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WELCOME
I am a passionate and experienced communications and marketing professional. I have edited, written, designed and managed a wide variety of communications efforts, and have continually expanded my skills to keep abreast of the rapid changes in communications, including social media and other digital channels. My career features both a breadth and depth of experiences and abilities. I have worked independently as a freelance journalist and marketing communications professional, and I have managed teams of employees in newsrooms and marketing departments. I know the value of both the perfectly crafted story and the precious dollar. Let me tell your amazing story.
Professional experience
MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL • SELF EMPLOYED
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 1995-PRESENT
I write for a variety of corporate clients, including the Waukesha County Community Foundation, the Wisconsin Historical Society, the Wisconsin Bankers Association, CHESS Health and others. Past clients include WE Energies, The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), TCF Bank, Johnson Controls, ASQC, Congress for a Working America, others. I have reported and written for Milwaukee Magazine, Wisconsin Trails, The World & I, the Milwaukee Business Journal, America West and other periodicals (both newspaper and magazine) in US and United Kingdom. Layout and designed newsletter for the Society of American Travel Writers and a quarterly magazine for Mid-west Tool Collectors Association. Co-authored the book, “Irish Wit & Wisdom,” for PIL Publishing. Wrote “Winning the War of Business” with Jim Carroll of Bradley Corporation (self-published). Co-wrote book manuscript on Wisconsin's Ice Age hiking trail. Developed and helped implement successful “Educate Congress” social media fundraising campaign for Our Bodies, Ourselves.
LECTURER • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 2002-PRESENT
In my 23rd year as lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Media Studies. Teach 300-level courses in Advertising Design and 200-level courses in Publication Design and Copy Editing.
WRITER/EDITOR • CARROLL UNIVERSITY
WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN 2014-023 (DEPARTMENT ELIMINATED)
[INTERIM CO-VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS, 2020]
Responsible for a diverse range of communications and messaging efforts for a private university. In addition to creating and serving as founding editor and chief contributor for a new university magazine, F1RST, I am the chief writer for the university’s print and digital media. I have written appeals for multi-million-dollar fundraising campaigns, post cards for fifteen-year-olds, media releases, professional video scripts, annual reports and much more. Member of five-person team responsible for creating and upkeep of entirely new website <carrollu.edu>. Skill sets: writing, editing, social media, editorial planning, fundraising campaigns, communications strategy, consumer surveys, website design.
NEW MEDIA EDITOR • OUTPOST NATURAL FOODS COOPERATIVE
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
Coordinated and directed Outpost’s marketing communication efforts through all print and digital media. Created and edited a quarterly, glossy food magazine, GRAZE, and oversaw a redesign of the cooperative’s web site <www.outpost.coop> and social media strategies. I developed stories and was responsible for the content and design of the publication, directing and coordinating a staff of writers, photographers and designers.
EDITOR • OUTPOST EXCHANGE MAGAZINE OUTPOST NATURAL FOODS MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN
Editor of a 34,000-circulation monthly food and wellness magazine. Oversaw annual budget and business planning; wrote, laid out and edited content; developed and assigned stories; cultivated freelance writer and illustrator relationships; coordinated efforts with cooperative's board of directors and marketing staff; and hired, trained and evaluated staff. Quadrupled annual ad revenues, created and implemented two editorial redesigns, and developed an entirely new publication, the annual Natural Choice Directory, highlighting green living and sustainability issues before the they became buzz words. Created and designed an early blog for the magazine and oversaw co-op’s social media efforts. Presented national workshops on the potential of publications as educational resources and community building tools for cooperatives.
EDITOR/COFOUNDER IRISH AMERICAN POST
MILWAUKEE WISCONSIN
Co-owner, designer and managing editor of bimonthly magazine distributed throughout mid-America, to approximately 25,000 readers. Duties included writing, editing, story assignment, layout, ad composition, graphic design and photography. Spokesperson for Irish-American community for various tv and radio outlets.
MANAGING EDITOR • COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS INC.
MILWAUKEE WISCONSIN
Managing Editor for 22 weekly newspapers. Supervised six editors. Wrote editorials. Oversaw award-winning investigative reporting team. Developed, edited and designed weekly special sections. Managed newsroom's personnel needs: hiring, firing and training staff. Conducted newswriting seminars, layout and editing workshops. Public appearances as representative of paper.
Editor of the West Allis Star, the New Berlin Citizen and the Greenfield Observer. Designed news and feature pages, assigned stories, edited copy, wrote editorials, edited photos, and wrote photo captions and headlines.
Reporter covering municipal meetings and generating in-depth news, analysis and feature articles.
AWARDS AND HONORS
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Platinum Award for F1RST magazine – print media, educational institution (MARCOM)
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Award of Distinction for website (The Communicator Awards)2017 Award of Distinction for F1RST magazine (The Communicator Awards)
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Bronze Winner for F1RST magazine – external publication (Higher Ed Marketing)
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Gold Award for Pioneer Stories – Email fundraising campaign (MARCOM)
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Platinum Award for Graduate Program Brochure (MARCOM)
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Award of Excellence for General Brochure (PRSA)
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Award of Excellence for Van Male Locker Appeal fundraising campaign (AIVA Communicator Awards)
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Silver Award for Pioneer Stories fundraising campaign (31st Annual Educational Advertising Awards)
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Merit Award for the Annual Report (31st Annual Educational Advertising Awards)
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Graze magazine (Milwaukee Press Club) 3X Best Overall Magazine Design Award,
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Milwaukee County Individual Arts Fellowship for Fiction Writing
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National Newspaper Association - honors for page design, editorial writing
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Wisconsin Newspaper Association - honors for page design, front page design, lifestyle pages, editorial writing
EDUCATION
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee — Journalism & Mass Communications
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
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Judge for professional press associations competitions in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023.
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Basketball coach, Escuela Verde High School, Milwaukee. 2021/22 and 2022/23 school years.
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Journalism instructor, Milwaukee Times High School Journalism Program.
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Board of Directors, Coalition of Photographic Arts, Milwaukee. 2022-23.