Candidates Archive - Ragan Communications

Senior Level Corporate Healthcare/Government Communications & Media Professional | Public Sector - Lead US Federal Government communications | Diversity Champion | Curious about generations | Citizen of the world |

NJ-DC

– US Citizen – TS Clearance

Areas of Expertise

Corporate/Government Communications
Public Relations
Crisis & Reputation Management
Communications Planning
Internal Communications
Media Relations
& Management
Leadership Management
& Mentorship

Career Highlights include:

Communications executive with multinational experience in corporate and government
Executive level communications coach and crafted messages for C-Suite executives
Proven success leading business transformation and change initiatives with emphasis
on engaging stakeholders and building new allegiances
Led navigation successfully through global PR crisis – as spokesperson and media lead
Based on emerging issues, built narratives, and creating stories driving both interest
and reputational momentum for brands
Engaging with employee affinity groups to build an inclusive and professional workplace

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
US Department of Energy - March 2021- Present

Engagement Lead (contractor)

Leading team to overcome global challenges by positioning the organization as a thought leader and highlight the expertise of program staff through targeted stakeholder engagement and content

Building new integrated communications plans and solutions to support outreach with Federal, state, international, and local governments
Establish daily workload priorities to enhance outreach and engagement with private sector
Launching new campaign for FY 2021-2022 on security and safety measures, and its impact on residents.

US Office of Personnel Management - March 2018 – January 2021
Director of Communications & Public Affairs, Senior Executive Service (SES)

Recruited by former private sector client to lead communications, and act as chief spokesperson, for the Federal agency, which engages with 12.6 million employees, retirees, Congress, and third parties. As a SES, I was serving in a key position, reporting directly to two top Presidential appointees. I was responsible for creation of a new strategic plan, multi-year budgets, and operational strategies, reshaping department, hired, and trained new staff, improved infrastructure, introduced new technologies, and multi-media communications. Counseled senior leadership on communications strategies.

Notable accomplishments:

Led 21 professionals on all Agency external and internal communications, which included:
- crisis communications plans provided on-going council to Agency leadership, and defended Agency against press, and other critics, including 2018-2019 Government Lapse in Appropriations
- throughout Covid-19 pandemic, co-hosted CDC daily briefings to inform government federal employees about the federal government’s response program
- launched a new employee intra-net communications portal and tv news style program.
- media trained Agency leadership and senior leaders to best frame stories and prepare strategic briefing documents to ensure successful interviews and press coverage
Ensured successful confirmation of OPM Director
Managed communications efforts for yearly government-wide, employee driven charitable giving – the Combined Federal Campaign – record breaking 2019 campaign of $85 million dollars
Improved media relations with an increase of placed news stories net increase of 30% year over year
Built monthly communications plan for employee communications centered on employee wellness, agency/employee engagement and agency goals
Manage key performance indicators and implement organizational wide metrics, analytics, and reporting methods to measure communications success and reputation

Art Craft Health (patient education and advocacy) - March 2013 – December 2017

Vice President – Client Services

Led the building and launch of customized communications solutions to engage diverse audience groups throughout the patient care continuum.

Built 9-member account services team which led to $21 million growth of new and organic business
Sanofi Genzyme’s Jevtana – built 50 state grassroots advocacy effort on delivery restrictions
Sanofi’s FluZone – launched successful 50 state program to engage with state Medicaid program to reimburse costs passed to patients
Bristol Meyers-Squibb Ixempra’s launch targeted to Healthcare Professionals and Patients—$2 billion in sales 18-months post launch

The 9.8 Group - January 2011 – March 2013

Senior Director Corporate Affairs

Developed and implemented a company-wide corporate affairs strategy for multi-cultural, healthcare communications holding company which led to global expansion for corporate interests.

Led and represented the Company’s public policy and lobbying efforts including:
- Developed strategic relationships with media and acted as company spokesperson
- Led and managed Federal and 50 state efforts for corporate interests
- Developed policy positions on emerging regulatory issues impacting company and assist in development of overall strategy, including development of thought leadership
- Monitor and analyze key regulatory proceedings and developments impacting the company’s clients at Federal, state, and local regulatory agencies, especially regarding trade, tax, and small business growth

New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce - May 2008 – January 2011
Vice President Communications and Public Affairs
Managed 360 communications program for a statewide business advocacy association.

