I server as the primary spokesperson for the Desert Research Institute and implement the organization's external and internal communications and integrated marketing strategies. I server as press officer for the Institute's 150 Ph.D. research faculty, promoting their research findings, funding and scientific accomplishments to Nevada-based media outlets and news organizations around the world. I build and maintain relationships with media professionals; write and pitch compelling stories about DRI research and activities; creating engaging marketing materials; and apply coordinated integrated marketing campaigns to raise stakeholder and public awareness of DRI and reinforce faculty trust in reliable, meaningful communications.I manage all aspects of DRI's social media presence and public engagement strategy on a daily basis, with primary oversight over all social media content and response. I maintain top-level content on DRI's external websites; and manage the overall voice and tone of the Institute's web and online presence.I manage DRI's integrated marketing - including oversight of all graphic design, development and production of materials, videos and collateral with contract outside agencies. I manage development and distribution of DRI's email marketing campaigns, with oversight of email design and messaging, as well as database management and integration. I manage DRI’s internal communications, encouraging faculty and student education and engagement with the media, and manage all Institute crisis communications.I also provide dedicated support to the President's Office, the DRI Research Foundation, and the DRI Corporation with special projects, public relations, messaging and internal and external communications needs.

As DRI's Public Information Officer (PIO) I played a key role in implementing DRI's comprehensive public relations and communications efforts, including promoting DRI's mission, expertise and scientific accomplishments to internal and external audiences. I helped drive DRI's online presence through website content, social media and videos. Noted accomplishments in science communications include - placement of DRI's research findings in Antarctica on Science Friday, BBC News America, US News World Report, The Guardian, LA Times and more than 245 international news outlets in Nov/Dec of 2012; successful re-branding and launch of DRI's social media presence and more than 80% increase in followers of @DRIScience within one year; earned media coverage from all major Nevada-based media outlets and national business trade verticals on DRI's economic development initiatives and partnership with IBM in 2012; and implementation of DRI branding and style guide for internal and external communications.

As a freelancer journalist and assignment based correspondent for Powder Magazine I develop, research and write ski industry related content for website and print.Working as an independent contractor I plan and schedule all work to meet editorial guidelines, time-sensitive deadlines and content objectives. I have established myself as a trusted reporter, writer and enthusiast with more than six years of ski industry networking, relationship building and in-depth issue reporting.

As Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the non-profit 501(c)3 Sierra Avalanche Center I manage a volunteer Board of Directors working in partnership with the United States Forest Service - Tahoe National Forest District Office to inform the public of avalanche hazard and potential in the Truckee/Lake Tahoe region. Our board remains dedicated to promoting safe backcountry travel in the Truckee/Lake Tahoe region. In my tenure with the organization we have raised over $250,000 through community donations and relationship building with private and public partners including various area ski resorts. We have developed a funding model and marketing strategy that has been copied and commended by several State Avalanche Centers across the nation.

Maintained and managed all aspects of SnowBomb.com. Including e-commerce, product inventory and fulfillment, customer service strategy, online advertising and email marketing program. Directed operations for the San Francisco and Silicon Valley Ski and Snowboard Festivals. Annual event with over 10,000 attendees, 100 industry vendors, 40,000 square foot winter gear sale, wine and beer tasting stations and live bmx and skateboard demonstrations.

As the central public liaison and manager of the 501(c)6 Downtown Tahoe City Business Association I directed agency operations and report to a 12 member Board of Directors. I coordinated daily activities within the downtown corridor utilizing the National Main Street approach as the integral foundation for economic development and revitalization. I provided leadership, allocated agency resources and implement activities to accomplish the goals and objectives set by the Board of Directors. Within a non-profit committee structure I planed, coordinated and directed all advocacy, agency communications, public policy, fund raising, membership development, special event execution and program management. I maintained the primary responsibility of agency budget creation, comprehensive monthly financial reviews and revenue management. I prepared accurate and complex meeting reports, grant applications, agency contracts, letters and all public communications. I also managed and coordinated all agency personnel - including independent contractors, volunteers and office staff. I oversaw the association's year-round special event marketing plan, media campaigns and website content management.

Coordinated all public outreach, agency communications and strategic relationships with state, county and Lake Tahoe basin public and private partnerships.

Managed all aspects of online advertising sales and campaign activation. Generated sales leads and managed all client relations. Edited and updated website content daily. Comprehensive database management and website analytics reporting.

In a freelance capacity, I helped Tahoe Standup Paddleboards create an online community to foster and retain customer relationships (CRM) and better connect with potential markets. Projects included creation of a company Facebook page, Twitter profile, Flickr and YouTube profiles, company blog updates and internal strategies for social media interaction. Additional projects included SEO enhancements and ecommerce updates to TahoeSUP.com

As General Manager of SnowBomb.com and Operations Manager for the San Francisco Ski and Snowboard Festival I was responsible for providing effective management of the day-to-day operations, revenue channel stability and sales growth, brand strategy and all outbound marketing campaigns.Interacted extensively, on a daily basis with ski resort managers (both in the sales and marketing department and on-hill divisions), brand representatives, sponsorship liaisons, company affiliates and customers.

As a lead reporter for the North Lake Tahoe Bonanza newspaper I created daily news content focused on the areas of community, local and county government, fire, crime and special districts.Worked with an editorial staff on a daily basis to develop story lines, define and achieve editorial goals and objectives and generate the town's twice-weekly printed newspaper. Team player in a rigorous newsroom environment. Generated a proven track record for accurate, unbiased small-town community reporting. Gained experience in the areas of newspaper design, layout, and photography as well as various multimedia platforms and software.

I began at Pine Orchard Environmental as an intern during college, then through internal promotion took on the position of Field Data Technician. After two years work in the field and management of data and environmental reports I became a Project Coordinator. In my time with Pine Orchard Environmental I managed both physical and biological data collection within Pacific Northwest watersheds, focused on the impact of commercial logging operations. Project communications included interaction and reporting to officials at the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources, USFS, USFWS, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Land Management and USGS. Field experience included work in remote, rugged terrain and extreme year-round weather conditions at altitudes at or above 8,000 feet.