Experience

• 

  Duval for congress 2002

  Jan 2002 - Jun 2002

  Communications specialist

  • Promoted candidate in local and state media. • Edited and published bi-monthly digital campaign newsletter. Produced content for candidate website.• Advised candidate and staff on the creation of various documents for the campaign including Political Action Committee questionnaires, speeches and policy papers. • Organized meetings and events for candidate.

• 

  Arizona democratic party

  Jun 2002 - Nov 2002

  Research associate/project manager

  • Researched political advertising on television and radio by general election candidates, political parties and independent expenditure committees and reported findings to Arizona Democratic Party senior staff. • Worked with Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee to “track” Republican primary candidates in Congressional District One. • Created research outcome reports that were used in polling and developing the Democratic media message.

• 

  Arizona department of environmental quality

  Feb 2003 - Apr 2004

  Communications specialist

  • Composed and published daily intranet employee newsletter “News to Use” for 750 employees.• Assisted and advised communications staff in the creation of ads, brochures, fact sheets, news releases, position papers, reports, speeches and digital content. Supported staff in planning event logistics for the agency director and the governor.• Primary public contact for digital photography and video.

• 

  Water infrastructure finance authority of arizona

  Apr 2004 - Dec 2004

  Communications director

  • Primary spokesperson for the Water Infrastructure Finance Authority of Arizona (WIFA). • Composed news releases, newsletters, mail pieces, brochures, speeches, reports, digital content and commentaries. Created and organized events for WIFA.• Lead redesign and launch of official WIFA website. • Principal contact for intergovernmental relations, community outreach and bond elections.

• 

  Harrah's entertainment, inc.

  Jan 2005 - May 2007

  Communications manager for political action and political action committee treasurer

  • Crafted political messages about the gaming industry and Harrah’s Entertainment for lawmakers and Harrah’s 85,000 employees across 12 states.• Implemented company-wide external affairs program “Winning Together” and assisted in the management and training of 37 Winning Together Managers at casino properties. • Advised on community and media messaging for Harrah’s Foundation, development projects, community outreach events and crisis communications. • Developed and executed earned media events such as candidate debates and lawmaker visits to casino properties. • Assisted in managing budget for external affairs program and employee PAC. Served as editor and publisher for Winning Together and PAC quarterly newsletters. • Successfully moved PAC from eighth to second in the gaming industry based on the amount of money raised from employees. • Efforts won Winning Together three public affairs awards: the Public Affairs Council Grassroots Innovation Award (2005), the American Association of Political Consultants Award (2005) and the Communicator Print Media Award (2006). Show less

• 

  The hawthorn group, lc

  Jun 2007 - Aug 2012

  • Advised on communications and public affairs campaign for energy industry coalition. Campaign included communication on regulatory issues and with federal, state and local elected officials.• Managed recruitment and communication with the nationwide 224,000 member grassroots arm of energy industry coalition. Conducted meetings with local elected officials in grassroots coalition, which consisted of 24,000 lawmakers nationwide. • Through consistent communication with grassroots energy industry coalition members, 117,000 personal contacts were made from grassroots coalition members from 2010-2012 about pending legislation to federal, state and local lawmakers and regulators. • Organized eight Democratic local elected officials from targeted communities in the U.S. who are members of grassroots energy industry coalition for meetings regarding pending regulations with U.S. EPA Administrator and White House Staff. Meetings also included U.S. Senators and Representatives. • Oversaw educational outreach in 12 targeted states for energy industry coalition. Included hiring and training staff to conduct outreach at events such as key political candidate speeches and highly attended rallies. Responsibilities also included managing staff and budgets as well as scheduling for educational mobile classroom which was an interactive experience for visitors to learn about new energy technologies that help to make the environment cleaner. • Created public affairs strategy for a 26 state legislative campaign for client, a leading electronics manufacturer. Identified and hired lobbyists for client and managed lobbyists and budgets. Assisted with the creation of model legislation to stop a possible increase in taxes on the client for electronic waste recycling. Advised on strategic actions lobbyists should take with key lawmakers and regulators. Model legislation has been passed in every region of the United States. Show less • Provided public affairs and communications counsel to leading companies and associations in the alcohol products, banking, direct selling, electronics, energy and food industries. • Created and sustained corporate federal and state Political Action Committees for clients in energy and banking industries. Advised on political action committee fundraising plans for employees and PAC employee communication such as newsletters and employee fundraising meetings. • Directed on behalf of The Hawthorn Group lobbyist registration, compliance and activity reporting for traditional and grassroots lobbying for clients.• Managed and developed public affairs campaigns to federal, state and municipal officials, community stakeholders, and media across the country—explaining the benefits of a preferred legislation and urging its passage. • Coordinated strategic communication plans and messaging for community outreach and events. • Advised in the creation of targeted grassroots campaigns that identified and activated unexpected sources of support, and also utilized digital and social media to change opinion and actions. Show less

  • Vice President

    Feb 2012 - Aug 2012

  • Senior Director, Communications

    Jun 2007 - Feb 2012
• 

  Salt river project

  Aug 2012 - now

  • Oversees program focused on fundraising for SRP’s corporate political action committee known as PIC (Political Involvement Committee). • Successfully increased PIC budget by 47 percent which is comprised solely of contributions from PIC members who are SRP employees and shareholders. • Strengthens the culture of promoting political involvement among employees through interactive programming featuring elected and public policy leaders and election education materials. Engagement activities have grown PIC membership with those participating at the premier level reaching an all-time high.• Launched PIC recruitment website which promotes benefits of PIC membership, election education, voter’s guide and member events. Worked to guarantee all internal and campaign finance regulatory standards were met. Website makes joining PIC seamless and is mobile optimized. • Directs educational programming for PIC members. Members are given the opportunity to meet with candidates and also learn about public policy issues affecting SRP. Assists in the management, creation, scripting, coordination and scheduling of these events. Includes working with the offices of candidates, elected officials and leaders in public policy. • Liaison between the PIC Advisory Committee and the public affairs department. The advisory committee is comprised of eleven executives representing each of SRP’s nine business units and meets on a monthly basis to approve PIC contributions to candidates. Works closely with the committee members on fundraising goals for PIC budget, new member recruitment, member communication and events, and to educate on changing trends in political fundraising.• Coordinates with the PIC Treasurer on tracking PIC budget, payment of contributions to campaigns and ensures that PIC activities comply with applicable federal and state laws. PIC is a registered political action committee with the federal and state government entities which regulate campaign finance. Show less

  • Political Involvement Committee Manager

    Aug 2024 - now

  • Political Involvement Committee Administrator

    Aug 2012 - Aug 2024