Long-time Board member of NPR Illinois/Illinois Issues Magazine, known as Illinois' leading public affairs periodical. It provides in-depth coverage of Illinois government and politics while also paying close attention to current trends, legislative issues and the state's quality of life. Also helps guide policy and programming at WUIS, the NPR station owned and operated by the University of Illinois.

Invited to serve on the Dean’s Advisory Council of DePaul University's College of Communication, which comprises distinguished leaders in the fields of journalism, advertising, public relations, corporate communications, new media and higher education. Its mission is to bring an experienced and pragmatic perspective to help guide the college in its future decisions and directions.

Served as Vice-Chair of Policy Committee at the Better Government Association, which works for integrity, transparency, and accountability in government by exposing corruption and inefficiency; identifying and advocating effective public policy; and engaging and mobilizing the electorate to achieve authentic and responsible reform.

As an Econ Illinois Board Member, urged Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to adopt revised social science standards, including both economics and financial literacy. ISBE adopted these standards unanimously, which were approved by the state in 2016 and went into effect in the 2017 – 2018 academic year.Econ Illinois, formerly known as the Illinois Council on Economic Education, was founded in 1951 to help assure that all young people in Illinois leave school with a solid understanding of the economic system in which they will live as members of the workforce, consumers of goods and services, savers and investors, voting citizens, and participants in a global society. Econ Illinois helps K-12 schools integrate the teaching of economics and personal finance across the curriculum at all grade levels, preparing students to meet Illinois Learning Standards and providing them with the fundamental economic concepts and skills needed to be effective participants in our economy.

Led public policy and advocacy activities, serving as ULCC’s lobbyist and as its liaison to local, state and federal government officials, building coalitions to address issues in education, transportation, government accountability, criminal justice, military/veteran affairs and public health policy. Worked directly with ULCC President and Board of Directors.▪ Directed Decriminalization of the Mentally Ill initiative, addressing the causes of recidivism among those suffering from mental illness incarcerated in Cook County Jail. ▪ Led successful efforts to amend Illinois’ Juvenile Court procedures by enacting legislation ending automatic transfer to adult court of juveniles charged with certain felonies and restoring judicial discretion to decide whether those minors should be tried in Juvenile or in Adult Court.▪ In partnership with the McCormick Foundation, helped lead the Illinois Task Force on Civic Education that successfully restored civic education as a requirement for Illinois high school graduation.▪ Invited by Illinois Chamber of Commerce Foundation to serve on a committee that produced the comprehensive 2014 report “Illinois Military Base and Defense Industry Assets Economic Impact Study.”▪ Appointed to serve on the Commissioning Committee for the U.S. Navy submarine USS Illinois; now serving on the Commissioning Committee for the USS Hyman G. Rickover.▪ Conservatively managed departmental budget, consistently achieving operational efficiencies. ▪ Honored by League of Women Voters of Illinois (LWV) with the LWV's Civic Leadership Award for the Union League Club’s Public Affairs Committee, the first time this prestigious statewide award was presented to an organization rather than an individual.▪ Helped commission a study by the National Public Health and Hospital Institute to assist transition of governance of Cook County Hospital from the Cook County Board.▪ Served as Member of the Host Committee for 2009 Congressional Medal of Honor Convention.

Established in 1968, CAPAG is the Chicago region's leading association for public affairs professionals working in corporate, non-profit, governmental and educational institutions.

Served on the Board of Directors of Emerald City Theatre Company (ECTC), one of Chicago's premier children's theatre companies. ECTC annually serves approximately 100,000 children, parents, and teachers and was named "Best Children Theatre Company" by Chicago Theatre Examiner.

Provided public/media relations and strategic communications counsel to the law firm’s public and private sector clients, including government entities, small businesses, corporations, and trade and professional associations. Assisted with media, public relations and event planning for Chicago office.▪ Developed advocacy materials and strategies to advance public policy objectives at local, state and federal levels on health care, economic development, environment, energy and security/homeland defense. ▪ Provided Spanish interpretation/translation for attorneys working with non-English-speaking clients on contracts, depositions and transactions.▪ Directed an energy efficiency outreach program, the Community Initiative To Increase Energy Savings (CITIES), for the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, one of the firm’s public sector clients comprising 272 communities. ▪ In the wake of the 9-11 attacks and heightened concerns about the security of America’s critical infrastructure, developed a comprehensive crisis communications manual for the American Chemistry Council to disseminate to its member firms nationwide.▪ Working with the Holland & Knight attorney serving as Counsel to the Village of Lake Zurich and municipal officials, developed and executed a public education information campaign that helped secure voter approval of a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District in 2002 to support economic development in the community.

Elected to the Board of this elementary school district and chosen by fellow Board Members to serve as Vice President. Involved in overseeing District 76's expansion and reconfiguration of the grade levels at the district's schools as well as the selection of a new Superintendent.

Led strategic media planning in support of the initiatives of the lieutenant governor, the state’s second-ranking constitutional officer. Directed statewide public affairs and media relations. Served as principal spokesman. Managed Press Office staff of assistant press secretaries and speechwriter. Developed annual communications budget and produced media and public relations materials.▪ Appointed to the Illinois Channel Planning Board, an initiative of the Institute for Public Affairs of the University of Illinois at Springfield, and funded by the Joyce and MacArthur Foundations to study establishing a statewide public affairs television channel (similar to CSPAN). Working alongside Board Co-Chairs — former Gov. Jim Edgar and former U.S. Sen. Paul Simon — played a seminal role in creating the Illinois Channel. Since it began operating in 2003, the Channel has grown significantly, now serving hundreds of Illinois communities and viewed in more than 1.4 million homes.▪ Managed statewide media campaign to advance and help secure enactment of one of Wood’s key initiatives: Scott’s Law, which protects first responders in the line of duty at emergency scenes, imposing significant penalties on drivers who strike emergency workers or cause damage.▪ Directed successful statewide communications for Check for a Cure campaign (providing funds to fight cancer), as well as for Illinois Main Street, a historic preservation program in towns and cities across Illinois.

As Press Secretary for Congressman John Porter (10th, IL), managed all media relations in Washington and Illinois district offices. Served as principal contact for regional, national and international media. Established and maintained media relationships, actively promoted coverage and responded quickly to media inquiries. Acted as Congressman’s spokesperson for media interviews and before community organizations. Directed media relations for major House Subcommittee chaired by Representative Porter. Comprehensive writing duties included press releases, desktop publishing of newsletters, op-ed pieces and speeches. Developed and maintained congressional website. Assisted with legislative work on media-related issues before Congress. Assisted Spanish-speaking constituents. ▪ Directed national communications strategy for Volunteer Protection Act, legislation defending America’s charities and non-profits against liability exposure. ▪ During first implementation of federal Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) process in 1991, directed media and communications for the Fort Sheridan Commission, a body established by Porter to shape the future of the historic Fort Sheridan Army base and comprising local, regional, and federal officials. ▪ Served as Congressional Delegate, 1999 International Summit on Neuroscience in Havana, Cuba.

During campaign years, managed overall campaign budget and supervised 20 paid professionals and hundreds of volunteers during election campaigns for John Porter for U.S. Congress for the 10th District of Illinois. Served as media contact, acted as spokesperson for campaign, developed and implemented media plan.

Managed all public affairs programming for both stations. Produced and hosted daily talk show with local, state and national elected officials, as well as community leaders, authors and entertainment industry figures. Co-anchor for morning drive newscasts. Wrote and produced extensive pre-recorded segments, including newscasts, commentaries, public service announcements, commercials and station promotions. Hosted special events and remote live broadcasts.