Globally Certified Strategic Communications MANAGEMENT Professional | Business Leader | Crisis Management Consultant, Trainer and Speaker
Summary
I am a globallycertified strategic communications management professional with a passion for helping organizations grow, manage change, and improve results by communicating better. Communication is the backbone of every business, and yet many companies see it as a “soft skill” not critical to their success. I work to change that by developing and implementing communications programs that deliver real, measurable results.
For smaller and mid-size companies in growth mode, I can help develop a marketing communications strategy using proven traditional and digital PR and marketing tools.
Every organization is susceptible to a business crisis, whether it involves a natural disaster, a human tragedy or employee misconduct. I help prepare companies for the inevitable with comprehensive crisis communications plans. If a crisis strikes and they need assistance with damage control, I go to work immediately to manage the message, prepare spokespeople, deal with mainstream and social media, and protect the organization’s reputation and bottom line.
“Turning the aircraft carrier” can be tough for larger, well-established companies. I develop and help implement change communication strategies designed to build employee engagement, empower teams and navigate the transformation.
Improving organizations through better communication is my passion. What bottom-line results can I deliver for your organization? Let's talk!
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE: Health Care: Hospitals, EMS, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Physician Practice Management | Manufacturing | Financial Services | Government | Consulting | Insurance & Benefits | Non-Profit | Media | Education | Retail | Energy | Restaurants | Mining | Utilities | Professional & Trade Associations | Commercial Construction
Career Timeline
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Director, Crisis Communication Planning, Training , Unified Strategies Public Relations Network
I work with USPR's partner firms and our clients to deliver cost-effective crisis communications services. Unified Strategies Public Relations™ network was born out of a strong desire to provide clients with cost-effective solutions for all their communications needs. Each member is an independent agency that works closely with fellow agencies to provide local expertise and nationwide coverage for all your public relations needs.
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President and CEO, Institute for Crisis Management
After working with this company for the past 15 years, to took the helm as President and CEO in August 2014.
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Marketing Manager, Indiana University South Bend
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Adjunct Faculty, Indiana University South Bend
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Marketing Communications Manager, RACO Division, The Hubbell Group
RACO recruited me to improve its marketing effectiveness, reduce costs and drive increased sales in a mature market. I began by consolidating two marketing communications departments into one, including people, processes and systems, to improve ROI. Then I developed a new marketing strategy to deliver consistent brand messages and drive increased sales.
My proudest achievement was helping to deliver $5M in new sales by persuading management to revamp a tired brand, collaborating with engineers and sales leadership to develop a contemporary brand platform using multiple media to better reach target markets.
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Director of Communications, Holy Cross Resources, Inc.
This health insurance company recruited me to improve communications and marketing ROI and help position the subsidiary for integration with the corporate parent, Holy Cross Health System.
In my six months on the job, I assessed existing communications and marketing processes and restructured the department to drive greater effectiveness and return on investment. Through that process I built strategic alliances with key vendors to reduce production costs.
In a short time I significantly improved quality while delivering $250K (40%) in cost savings in the development and production of employee benefits materials.
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Vice President, Communications, Holy Cross Health System Corporation
I was promoted from the insurance operations subsidiary within six months of hire to develop comprehensive strategy to maintain employee morale/productivity and reduce turnover pending a planned merger. As a key leader of cross-functional teams, guiding the integration of the two organizations to help ensure merger’s success, I helped drive a 96% employee retention rate during the yearlong $5B merger process.
Also charged with implementing cost efficiencies, I generated an immediate $100K (25%) advertising cost savings through a strategic vendor partnership.
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Vice President, Corporate Communications, Sun Healthcare Group
In Chapter 11, the company needed to retain employees and customers during a lengthy reorganization. I was recruited to drive organizational improvement and rebuild the marketing and communications functions.
Tasked also with driving bottom-line savings, I developed strategy across functions to build engagement, ultimately helping reduce employee turnover by 25%, saving $5M in onboarding costs by developing and implementing a company mission statement and core values to guide employee behavior and decision making.
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President, Hileman Insurance & Financial Services
I broadened my industry experience as an NASD Series 6 & 63 Registered Representative and licensed agent for life/ health/ property & casualty insurance; personal & commercial lines for Farmers Insurance and other carriers.
