Management Marketing

R E S U M E

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Susanne Allen

***** ***** ******* **., ***. 263

Houston, TX 77058

Phone: 281-***-****

Email: ************@*****.***

PR, COMMUNICATIONS & GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS SPECIALIST

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Profile

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* Public relations and communications professional backed by 18 years of commended performance within government and nonprofit settings, solid credentials (including pending BA degree), strong computer proficiencies, and a long-standing history of goal-surpassing results.

* Excel in devising strategic, revenue-driving campaigns, collateral, events, and communications generating strong funding, lasting support, and enduring partner alliances.

* Gifted wordsmith, prolific public speaker, record-setting fundraiser, and masterful communicator. Award-winning author adept in conveying, composing, and defending any position, with extensive experience in executive speech writing, news release writing, research, and crisis communications.

* Expert builder of top-performing teams/organizations and strong relationships with key internal/external partners and constituencies, including corporate CEOs; city managers; media representatives; university administrators; and elected officials at state, local, and federal levels.

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Key Skills

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- Public Relations & Marketing Strategy

- Internal/External Communications

- Fundraising & Community Outreach

- Strategic Partnership Building

- Executive Speech Writing

- Powerful Presentations & Public Speaking

- Special Event Planning & Management

- Executive-Level Reports/Proposals

- Media Relations & Government Affairs

- Crisis Communications

- Large-Scale Project Management

- Leadership of PR Teams & Operations

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Professional Experience

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HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 2 - Houston, TX

1999 to Present

Community Liaison, 12/03 to Present

In charge of cultivating and maintaining strategic external relationships with constituents, industry leaders, universities, and elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels. Strategize and lead a comprehensive program of public relations, communications, and special events for county precinct with 1M constituents. Manage courthouse annex office with two support staff; administer $300K annual budget; and serve on numerous legislative/volunteer committees and boards with coalitions, alliances, chambers of commerce, and economic development agencies.

** Key Results:

* Strategic Communications: Repeatedly commended for developing clear, consistent, creative, and articulate messaging. Wrote hundreds of speeches, press releases, official correspondence, and other communications for three county commissioners, taking into consideration audiences impacted, points of resistance, and appropriate message content.

* Media Training: Prepared officials for media interviews on sensitive matters.

* Event Management: Coordinated, publicized, and seamlessly executed over 80 major events at various venues involving complicated logistics and hundreds of guests per event to showcase county accomplishments. Examples include town hall meetings, legislative updates/Q&A sessions, live and silent auctions, awards banquets, ribbon cuttings, economic summits, strategic planning sessions, staff retreats, grand openings, and State of the County Luncheon that raised $500K+ in a single afternoon.

* Infrastructure Project Communications: Provided "cradle-to-grave" communications program management for complex, multimillion-dollar infrastructure projects. Adeptly liaised with engineers, cities, constituents, and the media as key point of contact, primary message developer, and spokesperson.

* Relationship Building: Built enduring and mutually respectful relationships with corporate and nonprofit leaders; government and NASA officials; and citizens. Collaborated effectively with department directors to ensure seamless delivery of county services to external customers.

* Public & Media Relations: Effectively represented the commissioner at many events, committees, organizations, and media appearances. Excelled in gatekeeper role, functioning as the "go-to" person for embroiled issues/mitigation and controlling access to commissioner without alienating constituents, key stakeholders, or members of the press.

* Public Speaking: Demonstrated advanced persuasive communications skills through numerous speaking engagements that included television appearances, press conferences, and testifying before congress.

* Dignitary Hosting: Hosted many international dignitaries from Brazil, India, Norway, Canada, France, the UK, Japan, and Russia.

* Crisis Management & Communications: Quickly assembled and managed Point-of-Distribution (POD) team, volunteers, and operations during Hurricane Ike in 2008 (including FEMA live feed to the White House), which proved so successful in aiding those in need that it was commended by President Bush and held up as the model standard now used for all POD set-ups during natural disasters.

* Formal Recognition: Singled out for exemplary performance throughout tenure through promotional advancement, outstanding marks on performance appraisals, and eight consecutive years of perfect attendance. Retained employment throughout three county commissioner elections (virtually unheard of).

