Experienced Agricultural Journalist & Public Relations Specialist

JOHN W. HART

**** ******* *** • Cary, NC *****-0934

Telephone: 919-***-**** • E-Mail: ************@***.***

Achievements

• Served an integral role in the Public Relations Department of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the nation’s largest general farm organization. Wrote on a wide array of farm, food and rural policy issues that make up Farm Bureau’s mission and portfolio of work.

• Improved the editorial quality of the major midstream energy weekly newsletter, transforming the product to the journal of record for the natural gas processing industry. Both paid circulation and industry respect for the title increased markedly.

• Increased paid circulation by 50 percent, doubled advertising linage and improved editorial product of a leading rice industry publication. Produced a journal that was a “must read” for industry leaders.

Experience

Director, News Services American Farm Bureau Federation Washington, D.C. 2008-2011

Edited daily newsletter; prepared news releases and news advisories; wrote Focus on Agriculture opinion columns; edited Foodie News, a monthly food trends newsletter, and prepared Foodie Radio segments and pod casts; worked in media training and media relations; drafted speeches for AFBF President Bob Stallman and cleared documents prepared by AFBF’s Public Policy Department.

Editor Gas Processors Report McLean, Virginia • Houston, Texas 2006-2007

Gas Processors Report, a weekly newsletter published by Hart Energy Publishing, is the leading publication for the natural gas processing and natural gas liquids industry. Covered all aspects of the midstream energy sector, from the financial results of companies to the latest projects and pipelines. Interviewed company executives and covered key energy conferences and industry meetings.

Partner Southland Capital, LLC Lake Charles, Louisiana 2002-2006

Helped manage commercial and industrial real estate holdings in southwestern Louisiana.

Associate Editor Gas Daily Houston, Texas 2001-2002

Contract associate editor for Gas Daily, which is published by Platts and owned by McGraw-Hill. Interviewed natural gas traders by telephone for pricing information and market commentary and gathered pricing data by fax and e-mail. Wrote copy on the natural gas spot market.

Owner, Editor & Publisher The Rice World Houston, Texas • Lake Charles, Louisiana 1992-2001

The Rice World was a monthly publication for the U.S. rice industry and was established in 1981 by J.P. Gaines. Purchased The Rice World from Mr. Gaines in May 1992. Handled all aspects of the publication: advertising sales and design; reporting, writing, editing, photography, pagination and production as well as circulation, accounting and all duties necessary to make The Rice World profitable. Sold The Rice World to Liberty Group Publishing in Helena, Arkansas in 2001.

Membership Communications Specialist USA Rice Council Houston, Texas 1987-1992

Managed communications directed to the membership of the USA Rice Council, 45,000 growers, millers and others in the industry, who support the Council’s market development work through voluntary assessments. Developed, wrote and managed the production of several publications; prepared news releases, managed media relations and wrote speeches. Worked with trade and media delegations.

Communications Specialist Cotton Board Memphis, Tennessee 1985-1986

Responsible for communications directed to the 50,000 cotton farmers who fund the market development activities of Cotton Incorporated. Prepared several newsletters, created and managed the Cotton Board’s News Service and handled media relations. Wrote speeches and magazine articles.

Staff Writer News-Star-World Monroe, Louisiana 1983-1985

Developed feature articles for Sunday farm page and other sections, covered agricultural news and prepared articles for the business and metropolitan sections on a variety of topics and events as a general assignments reporter for this 38,000 circulation daily that is owned by Gannett Corporation and serves the 16 parishes of northeastern Louisiana.

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism Louisiana State University December 1987

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