Million dollar results in marketing, public relations, and new business development comes from a proven understanding of a rapidly changing media environment, the ability to craft effective and efficient strategic plans, and bring together diverse stakeholders and C- and E-level executives. Special strengths include:
• International experience and a certificate in International Marketing and Management
• Service as liaison to BIO, National Association of Seed and Venture Funds, and other organizations
• Proven disaster preparedness and crisis management/problem resolution credentials
• Extensive work with new and social media operations
• More than 10 years of full and collaborative management experience and more than 20 years experience in the field
Professional Experience
Strategic Management
Successfully developed and implemented strategic communications/development plans that have involved coordination between different internal and external organizations as well as conformance to existing higher-level branding and development activities as an employee. This includes supervisory experience of both internal staff and external vendors, hiring activities, and contract management and budgetary activities. In addition, have advised clients on same as a consultant.
• Developed a list of target audiences and a five-year strategic plan of international scope for NASA’s Space Product Development Program; implemented using in-house teams and external vendors developed/contracted for tasks; and, met all major goals in 3.5 years. This involved coordinating a unified campaign between the unique messages of NASA, Commercial Space Centers, host institutions, and other agencies and institutions so as to provide brand management, consistent messaging, and multi-level knowledge management and information placement. Efforts credited by program manager with bringing in more than a million dollars in new investment from industry
• Researched, developed, and implemented a strategic communications plan for Purdue’s Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering in less than three months; and, completing major objectives in less than three years, including development of visual identity and key branding segments and coordination with higher level branding. Special emphasis was placed on web and video activities, with the Weldon WWW site serving as a flagship for the redesign of the College of Engineering web site. In addition, an industry-style display was developed and used to significant effect at various events. School head credits efforts with being critical to achieving Top 20 U.S. News & World Report graduate program ranking within three years.
• Developed disaster preparedness and crisis management plans and preparations, including security and other protocols. Implemented plans as needed and have continued professional development including AF Security Police Augmenter training, NIMS, MEMS and basic search and rescue training.
Project Management
Multiple successful projects have been completed on or ahead of schedule and at or under budget. Many have involved rather intense coordination, including coordination with international agencies, companies, and governments. Activities include supervising and scheduling both internal staff and external vendors, along with contract management and budgetary activities.
• Assumed project manager duties for Purdue video project that was behind schedule and moved it into production in three weeks; assembled a marketing tiger team for the project and submitted a full marketing and use plan to higher in less than a week; and, headed a crash effort that used unused footage to provide the Big 10 network with a 3-5 minute video in less than a week
• Used social media expertise and networks to showcase effectiveness of same using “5 Students who are Veterans” web feature at Purdue. In process, established benchmark metrics and made it one of the most viewed 5 Students features of the year
• Coordinated efforts around the death of Purdue’s Medal of Technology recipient Leslie A. Geddes, including but not limited to drafts of notices, editing of same, coordination between different divisions of Purdue, and acting as point of contact for all requests to the Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering for quotes, information, and photographs. • Served as project manager (publications) for the First United States Microgravity Laboratory mission (USML-1), the Second United States Microgravity Laboratory mission (USML-2), the Astro-2 mission, the Gamma Ray Observatory lesson from space (flight visual), Spacelab J mission, and the first Tethered Satellite System mission (TSS-1). This included oversight on all publications and production schedules, editing, writing, and related issues, and in providing 24/7 support in Spacelab Control to the mission manager. This work included console staffing, developing internal reports and logs, review of all materials, and distribution of mission management reports to all levels of NASA
• While serving as a graduate research assistant, developed a review and tracking system for the large number of papers submitted to the American Journalism Historians Association annual conference. Forms and process developed for this purpose received continued use as responsibility rotated to other universities
• As Editor of Test Highlights, the USAF Arnold Engineering Development Center technical magazine, oversaw text and illustration development and monitored AEDC, Air Force and DoD clearance and approval cycles. Developed computerized tracking system and archives for both the magazine and general press releases.
• Managed office automation development and procurement for the SSI public affairs office at the USAF Arnold Engineering Development Center, a project valued in excess of $75,000. Also advised and otherwise assisted USAF Public Affairs with their office automation efforts.
• Managed disaster preparedness planning for the SSI public affairs office at the USAF Arnold Engineering Development Center, which included: Developing the first draft of an office disaster operations manual; developing computer generated internal emergency forms; developing pre-prepared press releases; stocking and upgrading of office “crash” kits; creating personal “crash” kits for key personnel; preparing for emergency IT operations; and procurement of necessary hardware.
• Served as the SSI PI/PA lead on the J-5 recovery effort following the malfunction of a rocket motor being tested. Received multiple commendations for work on the project.
Education
Certificate in International Marketing and Management, UAH Continuing Education, 1991
MS in Communications, University of Tennessee, 1989
BA, with honors, in Journalism, Columbia College Chicago, 1983
Coursework in English, Engineering, and Psychology, Auburn University, 1978-1982
Scholarship, National Science Foundation Summer Studies Program on Energy and National Policy, 1976
Employment History
CEO, Cooking with the Troops 2010-2012
Special Assignment, New & Social Media, Online Experience, Purdue University 2010-2010
Marketing Consultant, Strategic Marketing & Research, Purdue University 2009-2010
Biomedical Engineering (BME) Project Editor, Purdue University 2005-2009
New Media Principal, Consultant 2003-Present
Consultant/Freelance 2002-2005
Director of Outreach (CST, Inc.), NASA Space Product Development Program 1998-2002
Powers Communications, President 1996-1998
Writer II, Essex Corporation 1990-1996
Senior Science Writer, SSI (USAF AEDC) 1985-1987
Other
CPL, Indiana Guard Reserve; Basic MEMS, 2012; Member, Kappa Tau Alpha (National Journalism Honorary); Bickle Scholar, University of Tennessee, 1988-1989; Right Stuff Award, U.S. Space Academy, 1986; Eagle Scout with Silver Palm, 1975