Manage communications within the Digital Communications and Education Office which is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational support for external and internal communications.Assists the DC&O Director in the creation and implementation of a strategic, multi-faceted communications program designed to:o Effectively communicate with customers, employees, stakeholders, and media;o Build and strengthen DOL's reputation; ando Use innovative communications channels to achieve program goals.Lead and manage the work of social media manager and graphic designer. Lead projects, presentations and communications for Executives, including the agency Director. Strategize and draft the Director’s weekly all staff message. Serve as agency spokesperson on media inquiries about agency initiatives, professional licensing programs, and driver and vehicle licensingDevelop external and internal communications plans and strategies for agency projects and licensing programs. Write press releases, talking points, and video scripts.Take an active role in development of public and agency policy, legislative analysis, and special communication projects. Coordinated the 2017 American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators Region IV Conference in Seattle.Directed the Communications and Educations office for 6 months as the Interim Director of Communications and Education. Provided inspired leadership to a team that includes managers, communication specialists, graphic designers, website designers and website content specialists during a time of transition. Managed the strategic and operational functions of providing and disseminating information to DOL customers, licensees and employees. Partnered with the Media and User Experience teams to manage the agency's websites and social media channels, working collaboratively with program staff to produce timely and relevant content.

Represented agency as spokesperson and media relations specialist for the department, managing state and national media relationships.Developed communications plans and strategies for business and professions licensing programs, and write press releases, talking points, and video scripts.Managed outreach efforts for the agency director by creating presentations, and scheduling community visits to inform stakeholders about the department’s role in public safety and consumer protection. Coordinated the 2006 American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators Region IV Annual Conference in Seattle, hosting more than 300 motor vehicle and public safety administrators from the western United States and Canada, and serving as a liaison between the organization, hotel staff, and the department. Assisted the AAMVA Region IV Information Technology Committee Chair in coordinating all technology sessions at the 2007 and 2008 Region IV conferences.

Worked in the Communications and Outreach Section on a variety of projects. Served on Intranet Redesign Team that was responsible for revamping the agency’s internal website. Helped conduct usability testing with employees to determine site structure, content, and appearance and design. Following the launch of the new site, responsible for developing and writing site content and working with agency employees to cultivate article ideas. Worked closely with media manager to market the Taxpayer E-file program by developing creative slogans, advertisements, user testimonials, letters, and other materials to increase taxpayers’ awareness of E-file. Developed internal campaign to publicize the agency’s service goals by writing Intranet articles, taking photos, and working with graphic designer to create posters that were distributed agency wide. Wrote press releases, talking points for executive team members, internal and external columns for the director, and correspondence. Served as conference staff member and helped plan the 2004 Western States Association of Tax Administrator’s Conference in Seattle.

Developed and implemented communications plans on issues and initiatives including background papers, press releases and other public information materials for press conferences and briefings. Represented office as spokesperson when responding to media inquiries. Arranged and facilitated interviews for Attorney General and other staff members, provided background information on cases and issues, and counseled staff members on appropriate responses to the media. Developed, researched and wrote speeches for the Attorney General on issues relating to tobacco, women, children and law enforcement. Wrote, edited, and managed production of annual report to the Legislature and public. Served on conference planning team for the 1991 and 2000 Summer Meetings of the National Association of Attorneys General. Editor and primary writer for Intranet newsletter called Good Morning AGO, and edited, wrote, planned and published daily articles. Responsible for office constituent relations, working with assistant attorneys general, program managers and other state agencies to provide timely responses to inquiries on a wide range of issues. Maintained office public comment line, including composing and recording official public statements on high-profile issues. Provided public affairs support for all legal divisions.

Reviewed and edited all published materials distributed by the agency. Researched and wrote articles for agency newsletter. Traveled around the state to various Job Service Centers to take photos and interview managers and staff members for an “On the Road” series. Worked with small newspapers to coordinate publishing of ESD commissioner’s monthly articles on employment issues. Researched and wrote press releases on monthly unemployment statistics, job recruitment programs, and the Job Corps program. Coordinated jobs between the graphic designers and internal clients and was responsible for ensuring quality of all printed documents. Provided support to public affairs director, three public information officers and three graphic designers. Organized staff retreats and monthly staff meetings. Served on planning committee for the National Association of State Workforce Agencies Communications Professionals annual conference in Seattle.