Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Amp Up Entertainment LLC, St. Louis, Mo. - July 2016 to presentFormer Franchise Partner, Sky Zone Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Fla. - March 2014 to March 2024Riding the growth in the family entertainment industry with shared ownership in two different venues in two different states. The goal: To create happy places that help bond friends, families and coworkers from multiple generations.

Helped Monsanto's engagement team increase stakeholder outreach and responsiveness on behalf of the company's expanding chemistry business, including the flagship glyphosate/Roundup product.

Corporate Communications Director, July 2012 – July 2014Corporate Communications Manager, November 2006 – June 2012Senior Communications Specialist, November 2001 – October 2006Served as corporate reputation manager and primary media relations spokesperson for second largest U.S. coal producer with revenues of $3.0B. Guided the creation and evolution of enterprise-wide communication strategies. Managed the company’s online presence, including social media, website and intranet content and design. Managed internal communications for 5,500 employees. Directed crisis communications, multi-state community programs, ArchPAC membership drives and Arch Coal Foundation giving. Led the concept and creation of the company brand, business-to-business and community advertising, social responsibility report and other collateral materials. Managed creative and public relations agencies, freelance designers, professional photographers and printers.

Taught undergraduate course work. Subjects included: Principles of Public Relations, Advanced Public Relations, Organizational Communications and Advertising Copywriting.

Directed marketing communications for up-and-coming technology services firm. Reported to president and supervised a team in the development and execution of regional and national marketing campaigns, especially using new technologies. Created and evaluated brands, positioning, plans and budgets for eService.com, Connectria consulting services, and IBM’s Lotus Premier Business Partner co-marketing programs. Served as primary media relations contact.

Managed marketing communications for top 20 investor-owned utility. Developed and directed $1.7 million annual business-to-business media budget, supervised expenditures and analyzed causes of variances. Developed and implemented integrated market mix that targets business customer segments to support the sales of products and services in conjunction with energy deregulation. Directed the development and execution of integrated e-commerce solutions, advertising, direct marketing and public relations; and supervised and evaluated the work of advertising agencies and consultants. Served as a company spokeswoman for media inquiries and as co-editor of the monthly employee publication Ameren Journal.

Communications Manager, January 1999 – May 1999Communications Supervisor, April 1994 – December 1998Developed business-to-business communications for industrial motor manufacturer, including complete editorial project management with $1 million budget. Developed commercial marketing plans. Designed educational training modules. Supervised new product marketing blitz on regional and national level. Supervised full-time graphic artist and intern, freelance photographers and print vendors. Updated and revised publications for established product lines. Disseminated information through internal and external newsletters. Set and maintained a company-wide graphics standardization. Developed initial and on-going Internet marketing plan and web identity. Coordinated and executed trade show booth and event participation. Created unique commercial marketing plans for key distributors.Account Representative, June 1993 – March 1994Responsibilities included selling and servicing a customer base of 12 national companies with combined annual purchasing of more than $9 million; well-versed in account management, individualized internal sales and support.

Assisted on public relations campaigns at national public relations firm for clients such as Monsanto Co., Venture Stores, Ciba-Geigy and Olive Garden Restaurants. Performed extensive media and client relations, coordinated and managed national satellite media tour, wrote press releases and media alerts and published newsletters.

President’s Assistant, July 1990 – May 1992Student News Writer, July 1989 – December 1990Selected as University President’s personal writer. Drafted correspondence to state officials, faculty, students and prospective students. Wrote various press releases relating to the university and its people for local and regional print publications and proofread the Alumni Signal and This Week On Campus. Assisted in mailings and media lists in the University News Bureau.