Hired as the Director for VISIT Cleveland County, the Destination Marketing Organization for Cleveland County, NC to "restart" and manage Tourism and foster Community Engagement to build strong partnerships. Key Steps: - Conducted professional assessment of our county's tourism industry- Secured data partners to identify and understand target audiences/personas and to help inform our messaging and branding process- Managed messaging and branding project and development of new destination website- Developed strategic marketing action plan and implementationEvery step of these phases involved our Tourism Advisory Council, engagement with key partners and community members and data analytics to determine the most effective path forward. Event Director: NC Liver Mush Festival, NC’s Official Fall Liver Mush Festival, each October. With strategic PR and Marketing for the festival and the addition of new festival experiences, annual attendance has almost tripled from prior management in 2018 (approx 6,500+) to approximately 18,500 in 2024. This data was provided by Placer.ai, one of several data analytics resources utilized for assessment and tracking in my role.- PR and Marketing Engagement - Management: Part-time staff and volunteers

In March 2018, I initiated a conversation with my Board Chair that I would be leaving the organization I had led for 10 years. I planned planned for a six month sabbatical and identifying what my next career goal would be.I committed to work six months to allow time to find and onboard DCC’s next leader. As the founding Director, it was important to me to leave the organization in a strong position. This time and change ultimately led to my current role as the Director of Tourism for our County. This has allowed me to continue to work on behalf of the two DCC projects as part of our overall tourism industry. The decision to commit to a 6 month sabbatical is one of the best decisions I have made for my life and for my family. It was a gift to have that time of reflection and renewal and is a time I will be forever grateful for.

Earl Scruggs Center is a project of Destination Cleveland County (DCC) which opened January 2014. After serving as the Director of DCC, the Board offered and I accepted the role as the inaugural Executive Director for the Earl Scruggs Center. This position oversaw all areas of Earl Scruggs Center operations. Highlights include:• Worked closely with museum consultant, exhibit designers, fabrication company, installation crew and Scruggs family to ensure final stages for installation and operations of the Center were in place• Teamed with volunteer leaders and committees to plan and implement Grand Opening and annual fundraising events • Established and maintained all aspects of organizational structure for managing and operating the Center * Engaged Cleveland County School Administration and Educators to develop and implement educational resources to teachers that are directly aligned with NC educational standards across grade levels and topics including STEM in long-term and special exhibits. • Provided organizational vision and strategic direction• Oversaw administration, operations and financials • Managed and performed all primary PR and Marketing functions• Managed all aspects of human resources including hiring, training, benefits and evaluation • Maintained current tourism, museum and non-profit industry standards and best practices• Oversaw guest services and retail operations• Welcomed visitors from around the world • Generated operating support through memberships, sponsorships, individual donors, grants, fundraisers and earned income• Built and maintained strong relationships and partnerships in local and industry related communities with individuals, partners and local government• Developed, implemented and maintained necessary policies and procedures to meet museum best practices • Ensured highest standards of scholarship, curatorship, and museum ethics in line with American Alliance for Museum Standards within the scope of set budget

Served as founding Executive Director for this nonprofit Community Development organization. Worked with the DCC Board of Directors in creation of 2 community economic development projects. Included research, feasibility analysis, economic impact studies, design, building, historic renovations, capital campaign for over $9 million and launch of both projects. The Don Gibson Theatre in November 2009 and the Earl Scruggs Center: Music & Stories from the American South in January 2014. I transitioned from serving as the Executive Director for DCC to serving as the Inaugural Executive Director for the Earl Scruggs Center. I developed and oversaw all aspects of day to day operations including fundraising, public relations, marketing, budgeting, human resources, business development, strategic planning, community partnerships, volunteers and board of directors. That role detailed above.DCC's projects continue to receive recognition through local, national and international public relations/media coverage as well as numerous awards.

