With over 20 years of experience as a communications executive, this individual has successfully led all aspects of communication for public and private companies, including finanicial communications, employee communications, media relations, crisis communications, branding, and community affairs. |
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
September 1999-----Present
Executive at a publicly traded company with annual revenues of $1.9 Billion, provides transaction, credit and marketing services for some of North America’s largest financial and retail brands.
Vice President----Corporate Communications
Hired prior to the company’s IPO in June 2001 and charged with building a corporate communications function to support the organization's debut as a public company. Now provide counsel to the CFO, CEO and other senior management while developing and managing the company’s strategies for external communications, media relations, community relations, employee and financial communications.
Result: Effective communications programs have contributed to the tremendous growth of the company ($2 billion in revenue, 10,000 employees, 500+ percent stock price gain since IPO). The investment community now views the company as a well-managed enterprise with a strong business model. Clients view it as a credible business partner and employees view the company as a preferred employer. (the firm has been recognized as a “best place to work” in many markets.)
EDS (Electronic Data Systems) May 1984 ---September 1999
EDS is a global provider of information technology solutions for a wide range of industries.
Director of Public Relations , August 1991 – September 1999
Plano, Texas
Counseled senior management and devised communications strategies involving media relations, crisis communications, various financial and marketing communications and executive speech writing. Personally led communications efforts for numerous high-profile activities, such as EDS’ acquisition of A.T. Kearney (1995) and EDS’ split from General Motors (1996).
Result: Under my direction, EDS’ communications activities boosted the company’s business presence in select markets and modernized its image in the minds of prospective employees, clients and investors. The media and other key stakeholders began to view the company as a diverse and far-reaching firm that had correctly outgrown its folksy image to become a global power in a rapidly growing market.
Communications Manager, Energy Unit, August 1990-August 1991
Dallas, Texas
As EDS rapidly grew, the company’s structure changed. Large units were broken into Strategic Business Units (SBUs), which struggled with how to employ sophisticated communications strategies. To combat this, I piloted an approach involving the dedication of a seasoned communications professional to the Energy Unit SBU under a one-year evaluation period; if successful, the other SBUs would follow the same model. During the pilot, handled all internal and external communications for the newly formed unit.
Result: Significantly increased EDS’ visibility in the energy industry and established the communications model that the company’s other SBUs now follow.
Regional Public Relations Director , July 1986-August 1990
Southfield, Michigan
Served as chief communicator for EDS’ activities with its parent and largest customer, General Motors. Implemented an aggressive public relations and community affairs program that positively changed perceptions of the company and its relationship with GM.
Result: EDS’ employment doubled (to 20,000) as a result of merging with GM. Designed and implemented an internal communications program that resulted in a successful assimilation of 10,000 former GM employees into EDS. This program was the primary reason that organizing efforts by the United Auto Workers were unsuccessful. Led aggressive external communications efforts that convinced key stakeholders that the company could succeed independent of EDS founder Ross Perot, who abruptly departed after a falling-out with GM management.
EDUCATION
B.F.A. in Broadcast Journalism, with a minor in Public Relations ---Southern Methodist University
Executive M.B.A program---Southern Methodist University
Three-year player and a member of SMU’s Southwest Conference Championship Football Team.
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES
Accredited by the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
Advisory Board--University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) School of Management
Steering Committee—Children’s Medical Center—Legacy Campus
Communications Executive Council |