Community Center Director, 10/99 to 12/03

Prior to promotion, oversaw the planning, marketing, expansion, and implementation of all programs, services, and operations for two community center facilities. Directed a total of 50 community/senior citizen programs, supervised each location's management and hourly employee team, and managed budgets totaling $330K. Participated in fundraising campaigns benefitting 15 county community centers (which were all self-sustaining), and directed assorted marketing, communications, and public relations efforts.

** Key Results:

* Program Expansion: Drove impressive growth through goal-surpassing fundraising. Used funds raised to develop many new senior citizen programs and recreational classes (e.g., dance, exercise, art, cooking) as well as out-of-state field trips, which resulted in a record increase in participation.

* Fundraising: Organized many successful fundraisers (e.g., huge community garage sale, weekly bingo) as well as, major golf tournament raising a record-setting $100K.

* Internal/External Communications: Edited nonprofit newsletter and developed marketing collateral promoting center and its programs.

* Event Management: Planned, organized, and managed special events, including hosting three annual Senior Citizen Olympics for over 1,000 participants.

AMERICAN RED CROSS - GREATER HOUSTON CHAPTER - Baytown, TX

1993 to 1999

Health & Safety Coordinator, 8/93 to 8/99

Organized and coordinated volunteers for all CPR and water safety courses offered throughout four counties in the greater Houston area. Prepared news releases, managed large-scale public events, coordinated media efforts and multi-county health/safety programs, and participated in year-round fundraising efforts.

** Key Results:

* Awarded Recognition: Spearheaded innovative program and all correlating communications/ promotions to recruit local nursing students into Red Cross Disaster Services, which proved so successful it resulted in securing more Red Cross nurses than any other chapter in the U.S. for four years running. Honored as co-winner of the prestigious Army Service to Civilians Award for Community Partnerships, with program becoming a model now used nationwide by the Red Cross.

* Program Development: Developed and implemented creative program that allowed the Red Cross to charge a nominal fee for providing on-site first aid services at public events. Arranged for all equipment and volunteer staff.

* Public Speaking & Presentations: Reduced the number of accidental drownings by creating funding mechanism and conducting "Whales Tales" youth water safety program for local schools, taught at-risk children life-saving techniques, spoke at nursing school graduations in front of crowds of 800+, appeared on local TV news to demonstrate CPR, and delivered dozens of presentations each year for the United Way on the benefits of giving.

* Community Outreach: Raised money for handicap van to allow for free transportation of dialysis patients to medical appointments and delivered compelling appeal on local TV news that procured overwhelming support for disabled vet in need of handicap-accessible housing.

* Volunteerism & Disaster Relief: Traveled regionally to assist in disaster-relief events, supervising up to 100 volunteers and compassionately working one-on-one with victims of natural disasters either in person or by phone throughout the U.S. Also served as a CPR instructor trainer and disaster shelter organizer, garnering 8,000+ volunteer hours with the Red Cross outside of normal work duties.

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Early Career

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GOOSE CREEK SCHOOL DISTRICT - Baytown, TX

Substitute Teacher, 9/91 to 5/93

SAN JACINTO METHODIST HOSPITAL - Baytown, TX

Lab Secretary/Phlebotomist, 1/85 to 1/91

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Education

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UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON CLEAR LAKE - Houston, TX

BA Candidate

Expected Graduation: 12/2011

Major: Humanities

Current GPA: 3.7

LEE COLLEGE - Baytown Texas

AA in Liberal Arts, 1991

Graduated with honors (GPA: 3.5)

Specialized Training:

* Graphic Design, 2011

* Writing for the Media, 2011

* Business Communications, 2010

* Advanced Writing, 2009

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Of Note

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Affiliations & Activities:

* Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership: Maritime Committee, Legislative Committee, Education Committee, Economic Summit, Strategic Planning Committee (2005 to Present)

* Harris County Protective Services & Housing Authority Liaison (2005 to Present)

* Bay Transportation Partnership: Legislative Development Committee (2005 to Present)

* Board Member, United Way Bay Area, Houston, TX (2007 to Present)

* Diplomat & Legislative Chair '09, Clear Lake Area Chamber (2005 to Present)

Computer Skills:

MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook); MS Publisher; Adobe Illustrator

Global Travel:

Traveled to 13 countries throughout Europe, North America, and South America as well as 17 U.S. states.

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Available for Travel & Relocation

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Contact this candidate