Freelance Graphic Designer for Print & Web Communications – 1/15-present
(Buffalo, NY)

• Website Development for local accounting firm – Creating Website design, layout and functionality; Preparing digital assets for Website and marketing materials.
• Advertising & Website Development for local funeral home – Overseeing content development for Website; Photographing merchandise and facilities; Preparing digital assets for Website and marketing materials. Producing print ads.
• Original Artwork & Design Sales – Developing business plan for printing and packaging of original artwork and designs.

Communications Specialist – Howard County Public School System – 9/06-9/14 (Ellicott City, MD)

Consultant – Web & Content Strategy Development (6/13-9/14)
Projects included:

• Developing content strategy and layout design to integrate 12 high school websites into Drupal Content Management System (CMS).
• Developing content strategy and responsive layout design for 41 elementary and 20 middle school websites as part of new Drupal CMS.
• Assisting with migration of school web content from old CMS to new CMS.
• Providing content strategy insights for new school system website.
• Streamlining school system website files prior to launch of new website.
• Training new web assistant on department programs and processes.

Webmaster, Marketing & Public Engagement, and Graphic Designer (9/06-5/13) Responsibilities included:

• Managing all aspects of school system website including content and graphics.
• Collaborating with staff to obtain department and system website content.
• Maintaining electronic emergency and parent communication program. This included training and technology support for school principals and staff members.
• Maintaining 41 elementary and 20 middle school websites using Rapid Web Designer (RWD) CMS. This included training and technology support for the school website administrators.
• Maintaining internal system websites using RWD CMS. This included training and technology support for all department website administrators.
• Maintaining system-related external websites including STEM and Bright Minds Foundation.
• Purchasing and maintaining department computer hardware, software, training subscriptions and licensing/registration requirements. This included training staff on new software and procedures as necessary.
• Writing instructions for department programs and equipment operation.
• Supervising Web Assistant.
• Designing and preparing online annual reports.
• Preparing weekly electronic newsletter for 45,000+ subscriber base.
• Leading focus groups and participating in interviews/surveys with target audiences.
• Coordinating print jobs using school system on-site print shop and external print vendors.
• Designing print materials including brochures, flyers, posters, catalogs, booklets, newsletters and a variety of specialty items. Special projects included:

1. Designing all new branding materials including multiple location print letterheads, electronic template letterheads, envelopes, mailing labels, memo pads, note cards, specialty folders, tablecloths, polo shirt patches, truck magnetic signs, recruitment banner and video backdrop.
2. Designing branding materials for STEM corporate initiative including logos, letterhead, brochure, symposium booklet, folder labels, signs, name tags and PPT backgrounds.

• Streamlining department processes:

1. Connected Twitter account to emergency notification system. Saved time and improved relations with younger parents and students waiting to hear about school closures.
2. Established department digital asset management system using Extensis Portfolio. Setup included software training and use of proper file structure and tagging. Saved time with new search functions and easy access to all digital files regardless of work location.
3. Re-designed school system’s “new logo” for usability across platforms and for use in Microsoft and Adobe files. This included training staff and making logos and usage instructions available on internal website. Improved print quality of branded materials.
4. Business Cards – Improved print layout/design and ordering procedure for all eligible staff members. This eliminated waste and improved staff relations through open communication of the process and what to expect.
5. Specialty Materials – Improved print layout and stocking/ordering procedures. Eliminated waste, time and the loss of expensive merchandise.
6. Setup conference for staff to exchange graphics and design files. Shared files through email system to eliminate wasted time, confusion and duplicate work.

Graphic Designer & Marketing Assistant – Results, The Gym – 10/04-6/06
(Washington, DC)

• Produced 24-page quarterly newsletter including writing articles for publication.
• Created monthly advertisements, posters, banners and activity calendars.
• Designed postcards, logos, invitations, DVD covers, brochures, flyers and signs.
• Maintained and updated corporate marketing materials including overseeing press runs to ensure color quality and match.
• Provided photography for print materials and publications.

Payroll & Benefits Manager – Allied Capital Corporation/A.C. Corp. – 1/01-10/02
(Washington, DC)

• Managed open enrollment for benefit programs including health, dental, qualified 401(k) plan, non-qualified deferred compensation plan, stock option plan, cafeteria plan, transportation/commuter program, short & long-term disability, worker’s compensation, group term life/AD&D, voluntary term life and employee loan programs.
• Increased employee benefits participation through targeted communication.
• Enhanced employee relations and communicated department protocols.
• Improved processing procedures for newly hired and terminated employees.
• Tracked employee data for internal marketing and communication purposes.
• Managed multi-state payroll for 100+ employees.

Payroll Consultant, Short Assignment – Creative Financial Staffing – 12/00-1/01 (Bethesda, MD)

• Managed year-end payroll for DC architect firm.
• Revised and communicated new payroll protocols for increased accuracy.
• Trained Payroll Supervisor.
• Wrote instructions and trained appropriate personnel on benefits compliance procedures.

Payroll & Benefits Manager –  Buffalo Hearing and Speech Center – 3/00-10/00 (Buffalo, NY)

• Managed open enrollment for benefit programs.
• Created instruction manuals and provided training for managers to effectively communicate benefit materials to their staff.
• Communicated departmental policies and procedures to all employees.
• Developed department forms and protocols to increase processing efficiency.
• Tracked employee data for management reports and communication purposes.
• Managed NYS payroll for 200+ employees and assisted HR Director.

HR Manager & Accounting Supervisor – Quality Inspection Services, Inc. – 4/95-7/99 (Buffalo, NY)

• Managed open enrollment for benefit programs.
• Increased participation in benefit programs through targeted communications.
• Wrote President’s employee messages.
• Edited Executive Vice President’s employee communication and out-going correspondence.
• Developed company policies and employee handbook as part of an internal communications team.
• Created procedure book for all aspects of managing payroll and benefits.
• Communicated departmental issues and company policies/procedures to all employees.
• Tracked employee data for internal marketing and communication efforts.
• Managed computer upgrades including training staff on new software programs.
• Managed multi-state payroll for 100+ employees.
• Managed daily cash control, prepared financial statements and reconciled bank accounts.

Marketing Coordinator – Sterling Bag & Supply Co., Inc. – 1/95-4/95
(Lackawanna, NY)

• Developed advertisement materials including flyers and catalogs.
• Computerized marketing database for bulk mailings.

Grant Writer – J O’Connell & Associates – 12/93-1/95
(Clarence, NY)

• Wrote private foundation proposals and state and federal grants.
• Researched financial sources, determined funding strategies and prepared project budgets.
• Regularly interfaced with clients to determine project interests and time frames.
• Developed project scope and gathered statistical data.
• Proofread and edited final grant drafts from all staff grant writers.