Oversaw external and internal communications for the City of Lakeway. Handled local and Austin-area media relations and wrote press releases. Managed content for city’s website. Enforced city branding and graphics standards. Wrote, edited, and designed weekly The Lake Way e-newsletter. Managed city’s social media accounts. Photographed meetings and events. Served as staff liaison for Lakeway Public Engagement Advisory Committee. Coordinated on-site audio-video for City Council and zoning meetings. Addressed staff IT needs with contractor.Key Contributions:• Drafted city’s first communications plan• Expanded city’s social media presence from 1 account to 17• Launched city’s first e-newsletter which averages 40 percent open rate• Played key role in designing and conducting city’s first comprehensive community survey• Redesigned and expanded monthly employee newsletter• Served as project lead for city’s website redesign• Earned certification as Certified Public Communicator from Texas Christian University• Secured Rescuing Texas History Grant from University of North Texas Libraries

Wrote, shot photos for, and edited weekly community newspaper, Lake Travis View. Supervised and mentored staff writer; shepherded freelance writers and columnists. Tweeted news-related items. Posted articles and photos on website. Reviewed and approved reader comments. Resolved customer issues.

Wrote award-winning news and feature stories for Lake Travis View as assigned and enterprised. Copy edited and paginated materials. Photographed such diverse events as hot air balloon flights and heated city council meetings.

Managing Editor • 2007-2009Assistant Managing Editor • 2006-2007Community Editor • 2003-2006Copy Editor/Staff Writer • 2001-2003Performed in leadership editing and writing roles for multiple publications throughout tenure: Frisco Enterprise, Little Elm Journal, Celina Record, and The Colony Courier-Leader. Drove planning of weekly newspaper products and daily online content. Motivated staff to reach goals. Mentored interns; discovered freelance writing talent; contracted freelance columnists and photographers. Wrote and edited news, sports, business, city, and feature stories; wrote headlines. Designed news pages.

Assisted in leading teams of writers, copy editors, and designers to ensure content accuracy and timeliness. Developed efficiencies. Updated company style guide. Created news lineups. Copy edited articles. Proofread pages. Wrote headlines.

Copy edited articles for group of DFW community newspapers. Wrote headlines. Proofed news, lifestyle, and sports pages. Designed inside news pages.