Vice President, Marketing Communications of Council on Aging of West Florida
Pensacola, Florida Area
Vice President, Marketing Communications of Council on Aging of West Florida
Pensacola, Florida Area
I am Accredited in Public Relations (APR) and a Certified Public Relations Counselor (CPRC) with over 20 years of marketing and public relations experience in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. I am responsible for the development and implementation of all integrated marketing communication initiatives for Council on Aging of West Florida and Senior Solutions, the private-pay division of the agency. My responsibilities also include serving as executive producer and host of our award-winning television program, Coming of Age TV, and editor-in-chief of our award-winning magazine, Coming of Age Magazine.
I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing from the University of Arkansas in 1985. While living in Portugal in the 1990s, I earned the University of Cambridge Teaching of English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate from International House in Lisbon in 1993 and the Association of Recognized English Language Services (ARELS) and the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL) English for Business Certificate from the British Council in Lisbon in 1994. After returning to the USA, I earned a Certificate in Non-Profit Management from the Whitman Center for Public Service, University of West Florida in 2003, the APR accreditation in 2006 and the CPRC certification in 2007.
I am actively involved with the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), currently serving on the Association's executive committee as VP of Accreditation and Certification. I served on the 2007-2008 FPRA executive committee as VP of Communications and Public Relations. During my year as president of the Pensacola FPRA Chapter in 2006-2007, I was the recipient of the Chapter President of the Year Award.
I am on the board of directors of the Pensacola Bay Area Advertising Federation and an active member of the Pensacola Five Flags Rotary and the Leadership Pensacola Class of 2009.
branding and identity, media relations, community relations, publishing and television, and stakeholder relations.
(Individual & Family Services industry)
2004 — Present (4 years)
Conceptualize, plan and implement comprehensive integrated marketing communications programs in accordance with the strategic plan and goals of the organization that strengthen the council’s role in the community and its reputation as the area leader in services for the elderly
Monitor current events as well as public opinion, attitudes and perceptions to provide issues management counsel to the President/CEO and board of directors
Nurture relationships with the media to encourage understanding of the council’s mission and placement of key messages
Create and ensure that print, television, audio and online communications tools support planned objectives,
follow consistent branding standards and represent an efficient use of resources.
Foster collaborative relationships with internal departments to successfully promote services, new initiatives and special events
Produce annual budgets and reports for the President/CEO and board of directors as requested
(Non-Profit Organization Management industry)
2001 — 2004 (3 years)
Developed and implemented marketing/public relations plans and strategies to raise awareness of the organization’s purpose and secure funding
Cultivated relationships with the media, community and business leaders to further the organization’s messages and appeal for support of the arts
(Marketing and Advertising industry)
1997 — 2000 (3 years)
Created and implemented public relations and marketing plans for the agency (a full-service talent, location and production assistance agency) to establish the agency’s name and reputation in international markets
Developed relationships with clients and similar agencies in other countries to facilitate collaboration and use
of services
Coordinated the agency’s participation in special events and community/cultural activities
traveling and boating
Florida Public Relations Association, Pensacola Bay Area Advertising Federation, Five Flags Rotary, Leadership Pensacola and Panhandle Tiger Bay Club
Honors and awards include multiple Golden Image Awards from the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA), National Mature Media Awards from the Mature Market Resource Center and a Gold Addy Award from the Pensacola Bay Area Advertising Federation for successful public relations and marketing programs. In addition, I was the recipient of the 2005 President’s Award from the Pensacola FPRA Chapter and the 2007 FPRA Chapter President’s Award.