating background checks of coaches and volunteers; designing uniforms; scheduling games and umpires; and planning special- event programs, including community-service projects.
Created and branded team logo.
Maintained timely and relevant content on website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and mobile app.
Our team became a model of innovation in Maryland. In 2019, we commemorated the centennial of the American Legion by wearing the 1919-era uniforms that I designed. Post 7 team was recognized by national Legion, and initiated effort by National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY to celebrate the centennial. I attended as an invited guest.
Public address announcer at local Annapolis games and at statewide Legion all-star games.
Also served for a year as the district commissioner, and single-handedly built and maintained the current Maryland Legion Baseball website. (www.mdlegionbaseball.org). DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS
Housing Authority of Baltimore City/ Baltimore, MD / 2002–2005
• Wrote speeches/talking points, briefing documents for Mayor Martin O’Malley, Housing Commissioner, other senior Housing officials.
• Primary on-the-record spokesperson for 2,000-person combined housing agencies.
• Wrote, edited, distributed and tracked weekly agency press releases and media advisories.
• Developed and proactively maintained positive working relationships with local media, including editors, publishers, producers.
• Coordinated media efforts during emergency situations with department management and other citywide public information officers.
In Texas: Birth to 2002
SENIOR WRITER
Texas Southern University / Houston, TX / 2001-2002
• The primary speechwriter for the Texas Southern University President and Executive Vice President.
SPEECHWRITER/COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
State of Government of Texas/ Austin, TX/ 1996-2001
• Speechwriter and legislative advisor for Texas Governor/Lieutenant Governor Rick Perry and two state senators.
MELVIN E. EDWARDS 2021 resume
• Crisis-management spokesman for State Senator Jerry Patterson. Recognized for steadiness, integrity, and reliability in turning negative inquiries into positive coverage.
• Generated and maintained positive coverage to over 500 media outlets for state elected officials, who served a population of over 25-million residents.
• Crafted talking points and briefing papers in advance of media interviews and press conferences for elected and senior staff officials.
• Significant public policy and public affairs experience monitoring legislation and gauging outcomes and impacts on various constituencies.
• Researched and verified facts for Texas Lieutenant Governor Rick Perry’s 50-member legislative and support staff, and 20-member senior staff.
• Conducted primary background research for Lt. Governor’s General Counsel and Law Clerks.
• Coordinated citizen correspondence with state agencies and regulators, and drafted responses based upon own research findings.
REPORTER/EDITOR/FREELANCE COLUMNIST
Brazosport Facts/Brazorian News/ Lake Jackson, TX/ 1989-1998 P ROFESSIONAL A ND VOLUNTEER A F F L I A T I ONS
• National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA) – Member, 2006-current
• Chesapeake Chapter (NSPRA) - Member, 2006-current
• National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - Certified Weather Spotter, 2010-current
• American Legion Baseball - League Commissioner and Team General Manager, 2015-2021
• Elizabethtown College Engineering Advisory Council – Parent Representative, 2018-20 B OOK AWARDS
T h e E y e s o f T e x a n s : F r o m S l a v e r y t o t h e T e x a s C a p i t o l
• First Place – Memoir/Family History in 2021 AMI Best Book Awards Competition
• Third Place - Autobiography & Memoir Kops-Fetherling International Book Awards. N EWSPAPER/J OURNALISM AWARDS
• Won 22 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place state and regional newspaper competition awards between 1989-1997.
S K I L L S & I NDUSTRY K NOWLEDGE
Industry Knowledge
• Public Affairs
• Social Media
• Journalism
• Public Policy
• Event Planning
• Newsletters
• Copy Editing
• Marketing
• Event Management
• Project Management
• Mentoring
• Press Releases
• Strategic Communications
• Corporate Communications
• Talking Points
• Spokesperson
• Communications Programs
• Sports Coverage
• Governmental Affairs
• Regular and Emergency C-Suite Briefings
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