I am a managing partner at CSllc Consulting, a Tennessee partnership in business since October 2013 for which my business partner, Amy H. Green, and I provide professional marketing, public relations, communication and writing services. We create, design and maintain websites; create original content for print and web; conceptualize and create printed materials from business cards and brochures to advertisements for national magazines to full four-color magazines; set up, populate, integrate… Show more I am a managing partner at CSllc Consulting, a Tennessee partnership in business since October 2013 for which my business partner, Amy H. Green, and I provide professional marketing, public relations, communication and writing services. We create, design and maintain websites; create original content for print and web; conceptualize and create printed materials from business cards and brochures to advertisements for national magazines to full four-color magazines; set up, populate, integrate and maintain social media; manage SEO through creation and maintenance of integrated content across all online communication platforms; assist with/advise regarding database development for use in customer acquisition and nurturing; create customer contact emails and newsletters and work with clients on comprehensive plans for ongoing nurturing campaigns; plan and execute events related to business communication activities/launches, etc; strategic marketing and communications planning; corporate communications; transitional and crisis communications; create full media plans including generation of media releases, press kits and collateral materials; do freelance writing projects from magazine articles to book ghostwriting; perform full editing, layout and design on books for print or online or both; and conduct genealogical research for hire from which we create full reports with documents and a printable booklet. Show less

I interview country music personalities and stars and prepare monthly columns. Currently I have three regular columns appearing the this monthly magazine – Stage Style, Tour Stories and Stars and their Animals.

Working with Honest Abe's management and sales teams, I am responsible for both traditional and electronic marketing. Honest Abe Log Homes designs, manufactures and builds energy-efficient, custom log homes, log cabins and timber frame houses. In addition to model homes at its national headquarters in Moss, Tenn., the 35-year old, family-owned business maintains show homes and sales centers in the Tennessee cities of Cookeville, Crossville and Murfreesboro. An extensive dealer network services… Show more Working with Honest Abe's management and sales teams, I am responsible for both traditional and electronic marketing. Honest Abe Log Homes designs, manufactures and builds energy-efficient, custom log homes, log cabins and timber frame houses. In addition to model homes at its national headquarters in Moss, Tenn., the 35-year old, family-owned business maintains show homes and sales centers in the Tennessee cities of Cookeville, Crossville and Murfreesboro. An extensive dealer network services clients worldwide. Show less

The Director of Grants is responsible for all aspects of grant research, writing and management as well as assisting the Executive for Advancement with the Columbia State Community College Foundation’s activities and meeting with college staff and faculty to assess needs for programs or equipment and work with funding agencies, both public and private, to determine which funding opportunities can help the college in reaching goals of the strategic plan. I conducted comprehensive prospect… Show more The Director of Grants is responsible for all aspects of grant research, writing and management as well as assisting the Executive for Advancement with the Columbia State Community College Foundation’s activities and meeting with college staff and faculty to assess needs for programs or equipment and work with funding agencies, both public and private, to determine which funding opportunities can help the college in reaching goals of the strategic plan. I conducted comprehensive prospect research and/or coordinated contracted donor assessment for Advancement’s fundraising efforts. Responsibilities as communications officer for Advancement include writing or editing press releases and fundraising letters, as well as creating audio-visual presentations, posters and brochures. Because the CSCCF manages the annual Performance Series and the Pryor Art Gallery, I worked with managers of those programs in planning and promotion. I established accounts with various social media and web resources, all free, to cross promote Advancement and Foundation efforts. It was my responsibility to create a nonprofit profile with GuideStar, which was a six-week project that concluded with the CSCCF receiving GuideStar’s prestigious certification seal. Show less

I was responsible for the fundraising for and management of a 16-year-old nonprofit Foundation dedicated to preserving the legacy of Sgt. Alvin York through educational programs, public relations, marketing and tourism development associated with the World War I hero’s home place and related sites in Pall Mall and Jamestown, Tenn. I regularly worked with funding foundations, federal and state agencies, elected officials and community groups and execute successful grant programs participated in… Show more I was responsible for the fundraising for and management of a 16-year-old nonprofit Foundation dedicated to preserving the legacy of Sgt. Alvin York through educational programs, public relations, marketing and tourism development associated with the World War I hero’s home place and related sites in Pall Mall and Jamestown, Tenn. I regularly worked with funding foundations, federal and state agencies, elected officials and community groups and execute successful grant programs participated in by the Foundation. Additionally, I was responsible for oversight of a staff and management of a general store and interpretive center located on the property of the Sgt. York State Historic Park. I created and published an 8-page quarterly newsletter distributed to several thousand supporters and potential donors across the country. Other responsibilities included grant writing, public speaking, private presentations to donors and partners, speculative phone calls and visits, coordination of events and activities, research and organization of information to assist with future planning for Foundation. During this time, I also served as a volunteer board member for the Upper Cumberland Tourism Association and on a special strategic planning committee for the Alliance for the Cumberlands. My work in obtaining and implementing a federal grant for interpretation, promotion and tourism development for Sgt. York and Cordell Hull State Parks garnered a regional Ovation Award for Excellence in Tourism Development for 2011 Show less

