Resume
Professional Profile
Dynamic communications specialist with more than 17 years of experience in the field of journalism and military public affairs. Competent team leader with an innate ability to produce noticeably outstanding results in fast-paced environments. U.S. Army veteran.
Core Competencies
Communications - Public Relations - Writer/Editor
Photography - Project Manager - Graphic Design
Continuous Learner - Strategic Planner - Committed to Quality
Work Experience
Public Affairs Specialist
Fort Campbell, Kentucky - March 2015 - present
Directed operations and production of the Fort Campbell Courier, the post’s command information newspaper with an estimated readership of more than 45,000.
Lead a team of five journalists, delegating assignments and assessing performance while instructing and mentoring staff as to the best approach and treatment of information as editor-in-chief..
Developed the overall scope of coverage of the newspaper, considering the depth and breadth of issues that sustain integrity in terms of responsible news reporting based on regulation, established policy and the Principals of Ethical Journalism.
Established editorial policies and performance standards in consonance with the desires of the installation command and in accordance with general directives from higher headquarters.
Improved editing process and overall content that lead to winning 55 Kentucky Press Association Awards in 2016, the most in the newspaper’s history.
Human Resources Assistant
Fort Campbell, Kentucky - August 2011-March 2015
Provided a broad range of administrative services essential to the daily operations of Fort Campbell Warrior Transition Battalion for more than 400 wounded and ill soldiers.
Recruited, tracked and monitored hiring actions for more than 20 Army National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers who wished to serve on active duty as cadre.
Features Editor/Copy Editor
The Leaf-Chronicle - January 1998-August 2011
Community liaison for news features coverage for The Leaf-Chronicle newspaper that boasts a print circulation of 25,000, and website traffic of more than 6 million page views per month.
Authored and edited clear, concise and accurate award-winning stories, columns and blogs for print and online platforms including posts on social media and The Leaf-Chronicle website.
Managed staff of 3 journalists, assigning story coverage plans, assessing performance, and providing guidance and feedback.
Engineer Technician (soldier)
Department of the Army, Fort Polk, Louisiana - October 1991-January 1995
Education
Austin Peay State University
Bachelor of Science Communication Arts
Major: Print and Web Journalism
Minor: Graphic Design
December 2016
GPA: 3.9
Austin Peay State University
Master of Communication Arts
Major: Corporate Communication
Expected graduation: May 2018
GPA: 4.0
Awards
Kentucky Press Association, General Excellence,
Fort Campbell Courier, 2016 and 2017
Kentucky Press Association first place Best Photo Essay, Best Special Section, Best Lifestyle Page, Fort Campbell Courier, 2017
Kentucky Press Association second place Best Column,
Fort Campbell Courier, 2017
Kentucky Press Association third place Best Graphic, Best Ongoing/Extended Coverage, Best Special Section, Best Headline, Fort Campbell Courier, 2017
Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, 2013
Tennessee Press Association first place Makeup and Appearance, Features Section, The Leaf-Chronicle 2002, 2003, 2006, 2008-2011
Tennessee Press Association, third place
Best Personal Humor Column, 2009
Monte Service Award, Roxy Regional Theatre, Clarksville, Tennessee, 2006
Technical Skills
In-Design CC
Photoshop CC
Illustrator CC
Microsoft Office Suite