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Crisis Communications Counsel, Institute for Crisis Management
Having worked with ICM previously as a client, the firm recruited me to create crisis management plans and develop communication strategies to help clients mitigate risk, protect organizational reputation and rebuild stakeholder trust in the event of a business crisis. I develop and deliver custom crisis management and media training programs and counsel senior executives to prepare them for effective media engagement and issue management.
I was recruited in 2005 to improve corporate/marketing communications ROI and build an investor relations function for a multi-billion dollar health care provider preparing for an IPO. Promoted to SVP in 2012.
In that role, I led internal/external communications, including financial/SEC communications, media relations and executive coaching. I provided services both to the corporate parent and its subsidiaries. I created and helped implement strategies to boost employee engagement, driving turnover costs down. My crisis communications skills were honed managing through numerous issues that generated potentially damaging media attention.
I developed the brand and identity strategies for the corporate parent, and led branding and marketing initiatives for new service lines and company acquisitions. Most recently I led a cross-functional team tasked with a complete rebranding of a $1B subsidiary, winning critical executive support concurrent with a $30 million restructuring. I also created a brand identity for a new start-up subsidiary.
To support growth, my efforts delivered 50% more sales leads, and 20% better customer service and recruiting results by leading the strategy, development and simultaneous launch of five customer-facing websites.Managing a staff of 10 and $2M budget, I led communications strategies to help facilitate the successful integration of numerous acquisitions and support significant change initiatives.
I concurrently led the company’s charitable foundation, growing its reserves in order to provide assistance to more families in severe need.
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Crisis Communications Counsel, Institute for Crisis Management
With a reputation for having a cool head in a crisis, I was recruited to ICM for a second time to create crisis management plans and develop communication strategies to help clients mitigate risk, protect organizational reputation and rebuild stakeholder trust in the event of a business crisis. I develop and deliver custom crisis management and media training programs and counsel senior executives to prepare them for effective media engagement and issue management.
Skills
trainer
20+
project management
20+
cross-functional team leader
20+
executive leadership
20+
Mergers & Acquisitions
15
Reputation Management
20+
Employee Engagement
15
Public Speaking & Training
20+
Team Building
20+
Social Media
20+
Marketing Communications
20+
Strategic Communications
20+
Internal Communications
20+
Crisis Communications
20+
Public/ Media Relations
20+
Leadership/ Management
20+
Investor Relations
7
Branding
20+
Website Dev't & Mgmt.
20+
Strategic Planning
20+
Change Management
15
Results
50%
more sales leads with new websites
25%
reduction in turnover, saving $5M
$5 M
sales growth delivered by reviving a tired brand
Questions & Answers
Why are entrepreneurial skills valuable in a large organization?
Every organization needs entrepreneurial thinkers — those risk takers who can identify blue ocean opportunities, develop executable strategies, and, most importantly, build and inspire teams who can deliver on the vision. Entrepreneurs are even more important in a large company where a lack of diversity, bureaucracy and comfort with the
status quo can suffocate new ideas. I believe a company’s long-term success strongly depends on its ability to identify its entrepreneurs, to nurture them and provide fertile ground to cultivate the new ideas that
will contribute to fulfilling its strategic goals.
How do you turn a challenge into an opportunity?
In my view, opportunity and challenge are synonymous;
working hard and smart is the first thing required to successfully reach a goal. Every challenge offers an opportunity to help the organization to build its value with stakeholders and to deliver on its mission and vision; in short, to be better. I view each challenge as the chance to expand my skills, help my team members grow, and solve a problem that will contribute to the bottom line goals of the enterprise.
What is the secret to executing on strategic plans during post-merger integrations?
Planning, communication and transparency. Exceptional
organizations connect strategy and culture. To position the merged entity for success, leaders should define its purpose, mission and vision; then help everyone understand how their work contributes to the organization’s success. Operational and cultural integration plans should
be developed before the transaction closes and adjusted as needed. Frequent, transparent, 360° communications are critical to keeping people engaged and committed to the success of the new enterprise.
How would you describe your leadership style?
I believe in leading by example and holding myself accountable for results. I’m fair and flexible, communicate expectations clearly and provide ongoing feedback. I strive to develop teams of talented, committed professionals who think independently, work collaboratively and take pride in a job well done. I expect people to give their best, ask questions, challenge the status quo, and contribute meaningfully to the
goals of the organization.
Find Me On
Proudest Accomplishment
Colleagues tell me that I excel at helping others to discover their strengths.
Experience Highlights
Director, Crisis Communication Planning, Training and Consulting
