Chris Cowperthwaite, Apr Email & Phone Number

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

Continued oversight of everything under the communications/PR umbrella, with added responsibilities related to NCNA's legislative strategy and formal oversight of other positions. Served as a member of the NCDHHS COVID Vaccine Communications Advisory Group from November 2020-February 2022.

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

Responsible for managing the Tar Heel Nurse, NCNA's bi-monthly magazine; writing news releases; fielding media inquiries; assisting with legislative advocacy; shooting/editing videos; social media; overseeing all e-newsletters (Inside NCNA, APRN E-News, and all quarterly regional newsletters); and anything else that falls under the communications/PR umbrella.

Morrisville, Nc

As Communications Director at SEM, I am responsible for writing press releases, fielding media inquiries, shooting/editing videos for internal & external audiences, website management, search engine optimization, social media, newsletters and anything else that falls under the PR umbrella. I also oversaw the roll out and continued oversight of the "Smart Energy Exchange" blog on the SEM website; I help team members craft their posts, add multimedia and create original content of my own. My original title was Writer & Multimedia Specialist before assuming my current position in July 2012.Measuring success:• Increase in news releases & expanded distribution strategy has had a major impact. In 2010, SEM had 168 online, print and broadcast mentions. In both 2011 and 2012 that number increased to more 500. • Help manage ongoing Search Engine Optimization effort that has nearly doubled our monthly pageviews.• When "handed the keys" to social media platforms, SEM had 284 Facebook likes, 92 Twitter followers and no substantive LinkedIn presence; to date SEM's social media presence has organically grown to more than 700 Facebook likes, 900 Twitter followers and 350 LinkedIn followers.• Worked closely with members of the solar team to create a white paper on safety issues for large solar arrays. It's been cited by Dominion Virginia Power before a state board & at the American Solar Energy Society's World Renewable Energy Forum. • Oversaw applications which led to SEM winning awards from ENERGY STAR, the City of Raleigh, Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, NC Council for Entrepreneurial Development, Green For All & SJF Institute and the Triangle Business Journal.• I routinely put together videos for SEM. Two favorites have been "Power Flower" http://bit.ly/HZvTiz and "Solar Double Cropping" http://bit.ly/HE0XWp Please note I shot most of this on a Flip Cam.

Raleigh, Nc

I began as the Cary/Morrisville "Embed" reporter and then became a General Assignment reporter. Starting in September 2009, I took on a new role as Weekend Sports Anchor for football season, while still handling news reporting three days a week. During my time at NBC-17, I did several nationally-televised live shots for MSNBC and The Weather Channel.Along with traditional TV duties, this job featured an emphasis on web reporting: getting stories online long before the broadcast deadline, incorporating extended video extras and relevant links, pdfs, maps and other applications designed to expand the story.Story highlights: • I covered the Nancy Cooper murder on a daily basis for nearly three months, going up against 20-year veteran crime reporters from other stations, and held my own. During that time, I learned the inner workings of the Wake County Courthouse and developed trusted contacts which helped us stay on top of the story and get information before it showed up on the competition.• Explosion at the ConAgra plant in Garner, NC.• Shooting at a Carthage, NC, nursing home that killed 7 residents and 1 nurse.• Extensive coverage of business news in the Research Triangle Park.• Political coverage at the NC General Assembly.• University of North Carolina, Duke University and North Carolina State University athletics

Savannah, Ga

I started as the Hilton Head Island bureau reporter, and shifted to the lead nightside reporter after two years. In Savannah, I excelled at breaking news, and proved I was able to completely change direction at a moment's notice. Story highlights: • I was in Mobile, AL, the day after Hurricane Katrina came ashore working on stories about Savannah-based power company volunteers and Coast Guard rescue crews. • Covered Hurricane Rita before, during and after the storm for our sister station in Shreveport, LA. • Five years covering the Verizon Heritage PGA tournament on HHI. • Two trips to the Pentagon with the Garrison Commander of Fort Stewart to cover the facility winning the Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence.• Flew with the Blue Angels for a story previewing an air show at the Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.• Coast Guard helicopters simulated an ocean rescue with me in the water as part of training exercises.• Extensive military coverage at MCAS Beaufort, Parris Island, Ft. Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield.• Covered the infamous "Miss Savannah" murder trial.• Weekly high school and college football coverage, for which I won two AP awards.

Ottumwa, Ia

One-man-band reporter based in Ottumwa, Iowa. KTVO's main station is in Kirksville, Missouri, but Ottumwa is actually the largest city in the viewing area. Spent time as the backup weekend anchor and the backup sports anchor.Story highlights:• 2000 Iowa Caucus.• Multiple severe weather stories, including a tornado that devastated the town of Agency, IA. • In-depth coverage of the farming industry and the region's severe problems with methamphetamines. • Won "Best Political Coverage" from the Iowa Broadcast News Association for a story on small town elections• University of Iowa football and Indian Hills Community College basketball (they were three-peat JUCO national champions right before my arrival).

Nashville, Tn

Washington, Dc

Bs In Telecommunication, Broadcast Journalism

Activities and Societies: WUFT-TV August 1998 to December 1999; Reporter/Photographer/"Florida First" Sports Anchor • WUFT-FM January 1998.

College Preparatory