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Work experience

Work experience
Jul 2009 - Present

The Ehrhardt Group- Vice President

The Ehrhardt Group is a New Orleans-based public relations firm with a service area across the Gulf South.

Jul 2007 - Present

Focus Group Testing- Director

Responsible for designing, launching and marketing full-service focus group facility in downtown New Orleans.  I supervise all research clients, focus group projects and recruiting efforts for the facility.

Mar 2007 - Jul 2009

The Ehrhardt Group- Senior Consultant

Responsible for leading media training and crisis communications for The Ehrhardt Group. Served as senior media relations strategist for firm's public sector clients who are actively involved in the rebuilding and recovery of education, health care, criminal justice and housing services in New Orleans.

Jun 2006 - Mar 2007

NBC News Bureau New Orleans- Senior Producer

Supervised the editorial production of news stories along the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. This involved researching, writing and/or producing stories for NBC Nightly News, Today, MSNBC, CNBC and NBC News Channel.  Responsible also for contributing original content to The Daily Nightly blog.

Dec 2003 - Jun 2006

Weekend Today- Senior Producer

Worked as one of two senior managers responsible for supervision of the editorial content, guest booking and live production for Weekend Today.

Jun 2001 - Dec 2003

MSNBC- Senior Producer

Developed multiple hours of original news and documentary programming and created network's strategic coverage plans in the aftermath of 9/11. Also responsible for creating original primetime programming. 

Jun 1999 - Jun 2001

CNBC- Senior Producer

Created, produced and supervised nationally broadcast show, "Early Today."

Oct 1994 - Jun 1999

WFTS-TV- Asst. News Director/News Director

Created, launched and managed local news operation for WFTS-Tampa.

Jul 1989 - Oct 1994

KCBS-TV, Los Angeles- News Producer
1992 - 1994

WDIV-TV, Detroit- News Producer
1991 - 1993

WKRC-TV, Cincinnati- News Producer
1992 - 1992

WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh- News Producer
1989 - 1991

WSYX-TV, Columbus- News Producer

Education

Education
Aug 1988 - Jul 1989

The Ohio State University- Columbus, Ohio

Master of Arts

Journalism

Sep 1984 - Jun 1988

Clarkson University- Potsdam, New York

Bachelor of Science

Industrial Distribution

Recent Work

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NATIONAL MEDIA CONTACTS

VIRTUAL INTERVIEW

FOCUS GROUP TESTING

PROFESSIONAL SPEAKER AND TRAINER

ADJUNCT FACULTY

RECENT WORK

NOTABLE CLIENTS

Allstate Insurance Foundation- Public Relations

Capital One Bank- Media Training

Greater New Orleans Bio District- Public Relations

HUD Disaster Housing Program- Media Relations

Jefferson Parish Government- Crisis Communications 

Louisiana Department of Insurance- Media Production

Louisiana Lottery Corporation- Media Training

Louisiana State University Hospitals- Public Relations

New Orleans International Airport- Media Training

New Orleans Hornets Basketball- Media Training

New Orleans Redevelopment Authority- Public Relations

Orleans Parish School Board- Crisis Communications

Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff- Media Relations

USS New York- Public Relations

Verizon Wireless- Public Relations

West Bank Flood Authority- Public Relations

Background

Creative thinker, dynamic manager and innovative problem-solver who has risen to leadership positions in national media outlets and communications firms. Seeking new venture in Atlanta that will allow me to communicate with large audiences using my rich background with the news media, senior-level experience in public relations, strong marketing research skills and keen interest in digital content creation and delivery.

NOTABLE RESEARCH PROJECTS

  • Confidential Political Candidates. Coordination of focus groups to assess the perceptions of African American voters ahead of a proposed candidate’s campaign. 2007, 2008, 2009
  • CVAANO Arts Initiative- Moderator for focus groups to test awareness of new arts initiative. 2009
  • Ocshner Hospitals- Coordination of field survey to gauge awareness of post-Katrina health care options in New Orleans. 2008
  • St. Charles Parish School Board- Coordination of field survey to test crisis communications capabilities of the school district. 2008
  • Orleans Parish School Board- Coordination of focus groups to gauge the public perception of a proposed millage renewal. 2008
  • Confidential Gubernatorial Candidate- Coordination of focus groups to test the issues and messages relevant to voters in the Louisiana Gubernatorial election. 2008
  • Confidential Law firms- Coordination of focus group recruiting for a mock jury to test arguments in a civil lawsuit against an insurance company. 2007, 2009               
  • Southern Forest Products Association-Coordination of focus groups to test the decisions of homebuilders to build along the Gulf Coast. 2007-2008

2007-2009 COURSES TAUGHT

  • Introduction to Journalism
  • News Writing and Reporting 
  • Advanced News Writing and Reporting
  • Editing
  • Reality Journalism

TRAINING WORKSHOPS

  • News Media Spokesperson Workshops-  Train professionals in their relationships with the news media.
  • Presentation Skills Workshops- Train professionals in the development, design and execution of business presentations.
  • Crisis Communications Workshops-  Train corporations, manufacturers, public sector clients and business organizations on communicating with the news media.

PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

 
  • Louisiana Credit Union League Conference 2009
  • National Sheriffs Association Conference 2008
  • National Incident Management Systems Conference 2008
  • International Association of Business Communicators 2007
  •  Restoration Conference 2007