Editor at Lake Norman Foodie Blog
Charlotte, North Carolina Area
- Current
-
- Editor at Lake Norman Foodie Blog
- Past
-
- Director of Communications at Elect Pat McCrory Governor
- Communications Manager at International Bottled Water Association
- Sr. Associate at Nahigian Strategies
- Communications Director at Council for Affordable Health Insurance
- Director of On-Line Headquarters at American Conservative Union
- Education
-
- Golden Gate University
- The George Washington University
- Santa Clara University
- Connections
-
90
connections
- Industry
- Public Relations and Communications
- Websites
Tom Gardner’s Summary
Communications Professional with 10 years of experience in media and public relations across full range of media including websites, television, radio, and print. A versatile and creative problem solver with a strong ability to thoroughly analyze problems, manage crises, and propose creative strategies and solutions.
Tom Gardner’s Specialties:
• Media Relations
• Public Relations
• Message Strategy and Development
• Crisis Management
• Writing and Editing
• Utilizing New Media (i.e. Facebook, Myspace, Eventful, Twitter, etc.)
Tom Gardner’s Experience
-
Editor
Lake Norman Foodie Blog
(Writing and Editing industry)
December 2008 — Present (8 months)
• Scheduling columns, writing and editing posts
• Maintaining and increasing presence on social networking websites
• Designing and updating layout of website to maximize information and user experience -
Director of Communications
Elect Pat McCrory Governor
(Non-Profit; 1-10 employees; Political Organization industry)
March 2008 — June 2008 (4 months)
• Served as primary media contact
• Wrote and edited columns, press releases, blog posts, website content, and policy papers
• Planned, prepared, and advanced press conferences and other media events
• Worked with Campaign Manager to develop message and communications strategies for the campaign -
Communications Manager
International Bottled Water Association
(Non-Profit; 11-50 employees; Food & Beverages industry)
January 2006 — January 2008 (2 years 1 month)
• Serving as primary media contact
• Writing press releases, letters to the editor, and columns for trade publications
• Created and maintaining media database
• Routinely updating pages to website
• Overseeing water quality reporting member survey
• Maintain close relationship with trade media -
Sr. Associate
Nahigian Strategies
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Public Relations and Communications industry)
April 2005 — November 2005 (8 months)
• Served as logistical lead and managing staff for advance team in nation-wide bus tour for the U.S Department of Health and Human Services
• Assisted in planning and developing video scripts for the 2005 President’s Dinner
• Created proposals for potential clients -
Communications Director
Council for Affordable Health Insurance
(Non-Profit; 1-10 employees; Public Policy industry)
February 2002 — April 2005 (3 years 3 months)
• Routinely dealt with national and trade media
• Wrote op-eds and press releases for newspapers and trade publications
• Served as association spokesperson for media and industry conferences
• Assembled and maintained targeted media lists
• Crafted communication strategies for association members
• Produced multiple industry and membership publications
• Maintained close relationship with national and local reporters -
Director of On-Line Headquarters
American Conservative Union
(Non-Profit; 1-10 employees; Political Organization industry)
2000 — 2002 (2 years)
• Wrote, edited, and posted pages on the ACU website
• Created graphics, designed layout, and updated multiple web sites
• Maintained and administered office LAN
Tom Gardner’s Education
-
Golden Gate University
Masters Certificate , Marketing , 2009 — 2012 (expected)
-
The George Washington University
Masters , Political Management (Emphasis on Communications) , 1997 — 2000
- Activities and Societies:
- Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM)
-
Santa Clara University
Bachelors , Political Science , 1993 — 1997
- Activities and Societies:
- Orientation Advisor (1994 - 1995)
Activities Programming Board, Treasurer (1996)
Additional Information
Tom Gardner’s Websites:
Tom Gardner’s Interests:
baseball, karate, tennis, golf, boating, sailing
Tom Gardner’s Groups:
-
Santa Clara University Lifelong Network -
The George Washington Alumni Association -
The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) -
PRSA Charlotte Chapter
Tom Gardner’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- business deals
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
