Ronnie L. Pickard Email & Phone Number

Houston, Texas, United States

Spring, Tx

Providing communications, public relations, customer service, media affairs, branding, marketing, creative design, logo, and grassroots campaign development, strategic planning, and policy and government affairs on an ad-hoc basis for multiple clients.

Houston, Texas Area

The Executive Director manages a division responsible for all campus-wide media and public relations; communications – external and internal; branding and image reputation; staff/employee advocacy; advertising and marketing; web and social media; event management; public policy and awareness with elected officials, community and business leaders promoting campus initiatives and the Lone Star College system’s priorities; crisis communication; stakeholder engagement and awareness garnering long-term relationships, i.e. faculty, staff, alumni, and identified business and community influencers; grassroots initiatives on behalf of the College President and system Chancellor. Improved brand awareness by increasing student enrollment 23%. In addition, managed all marketing and advertising, community outreach, and stakeholder awareness for the opening of the new Lone Star College Creekside campus in January 2016. Additionally, the Executive Director serves as:• Executive Cabinet member• Strategic Advisor to the College President• Media Spokesperson / PIO• College Government and External Affairs representative• Community and business stakeholder liaison• Public Information Council member for Lone Star College System• Speechwriter for the President and peer executive leadership• News and creative writer - composing, editing, and publishing press releases, media advisories, op-ed stories, policy position statements• Crisis Planning and Emergency Notification “Go Team” member

Houston, Texas Area

In this management role, the core functions were to develop brand and image campaigns; implement strategic initiatives for tactical coalitions among national trade associations, provider organizations, and employees to increase awareness and market share nationwide; develop grassroots marketing campaigns; enhance external and internal communications; and strengthen partnerships with U.S. regulatory agencies.Key accomplishments:• Increased local, statewide, and national partnerships by 27%• Increased SCI market share in twelve U.S. target markets by 15%• Developed a live data dashboard for C-Suite leadership using Tableau platform• Increased training opportunities as well professional credit course offerings in various US markets for accredited Continuing Education (CE); CE offered in the workplace as well in non-traditional settings base on demand. CE attendance increased by 22%

Houston, Texas, United States

Established a Strategic Communication and Customer Relations division. The Director was responsible for the development of an overall strategic plan focusing on customer service and customer relations initiatives. Created a strategic communications plan and outreach strategy for external and internal stakeholders fostering relationships, promoting awareness, and engaging support.Key accomplishments as Dir, Strategic Communications and Customer Relations (2009-2012) include:• Developed a comprehensive Customer Service strategic plan• Established a Community and Business Customer Relations Executive Advisory Council• Created an internal airport system stakeholder Customer Relations Advisory Council• Implemented the first multi-lingual electronic Customer Satisfaction Surveys with real-time data capabilities• Improved the HAS’s customer overall satisfaction rating from 73% to 89% within 6 months of plan implementation• Founded the HAS Aviation Club to engage and aid future generations to enter aviation and aerospace careersKey accomplishments as Dir, Community and Government Affairs (2008-2009) include:• Established strategic partnerships via grassroots support from public, private, and community influencers• Identified external resources and improved core relations with civic and special interest groups • Resurrected and improved Friends of Houston Airports - a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization comprised of Houston area citizens, community activists, and airport tenants with a common interest encouraging support for airport initiatives and issues• Tracked and researched legislation; created position statements, white papers, and congressional briefings• Served as a spokesperson at chamber, economic development, and community events• Developed a partnership with the Houston Independent School District to host the Tuskegee Airmen to inspire and speak with “at-risk” students

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area

Managed all media and public relations, marketing, and air service / economic development initiatives. In addition, served as the media spokesperson handling all crisis communication with local, regional, and national audiences.Key accomplishments:• Served as the lead airport spokesperson, managed crisis communications, press conferences, media releases, and advisory updates to local, regional, and national media outlets during all emergency phases of Hurricane Katrina• Managed multiple communication components and coordinated on-the-ground efforts with the White House Office of Communications, White House National Press Corp, Air Force One and U.S. Secret Service Communications teams for five presidential visits — three - President Bush and two - Vice President Cheney airport stopovers—along with other key government officials, and military relief efforts throughout recovery phases• Established first ever incentive program to attract new air service• Secured new air service with Frontier Airlines providing daily non-stop service (BTR - DEN) – the first new airline to serve BTR in over 15 years; as well secured new non-stop markets by existing airlines

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area

Developed new business relationships with governmental, private, and non-profit organizations in need of brand / image campaigns utilizing Non-Traditional Advertising sponsorships and partnerships; served as the governmental and community outreach spokesperson and liaison; served as an evening news anchor and a morning show co-host on NBC33 - WVLA TV. Additionally, researched, wrote, edit, produced, and reported on stories in the field.

Lafayette, Louisiana Area

Advised clients on public policy, political strategies, and coordinated advertising campaigns - traditional and grassroots efforts, web development, and new media; served as the Managing Sports Marketing Developer for the New Orleans Saints NFL football team’s grassroots marketing campaign throughout South Louisiana, Gulf Coast, and the Florida panhandle region.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area

Coordinated media relations and communication strategies for Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco; provided public relations impact outlook opinion regarding legislative initiatives for statewide projects and funding; traveled with the Lieutenant Governor arranging media interviews, press conferences, editorial board meetings for state, regional, national, and international media outlets.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Area

Served as the Press Secretary to Secretary Phillip J. Jones of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism; developed all external communications, i.e. speeches, talking points, press releases, media advisories, op-ed articles; arranged and managed all media interviews, press conferences, special events; traveled with the Secretary to coordinated all media to promote state tourism initiatives with international representatives in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia promoting and showcasing Louisiana as a premier tourism destination; managed all public information communications eight agencies within the DCRT; managed an annual budget of $12.8M with a staff of eight direct reports and forty-six indirect team members.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Finance - Minors In Marketing & Professional Aviation

Fellow, Institute Of Politics

Politics and Communications