Cliff Cumber Email & Phone Number

Rockville, Md

Thoughtful and comprehensive communications strategy based on years of experience.⎯ Researches, develops, designs, implements strategic communication/marketing for citywide organization, client departments, projects and initiatives, targeting audiences with the goal of raising awareness, educating, event registration, activities. ⎯ Project management for communication campaigns. Coordinates cross-channel messaging. Oversees, directs graphic design process to ensure integrated products.⎯ Led several major citywide and regional communications campaigns. Played key role in several citywide campaigns, such at the 2019 election, the first to be held completely by mail in Maryland. ⎯ Consultant with departments and senior leadership. Develops and implements communications policies and procedures by strategizing content and concise, on-point messaging to deliver key information and distill complex concepts into easily understood language. ⎯ Writes/edits for a range of media platforms, including website, social media, Bang the Table engagement site, news releases, newsletters, email marketing, and RockvilleReports.com, the city’s online news platform; creates talking points and speeches for elected officials.⎯ Conceived, researched, developed and authored weekly Rockville Reports e-newsletter. ⎯ Plans content, researches, writes and edits articles for the city's online/print newsletter, Rockville Reports, which is distributed to more than 36,000 homes and businesses in Rockville. Provides oversight of editorial production process.⎯ Leads brainstorming designed to develop creative ways to engage the diverse community and promote civic involvement.⎯ Manages various social media platforms; plans and executes content for the city's social media platforms. Analyses and delivers weekly report of key performance indicators to guide effective communications outreach.

Frederick, Md

Compelling and powerful thought leadership that informed political decisions and drove community discussion.⎯ Developed and executed strategy to vastly improve design, layout and content of five daily editorial pages, two on Monday and four Sunday Commentary pages. Led research and news analysis to write three or more editorials a week that reflected the policy and philosophy of the newspaper on complex issues. ⎯ Edited a range of diverse content including letters from the general public, local columnists, syndicated content, etc., to improve grammar and structure, using Associated Press style.⎯ Sought out, hired and coordinated, scheduled and edited more than 35 local columnists who represented diverse community voices. ⎯ Chaired News-Post Editorial Board meetings. Engaged with local political and community leaders, elected and appointed officials, thought leaders and other media representatives to inform authoritative voice of editorial leadership.⎯ Project manager and moderator for multiple candidate forums. Oversaw development of voters guides and ensured accurate, up-to-date information to facilitate the democratic process.

Frederick, Md

Purposeful, ethical leadership in a fast-paced communications environment.⎯ Directed newsroom operations in absence of Assistant Managing Editor.⎯ Managed staff of 12 to 14 reporters and three to four photographers, including business and agricultural departments. ⎯ Project manager for special sections, overseeing all aspects of production and editorial process. ⎯ Oversaw newsroom training program utilizing visiting trainers, webinars, conference attendance, etc.; provided coaching through one-on-one editing sessions.⎯ Researched, interviewed, analyzed data and wrote weekly “Watchdog” column on fraud, scams, government waste, etc.

• Directed and managed staff of four business reporters to create excellent coverage of county business activities; instituted quarterly projects, special assignments, etc. • Edit stories, manage time cards and administrative management activities, gave staff annual performance reviews. • Organizer, FNP Annual Business Ethics Awards 2009-11. Created competitive, peer-submitted application, solicited input of local ethics professionals for judging. Assigned articles for winners. • On camera: Hosted Daily 5 and FNP@3 (online for fredericknewspost.com); Frederick 360 (TV show of The Frederick News-Post, broadcast on local cable).

The Frederick News-Post

• Lead political reporter during Maryland General Assembly session. • Research, analyzed legislation, conducted interviews, wrote 10-12 stories a week on complex politics and government operations issues emerging in the fast-paced legislative session environment for readership of over 30,000. • Developed and maintained relationships with key sources, including elected and appointed officials throughout all branches of Maryland government.

• Advised team of six student editors who oversee the Mountain Echo, a 1,500-circulation weekly paper for Mount St. Mary's University. • Resurrected defunct publication into thriving information center through print, web and social media. • Taught classes in basic journalism; implemented ethics policy; final arbiter for inquiries, disputes, criticism.

• Covered flagship city beat with a 75,000 circulation weekly in heart of fast-growing city of Frederick, Maryland. • Reported, wrote up to 8 stories weekly in a fast-paced environment on government, law enforcement, schools in Frederick city.

Bachelor'S Degree, Philosophy

BA, philosophy

Associate Of Science (A.S.), Video Production And Music Engineering

Video production, music engineering