Beginning in June 2006, I was responsible for publication of a monthly regional business journal that served a 15-county area in the Tennessee Upper Cumberland, and I additionally served in a similar capacity for a 9-county area journal in Kentucky, during which time my title was Group Editor. These publications were mailed monthly to approximately 10,000 subscribers, who were primarily business owners and managers, professionals and governmental officials. I supervised the journalism… Show more Beginning in June 2006, I was responsible for publication of a monthly regional business journal that served a 15-county area in the Tennessee Upper Cumberland, and I additionally served in a similar capacity for a 9-county area journal in Kentucky, during which time my title was Group Editor. These publications were mailed monthly to approximately 10,000 subscribers, who were primarily business owners and managers, professionals and governmental officials. I supervised the journalism internship program as well as staff writers, and I worked on special projects as requested by the company owner. I was responsible for all editorial content, production dummy and public relations for both these full-color, tabloid-size publications. Additionally, I wrote 20-40 articles per month and provided most of the digital photography. Copies are available upon request. During this time, I was an active member of the chambers of commerce in 15 counties of the Upper Cumberland. Additionally, I attended numerous national, state and regional community development conferences and training seminars specifically related to economic development. I developed a program called “An Editor’s View of Economic Development in the Upper Cumberland,” which I presented to dozens of civil organizations throughout the region. Show less

Between December 1998 and June 2006 at this twice-weekly newspaper, I wrote hundreds of stories on a multitude of subjects. As the hard news reporter, my primary responsibility was front-page coverage of local government, the courts, emergency services, law enforcement and politics. I also regularly contributed stories and multi-part series on issues of interest to the public that were not part of my regular beat. An example of this type of coverage is available at… Show more Between December 1998 and June 2006 at this twice-weekly newspaper, I wrote hundreds of stories on a multitude of subjects. As the hard news reporter, my primary responsibility was front-page coverage of local government, the courts, emergency services, law enforcement and politics. I also regularly contributed stories and multi-part series on issues of interest to the public that were not part of my regular beat. An example of this type of coverage is available at www.claudiajohnson.blogspot.com. I did all my own photography. I regularly attended governmental meetings, civic and community functions and social events as a representative of the newspapers. For 22 months I was assigned to a special project that reviewed the Pulaski Citizen’s 150 years of operation in Giles County, Tenn. I received the second place award for news reporting in the Tennessee Press Association’s annual competition for 2003 for the story of a fire that destroyed an historic building. In 2004, I received 1st place for a 48-page special section for which I wrote copy, selected additional materials and illustrations, made all editorial decisions and designed the layout concept. During this time I developed two programs, one on reporting and the other on history, and offered them for presentation to civic and special-interest groups, presenting dozens of times as requested. Show less

Editor, The Mt. Pleasant Record, Mt. Pleasant, TN – I was solely responsible for gathering, writing and editing all news and features as well as all photography, darkroom and layout in weekly The Mt. Pleasant Record.Staff Writer- Photographer The Daily Herald, Columbia, TN – Wrote feature stories and photographs in addition to news assignments, court, education, church and hospital beats full-time.Blogs and Books – I have created and currently maintain a number of blogs for myself and… Show more Editor, The Mt. Pleasant Record, Mt. Pleasant, TN – I was solely responsible for gathering, writing and editing all news and features as well as all photography, darkroom and layout in weekly The Mt. Pleasant Record.Staff Writer- Photographer The Daily Herald, Columbia, TN – Wrote feature stories and photographs in addition to news assignments, court, education, church and hospital beats full-time.Blogs and Books – I have created and currently maintain a number of blogs for myself and others, as well as organizations in which I am involved, mostly historic or genealogical in nature. I have authored or coauthored and edited, including layout and design, a variety of books, brochures, posters and other media, both for printing and web publication. Several books are published at www.issuu.com/claudiajohnsonhistory, each showcasing my research, writing, editing, layout and design skills.Staff Writer, Your Community Shopper, Ardmore, TN – Contributed feature stories and photographs in addition to news assignments, court, education, all city and county government and legal issues.Features Editor, The Giles County Journal, Pulaski, TN – I coordinated the features and special sections for The Giles County Journal, a weekly newspaper. I produced the photographs and features, often on history-related subjects, historic architecture and tourism development, on a free-lance basis. I also did a monthly book review column, covered selected news items and contributed to the editorial page.The Tennessean – News stringerPhotographer/Writer, Union University Journalism Department, Jackson, TNEdited student contributions to college literary magazine, The Torch. Shot, developed and printed photographs for college annual, newspaper and public relations office. Contributed features and news items to college newspaper. Assisted with college annual and newspaper layout. Show less