Worked closely with VP of the Department of Business and Continuing Education in part-time as well as contract roles from July 2005 - August 2008. Common responsibilities and accomplishments involved development, implementation, delivery and measurement of training solutions and career development resources delivered through this department. ACT National Career Readiness Certificate Administrator 1/2006 – 7/2008 Planned, implemented and managed the NC Career Readiness Certification process for CCC. The CRC is a portable credential that promotes career development and skills gap training.• Developed secure system for testing materials as designated by ACT• Communicated with stakeholders about process, progress and plans.• Conducted pilot from pre-test through WorkKeys assessment.• Presented pertinent information at various community events to promote and educate employers and workforce on CRC.• Partnered with and consulted businesses pursuing this process.Business Liaison/ Trainer 1/2006 – 7/2008 Communicated with Cleveland County businesses and organizations to educate about the services and advantages of training options available through CCC.• Met with clients to discuss and evaluate needs.• Researched, selected and/or designed appropriate course.• Delivered hands on, results oriented training programs.• Evaluated and adapted training programs based on participant and client feedback.Trainer (Contract) 7/2005 – 11/2005 Developed and launched process for WorkKeys/KeyTrain Basic Skills Testing Lab as part of large scale hiring/pre-employment initiative for Axle Alliance Corporation. Managed this lab to screen aptitude and basic skills for eligible applicants.Adjunct Instructor School of BusinessFundamentals of Selling 8/2006 – 12/2006 Integrated individual and group activities, lecture, video and projects to facilitate learning of selling and marketing principals.

Training SpecialistFull Time Contractor 10/2003 - 4/2005 Charlotte/NC1 of 2 contract trainers selected for the Treasury Services Product Solutions Group to implement one of the top 5 initiatives in Wachovia Corporation at the time of their merger with First Union Bank.* Mastered Wachovia’s proprietary software used by cash management corporate customers* Developed curriculum and training plan for Wachovia's online cash management tool, Wachovia Connection (WC). * Delivered the training to internal customers, new customers and customers migrating from the legacy First Union cash management tool. Upon completion of the First Union merger this model was used to train customers of future mergers.Key Duties and Accomplishments• Conducted needs analysis and designed 7 classes• Setup website for customers to view a course catalog and register for training• Created training manuals and job aids including recorded sessions• Facilitated training sessions to internal and external customers• Demonstrated WC during visits with sales officers to high stakes prospects and customers• Demonstrated WC and answered questions during customer product expos• Evaluated and updated curriculum based on employee and customer feedback

Corporate Training & DevelopmentIndependent ContractorSecured contracts and delivered custom training solutions across subject matter and industries. Managed self-employment taxes, expenses, scheduling, travel, etc.Duke Energy Independent Contractor 2004 - 2011Designed and delivered custom resources and training solution for Duke Procedure Writer Template training. Delivered as needed at locations across Carolinas footprint. Software Training Service, Inc. 12/2001 - 10/ 2004Provided training on a contract basis through prior employer STS as an independent contractor. Job description seen below in STS Corporate Trainer position. Clients include: American Express, Denny’s, Duke Energy, Milliken, Piedmont Natural Gas, Sonoco, Reliance Electric, Firestone, and Freightliner. Service Certification Instructor 1/2003 - 10/2003 Shelby, NCCleveland Community College Continuing Education Department Teamed with VP of Continuing Education to Implement the Service Certificate Program (SCP). This program was written for Blue Ridge Community College and adapted with permission by Cleveland Community College. Facilitated SCP modules including Making a Hit with Your Customer, Teamwork and Communication, Making the Most of Your Time, Conflict Management. Other topics trained include Motivation & Morale and Public Speaking. Companies served include Wal-Mart Distribution Center, McDonald's, and Sara Lee.

Corporate Trainer STS, Inc. STS Provided end user training for major corporations involved in nationwide IT rollouts. Their on-site team based approach required each trainer travel independently to his/her sites with all necessary equipment and supplies. In addition to these job requirements, personal accomplishments include:• Mentored new trainers during Train the Trainer as part of a small group selected to develop new training staff.• Served as lead instructor for both proprietary and heavily customized courses for clients including Piedmont Natural Gas and Duke Energy.• Designated as a primary team member for high profile project work including Georgia Farm Bureau and Crown Crafts, Inc.• Developed and managed college recruitment program and handled all screening and first level interviewing of new instructors from January of 1999.• Received numerous cash awards for outstanding student evaluations.• Qualified at expert level on 4 Microsoft Office User Specialist exams.