Responsibilities included grassroots coalition building, message development, issues management, media relations, social media, publications, events management, and board relations
Managed staff of 3 and worked with all departments to meet communications needs
Developed press relations, pitched news stories, and was chief spokesperson

WPP, plc - March 2002 – May 2008
Grey Group Advertising - May 2004 – May 2008

Director Corporate Relations

Led the new strategy and creation of new campaigns to both healthcare professionals and consumers which led to winning of $18.5 million of global launch business:

GlaxoSmthiKline – vaccine line, included flu vaccines at height of worst epidemic in 100 years
Pfizer – Lybrel – new class or oral contraceptives to overcome negative bias in marketplace, which ended with over $500 million in sales
Bristol-Myers Squibb - Orencia – introduced new once a week, at home treatment and overcame barriers and objections on delivery system

Brand Union - March 2002 – May 2004
Senior Vice President Branding
Led global healthcare branding and corporate reputation practice in 8 countries on 3 continents

Led global brand positioning and naming assignments for clients such as: Wyeth, Bank of America and Verizon and development/execution of integrated branding and marketing plans
Built both internal and external roll out communication and launch plans on new global brand identities

Wyeth Pharmaceuticals - April 1999 - March 2002
Director – Community Relations and Public Affairs

Managed patient engagement programs for ethical product line and responsible for meeting with communities and patient groups on adverse events and litigation.

Developed, designed, and managed corporate grassroots/ advocacy plan in response to the Phen-Fen diet drug litigation which assisted the company in drafting settlement options at a fraction of the estimated trial damages
- Managed community relations and patient advocacy issues
- Prepared legislative analysis, summaries, and presentations for internal stakeholders

Ivax Corporation - May 1995 - April 1999
Director –Government Relations

Reporting to President and CEO, led the company’s public-facing advocacy efforts.

Developed and implemented the Company’s public policy and lobbying efforts
- Principal lead for ensuring that the Company’s lobbying and political action committee (PAC) are compliant with all appropriate federal and state regulatory agencies
Led 50 state strategy on regulatory and legislative matters affecting generic drug industry
Member of the US-EU Trans-Atlantic Dialogue - US Pharma Working Group Lead
- Led legislative efforts for Congressional passage on pharmaceutical harmonization laws
Led generic drug industry efforts to work with Congress on FDA Modernization Act passage
Generic Pharmaceutical Organization Board Member – 1995-1999

SELECTED CONSULTING

Medulan Consulting – Marketing and communications services - December 2017- March 2018

Built marketing communications plans for Nestle Nutrition and Bristol Myers Squibb.

Reviewed global communications plans for in-country, cultural relevance
Managed several brand projects, maintained client relationship, managed budgets coordinated development of communications, and launch materials

DIGITAL/SOCIAL MEDIA EXPERTISE
Marketing Skills: Social Media Management, Content Marketing, SEO Marketing Automation
Technical: Microsoft, CRM and CMS, Adobe (Connect and Design), SharePoint, Smug Mug, WordPress, and Google marketing (Analytics, Tag Manager, Search Console, Optimize), Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook

EDUCATION

Fairleigh Dickinson University MBA (in progress)

Mississippi State University BA Political Science – minor in Mass Media

Crisis Communications Georgetown University

Fluent in Italian and working knowledge of Spanish.

LINKEDIN PROFILE

Send a message to this candidate and please reference the Ragan Talent Hub

Communications executive with extensive media relations and brand development experience

Ft. Myers, Florida

A visionary, strategic communications leader with a proven track record of elevating or turning around marketing and communication efforts nationwide. An outstanding verbal and written communicator with the ability to craft award-winning marketing and communication plans that resonate with target audiences and deliver measurable results.

Education

M.S. Management and Leadership, Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, Utah

B.A., Communications, Flagler College, St. Augustine, Florida

Experience

Executive Director of Marketing and Media, 2018-present

Florida SouthWestern State College, Ft. Myers, Florida

3.5 years of progressive experience in B2C and B2B marketing strategies utilizing digital and traditional marketing as well as providing public relations and enrollment marketing leadership. A proven track record in managing a range of marketing and communications functions such as brand management, campaigns, digital marketing, creative services, marketing conversion success, business intelligence analysis, public relations, customer engagement, and other community engagement efforts.

