I have worked in public relations for 16 years, beginning as a student intern and working my way up to a public relations specialist and project manager.  My expertise lies in public affairs and community relations where I have worked on community outreach efforts in environmentally-effected communities for the Department of Defense.  Through these projects I have received numerous awards and accolades from the U.S. government, Native American reservations, and local communities.

Public Relations Consultant

Public Relations Consultant, Sept. 2013 – Oct. 2016. Salem, Massachusetts
Public relations consultant for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District Formerly Used Defense Sites program.  Listed below are some of my responsibilities as public relations consultant.  While working with the Army Corps of Engineers I have had the opportunity to work with many local communities, state legislators, tribal reservations, and government and military entities.
  • Lead public relations specialist for Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) Program. 
  • Quality Control Specialist, working with team of four people for public digital information repository, to include project planning, execution and oversight.
  • Lead technical writer/editor: create fact sheets, newsletters, and media materials for the FUDS Program.
  • Public relations liaison between U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and media, congressional members, other federal government agencies, state government agencies, and community residents/businesses.
  • Lead coordinator for public meetings, to include creation of digital presentations, information boards, and other visual displays.

Accolades/Awards

This award is the result of my participation as public relations specialist for the Naval Auxiliary Air Station Monterey restoration project.  As part of this project I was in charge of community outreach and worked with the community, local government agencies, and Congressman Farr’s office to ensure community concerns were identified and addressed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

  • Naval Auxiliary Air Station Monterey Environmental Restoration Award, 2014

Public Relations Specialist

EM-Assist, Inc., Dec. 2002-Aug. 2013. Sacramento, California/Norman, Oklahoma
Public relations specialist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District Formerly Used Defense Sites program.  From December 2002 until August 2009 I was located in Sacramento, CA but after deciding to pursue a Ph.D. I now telecommute from Norman, OK.  After several years as a technical writer I was promoted to lead public relations specialist for the program.  Listed below are some of my responsibilities as public relations specialist.  While working with the Army Corps of Engineers I have had the opportunity to work with many local communities, state legislators, tribal reservations, and government and military entities.
  • Lead public relations specialist for Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) Program. 
  • Project Manager overseeing team of eight people for public digital information repository, to include project planning, execution and oversight.
  • Lead technical writer/editor: create fact sheets, newsletters, press releases, public notices, articles, website content, media packets for U.S. congressional members, Public Involvement Plans, and brochures for the FUDS Program.
  • Public Relations liaison between U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and media, congressional members, other federal government agencies, state government agencies, tribal chair members, and community residents/businesses.
  • Lead coordinator for public meetings as well as conferences, seminars, and media interviews: create PowerPoint presentations, large-scale maps, diagrams, information boards and other visual displays.

Accolades/Awards

The awards I received in 2005 stemmed from my participation as public relations expert for the Pyramid Lake Torpedo & Bomb Range restoration project.  As part of this project I was in charge of the tribal community outreach and worked with the tribe to ensure sacred lands were honored and restored to original conditions prior to the military accessing it in the 1940s.

  • Secretary of Defense 2005 Environmental Team Award
  • Secretary of the Army 2005 Environmental Team Award
  • USACE Commanders Award for Public Service, 2005
  • Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribal Recognition Award, 2005

The awards I received in 2003 stemmed from my involvement as public relations expert for the Naval Auxiliary Air Station, Monterey restoration project.  For this project I worked closely with the community to calm fears regarding contaminated ground water and established a community outreach program that not only alleviated fears but brought community members into the environmental restoration process.

  • Congressional Letter of Recognition, 2003
  • Department of Justice Letter of Recognition, 2003

Technical Writer

TRW Systems, Feb. 2001- Dec. 2002. Sacramento, California
After my internship with the State of California I worked as a technical writing consultant for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) program.  As a technical writer I was responsible for writing technical reports, fact sheets, newsletters, and articles that went out to the public and media organizations as well as creating websites for FUDS projects. 
  • Lead technical writer/editor for articles, documents, and newsletters.  
  • Lead writer for fact sheets/newsletters and press releases/public notices.
  • Assistant coordinator for public meetings and production of visual displays.
  • Website Designer: lead writer/editor and designer for website pages and graphics.

Student Assistant

California State Department of General Services, Oct. 2000-Jan. 2001. Sacramento, California
While I attended California State University, Sacramento pursuing a bachelor’s degree I worked as a student intern for the State of California.
  • Student intern for Public Affairs office. 
  • Public affairs writer for news articles printed in company newsletter. 
  • Liaison between media corporations and Department of General Services to relay upcoming press releases, events, and new information regarding the company. 
  • General office assistant, including, but not limited to: creator of California media lists, creator of weekly meeting handouts and other various assignments.

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