Lead the development of proposals for the manufacture and purchase of multimillion-dollar locomotives, modernization/overhaul kits, and aftermarket solutions for international and domestic customers. Overall project management including writing, editing, coordinating assignments, gathering required technical and cost information, setting deadlines, vetting information, and delivering a final proposal. o Strategic Communications: Work with sales and product managment to define customer requirements for responding to tenders and determine sales strategy by identifying product differentiators and performance, and critical features and benefits.o Project Management: - Determine commercial scope and help facilitate the initial bid strategy.- Develop internal timelines to meet deadlines and hold strategy meetings with the appropriate groups as needed.- Interact with the various internal groups to gather the appropriate material, schedules, corporate and legal documents, cost, pricing, and other commercial information related to the proposal.- Manage the creation of the proposal response to ensure bid due dates are met.- Review and assist in the development of outside sales manager’s cover letter and executive summaries to be included in the proposal.- Schedule and lead proposal approval meetings and present information in support of decision making.- Issue release letters authorizing work to begin and where necessary, obtain proper executive approvals if an advance release is required.- Participate in contract review.- Load locomotive orders into SAP.- Initiate and execute process improvements and streamline workflow of proposals.

Manage the development of multi-million dollar proposals in response to competitive Request for Proposals (RFPs) issued by transit agencies seeking to outsource the management, operations, and maintenance of fixed-route bus, rail, paratransit, streetcar, shuttle service, and call centers. Craft consistent messages on business strategy to ensure brand messaging is properly delivered to all constituencies. o Strategic Communications: Develop response strategy based on the requirements and industry research related to agency-issued RFPs, identify pain points and match solutions, maintain thread of approach throughout the response.o Reputation and Issues Management: Consult with local team at contracted properties to identify strengths and weaknesses in performance. Incorporate those concepts into the contract renewal effort.o Industry Research: Research public perception of transit service via social media, media coverage, and marketing efforts.o Project Management: Coordinate content and strategic threads with writing team to create a cohesive proposal, reinforcing the foundational themes of reliability, improved on-time performance, and commitment to grow ridership and further develop technology-based transit amenities.

Contract position with Massachusetts Bay Commuter Rail (MBCR) to develop a proposal to renew the operations and maintenance contract for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) commuter rail service. o Strategic Communications: Leverage incumbent operator experience focusing on insights into operating a highly efficient service, and meet specific RFP criteria outlined with innovative solutions for the mechanical, engineering, transportation, customer service, and safety areas.O Reputation and Issues Management: Consult with local team to identify strengths/ weaknesses, successful initiatives including electronic fare media and procurement of new commuter rail vehicles, and issues that needed to be addressed such as deferred maintenance, and developing a strategy to more effectively respond to service interruptions. o Project Management: Coordinate content and strategic threads with writing team to create a cohesive proposal, reinforcing the foundational themes of reliability, improved on-time performance, commitment to grow ridership and further develop technology-based amenities.

Management of media relations and public affairs activities including 24/7 media inquiries, service emergencies, interview preparation, promotion of operational and capital initiatives via press conferences/press releases, speech writing and reporting remarks for CTA President and Chairman. o Media Relations: Coordinated responses for 5,500 media inquiries annually focusing on operations, service disruptions, funding, capital projects, and management. Create press conference event materials, select location, and demonstrations.o Strategic Communications: Established and adjusted agency messaging for customers, legislators, media, and governing bodies (FTA and RTA).o Crisis Communication: Coordinated media responses/spokesperson for significant service incidents.o Marketing Public Relations: Created CTA’s monthly 30-minute municipal cable program “Connections” in 2003, serving as Executive Producer, developed content, final review, and approval of each episode working with internal Associate Producer and production company. Designed “Renew the Blue” and “Countdown to a New Brown” capital improvement projects including system advertising for impacted businesses, station reveals, and media coverage. o Media Training: Prepared executives and subject matter experts for media interviews.o Executive Communications: Worked with C-Suite to create key messages and report information for monthly Chicago Transit Board meetings, detailed CTA accomplishments and plans for CTA President’s annual budget proposal, and coordinated efforts with Advertising, Marketing and Promotions group.

Managed programs focused on marketing and public relations involving national business, trade and local market media relations, market research, analyst relations, trade show support, newsletter and collateral development, media and speaker training, and speaking opportunities. o Marketing Public Relations: PR launch of online B2B marketplaces. Developed key messages based on business model, developed collateral materials for media promotion, pitched media, set up analyst calls. Initiatives included WorldWide Retail Exchange (WWRE) B2B exchange retail e-marketplace; Provision X a B2B marketplace for meat/poultry products, service, and information.o Strategic Communications: Designed/executed earned and paid media strategies for clients business and consumer media to advance reputation, broaden awareness of mission and increase visibility of value across external stakeholder audiences including the general public, opinion leaders and influencers.o Media Relations: Identified and targeted industry media to set up interviews, place articles, distribute press releases, and establish relationships to promote online marketplaces.o Media Training: Prepared C-Suite for interviews and press events providing speaking points and simulated media interviews/follow-up questions.o Project Management: Established media relations team. Trained and managed seven people to field media inquiries; crafted daily media coverage analysis distributed to clients; developed proactive media outreach materials; PR advisor to corporate, business unit and community relations teams.

Designed PR campaigns based on client objectives to achieve external and internal goals. Created program plans, budgets, press releases, media kit materials, new business presentations and public education programs, maintained client relationships, responded to media inquiries, conducted media training.o Marketing Public Relations: “Getting Smart About Neurosurgery,” a marketing/education program designed to elevate the profile of neurosurgery on a local and national level, as well as increase the market share of member practices. Since the program’s launch in 1997, the AANS has continued to generate revenue from program materials purchased by their members and in 1999 led to the introduction of another educational program on stroke using the same program elements.o Strategic Communications: Designed/executed earned media strategies for clients such as Nicor, formerly known as Northern Illinois Gas, focused largely on helping move the utility from a monopoly to a competitive business due to the deregulation of the energy industry. Targeted business and consumer media to advance reputation, broaden awareness of mission and increase visibility of value across external stakeholder audiences including the general public, opinion leaders and influencers.o Local Public Affairs: Designed a public and business outreach program for the City of Chicago Bureau of Bridges and Transit for the Wacker Drive Renovation Phase I and II. Created a web site with updates on construction, reroutes, directions on accessing impacted business, press events to reveal completed milestones and announce next phases.o Media Training: Conducted media training for American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) spokespersons to promote the organization and projects of its members, and to increase the profile of the value of accreditation.o Crisis Communication: Coordinated media responses and crisis plans for clients and conducted media training for crisis situations.