Hawthorne, a wholly owned subsidiary of ScottsMiracle-Gro, serves growers of all sizes, from commercial cultivators to home hobbyists. We manufacture, distribute, sell and market dozens of best-in-class brands, such as Gavita, General Hydroponics, Sun System, Botanicare and Mother Earth. Our products span lighting, nutrients, growing environment, growing media, hardware, and more. We help advance the cannabis industry through our solutions while undertaking initiatives to support the responsible legalization of marijuana and social justice programs. My role: senior communications leadership and counsel to the Hawthorne president and team; internal communications strategies to drive engagement; external communications support to add strategic value to Hawthorne and our business.

- Lead and champion strategies to engage, empower, inspire and inform Scotts Miracle-Gro associates and external stakeholders across multiple channels, from intranet and Scotts TV to news and social media. - Manage and drive executive communications.- Spearhead change management communications, ranging from new initiatives to acquisitions.

Led internal and external communications for Medical Products and Services, ranging from surgical/medical and wound products to surgical kitting. External audiences included customers across the continuum of care, including hospitals and acute care facilities, physicians, pharmacies and retail consumers as well as medical manufacturers. Worked closely with internal clients and cross-functional teams associated with marketing, sales, R&D, manufacturing, supply chain, human resources and executive leadership. Managed and mentored team of six communications professionals. Examples of communications strategies and tactics:- Digital lead generation initiatives, forging alignment with sales teams- Thought leadership, positioning company leaders as industry experts- Acquisitions, developing internal and external messaging and/or strategies to support acquisitions in cardiovascular, orthopedics, wound and disposable gloves space- Change management, supporting organizational realignments and enhancements- Executive communications, providing communications counsel, guidance and support for Medical Products president and senior leadership team- Product communications, including those related to rebranding, inventory, supply and regulatory approval or guidance

Member of management team, business development, marketing communications, internal communications and public relations strategies for clients in health care, manufacturing, social entrepreneurship and technology. Focus areas:- Content marketing- Corporate positioning- Crisis communications- Customer/stakeholder outreach- Internal communications- Media relations- Media training- Message development- Relationship management- Thought leadership- Writing

Integrated communications strategies to support internal teams or achieve business objectives for clients in healthcare, technology, manufacturing and financial and professional services. Worked with brands such as Ankle and Foot Care Centers, Battelle, BP, e-Cycle, Farmers Citizens Bank, Health Care DataWorks, Healthcare Information, Kokosing, TextbooksRus.com, among others.

Counselor to CEO and senior leaders, public relations, social media outreach, executive communications, message development. Drove internal communications initiatives, including change management.- Led expansion of product and company coverage- Enhanced CEO’s presence among internal and external audiences - Advanced social media outreach strategies- Served as spokesman for company- Developed messaging platform for senior leaders and managers- Drove traffic to Longaberger destinations, including tourist center, Longaberger Golf Club and new retail outlets

Developed and executed marketing communications programs. Grew business, managed teams. Emphasis on health care and general industry. Sample clients:- CompManagement Health Systems, managed health care organization- CompManagement, Inc., third-party administrator- Mid Ohio Oncology/Hematology, cancer treatment center- Crestview Aerospace Corp., defense contractor- Vaisala, meteorological and hydrological instruments and weather-monitoring solutions

Manufacturing focus. Examples: Abbott Laboratories, Scotts Miracle-Gro and Honda.

Responsible for development, execution and results of regional, national and global communications plans. Consistently grew business, managed key accounts and achieved high levels of profitability. Sample clients:- Alcoa Heavy Duty Wheels Division- Caterpillar- Cleveland Browns- HM Health Partners- HomeTown Health Network- Ohio Steel Council - Swagelok

The Vindicator (Youngstown), The Tribune Chronicle (Warren), The Western Reserve Chronicle (Middlefield)