Leslie Birdow Email & Phone Number

Arlington, Texas

• Coordinate and implement strategies to effectively promote community awareness regarding HESC’s mission and to successfully broaden HESC’s presence in the North Texas region• Collaborate with key organizations to enhance and build community partnerships, serve as the primary contact with various organizations, and participate in a number of grant review committees, advisory committees, and P-16 regional councils• Actively engage key legislative, political, and civic leadership to solidify support for HESC’s efforts at the local, regional and state level• Develop and execute a plan of action to identify and pursue new prospective funding from individual donors, foundations, corporations, and other funding sources while deepening relationships with existing donors through effective stewardship• Directed the daily operations of the outreach department, including supervising approximately 26 full- and part-time staff members, managing the annual budget, developing and managing memorandums of understanding, coordinating event participation, coordinating advisory committee and compiling program reports

LogiCom Project Management: Republican National Conventions and Presidential Inauguration• Served as hotel coordinator, arranging and confirming hotel reservations for 600 attendees.• Served as transportation director, coordinating transportation for 500 attendees.• Served as registration director, setting up online registration system and running regular reports.• Monitored press coverage of convention/inauguration and LogiCom’s participation.Barbara Bush Foundation: Maryland Celebration of Reading• Designed and created all print pieces for the event, including the save-the-date postcard, invitation, response card and program.Clinical Linkages• Redesigned company business cards and website to streamline branding of logo and message.• Created an exhibit board for tradeshows.

Arlington, Texas

Arlington, Texas

Arlington, Texas

• Developed and managed the district’s comprehensive internal and external communication plan.• Directed the daily operations of the communications department, including managing the annual budget.• Served as district spokesperson and contact person for all media, pitched news stories to the media, and monitored media coverage.• Served as PR counsel to the superintendent, board and administrators in routine and crisis situations.• Monitored and managed the quality control of the AISD brand, logo, tagline, etc.• Supervised the preparation of presentations, scripts, letters, columns and publications.• Assisted in development of district’s crisis plan, handled crisis communications and served on the crisis team.• Assisted the superintendent and other administrative personnel in preparing information for bond elections, bond rating and budget for public dissemination.• Planned and implemented district events.• Conducted workshops in public relations and communications for school personnel as scheduled.• Served as the district liaison with various civic groups, including managing the district’s Chamber contract.• Assisted with government relations activities.

• Designed and produced district internal and external publications.• Wrote and disseminated news releases for upcoming events, outstanding achievements and administrative appointments.• Responded to requests from and pitched stories to local media. Served as district spokesperson when the director was unavailable.• Worked closely with other departments to roll out new initiatives including the Achieve Today. Excel Tomorrow. strategic plan, CTE dual-credit programs, districtwide surveys and the V-Soft visitor management system.• Assisted other departments in preparing communication materials including the Crisis Management Guide, bond election materials and various district presentations.• Shared news stories via a variety of formats – print newsletter, e-newsletter, Facebook, Twitter, district website, District Announcement messages, intranet, etc.• Planned and implemented special events to recognize students, employees and volunteers.• Managed contract positions and interns who worked within the communications department.• Coordinated the United Way employee campaign and participation in the Arlington MLK Celebration.

• Taught journalism, yearbook, newspaper, broadcast journalism and communication applications.• Developed district curriculum for all journalism-related courses.• Published regular newspaper issues and ensured yearbook completion and delivery by May.• Maintained outdoor marquee and school and department websites with regular updates.• Served as campus communicator, working with district staff and local media to share messages.• Managed department budgets.

• Developed, edited and disseminated news releases on special events, announcements and athletics.• Maintained the Weatherford ISD website, including posting new materials and proofing all pages.• Disseminated district news via school district publications and brochures.• Responded to media inquiries regarding the district and its programs. Pitched stories to local media.• Planned and implemented dedication ceremonies for new elementary schools and high school.

Bs, Public Relations

M.Ed., Educational Leadership And Policy Studies