As the senior most communications executive, served as one of six executive cabinet members and lead public relations advisor to the college President.

Trusted counsel to vice presidents, deans, department heads, faculty and staff in formulating and implementing effective marketing strategies and communications campaigns.

Proven success working closely with executives on messaging, speaking opportunities, media training, internal communications, and more.

Calm under pressure possessing crisis tested incident messaging skills to help leaders navigate politically charged communications and public statements.

Chief brand architect in the rebranding of FSW under the “Elevate Your Opportunities” campaign resulting in a 50% increase in awareness among students and community members.

Utilizing internal data, market research, and peer institution trends, analyzed metrics, drew actionable conclusions, and quick adapted to develop effective brand communications, as well as enrollment and student retention campaigns.

Developed and deployed a new emergency communications system, new enrollment marketing materials, website homepage, new college APP, as well as three new digital marketing channels.

Trained more than 100 college communications practitioners.

Created digital marketing campaign that performed at a 0.86% CTR and an enrollment yield digital marketing campaign for applicants that performed at a 1.05% CTR, far above the 0.22% industry average.

Oversaw the redesign on the FSW homepage that increased impressions by 200 percent with targeted audiences.

Grew FSW social media audience by 46 percent on Facebook and 200 percent on Instagram.

Designed and implemented a College-wide emergency communication system and crisis communication plan.

Executive Director of Communications and Community Engagement, 2014- 2018

Collier County Public Schools, Naples, Florida

Responsible for district-wide communication with 46,000 students, parents, and 7,000 employees.

Served as the school district spokesperson and primary point of contact for all media inquiries. Utilized extensive media management and marketing background to counsel all fifty schools on effective communications strategies, media and crisis management.

Duties included running school board meetings, oversight of district’s television channel, district and school websites, district APP, as well as marketing various school events, curricular programs, and strategic initiatives.

Communications was cited as one of four powerful school district practices in 2018 AdvancED accreditation report.

Awarded a national NSPRA Gold Medallion award for innovative communication techniques: developing and implementing a district-wide plan to use social media in the classroom of all 50 schools

News Director, 2012 to 2014

KEYE TV/Telemundo Austin, Austin, Texas

Complete managerial oversight of 75-person newsroom serving both CBS and Telemundo television stations. Fiscal management of five-million-dollar news budget.

Cross department liaison responsible for product marketing, sales/news partnerships, news content development, as well as recruitment and training of staff.

News ratings made triple digit increases year to year while station stayed at targeted budget.

In less than 12 months, designed and completed a newsroom-wide rebuild of systems and

structures including the launch of a digital-first communication strategy.

Recruited, hired, and trained 45 new employees in one year while acting as a corporate culture

change agent.

Assistant News Director, 2012

WOFL FOX 35, Orlando, Florida

Improved newsgathering systems and made double-digit ratings increases in under a year.

Assistant News Director, 2006 to 2012

WBBH NBC 2/ABC 7, Fort Myers, Florida

Editorial oversight of all newscasts and original reporting. Hired, trained, and mentored reporting staff.

Lead the most successful six-year period in company history, creating a #1 television station at NBC-2 and driving ABC-7 to profitability.

Executive Producer, 2005 to 2006

WSB TV, Atlanta, Georgia

Direct oversight of the most dominant morning news program in Atlanta.

Executive Producer, 2004 to 2005

KIRO TV, Seattle, Washington

Moved the morning show from #3 to #2 in ratings, and then did the same for the 11pm newscast.

Executive Producer, 2003 to 2004

WBBH NBC 2/ABC 7, Fort Myers, Florida

Career Achievements

Awarded a National School Public Relations Association Gold Medallion award for innovative communication techniques: developing and implementing a district-wide plan to use social media in the classrooms of all 50 schools
Awarded eleven National School Public Relations Association awards in three years for marketing, publications, social media implementation, writing, and video production.
5-time National Academy of Arts and Sciences EMMY award winner
2016 Leadership Collier Graduate & 2019 Leadership Lee Graduate

LINKEDIN PROFILE

Send a message to this candidate and please reference the Ragan Talent Hub

CANDIDATES & FREELANCERS