Government Relations - Government Affairs - Strategic CommunicationsStrategic communications consulting firm, specializing in government relations campaign development and management, grassroots cultivation, media relations, and government and community affairs

Oversees all aspects of Chamber of Commerce operations, including: strategic planning and implementation; economic development; program planning and management including business networking and education activities; members relations and support; staff management and development; legislative advocacy and government relations; fiscal stewardship; marketing and community relations; promotes regional economic, education, workforce and community development; supports new business initiatives, represents Chamber members at local, regional and state-wide legislative and leadership arenas; and serves as an advocate and ambassador for the Chamber and greater Springfield region.

Strategic direction, development, management and implementation of all aspects of marketing, public relations, social media, media relations and communications efforts for $700,000 regional membership business association with more than 700 members of all sizes and industries.Increased advertising revenues by 25%; consistently met sales targets for Chamber publicationsDeveloped new programs resulting in a 50% increase in revenue and achieving average of 95% satisfaction rateRevamped existing programs resulting in tripling of attendanceLaunched the Chamber’s first e-commerce/e-business Web site, including interactive news and events calendar; secure, online transactions and members-only site. Creation and distribution of all marketing, public relations and communications collateral; editorial direction, production and distribution of monthly 16-page print and digital newsletters; editorial direction, production and distribution of annual membership directories; Web concept and maintenance; membership recruitment/retention; advertising sales and campaignsEvent planning, coordination and marketing of nearly 50 events per year, engaging the unengaged, increasing attendance and associated revenueServed as media spokesperson. Coordinated regional press with offices of White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card Jr., U.S. Congressman Richard Neal, ABC News Correspondent Morton Dean, Fox News Chief White House Correspondent Ed Henry

Responsible for leading a $3.2 million community supported animal welfare organization that provides shelter, medical care, spay/neuter services, and behavioral rehabilitation for more than 20,000 animals each year. A national leader in animal welfare, Dakin is New England's second largest animal sheltering facility and provides innovative and effective programs and services to improve the lives of animals in need and the people who care for them. Dakin's 60+ employees and 400+ volunteers support the sheltering of more than 6,000 animals annually, perform more than 10,000 spay/neuter surgeries, and provide many other programs serving the people and animals of our community.

Strategic communications consulting firm, specializing in public relations campaign development and management, grassroots cultivation, media relations, crisis communications, government/ community affairsDeveloped, implemented and managed a strategic communications plan to support the successful siting and construction of a $700+ million transmission line across five western Massachusetts communities with only 1 residential intervenor Developed strategic communications plan to determine the viability of utilizing an aquifer on public land as a spring water supply source for a national spring water company Developed a strategic communications plan to support rebranding efforts for a regional nonprofitServed as interim communications director for the regional Chamber of CommerceDeveloped a five-year strategic communications plan to support a local nonprofit's new business plan Developed communications plans to support various strategic and development initiatives Developed a stewardship program resulting in doubling funds raised for local human services organization

Strategic direction, development, management and execution of crisis communications, leadership and employee communications, customer communications, public relations, media relations and branding strategies for a $400 million electric utility company serving 200,000 customers throughout western Massachusetts. Provided local management and support for communications initiatives serving the parent company, Northeast Utilities, a publicly-traded energy provider. Consistently achieved higher than Eastern Region industry averages in communications components of annual JD Power & Associates Customer Satisfaction Surveys, including: company portrayal as honest and ethical; effectively communicating changes; providing accurate crises information; effectively communicating ways to satisfy customerAchieved #1 ranking in Eastern Region in communications component of annual JD Power & Associates Business Customer Satisfaction SurveyAwarded the Utility Communications International Gold Award for Single Magazine Advertising for the Company’s “Behind Every Vision” adChief corporate spokesperson, including crises communications, public service announcements, electrical safety campaigns, and community outreach, utilizing local and national print, radio, television and Web outlets. Provided communications counsel to internal corporate clients; developed and supported communications plans for department-specific initiatives; created cohesive corporate image across departments and the Northeast Utilities system with internal and external stakeholders, and successfully transitioned the organization’s top leadership. Provided tactical marketing support for research, development and launch of consumer electrical products and services. Developed and managed existing external Web site and directed a comprehensive redesign of a new interactive site. Designed and launched new company Intranet. Successful management of $340,000 annual communications budget.

Responsible for direction, management and implementation of all aspects of marketing, public relations, media relations and communications efforts for $1.5 million regional membership business association of nearly 2,000 members of all sizes and industry. Creation and distribution of all collateral pieces, production of 16-page newsmonthlies, annual membership directories; Web concept and development, advertising sales and campaigns. Served as media spokesperson. Coordinated regional press with offices of White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card Jr., U.S. Congressman Richard Neal, ABC News Correspondent Morton Dean.

Development, management and execution of public relations plan for private, nonprofit behavioral health care corporation, including radio, print and television campaigns, quarterly donor newsletter.