Writer, editor, author, communications and public relations professional

Co-authored autobiography of the late Victor J. Wright, a life-long friend and classmate who overcame a spinal injury in a 1976 high-school football game to achieve greatness by becoming one of the first quadriplegics to earn a college degree (which took him 10 years to complete); he also co-founded an international charity providing relief and educational supplies and services to orphans who lost their parents in natural disasters abroad; became an ordained minister; and a published author.

Managed outreach programs during planning, design, construction and testing phases of $191.7-million bus rapid transit corridor project; administered $2-million outreach budget and activities of consultants.Achievements:Built strong coalition of project supporters through social media, resulting in project receiving national recognition from USA Streetsblog, whose readers selected E-Street Corridor as Best Urban Street Transformation of 2014; and Bronze Award from Institute for… Show more Managed outreach programs during planning, design, construction and testing phases of $191.7-million bus rapid transit corridor project; administered $2-million outreach budget and activities of consultants.Achievements:Built strong coalition of project supporters through social media, resulting in project receiving national recognition from USA Streetsblog, whose readers selected E-Street Corridor as Best Urban Street Transformation of 2014; and Bronze Award from Institute for Transportation Policy and Development.Coordinated scoping meetings giving general public opportunities to review plans and provide input on project.Organized Stakeholder Forum gathering 100+ high-level supporters.Designed and launched “Get on Board" advertising and social media campaign communicating positive impacts of project.Created and launched two public safety campaigns during project construction phase focused on 1) roadway work occurring near schools, and 2) corridor safety campaign at the end of the project, highlighting the need for awareness of corridor changes (e.g., striping, signage, station platforms).Managed groundbreaking ceremony kicking off start of construction phase; and completion ceremony, marking start of passenger service, each attracting 250+ attendees and positive media coverage. Show less

Journalism instructor of CSU-transferable course (Public Relations and Organizational Communication). Prepared lesson plans, conducted classroom lectures, reviewed text and case studies, prepared, assigned and evaluated individual midterm projects, semester group projects and final exams. Documented and submitted attendance records, grade reports and student learning outcomes.Achievements:Helped to prepare hundreds of students for transfer to, and graduation from, four-year colleges… Show more Journalism instructor of CSU-transferable course (Public Relations and Organizational Communication). Prepared lesson plans, conducted classroom lectures, reviewed text and case studies, prepared, assigned and evaluated individual midterm projects, semester group projects and final exams. Documented and submitted attendance records, grade reports and student learning outcomes.Achievements:Helped to prepare hundreds of students for transfer to, and graduation from, four-year colleges and universities to qualify for, pursue and obtain careers in communications professions.Ensured course was aligned properly with college objectives by updating curricula to reflect current methods and technologies.Enhanced mastery of course and increased student engagement by scheduling distinguished guest lecturers culled from core of former colleagues, friends, and fellow industry professionals who demonstrate real-world journalism and public relations scenarios, importance of staying abreast of technology and strong writing skills. Show less

Licensed life agent and registered representative for referral-based financial services firm providing asset management, income protection and estate planning; assessed client needs by identifying financial goals; prepared and implemented plans supporting goal achievement.Achievements:Producer of the Month, June 2006Enhanced company name through community outreach, including farmers markets, street fairs and sporting events.

Handled recruiting, training, data collection, financial analysis, and personal financial plan preparation and implementation. Prospected new business and garnered referrals while managing and servicing existing client base, ensuring each client achieved personalized financial goals. Achievements:Promoted to Regional Leader through tenacious recruiting and training of 12 new recruits within first six months.

Managed and maintained project website including developing and producing audiovisuals, delivering public presentations to community groups, organizing town-hall meetings, and monitoring legislative activity identifying positive and negative impacts from new bills on rail transit infrastructure projects.Achievements:Coordinated sourcing and selection of local artist submissions for project by compiling artist profiles for easy review.Produced video highlighting locations of… Show more Managed and maintained project website including developing and producing audiovisuals, delivering public presentations to community groups, organizing town-hall meetings, and monitoring legislative activity identifying positive and negative impacts from new bills on rail transit infrastructure projects.Achievements:Coordinated sourcing and selection of local artist submissions for project by compiling artist profiles for easy review.Produced video highlighting locations of future stations and proximity to businesses, residential neighborhoods and other transit-oriented development for CEO and governing board. Show less

Provided public outreach for agency responsible for monitoring and reporting air quality conditions; planning, development and implementation of rules and regulations pertaining to stationary and indirect sources of air pollution; and public education on air quality issues; served as agency news media spokesperson; wrote press releases and newsletter articles; prepared public presentations, scripts and speeches; managed staffing and distribution of materials in main lobby Public Information… Show more Provided public outreach for agency responsible for monitoring and reporting air quality conditions; planning, development and implementation of rules and regulations pertaining to stationary and indirect sources of air pollution; and public education on air quality issues; served as agency news media spokesperson; wrote press releases and newsletter articles; prepared public presentations, scripts and speeches; managed staffing and distribution of materials in main lobby Public Information Center; coordinated Speakers Bureau and Visiting Dignitaries programs; organized agency participation in community forums, events and activities, including the groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the agency's Diamond Bar headquarters.Achievements:Enhanced agency’s image as air-pollution control leader by establishing and executing Visiting Dignitaries’ protocol.Provided leadership in making annual Clean Air Awards ceremony a major civic event Show less

Received assignments from city desk, business desk and neighborhood news desk; interviewed newsworthy subjects and wrote 3-5 articles daily under tight deadlines; edited Saturday Religion page; served briefly as interim Santa Clarita bureau chief.