***** ***** *****, LLC
March 2010-Present
I became a consultant for my former employer after moving to Houston, Texas.

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
Senior Director, Communications and Public Affairs
2008 to 2010
Director 2005 to 2007
Managed 4 employees in an 18-person department for a trade association representing the federal and state legislative interests of 35+ brand name pharmaceutical companies including Pfizer and Merck. Provided quotes for print and broadcast media. Edited press releases, monitored press calls, coordinated program materials, and served as a liaison to member company contacts as well as between supervisor and vendors, public relations firms, and staff from other departments. Handled internal communications, including keeping staff apprised of department activities and organization/management issues. Worked with finance to coordinate the execution of financial contracts and other supporting financial paperwork; assisted in maintaining department financial records and overall budget. Collaborated with human resources on various staff issues; participated in employee hiring and termination. Contributed to social media outreach strategy.
• Performed as chief of staff to spearhead a successful reorganization of the Department of Communications and Public Affairs.
• Improved the department’s preparedness and efficiency in responding to media through the implementation of key reforms.
• Earned a special designation for two straight years as a key performer.


United States House Energy and Commerce Committee
Deputy Communications Director
2001 to 2004
Functioned as day-to-day director for the energy and oversight/investigations subcommittees of the largest US Congressional Committee in terms of jurisdiction of issues. Coordinated the creation and distribution of materials at Congressional hearings. Promoted Committee investigations into corporate fraud. Partnered with supervisor to distribute Committee viewpoints and findings on key investigations to 40+ reporters on a daily basis. Drafted talking points on energy issues, ghost-wrote opinion-editorials in the name of the Energy and Commerce Committee chairman, and promoted hearings through media advisories and press releases. Following deputy communications duties, served as Special Projects/Media Relations Professional Staff Member in 2004 for Congressman Billy Tauzin, assisting with projects and public relations.
• Promoted the Committee’s energy reform agenda by designing and executing a comprehensive media strategy.
• Maximized limited Committee resources through efficient organization and allocation of responsibilities.

United States House Resources Committee
Deputy Communications Director
1999 to 2001
Designed proactive and reactive media strategy for Congressional hearings. Developed messaging through media materials used by members of Congress. Authored extensive press advisories and press releases to pique media interest in the Committee’s Congressional hearings. Coordinated media interviews between legislative experts on the Committee and media reporting on Committee activities.
• Succeeded in providing staff coverage of nearly all Congressional hearings of five subcommittees plus full Committee hearings and markups as one of just two media relations professionals working for the Committee.

United States House Education and the Workforce Committee
Media Assistant
1997 to 1999
Produced brochures and drafted opinion-editorials and statements for members of Congress.
• Contributed to the development of media strategy for a bipartisan special project on labor law reforms funded by the Speaker of the House to identify common ground between unions and employers; authored several chapters of a special project report that detailed findings and recommendations.

The National Center for Public Policy Research
Project 21 Coordinator
1994 to 1997
Operated as sole promoter of Project 21 in addition to managing several grant projects, including a report on regulatory barriers faced by charitable organizations. Ghost-wrote and edited opinion-editorials, organized monthly meetings and agendas for Project 21 members, and maintained a database of 100+ members capable of performing television, radio, and print interviews on a diverse array of topics affecting the African-American community. Coordinated all interviews involving project members. Orchestrated press conferences in Washington, DC and Los Angeles, CA.
• Secured significant exposure for Project 21, an initiative to promote African-Americans in nationally-known broadcast and print media outlets.
• Directed the writing and editing of several annual reports on the state of black America.

University of Maryland, College Park
Bachelor of Arts, Government and Politics

The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

From January to July 2005, I was a consultant for PhRMA. I was subsequently hired as a full time employee. After moving to Houston, Texas, I once again became a consultant for PhRMA in March 2010 and I continue to work on projects for them.