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Work Background
Merritt GroupDirector - Government Practice
Mar. 2022
USOSenior Director of Public Relations and Social Media
Jul. 2016 - Jul. 2019Arlington, VirginiaDirected public relations and social media staff across the organization to connect service members to family, home and country throughout their service to the nation.
Grant Thornton LLPSenior Associate
Dec. 2014 - Jul. 2016AlexandriaShaped communication efforts through targeted information campaigns that provided stakeholder engagement and analysis, message development and collateral. Served as member of Chief Business Office Purchased Care (CBOPC) Choice First Tiger Team responsible for implementing new legislation and significant changes and business enhancements to the Veterans Choice Program. Developed briefings for senior VA leadership, including the Chief Business Officer and Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, on CBOPC programs. Provided strategic communications perspective and planning, allowing client to think beyond tactical next steps. Guided program efforts by developing communications plans, campaigns, products and messaging. Identified communications challenges and ensured employee and stakeholder suggestions and concerns were evaluated, addressed and integrated. Co-led a work group responsible for developing an outreach plan and new website to educate VA Care in the Community providers on CBOPC programs, the first of its kind for the organization. Served as public affairs point of contact for emerging issues and provided strategic public affairs counsel to leadership and staff across the country – fostering internal and external awareness and buy-in for CBOPC programs. Ensured stakeholder inquiries were addressed systematically and aligned with VA standards for public relations. Effectively managed external reputation by drafting Congressional response letters and Union notifications on behalf of leadership to educate key stakeholders. Conducted employee surveys and focus groups to uncover CBOPC communication strengths and weaknesses through evaluation of the current communications framework and its ability to inform and align employees with organizational goals.
U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsSenior Public Affairs Specialist
Aug. 2009 - Dec. 2014Washington D.C. Metro AreaManaged VA public affairs programs, policies and activities in a seven-state region (North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, District of Columbia, Delaware, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania). Served as VA news media contact and agency spokesperson for the region, providing media monitoring, media training, daily public affairs counsel and support to VA facility directors, public affairs officers and senior VA leadership. Served on a Tiger Team responsible for redesigning VA communications to better support Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald’s MyVA initiative.
United States Department of the ArmyPublic Affairs Specialist. Senior Leader Support Team
Aug. 2008 - Aug. 2009Facilitated press conferences, developed talking points, conducted briefings and executed special events for senior Army leadership including the Secretary of the Army, Chief of Staff of the Army, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, and Sergeant Major of the Army. Directed media outreach for key Army events, initiatives and programs. Crafted creative pitches and secured local and national media coverage for Army events. Responded to media queries regarding information on Soldiers, Army policies and issues.
United States Department of the ArmyPublic Affairs Specialist
Sep. 2005 - Aug. 2008Washington D.C. Metro AreaDeveloped and implemented public outreach plans to effectively tell the Army story. Coordinated 20-30 national events a year on behalf of the Army and senior Army leadership. Maintained relationships with a nationwide network of public affairs professionals, media organizations and community leaders. Directed a website redesign contract and development team to ensure a strong Army presence online. Served as lead event coordinator for the 233rd Army Birthday, Pentagon Cake Cutting Ceremony; coordinated a future Soldier swearing-in by the Chief of Staff of the Army and coverage of the event by the Pentagon Press Corps. Facilitated Army Public Affairs awards dinner attended by 500 people and guest speaker, Geraldo Rivera. Facilitated Soldier recognitions and Army presence at sporting events to include leading the communication effort for the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, broadcast live on ESPN to 2.5 million viewers. Directed media outreach for key Army events, initiatives and programs. Provided media training to senior Army leadership. Pitched and secured celebrities to skydive with the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team. Coordinated Chicago’s 231st Army Birthday celebration which included a Soldier recognition at Wrigley Field and a cake cutting with former Mayor of Chicago, Richard M. Daley.
U.S. Army Acquisition Support Center (USAASC)
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