Graphic Designer Communications Manager

Dionne E. Castor

**** ****** **** **. *., Mobile, AL 36695

******-******@*******.*** – 314-***-****

Experience & Skills

Planning, writing, editing & disseminating communications materials

Graphic/desktop publishing

Creating & hosting events/public meetings, and making presentations to large groups

Website & social media creation & management

Creating and managing print & advertising materials (including paper, website, radio, television, and producing giveaways)

Working independently, managing production schedules & deliverables

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Property Appraiser

Mobile County Revenue Commission, Mobile AL, 8/2019 to present

- Main responsibility: to provide an unbiased, comprehensive and expert opinion about a specific market value of a real property.

- Daily responsibilities:

- Estimating the value of buildings and/or land in Mobile County using building square footage and features, condition, quality of materials, neighborhood statistics, land values, property income, economic conditions, etc.

- Gathering, verifying, and analyzing data on residential properties including: measuring structures, physically inspecting the exterior and interior of buildings, photographing property, analysis of market sales, and noting architectural quality and intended use of the property

- Keeping abreast of current real estate market conditions and their effect on the apartment and commercial real estate markets in assigned geographic area

- Assisting in the construction of financial models including discounted cash flow

- Managing data including collecting, verifying, and analyzing sales, pending sales and listings

- Maintaining property records by indicating any changes in the property

Preparing and defending property dispute proceedings

- Skills: exceptional analytical & narrative writing skills, ability to handle multiple priorities & deadlines in fast-paced environment, high-level computer & technological skills, strong math & analytical skills with high-degree of accuracy, tolerance for high-stress, listening, critical thinking.

Marketing Manager/Real Estate Agent

Coldwell Banker Real Estate, St. Louis, MO, 7/2010 to 5/2013

- Created marketing materials to appeal to new customers.

- Participated in active marketing initiatives, from cold calling to attending industry events.

- Maintained online presence & push marketing strategies.

- Utilized social media for marketing.

Marketing & Communications Officer

Fairfax County, Office of Partnerships, Fairfax, VA, 12/2008–7/2010

- Developed comprehensive strategic communications planning.

- Supervised the production of all communication tools (print, multimedia, online).

- Coordinated presentations before the County’s governing board.

- Implemented new website social media side launches.

- Wrote speeches and coordinated speaking engagements.

- Planned and implemented special events and meetings.

- Served as spokesperson.

- Managed communication and marketing budgets.

- Conducted research for evaluation and measurement of communication programs

Director of Public Relations & Marketing

Stone Harbor Resort & Conference Center, Sturgeon Bay, WI, 5/2007–7/2008

- Managed media relations activities–-acting as spokesperson/on-air personality, writing and distributing press releases, and managing press events.

- Wrote/edited copy for magazine articles, brochures, newsletters, press kits, etc.

- Developed and maintained company’s corporate image and identity, i.e. use of logos, photos and signage.

- Managed communications/marketing budget.

- Wrote speeches/talking points & arranged interviews.

- Responded to media requests for information & designated appropriate spokesperson or information source.

- Established effective working relationships with local/municipal government officials & media representatives.

- Created print, broadcast and online advertising.

- Continuously generated opportunities for publicity.

- Created sales and marketing materials (printed and electronic).

- Created a new website with e-commerce component.

- Created marketing/mailing database.

- Marketed and managed numerous large, high-profile events.

Interim Vice President for Public Relations & Development

Bellin College of Nursing, Green Bay, WI, 7/2006–5/2007

- Created strategic communications plan for communicating to and engaging alumni, staff & current donors.

-Produced TV & radio ads

- Wrote speeches and talking points for executives.

- Created a new website and all new collateral materials to update the college’s image in the community.

- Created new web-based recruitment materials for the Academic Department, managed the Office of Alumni Affairs, the Grants Office, the Public Relations Office, and a graphic designer.

- Solicited & hired advertising agency, wrote copy, directed creative process, and managed print and specialty item vendors.

- Conferred with other managers/staff to identify opportunities for publicity.

- Created celebrity speaker/fundraising event series.

- Established goals for soliciting funds; developed collateral material for & launched successful $5M capital campaign.

- Researched, created and managed communications/marketing budget.

Vice President of Public Relations & Development

Grace Hill Settlement House (non-profit social service agency), St. Louis, Missouri, 5/2004 – 2/2006

- Responded to media requests and designated appropriate spokesperson, or acted as spokesperson.

- Created press releases, managed press conferences, created and directed special events, conducted community-engagement activities, directed student recruitment activities.

- Drafted speeches/talking points for CEO and board members.

- Created marketing and solicitation materials, created print and broadcast advertising

- Provided direction for graphic artists, printers and media buyers.

- Directed fundraising activities – including events, direct mail, direct appeal, grant writing, and database management.

- Assigned, supervised and reviewed activities of staff.

Director of Communications

City of St. Louis, Office of the Mayor, St. Louis, Missouri, 10/2002 – 4/2004

- Managed and monitored the activities of the city's Public Information Officers in all city divisions.

- Responsible for media relations, writing the Mayor's speeches, scheduling the Mayor's appearances, creating marketing collateral, and creating media strategy.

- Duties also included oversight of the Office of Special Events, the print production department, the city’s TV station, and the city’s various websites.

Account Director

D'Arcy Masius Benton & Bowles (advertising agency), St. Louis, Missouri, 9/2000 – 10/2002

- Managed advertising accounts for internationally distributed brands, creating ads for broadcast, print & online media.

- Produced television, radio and print ads, managed client expectations, contracts, fees, and billing, tracked and analyzed campaign results vs. media buy, and managed account team. - Clients: M&M Mars brands (M&Ms, Skittles, Milky Way, and Uncle Ben’s).

Account Director

Zipatoni (promotions agency), St. Louis, Missouri, 9/1999 – 9/2000

- Directed retail promotions for national and direct-to-consumer promotions, using direct and point-of-sale

sales force incentives, and internet marketing.

- Directed new business presentations and client management.

- Clients: Fed Ex Office (then Kinko’s), Energizer Battery Co.

Account Supervisor

Frankel (advertising promotions agency), Chicago, Illinois, 12/1997 – 9/1999

- Managed national retail, print, and online promotional accounts.

- Managed account team of eight on day-to-day account activities, creative production, and

teams training and development. Clients: McDonalds, GM/Oldsmobile, Frito Lay.

- Provided leadership for direct reports and managed their workloads, daily client interaction, overseeing budgets and managed production processes.

Communications Manager

Maritz Communications Company (corporate comm./promotions), St. Louis, Missouri, 1/1994 – 12/1997

- Managed multiple client accounts.

- Duties included copy writing, managing creative production, budgeting and billing, and creating

and making new business presentations. Clients: Pepsi, Motorola, Anheuser Busch, Nissan.

Director of Public Relations

Harris-Stowe State University, St. Louis, MO, 4/1991 – 1/1994

- Managed public relations and marketing activities, created communications materials for public, students and alumni, and managed special events and alumni relations activities.

Public Relations Manager

Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, Missouri, 1/1989 – 4/1991

- Managed Zoo publicity on local and national level, wrote and created marketing materials.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

- Microsoft Office software, including Word, Publisher, Excel, & PowerPoint

- PC & Mac platforms

- Website creation sites including Square Space, Wix, Go Daddy, Google Web Developer

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts Degree - Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville, IL

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