Melvin E. Edwards Email & Phone Number

San Antonio, Tx, Us

San Antonio, Tx, Us

Host, writer, and producer “Stories from Real Life: A Storytelling Podcast,” a weekly production of engaging storytellers for engaged story listeners. It has twice been rated at #1 on the Top 100 Social Sciences list on Goodpods. Available on Goodpods, Spotify, Apple, Google, iHeart, Audacy, Audible, and Amazon Music.

New Braunfels, Texas, Us

Face more than 150 students a day and challenge them to 1) forget the regular stereotype of having a day off because of a substitute teacher and 2) make sure they are not experiencing any learning gaps while their regular teacher is away.Assigned to Canyon High School as a daily substitute teacher (called a “Super Sub”) in a variety of subjects, including regular English and American History assignments. Quickly became a requested favorite among the teachers and the students I taught.Extra-Mile Award - March 2022.

San Antonio, Texas, Us

As head of Communications and Brand for a billion-dollar company, I was a strategic leader who developed brand guidelines that reflected Firstmark’s vision and ensured a consistent image and voice across all channels of communication. • Provided expertise and guidance in the planning, administration, evaluation, and policy development for all communications, including marketing, advertising, and community relations for the 13-branch credit union network.• Collaborated company-wide to provide external and internal communications, and marketing support for strategic initiatives, department projects, product development, technology enhancements, regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity, for the organization and its affiliated charity Foundation. • Maximized opportunities and created compelling ways to communicate across internal and external communications through brand strategy, content creation, channel management, and traditional, digital, and social media messaging.• Supervised all levels of brand identity, executive communications, multi-channel marketing communications, content development, and organizational and crisis communications. • Led staff of visual- and written-content creators.

Annapolis, Maryland, Us

As the senior staff writer for superintendent and other C-suite executives for the fifth-largest school district in Maryland (and one of the 50 largest in U.S.), I provided interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills to projects that included being the lead storyteller and editor for the school district. Also provided strategic counsel on communications, employee experience, and recruitment outreach for 15 years.• Cultivated and maintained strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders by providing timely, accurate, consistent, and human-centered solutions to all media inquiries, including crisis situations.• Produced and executed varied and integrated communications and marketing strategies and products that generated buzz and enhanced the school district’s positive reputation. Social media posts generated more than 5000+ hits per day.• Edited electronic newsletter that became go-to information source to nearly 100,000 weekly readers. • Prepared and presented ideas/recommendations to colleagues and management on short notice.• Acted as liaison for school system at employee seminars, press events, and community functions for the Human Resources department. • Developed and updated the organization’s communication policies (e.g., procedures, strategies), including policies related to public communications on the digital and social media channels to ensure policies were in accordance with all federal laws, state statutes, county ordinances, and other regulations.

Baltimore, Maryland, Us

Primary on-the-record crisis-management spokesperson for 2,000-person public housing agency and community development department. Wrote speeches/talking points and briefing documents for Mayor Martin O’Malley, Housing Commissioner, other senior Housing officials.- Doused daily media fires with straight-talk, accurate information, and human interest over spinning and defensive responses. Media reps quickly learned they could trust my assessments and explanations.- Developed and proactively maintained positive working relationships with local and state media, including editors, publishers, producers by pitching good-news ideas and providing interesting information and media-savvy interviewees for feature stories.- Coordinated citywide media efforts during emergency situations with department management and other citywide public information officers.

Tx, Us

• The primary speechwriter for the Texas Southern University President and Executive Vice President.• Composed education/higher education-related articles featured in national magazines.

Austin, Tx, Us

Legislative speechwriter and advisor for Texas Governor Rick Perry and two state senators. Crisis management spokesman and Communications Coordinator for State Senator Jerry Patterson’s state and district offices. Recognized for steadiness, integrity, and reliability in turning negative inquiries into positive coverage.- Generated and maintained regular coverage to over 500 media outlets on behalf of state elected officials by maintaining a focus on the humanity behind every story and calmly approaching all crisis situations with solutions, not rhetoric.- Crafted talking points and briefing papers in advance of media interviews and press conferences for elected and senior staff officials.- Significant public policy and public affairs experience monitoring legislation and gauging outcomes and impacts on various constituencies.- Researched and verified facts for Texas Lieutenant Governor Rick Perry’s 50-member legislative and support staff, and 20-member senior staff.- Conducted primary background research for Lt. Governor’s General Counsel and Law Clerks.- Coordinated citizen correspondence with state agencies and regulators, and drafted responses based upon own research findings.

Bachelor'S Degree, General Studies (Bachelor'S Completion)

Journalism