My Resume

Experienced in virtually every aspect of public relations, marketing communications and account service, I welcome freelance work or a staff position that takes advantage of my experience, provides opportunity for learning and growth, and challenges my creativity. The ideal company or client would provide a product or service that is environmentally friendly and truly beneficial to the purchaser.

NOTE: To prevent excessive scrolling, only the most recent and key experience is shown here. Full resume available via email upon request.

FREELANCE WRITER / PUBLIC RELATIONS CONSULTANT
4/2002 - Present
Nashville, TN, and now Albuquerque, NM
Freelance writer for marketing, PR and imagery pieces.

Current and recent projects include: Sales brochures for REIT Investment Group; news releases for multiple clients; search engine optimization review for a physician’s Web site; interviews and case studies for Viatech Global; restructuring and rewriting of Viatech Global presentation materials; newsletter editing for Delta Health Care; direct mail and advertising copy for Physicians Capital; ghost writing a blog for an educational publisher; a full range of marketing communications services for Perennial Enterprises; and marketing communications materials, Web site content and national trade media publicity for National Fine Arts Title Registry (FineArtsTitle.com).

Web content produced for: Physicians Capital (www.PhysiciansCap.com); Delta Health Care (www.DeltaHealthCare.com); Tiffany Homes Southwest (www.LoveYourNMHome.com); Pella Windows and Doors Southwest (www.pellasw.com); and Ruthie Cherry Fine Art (www.RuthieCherryFineArt.com).

Wrote interior copy for two new C.R. Gibson baby memory books and a pregnancy journal. For Ruthie Cherry Fine Art (art gallery), write newsletter content and press kit materials. My eBook, "10 Quick Steps to Spectacular Gift-Giving," was published April 2005 by 10QuickSteps.com. Coordinated the promotional package (CD format) for a syndicated children's television show airing on PBS (Big Comfy Couch).

Responsible for the strategy and execution of public relations plans domestically and globally for CallXpress computer telephony products, for Infinite Mobile Delivery wireless software and WAP gateway, and for RightFax electronic document delivery solutions. Researched and wrote product launch press kits, news releases, case studies and marketing communications brochures; managed the outside public relations firm ($18,000/month budget); and promoted all product lines to media and industry analysts. During 2001, I increased by more than 50 percent the number of clippings in categories for which prior-year numbers were available and generated excellent coverage for two additional product lines. I also increased international coverage at very little cost to the company by creating a process to distribute select news releases through sales partners outside of North America.

CIMTEK COMMERCE, INC. (medicalbuyer.com)
Johnson City, Tennessee
April 2000 - July 2000
Public Relations Director

As the first public relations director of this e-commerce startup, I developed a public relations plan and created public relations materials. Provided media counsel, handled media and analyst relations, and scheduled public appearances for top management; wrote speeches, news releases, press kit components and PowerPoint presentations; provided crisis communications; and supervised the work of an outside agency. On July 19, the company closed after losing their second round of financing due to tech stock crisis.

Managing Director of Wendt Public Relations

Joined Wendt in 1997 to create a public relations firm complementing the state's largest advertising agency. As managing director, I was responsible for supervising and implementing all aspects of public relations services (often including traditional advertising services such as media planning and placement), for providing public relations counsel to advertising clients, and for managing the profitability of the public relations company. Directly supervised two employees. Services included strategic planning; media relations and media tours; audio/visual presentations including the scripting, direction and edit supervision of video news releases; and copywriting for press materials, features, image ads and annual reports.

Clients: Montana's state tourism office; Pasta Montana (pasta manufacturer for foodservice, private label and ingredient markets); Kampgrounds of America (KOA), Inc.; Montana's workers' compensation insurance fund (Montana State Fund); West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce; Russell Country tourism region; Grant County, WA, tourism; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana (limited public relations functions such as annual report); Skillings-Connolly Civil Engineering; Sverdrup Civil; Spirit of Learning Center (alternative and allopathic medicine bridge); other tourism promotion accounts.

CARDEN & CHERRY ADVERTISING
Nashville, TN
1981 - 1987
Public Relations Director & Account Executive

This position originally was heavily business-to-business communications. As the agency rolled out syndicated "Hey, Vern!" television commercials for more than 70 clients across the country, I worked extensively with electronic and print media nationally to publicize the character “Ernest.” In addition, I managed the startup of character merchandising and licensing operations while handling the public relations needs of all of the agency’s clients. Directly supervised one employee.