As the Outreach Manager, I handle marketing efforts, design, print and digital campaigns, brand awareness and PR on behalf of the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS), a broad spectrum, human services division of the County. Our "no wrong door" philosophy provides an entryway for the community at large to discover the resources, services and programs to live, grow and thrive in Howard County. The DCRS is comprised of its own administrative team, as well as the Offices of: Aging and Independence; Consumer Protection; Children and Families; ADA Coordination; Veterans and Military Families; the Local Children's Board; Community Partnerships, Human Trafficking Prevention, and Disability Services. In addition, there are 10 active Board and Commissions that fall under the DCRS umbrella and are paramount to the success of the Department's ongoing mission (i.e., Commission for Women, Board to Promote Self Sufficiency, etc.). For more information, visit us at www.howardcountymd.gov/community.

I am responsible for the design and production of high-level marketing and promotional materials for the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services (DCRS), including its complete spectrum of human service offices: ADA Coordination, Aging and Independence, Children and Families, Community Partnerships, Consumer Protection, Disability Services, Human Trafficking Prevention, Local Children's Board, Veterans and Military Families. In addition, we provide design, pre-press and digital support services to the 10 Boards and Commissions that are extensions of the DCRS.I create a full range of print and digital media products to include program graphics, fliers, postcards, display ads, annual reports, posters, mobile ads, indoor and outdoor banners and other large format projects. I draft production specs for all print jobs; work directly with publishers and editors to provide professional prepress files; and serve as the point of contact between outside vendors and internal offices. I am proficient in both PC- and Mac-based Adobe Creative software programs to include, but not limited to, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat DC. Although I primarily work on a creative level, I have a strong working knowledge of MicroSoft- and Mac-based versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook; and use Monday.com cloud-based program for project management. I possess excellent technical and creative writing skills, as well as copy editing (and follow the AP Stylebook for consistent style and rules).

The Howard County Office on Aging and Independence 50+EXPO (and in its last two years renamed Master Aging) was an event that brought together over 140 vendors of products, goods and services geared to healthy aging initiatives on behalf of Howard County's diverse and exciting demographic of 50+ citizens. This event was held annually for over 10 years and took place in mid-October at Wilde Lake High School from 9 AM to 4 PM, with front-door shuttle service from The Mall in Columbia. The shuttle service was necessary to not only use the high school campus parking as efficiently as possible, but to best provide safe, ample parking and door-to-door services for the event attendees and participants. It was my job to oversee and coordinate the details for this specialized Howard County event. With the onset of Covid19, all such large gathering events were reimagined into virtual offerings in our own collective efforts to provide Howard County access to ongoing healthy aging programs, services, information and assistance so that all may live, grow and thrive.