Chief Marketing Officer
Orange County Convention Center 

​2019 - Present 

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​The Orange County Convention Center provides approximately $3 billion in economic impact to Central Florida annually. In recent years, the Convention Center has averaged nearly 200 meetings, conferences, banquets, conventions and trade shows that attract more than 1.5 million attendees to the region each year. 

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• Develops and implements integrated public relations campaigns and digital engagement strategies supporting the mission, values and vision of Orange County Convention Center.

• Evaluates needs and prioritizes requests to ensure productive communication and public relations outcomes.

• Manages marketing efforts which includes the creation of sales collateral, presentations, annual reports, fulfillment reports, creating and managing videos, copy writing, editing, press releases, direct mail, e-mail campaigns, marketing, advertising and social media marketing.

• Serves as the spokesperson for all media and public records requests.

• Develops and maintains inventories of internal and external print and digital documents.

• Identifies current and historical trends and opportunities in all markets to prepare and present reports, and other related correspondence.

• Implements and executes the Orange County Convention Center sales and marketing plan designed to maximize awareness of the facility.

• Schedules all media and industry advertising for fiscal year.

• Provides counsel and solutions for the effective use of external messaging and information dissemination. 

• Acts as a champion for the organization and cultivates relationships with stakeholders, tourism and hospitality leadership, community partners, clients and the media.

• Leads the OCCC's social media strategy, targeted at maximizing awareness and building a positive brand identity.

• Directs department budget for Marketing and Communications.

• Promoted from Marketing Communications Manager in December 2021.
   

Assistant Manager
Communications and Digital Marketing
Orange County Government 

​2011 - 2019

Led communication strategies on behalf of an organization with an annual budget of $4.4 billion, with 80 divisions and more than 7,500 employees. Oversaw Orange County’s news and information team, management of the OCFL Newsroom and mobile app, website, high profile public relations campaigns, emergency communications, newsletters, social media, event branding, graphics and digital marketing efforts to support internal and external messaging consistent with the County’s values and culture. 

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• Developed and implemented integrated public relations campaigns and digital engagement strategies supporting the mission, values and vision of Orange County Government.

• Presented ideas and information to senior management, County employees, the community and citizens.

• Coordinated in partnership with the Division's leads for media relations and events and special projects to ensure integration and consistency of message and mission.

• Managed the editorial planning and content management of Orange County’s external website and managed the workflow, assignments, strategy and editing of stories for Orange County’s online Newsroom and Media Center.

• Managed Orange County’s social media accounts including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr to engage and communicates with internal and external constituents and provides analytics quarterly on activity.

• Managed social media strategies; interaction with the Technology & Social Media Work Group; led the Orange County Social Media Committee and interfaced with PIOs on social media outreach.

• Acted as the project lead on collaterals and digital branding materials for all signature events maintaining the authenticity, image and brand of Orange County Government.

• Worked with senior leadership on the copy, editing, and distribution of special messages and creative direction on high profile collaterals and promotional materials.

• Oversaw the writing, copy editing and editorial/creative direction of monthly newsletters, the Orange Spiel and annual reports.

• Managed the work of external contractors, communications staff, and interns and encouraged professional development. Held team accountable to the highest standards of Orange County’s ethics.

• Served as the co-lead for the Emergency Support Function (ESF) 14, Communications Emergency Activation Team. Current on all ESF requirements and FEMA training.

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Multimedia Journalist
The E.W. Scripps Co. 

​2003 - 2011
 

• Published on the Scripps Howard Newswire, Palm Beach Post, Sun-Sentinel, Florida Today and MSNBC.com.

• Beats included residential and commercial real estate, retail, business issues, agriculture, labor, tourism, biotech, Vought Aircraft/Triumph Aerostructures and Piper Aircraft, Inc.

• Balanced investigative enterprise pieces and wrote engaging breaking business news on deadline.

• Expert at watchdog investigations, computer-assisted reporting and database analysis.

• Skilled at translating public financial disclosures and SEC filings.

• Scripted and voiced NPR reports for Fort Pierce-based WQCS and WXEL

       Sun-Sentinel News.

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Communications and Research Director
Economic Council of Palm Beach County, Inc.

​2002 - 2003

• Designed and wrote the council’s monthly member newsletter and 2001- 2002 annual report.

• Coordinated CEO’s media appearances on local news stations and interviews with print reporters.

• Pitched and wrote various guest editorials for The Sun-Sentinel and Palm Beach Post.

• Issued press releases and white papers to media on public policy and emerging economic issues.

• Coordinated economic summits and board of director meetings.

• Managed council's online marketing efforts including website design, layout and content.

• Made recommendations on the allocation of the council's marketing and advertising budget.

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Staff Writer
Tampa Bay Times - Formerly The Tampa Tribune  

​2000 - 2002

• Reported government, business and law enforcement stories for metro and 1A sections.

• Produced on air reports, "Live Talk Backs" with NBC’s Tampa affiliate News Channel 8.

• Broke a national story on the Immigration and Naturalization Service's tracking foreign students after 9/11.

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Communications and Public Affairs Coordinator 
Lockheed Martin Shared Services

​1999 - 2000

• Designed and wrote employee newsletter, internal communications, brochures and articles for Lockheed’s Shared Services.

• Coordinated special events and assisted in the internal and external dissemination of information.

• Assisted in the implementation of a new performance appraisal system and monitored its effectiveness with department managers.

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Writer | News Editor | Managing Editor
The Southern - Student Newspaper 

​1997 - 1999

• Managed the “The Southern,” a student newspaper circulated to staff,    alumni and students. 

• Led a team of more than 20 writers and editors, oversaw monthly      budget and staff salaries. 

• Edited content for the 1998 and 1999 “Interlachen” yearbooks at  Florida Southern College. 

• Co-anchored weekly news program WFSC, distributed at Florida            Southern College.