Managed every aspect of the communications and media relations department for one of the most dynamic and high-profile elected officials in New York City, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.Responsibilities included:Providing input and direction into the short-term and long-term policy and legislative agenda of the borough president, especially in regards to the office’s media and public outreach strategy.Managing the staff of the office’s Department of Communications… Show more Managed every aspect of the communications and media relations department for one of the most dynamic and high-profile elected officials in New York City, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.Responsibilities included:Providing input and direction into the short-term and long-term policy and legislative agenda of the borough president, especially in regards to the office’s media and public outreach strategy.Managing the staff of the office’s Department of Communications & Media Relations and acting as the lead spokesperson for the office.Conducting regular outreach with reporters and media professionals at all levels.Authoring and/or editing the written correspondence of the Office of the Borough President, including but not limited to press releases, op-eds and opinion pieces, letters, reports, speeches and other public statements.Managing the office’s various social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr and Instagram while also enacting a plan to significantly increase the followers and overall reach of these accounts.Authoring and/or editing the borough president’s public remarks, in addition to leading the annual composition of the borough president's “State of the Borough” address.Developing media strategies around the legislative and policy agenda of the borough president. Examples of such agenda items include the ongoing push to create a letter grading system for nail salons and other cosmetology businesses, a citywide push for expanded gifted and talented learning options in New York City public schools, and our continued advocacy for debt relief for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, among others.Convening regular roundtable discussions of staff from various departments to engage on new ideas and agenda items that could become priorities of the office.Regularly interacting with elected officials, agency leadership and other high-level contacts in City, State and Federal government. Show less

Worked as a regular freelance reporter on a variety of New York City issues, from politics to pop culture. Conducted numerous interviews with major personalities, including Penn Jillette, Ted Nugent and Lewis Black.

Coordinated newsroom staff, managed the hiring of interns and staff reporters, and made decisions regarding coverage schedule and editorial content of the company’s various newspapers. As a reporter, I handled coverage of local Bronx news, especially politics and education. I also acted as copy editor and substitute photographer, and worked as guest radio host for “The Bronx Press Review: On the Air” weekly radio show, which aired on WVOX 1460 AM.

Wrote articles and other material for a variety of publications, both local and national, including The Wall Street Journal, The Real Deal, City Hall News, Positive Thinking, Digital Freedom Network, Machochip and various publications of Fordham University.

Served as the paper's lead political columnist and blogger. Authored the weekly "Follow the Leader" column covering politics and government at all levels, from New York City and State to national and international events. Also authored numerous cover stories and other features on a wide variety of topics, including religion, pop culture and development.