How to Contact Me

Independent Consultant/Contractor

Management, conference and event planning, communications, publications production 2004-Present

Clients and Projects:

• Full-service association management for National Organization for Human Services, March 2004-March 2007

• Communications and publications production: Quarterly 16-page, two-color newsletter, website design and maintenance (nationalhumanservices.org). Converted HTML static site to content management system with members-only section with integrated membership database.
• Conference and event planning: “Turn-key” management of annual conference for 200+ participants, semiannual board meetings, sponsorship recruitment and management.
• Office operations: membership recruitment, dues billings, budget management, bookkeeping, and front-line response for all inquiries.

• Database development for regional organizations. February 2005-October 2006.
• Web site development and maintenance for St. Ignatius Martyr Parish, Austin (www.st-ignatius.org), including staff training. November 2006-Current.
• Web site development for Messiah Lutheran Church, Knoxville, Tennessee. Project in progress.
• Short-term writing and web development projects, most focused on travel writing and marketing.

Public Information Specialist: City of Austin Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office 2002-2004

• Managed media and community relations for high-profile government office, including on-camera interviews with local media.
• Developed and executed communications programs related to department projects, including construction of the new city hall and redevelopment of former city-owned airport.
• Researched, wrote and edited news releases, reports, web pages, presentations, and special correspondence.
• Served as liaison between City and community for assigned projects.
• Award: Successful Meetings magazine “Super Six” national award for Innovation in Meeting and Event Planning.

Executive Director Texas

Recreational Vehicle Association, Austin, Texas 2000-2001

• Directed all administrative functions for 275-member trade association under guidance of 25-member board. Responsibilities included budget and finance; communications; membership development; convention and trade show management.
• Coordinated government relations program with legislative consultant. Managed part-time and contract staff.
• Successes included passage of Texas constitutional amendment, revitalization of newsletter, website development, finance management system development.

Director of Education and Meetings and Director of Communications and Marketing

• Texas Physical Therapy Association, Austin, Texas 1998-2000
• Coordinated with board and volunteers to meet association goals and objectives for education programs, communications and membership development.
• Managed all aspects of statewide annual conference and other meetings, from 20 to 550 participants and 70 exhibitors.
• Administered educational certification program, coordinating with 70 volunteer panels to review up to 150 applications monthly.
• Managed all association communication activities, including newsletter and website. Received national website award for two years.

Director of Communications and Education Director/Publications Coordinator

Texas Society of Professional Engineers, Austin, Texas 1995-1998

• Coordinated with board and volunteers to meet association goals and objectives for communications, public education programs, and membership development.
• Managed all association communication activities, including bimonthly four-color magazine (circulation 6,000), newsletters and website.
• Managed all aspects of statewide educational programs and student competitions for 501(c)(3) organization, involving up to 5,000 students.
• Received national website award.

Program Administrator III

Texas Commission on Fire Protection, Austin, Texas 1989-1995

• Administered state-regulatory education program involving 6,000 school campuses and 3.5 million students. Increased successful participation from less than 10 percent in 1990 to over 60 percent of Texas school campuses in 1995.
• Developed K-12 curriculum for fire safety instruction, including curriculum design, content writing, artwork, field testing, production and distribution. Listed in ERIC.
• Managed agency public information, publications and in-house copy center.

Additional Experience

• Teacher, first grade, math and science. La Feria Independent School District, La Feria, Texas, 1988-1989
• Communications Writer, Public Information and Recruitment Office, Texas State Technical College, 1985-1988
• Writer / Photographer, Commemorative Air Force / American Airpower Heritage Museum, Harlingen, Texas, 1982-1985
• Reporter: Valley Morning Star, Harlingen, Texas; Temple Daily Telegram, Temple, Texas; Cameron Herald, Cameron, Texas; 1980-1982.

Professional Certifications

• Certified Association Executive 2001-2007. Certification required five years’ experience in association management, college degree, 200 hours of professional development in association management, involvement in the professional organization for association executives, and passing score on certification exam.
• Certification in Public Communications and Issues Management, sponsored by University of Texas Professional Development Center and Public Relations Society of American Austin Chapter, 2003.
• Texas teacher certification, Kindergarten-Grade 6.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts Degree, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas. 1980. Major in journalism, minor in political science.
• Alternative Certification Program (teacher certification), University of Texas-Pan American. 1989.

If you would like to talk with me about your needs for writing, research, editing or design, please contact me using this handy form. I’ll reply by email ASAP!