As Marketing Manager from January 1993-November 1995 for Rifkin, a cable television multi-system operator, I handled all marketing responsibilities for a number of cable television systems throughout the state working closely with different managers to plan campaigns, prepare budgets, serve as managers' liaison to corporate marketing and network programmers, plan launches of new channels or services, and perform all other duties as required to meet budget goals. I was also responsible for… Show more As Marketing Manager from January 1993-November 1995 for Rifkin, a cable television multi-system operator, I handled all marketing responsibilities for a number of cable television systems throughout the state working closely with different managers to plan campaigns, prepare budgets, serve as managers' liaison to corporate marketing and network programmers, plan launches of new channels or services, and perform all other duties as required to meet budget goals. I was also responsible for public relations duties and budget considerations. A restructuring of operations and subsequent sale of the company to Charter Communications and Comcast Cable eliminated all marketing manager positions, including mine. Show less

For 6 months in 1988, I coordinated Saturn's community selection relocation service in Tennessee. Working closely with real estate professionals, community development offices, and elected officials in a 10-county impact area, I developed a comprehensive information packet and a three-hour multimedia program which I used weekly for a live presentation to a group of prospective employees. I assisted more than 200 families in selecting a community in the Saturn impact area by providing specific… Show more For 6 months in 1988, I coordinated Saturn's community selection relocation service in Tennessee. Working closely with real estate professionals, community development offices, and elected officials in a 10-county impact area, I developed a comprehensive information packet and a three-hour multimedia program which I used weekly for a live presentation to a group of prospective employees. I assisted more than 200 families in selecting a community in the Saturn impact area by providing specific information about each community matching each family's needs profile, which I also developed. I researched specific questions about medical, educational, economic, social, housing, and occupational problems faced by the transferred family. Nearly a month of this time was spent at Saturn headquarters in Troy, Michigan. A special project I coordinated resulted in production of a video highlighting various aspects of community selection. Additionally, I designed the layout for the plant site's "Tennessee Room" and acquired the information contained therein. I was employed through the Lawyer's Title Insurance Co. National Headquarters, which provided outside consultant services for the first six months of the relocation. Show less

I began at SCTDD as Homecoming '86 Coordinator. I recruited and organized 150 communities in the 13-county region into the Homecoming '86 program between December 1984 and November 1985; developed and distributed instructional and promotional materials; made oral and audiovisual presentations to more than 350 groups; assisted in organization and implementation of project and celebration plans; prepared press releases, news and feature stories for publication and broadcast; photographed and… Show more I began at SCTDD as Homecoming '86 Coordinator. I recruited and organized 150 communities in the 13-county region into the Homecoming '86 program between December 1984 and November 1985; developed and distributed instructional and promotional materials; made oral and audiovisual presentations to more than 350 groups; assisted in organization and implementation of project and celebration plans; prepared press releases, news and feature stories for publication and broadcast; photographed and videotaped projects upon request; edited a bi-monthly newsletter with a circulation of 500; solicited votes from legislators for funding of special projects related to Homecoming '86 on a state-wide level; designed methods used throughout the state for involving all possible groups within a community–social, educational, civic, religious, agricultural, professional, etc. I was promoted from this position to Community Development Programs Manager. Between November 1985 and July 1987, I assisted the 50 local governments in the 13-county South Central Tennessee Development District in identification of community development needs and formulation of plans for meeting needs. I served as a regional contact for various state and federal agencies and prepared applications for funds as part of long-range planning. Other responsibilities included supervision of a three-member staff, preparing proposals and budgets, conducting public meetings, editing a quarterly newsletter and attending training seminars and conferences. I prepared federal grant applications which, when funded, brought more than $4 million dollars into the region during this period. One on going project was a comprehensive community assessment of the 13 counties and 37 municipalities for which I worked. Show less