Resume

PROFESSIONAL INFO

Accomplished, energetic communicator and award-winning reporter with a solid history of achievement in media, legal, political, governmental, and non-profit sectors. Motivated leader with strong organizational and prioritization abilities. Areas of expertise include government reporting, FOIA, crisis communication, media relations, and brand development and management.

"There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure."

- Colin Powell

WORK EXPERIENCE

2022-present

Public Information Officer/Grants Administrator - Franklin County, N.C.

Prepared and distributed press releases and announcements and advised county manager on matters involving media.
Designed and produced content for county publications including flyers, brochures, signs, and electronic communications.
Served as Franklin County's primary media contact and spokesperson.
Coordinated website redesign efforts and served as webmaster for the county's website.
Assisted in the writing and administration of grants.
Developed communications strategies to better inform internal and external audiences
Leveraged new and emerging technologies (i.e. Twitter Spaces) to present information to county residents.
Launched the county’s first email newsletter.
Hosted and produced the Franklin County N.C. Podcast.
Coordinated media operations for dignitary visits including U.S. cabinet secretary, EPA administrator, and state governor visits.

2021-2022

City Clerk & Public Information Officer - City of Creedmoor, N.C.

Developed a communications plan to use external mediums to communicate a cohesive message to residents, visitors, and businesses.
Planned, composed, and coordinated distribution of the quarterly newsletter, press releases, flyers, brochures, etc. to advocate and announce city programs, activities, and initiatives; utilized images and video to illustrate written and electronic materials; distributed materials to appropriate news media such as press, radio, television or other multi-media outlets; used available technology to post on the city’s website and social media accounts; continually monitored and revised content to ensure information reaches the largest audience possible; established consistent and appropriately-timed social media advertising campaigns.
Worked with other city departments to develop strategies in presenting programs to the media and the public via news releases and other media opportunities; assisted departments with communications needs, identifying key messages, and writing content on issues.
Performed all statutory clerk duties; coordinated with the city manager in preparation of materials, agenda, and written documents for the Board of Commissioners’ meetings; assembles and distributes agenda packets; ensured proper legal requirements are met for open meetings laws such as advertising meetings, etc.; attended meetings and ensures that minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and related documents are prepared and preserved; filed records and minutes as required by law; indexed minutes; and maintained online access for minutes and other official records.
Retained custody of official records including ordinances, resolutions, minutes, contracts, agreements, easements, deeds, bonds, MOUs, and Mutual Aid Agreements; ensured proper signatures are obtained; notarized documents; prepared documents for recording and archiving to ensure easy retrieval; ensured records are kept up-to-date.
Performed review of Emergency Operations Plan on a minimum semi-annual basis; identified possible revisions needed and submitted those to appropriate technical staff for review; communicates results to all city staff, elected officials, and outside agencies as appropriate.

2020-2021

Staff Writer/Reporter - (Greenwood S.C.) Index-Journal

Award-winning reporter who has covered governmental entities including Greenwood County Council, Greenwood City Council and other municipalities as part of an award-winning newsroom.
Assigned to Greenwood beat which included covering Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, economic development, political campaigns and elected officials to state government.
Won 1st Place award in Enterprise Reporting in 2020 as well as two 2nd Place awards for Business Beat Reporting and Government Beat Reporting.
Requested documents under the Freedom of Information Act and reported on violations of the act.

2010-2020

Magistrate Judge - Greenville County, S.C.

Presided over bond hearings, rule to show cause hearings, and trials.
Issued arrest warrants and search warrants where probable cause has been established.
Served on committee to evaluate architect bids for a new courthouse and worked with the chosen architects on developing the blueprint for the North Greenville Summary Court, East Greenville Summary Court, and future courthouses.
Monitored proceedings to ensure that all applicable rules and procedures are followed.
Conducted preliminary hearings to decide issues such as whether there is reasonable and probable cause to hold defendants in felony cases.
Sentenced defendants in criminal cases, on conviction by a jury, according to applicable state statutes.

2019-2020

Communications Director - GracePoint Church, Simpsonville, S.C.

Transformed an underused Facebook account and revitalized it, doubling likes and follows. Created Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts to start and build a following.
Drafted communications for use of various groups in the church.
Hosted the GracePoint Church podcast, available on more than nine podcast platforms.
Developed and maintained the organization's image and identity, which includes the use of logos and signage.
Managed special events such as spring/fall festivals, parties, and other events to gain public attention through the media without advertising directly.
Video, edit and publish videos for events, speaking engagements, and sermons.

2009-2010

Communications Director - David Thomas for Congress (S.C.-4) 2010

Established and maintained effective working relationships with voters, government officials, and media representatives and use these relationships to develop free or earned media.
Wrote interesting and effective press releases, prepare information for media kits and develop and maintain campaign web pages.
Identified target groups and audiences, determine the best way to communicate publicity information to them, and develop and implement a communication plan.
Developed and maintained the campaign's image and identity, which includes the use of logos and signage.
Managed communications budgets.
Drafted speeches for the candidate and arrange interviews and other forms of contact for him.
Managed special events such as fundraisers, parties introducing the candidate, and other activities the candidate supports to gain public attention through the media without advertising directly.
Observed and reported on social, economic and political trends that might affect the campaign.

EDUCATION

May 2019

M.S. Media Management - Arkansas State University

Inducted into Kappa Tau Alpha (Journalism and Mass Communication Honor Society) and Phi Kappa Phi.

B.A. Communications (Speech) - University of South Carolina Upstate

May 2009

Captain - Mock Trial Team. Minor: Political Science.Inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha - Nu Kappa (Political Science Honor Society)

1st Place

Enterprise Reporting

2nd Place

Government Beat Reporting