CURRICULUM VITAE

UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA

​ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT, INSTITUTIONAL COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING

June 2020 - August 2021

• Led a fast-paced, innovative team of strategic branding, marketing, advertising, communications, public relations and digital marketing professionals to produce effective and timely deliverables. 

• Managed University presidential and executive leadership communications and operations, including the President’s annual evaluation, speeches, blogs, videos, talking points and presentations.

• Spearheaded the institution’s cohesive communication, marketing and branding strategy, from concept to implementation and evaluation. 

• Strategized, wrote, edited, proofread all university-wide internal and external communications, including talking points, emails, social media content, university publications, speeches, advertisements, campaigns and event marketing materials, among others. 

• Served as a key member of the President’s Cabinet, providing counsel to executive leadership on reputation building and management strategies. 

• Collaborated and consulted with division, college and unit leadership to develop positive working relationships and produce work aligned with the institutional and unit goals. 

• Spearheaded the institution’s COVID-19 communications strategy, including writing the extensive UWF Return to Campus Plan. 

• Directed a university-wide website SEO and redesign project, leading the creative and marketing strategy, project management and stakeholder engagement. 

• Developed the institution’s brand strategy, campaign and platform: brand architecture, identity, messaging and the Brand Portal. 

• - Oversaw the institution’s complex marketing, communication, branding and recruitment budgets. Ensured alignment of funds, strategy, trends, best practices and goals. 

• Managed more than 100 crises, from hurricanes and major flooding to an ice storm, student deaths, human bones found on campus, environmental emergencies and student-athlete conduct issues.

• Played a key role in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

​

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, INSTITUTIONAL COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING 

February 2016 - June 2020

• Directed the creative and integrated marketing strategy for the institution’s 50th Anniversary campaign, capital campaign, the Presidential Inauguration and various special projects. 

• Led institutional marketing plans, strategies, initiatives, personnel and budgets, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, effectiveness and exceptional quality and process. 

• Managed all marketing and branding projects from inception to execution and evaluation. Analyzed performance and return on investment, evaluating key performance indicators, presenting key findings to university leadership and adapting strategies.

• Established highly structured operations, including processes for clients and the marketing and communications team, resulting in significantly increased productivity and team morale.

​

DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS​

June 2012 - February 2016

• Led the University’s strategic communications, public relations and social media initiatives. Increased UWF’s traditional media coverage by 62% and social media engagement by more than 70% within the first year in this role.  

• Elevated relationships with members of the media and served as the primary media contact for the University. 

• Served as lead crisis communications professional for the institution. Managed several crises including a major flood, numerous hurricanes, an ice storm and various student issues. 

• Developed, maintained and enforced public relations policies, procedures, training, guidelines and protocols for the institution.

GREATER PENSACOLA CHAMBER | FLORIDAWEST

VICE PRESIDENT, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

July 2011 - June 2012

• Worked with key business and community leaders to communicate and promote economic development projects.

• Served as chief spokesperson for the Greater Pensacola Chamber, speaking on behalf of the region’s economic development council [FloridaWest], military and tourism [Visit Pensacola].

• Led the development and implementation of the organization’s rebranding to include a new name, tagline, logo, website and communications. 

• Managed relationships with journalists, producers, editors and community leaders to enhance and support the Chamber’s mission. 

THE ZIMMERMAN AGENCY

ACCOUNT MANAGER

Aug. 2009 - July 2011

• Worked with more than 25 national brand clients to execute integrated marketing and public relations plans and campaigns.  

• Wrote and pitched story ideas, securing media placement in national markets and outlets. 

• Secured coverage and served as spokesperson for national brands in major television markets including outlets such as Fox & Friends, ABC New York and NBC Los Angeles.

• Promoted from account coordinator to senior account coordinator, then account manager, within one year.