The Bridge Builder
“The Bridge Builder” poem has a very special meaning to me having come from a construction family. I’m dedicating it to all my mentors who have lent me a helping hand along the way and to all of my proteges to whom I have given a hand. It is one of my favorite poems, and it was read at my father’s and grandfather’s memorial services. Contrary to family lore, its author Will Allen Dromgoole was a female journalist and poet from Nashville, Tennessee. She wasn’t a male from Scotland. An old man, going a lone highway, Came, at the evening, cold and gray, To a chasm, vast, and deep, and wide, Through which was flowing a…
Corporate
Com Ed: Various positions in Corporate Communications, Government Relations, and Operations. Motorola:Global Communications, Employee Communications, Community Relations for various businesses. Photo Credit: ou.edu COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY, a $5B regulated electric utility, Chicago, 12/79-1/94 Areas of responsibilities during 14-year career spanned many aspects of corporate communications, including media relations (corporate spokesperson), public relations, crisis communications, employee communications, financial communications, editorial (speech writing, magazine writing and editing), broadcast (script-writing, on-camera talent), division operations, including first-line supervisor in a union environment; government and regulatory affairs, including serving as registered lobbyist and supervising five contract lobbyists; nuclear power plant communications, and procurement. Supervised 1 to 6 people; budgets managed ranged from $1M to $5M. Promoted eight times….
Government
United States Enrichment Corporation: Privatized Department of Energy uranium enrichment enterprise using a dual path of an IPO and M&A to form USEC, a global energy company. Global Communications, Financial Communications, Media Relations, Public Relations, Employee Communications, Technology, Special Events, Branding, Reputation Management. Photo Credit: flan.csusb.edu USEC, a $2.5B global energy company, Bethesda, MD, 1/94-12/97 Senior communicator responsible for communications/public affairs function for start-up privatizing federal government uranium enrichment business (SEC) and certifying plants in Midwest and new technology in Livermore, CA (NRC). Supervised 10. Budget: $2.5M. Director of Corporate Communications (promoted 10/95), 10/95-12/97 and Public Affairs Director, 1/94-10/95 Led communications during dual-privatization path (IPO and M&A), including silent period. Initiated electronic communications, including internet monitoring, website, and…
Nonprofit
Scholarship America, Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund, and Junior Achievement: Branding, Media Relations, Media Training, Public Relations, Executive Communications and Positioning, Special Events, Employee Communications, Integrated Marketing Communications, Development/Fundraising, Management/Administration, Technology, Crisis Communications, Public Affairs, and Measurement & Evaluation. Photo Credit: peace.mahidol.ac.th SCHOLARSHIP AMERICA, a $10 million global nonprofit, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN Vice President, Public Affairs & Communications (PA&C), 2/01-4/04 Senior management team member responsible for initiating/integrating all public affairs and communications strategy/tactics for Scholarship America, its programs and initiatives and executive staff liaison to PA&C Committee of Governing Board of Trustees. Supervised 8. Budget: $1M. Raised function to new level within two years based on client needs assessments interviews. Reconfigured team emphasizing customer…
Higher Education
St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas: Business Communications. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: Taught Buyer Behavior, Professional Selling, and Sales Management in the College of Business and Fundamentals of Advertising and Introduction to Public Relations in the Communication and Journalism Department in the College of Arts and Sciences. Joined Records and Registration in the Academic Publications and Curriculum area. Earned Certificate in Web Design and Development in one year. Photo Credit: mediabistro.com ST. EDWARD’S UNIVERSITY, Adjunct Professor, Business Communications, part-time, 8/98-3/99 Created newly designed six-week business communications course for accelerated bachelor’s business program. Taught primarily military personnel seeking their bachelor’s degree. UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-EAU CLAIRE, admnistration and teaching, 8/05-present Academic Publications and Curriculum Coordinator, Records and Registration,…
Agency/Contract Work
Caregiving: Caring Bridge, “Ode to Dode, with Love, Kitty,” Neuro Film Festival, Angel Lights. Clear Vision: 2008-2020 Strategic Plan for Eau Claire County: Health Care: Morrton B. Stone and Associates, Client: Ames Divison of Miles Laboratories, Hospital Financial Management Association, The Clairemont, Fitness Corps Boot Camp. Education: Realityworks. Multicultural: Nuestro, The Magazine for Latinos. Photo Credit: Hector Serrano FAMILY CAREGIVER, 2000-2010 Initially cared long-distance with some home care support, and ultimately chose to provide hands on support to my mother who was diagnosed with dementia. Her physician credited me in writing with improving her quality of life due to my oversight and care. Experience with all facets of inhome care and familiar with medical billing including private pay and Medicare,…
Current Projects
The Sky’s The Limit: World War II Love Letters, The Last Year of World War II in Fairbanks, Alaska, Personal Property Inventory. Bucket List: Live and work in major metro area, walk and bike to work, write best-selling novels by the river, travel around the world in 80 days and visit all my family and friends, Olympics 2012 in London, England; Olympics 2016 in Rio, Brazil with Isabella, Serg, and their family. World Photo Credit: planetgreen.discovery.com The Sky’s The Limit: World War II Love Letters The Last Year of World War II in Fairbanks, Alaska Personal Property Inventory Grandmother stories for Poetica Gramatica Bucket List: Live and work in major metro area, walk and bike to work…
