Communications Leader, Journalist, Military Public Affairs

Miles L. (Lee) Elder

Communicator, Journalist, Soldier, Leader

**********@*****.***

Summary

I am a seasoned media professional with background in journalism and marketing. During my career, I have utilized an array of Microsoft Office software including PowerPoint, Excel and Word along with Illustrator, Photo Shop and In-Design. I am noted to have worked well on deadline while being able to have an eye of detail on complex issues. In addition, I have strong written and oral communications skills that I have utilized in assignments locally, nationally and overseas. Later in my career, I worked as an adjunct professor at Austin Peay State University teaching both news writing and speech courses. I am mission oriented focused on job accomplishment.

Work History

Chief, Advertising & Public Affairs, U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Nashville, Nashville, Tenn. - January 1996-December 2023.

- Charged with heading all aspects of media and public relations efforts for Regular Army and Army Reserve recruiting throughout most of Tennessee and Kentucky.

- Managed an advertising budget of up to $500,000 each fiscal year.

- Worked to tell the Army story through news releases, media opportunities and social media. News releases were regularly published in various Army and civilian outlets.

- Advised commander on all media and social interactions with the public. Provided speeches and talking points for Soldiers and commanders.

- Ensured all media products were produced timely and complied with the Army’s branding and within regulations.

- Made recruiting presentations to high school and college journalism classes. Also made presentations to potential partners for Army programs like March2Success and Partnership for Your Success (PaYS). A 25-year-old effort, PaYS guarantees a job interview after Soldiers are honorably discharge with a civilian employer whose needs match the Soldier’s job skill training.

Editor, Fort Campbell Courier, Fort Campbell, Ky. - June 1993 - January 1996

- Served as editor of Fort Campbell's newspaper serving the post and the 101st Airborne Division with weekly news and updates. Twice, the newspaper was honored as the Army's top publication.

- Supervised a staff of 10-12 individuals, including several Keith L. Ware winners for excellence in Army journalism.

- Contributed as a writer and photographer with various news from post and local Army units.

Reporter, The Leaf-Chronicle, Clarksville, Tenn. September 1990 - June 1993.

- Worked as a full-time reporter covering police/court beat and later Montgomery County government. Also did features on topics varying from religion to personality profiles.

- Regularly placed stories on the front page including high-profile crime stories that detailed arrests and convictions along with government-related stories.

Correspondent/Staff Writer, The Nashville Banner, Nashville, Tenn. September 1986 - August 1990.

- Began working part time while in graduate school covering Clarksville, Tenn., area. Later, moved to covering Sumner, Wilson and Williamson counties.

- Wrote news stories on a variety of topics including elections, government, crime and features.

Sports Editor, The Democrat News, Jerseyville, Ill. June 1980 – March, 1984.

- Covered local high school sports and news event as a writer and a photographer.

Military Service (1984 - 2012)

Active Duty (1984 - 1986)

- Trained as Military Satellite Communications operator at Fort Gordon, Ga. (31CV9).

- Served with the 56th Field Artillery Command in Germany as Military KONTAKT Coordinator assisting with community relations outreach. Club was named number one for all of then West Germany in 1985 and 1986.

- Regularly made presentations to newly arrived Soldiers and to English students in local German high schools.

U.S. Army Reserve (1986 - 1988)

- Served with the 401st Military Police Camp as an administrative specialist and later a cadet.

Tennessee Army National Guard (1988 - 2012)

- Served as a press officer with the 118th Public Affairs Detachment and later a journalist with the 133rd and 118th Mobile Public Affairs detachments.

- Mobilized three times: 1991 (Operation Desert Storm); 1999 (Bosnia peacekeeping operations) and 2005-06 (Operation Iraqi Freedom).

- Wrote news releases, escort media, provided command information and wrote speeches and talking points for various commanders in Bosnia where the task force commander did regular radio shows throughout our area of operations.

- Commanded Detachment 1, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, from 2000-2002. Rebuilt unit from the ground up after the departures of long-serving members.

Education

Master of Science in Communications from Austin Peay State University, 1986 – 1989.

Army ROTC from Austin Peay State University, 1986 – 1988. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Adjutant General branch.

Bachelor of Science in Communications from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, 1980 – 1983.

References Available Upon Request

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