Experience

Wake County Government

Public Affairs Manager                                                                    August 2008 – current
Provide expertise and leadership with key responsibilities to advise, consult and coordinate public information services to and for County Departments. Areas of expertise and leadership include strategic communications media relations and response, Board of Commissioners and County Manager communications, Public Health communications, news releases, social media and web projects, emergency communications and planning, television show production, event management/organization and publicity, issue campaign development and partnership communications. Experience developing training materials and providing training on best practices including public records requests, how to work with the news media, social media best practices, and communications writing. Write and evaluate RFP’s and oversee contracts.

Public Affairs Specialist                                                                    August 2007 – August 2008
Served as the primary writer and editor in the Public Affairs Office. Provided leadership in the areas of media management and event planning and coordination. Wrote speeches and talking points for Commissioners and the County Manager. Created and coordinated the Public Affairs Office public records and internship programs.

State of North Carolina, Office of the Governor

Assistant Press Secretary                                                                February 2007 – July 2007

Lead staff person for Governor’s media events in various topic areas, including the State of the State Address. Prepared detailed briefing memos, speeches and news releases for the Governor, First Lady and members of the Governor’s senior staff. Provided consultation on television production; including media interviews, public service announcements and the coordination of pool coverage for major events. Coordinated and supervised content on the Office of the Governor web site and developed and designed graphics and new pages. Developed, planned and trained Governor’s Press Office staff and cabinet Public Information Officers on new equipment. Serve as a liaison to Internet and Technology Services, Department of Archives and Agency for Public Telecommunications and assisted in supervising interns.

Press Aide                                                                                             February 2006 – February 2007
Responsible for planning and coordination of photo opportunities for the Governor. Worked with the Office of Boards and Commissions to develop system to receive information and write news releases for each member appointed by the Governor (25 to 30 per month). Developed and maintained an archive of photos and videos. Transcribed speeches by the Governor and First Lady. 

WLOS Television

Producer                                                                                               September 2004 – August 2005

Produced at least four hours of news a week. Responsibilities included story selection, news gathering planning and coordination of staff. Responsible for all script writing, editing and approval two days a week. Supervised newsroom and website on weekends, including overtime budget and scheduling. Assisted with running the assignment desk, oversaw microwave and satellite live feeds. 

WCJB Television

Reporter/Photographer                                                                    February 2004 – September 2004

Shot, wrote, and edited stories for daily newscast. Enterprised, researched and investigate story ideas. Responsible for live shot planning and execution. Maintained script and phone bank archives. Wrote, posted and maintained internet versions of on-air reports.

WNCN Television

Associate Producer                                                                              May 2003 – February 2004
Writer                                                                                                      May 2002 – May 2003

Wrote, edited and produced six hours of news a week. Managed production team and assignment desk, monitored emergency scanners, developed graphics, enterprised and field produced daily news and special projects. Supervised and trained interns.

WRAL Television

Editor                                                                                                         March 2001 – August 2002
ENG Receive Technician                                                                       October 2000 – March 2001

Field produced, wrote and edited scripts for newscasts. Edited video and controlled on-air playback of video production during main newscasts. Coordinated up to 12 live feed sources from field crews and edited them for playback.