Summary of qualifications:

Experienced print and online writer, editor and content manager with emphasis on social media.

Software and programs:

Daily experience with SharePoint, Drupal, Plone, DotNetNuke, Photoshop, e-newsletter software, blogging software; basic knowledge of InDesign, WordPress and iMovie.

Other skills and experience

Avid user of social media; local music blogger (mannsworldmusic.com); freelance writer for various publications including Our State magazine.

Work experience


N.C. Department of  Information Technology 
Nov. 2021 - present
  •  Lead a team of 8 engineers delivering enterprise-scale solutions and advanced break-fix operations for the State of North Carolina
  • Drive the adoption of Microsoft products such as SharePoint and Copilot through user groups, a monthly newsletter and the annual NCDIT Innovation Day

N.C. Department of Health and Human Services
Nov. 2019 -- Nov. 2021: Medicaid Communications Technology Manager, Division of Health Benefits
  •  Served as Drupal, SharePoint and Teams administrator for the NC Medicaid 


 July 2018 -- Nov. 2019: Web Content Strategist, Office of Communications
  • Completed a year-long project to redesign and migrate several old websites from an end-of-life server to several new content management systems (SharePoint, Drupal and Plone)
  • Served as lead Content Strategist, and administrator for The Hive, a SharePoint Hub site that serves as the intranet for the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services
  • Approved plans for all new and migrated SharePoint sites throughout DHHS
  • Managed SharePoint user accounts, permissions, and access rights
  • Developed and presented training materials, web sites, face-to-face and virtual training including user manuals and guidelines
  • Assisted with implementation of any software, business requirement or process that interacts with DHHS SharePoint
  • Trained DHHS employees department-wide on setting up, administering and using their SharePoint Communications sites and Modern Team Sites
  • Interviewed end users for insight on functionality, interface, problems and-or usability issues
  • Developed test cases and test plans
  • Supported DHHS employees department-wide on editing and administering their SharePoint sites
  • Utilized communications degree and related experience to create one of the better SharePoint hubs within the state, (The Hive -- ncdhhs.gov/thehive)
  • Worked with SharePoint tools such as out-of-the-box web parts, lists and templates
  • Supervised the work of our Web Content Specialist
  • Strategized the updating and migration of several old sites to the Drupal platform
  • Served as Office of Communications liaison to the internal technical Division and the state Department of Information Technology
April 2017 -- July 2018: Marketing & Communications Specialist III, Division of Health Benefits
  • Served as lead SharePoint administrator for the Division of Health Benefits
  • Turned complex topics, such as health care issues, legislation, Medicaid and Medicare policy and guidelines into clear, understandable messages that are relatable by diverse external and internal audiences
  • Prepared collateral, including announcements, brochures, presentations, video/audio scripts, letters and email
  • Oversaw graphic design, production and distribution of collateral
  • Researched and drafted talking points, fact sheets, briefings, press releases and articles
  • Reviewed and edited content for effective communication to appropriate audiences
  • Improved usability of the external North Carolina Medicaid website
  • Worked with Medicaid content owners and subject matter experts to verify and maintain accuracy on the website
  • Planned development and implemented strategic communication initiatives for internal and external stakeholders

Jan. 2013 -- March 2017: Marketing & Communications Manager, N.C. Restaurant & Lodging Association
  • Created a comprehensive communications strategy for the association, including targeted strategies for social media and events such as the Taste of North Carolina gala, the North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Expo and the North Carolina Chef Showdown
  • Served as liaison with our public relations agency of record, Largemouth Communications
  • Oversaw all aspects, including content, photographs and ads for the At Your Service quarterly publication
  • Oversaw all social media accounts and all aspects of the Association's web site, ncrla.org
  • Wrote, designed and sold ads for the weekly In the Mix e-newsletter, sent to all members and other interested parties
  • Wrote press releases and maintained relationships with North Carolina journalists to position the association's messaging on topics of relevance 
  • Designed flyers, signs, mailers and other items needed for special events
  • Helped coordinate events such as a two-day health care reform workshop for members and the Taste of North Carolina gala
  • Created PowerPoint presentations for board meetings and other events as needed
  • Set up and conducted member webinars 
  • Wrote scripts for the annual Stars of the Industry award ceremony

Jan. 2012 -- Jan. 2013: Community Outreach Manager/Web Content Manager, N.C. Department of Commerce Divisions of Tourism and Marketing
  • Oversaw Division social media sites aimed at statewide partners (twitter.com/nctourism; facebook.com/nctourism, LinkedIn Tourism group)
  • Sent Division press releases to statewide media and coordinated coverage of Division events and messaging
  • Developed and maintained relationships with statewide travel and business journalists
  • Created short videos of partners discussing the merits of working with the Division, edited and posted to vimeo.com/nctourism
  • Helped coordinate an in-state media reception, in which members of the N.C. press were able to meet regional tourism partners
  • Continued with most of my duties as Web Content Manager 

Feb. 2009 -- Jan. 2012:Web Content Manager, The N.C. Department of Commerce, Raleigh, N.C. 
  • Edited two weekly e-newsletters, including the successful SYNC, which is distributed to more than 3,500 readers in the economic development community and boasts a consistent 20-30 percent open rate
  • Directed Commerce's social media growth efforts through Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn groups on aerospace and nanotechnology
  • Oversaw all aspects of www.nccommerce.com, including daily homepage updates, and maintained the site's accuracy
  • Analyzed and grew traffic to the site through the use of Google Analytics and search engine optimization
  • Wrote feature articles on economic development leaders for inclusion on the homepage of www.nccommerce.com
  •  Managed and trained a department-wide team of web content editors and served as a liaison between the team and Commerce's technical division
  • Oversaw migration of content on www.nccommerce.com from a legacy CMS to DotNetNuke; trained team on the new system
Sept. 2000 – Feb. 2009: Interactive Content Producer, The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C. 
  • Served as liaison between technical and editorial staffs when transitioning to a new blogging system
  • Shot and edited video for arts and news features
  • Edited audio for entertainment coverage and multimedia packages
  • Edited wire and staff-generated stories for newsobserver.com 
  • Edited three weekly columns and daily content for triangle.com
  • Conducted promotional contests and giveaways
Sept. 1999 – Sept. 2000: Web Producer, Nando Media (now McClatchy Interactive), Raleigh, N.C. 
  • Edited content from Associated Press and other news organizations for the nando.net 24-hour news site
  • Supervised content for the 2000 Academy Awards co-branded site

April 1994 – Sept. 1999: Associate Editor, The Independent Weekly, Durham, N.C. 
  • Edited and coordinated the “Rock ‘n’ Roll Quarterly” supplement
  • Copyedited the entire magazine
  • Wrote weekly articles on local music
  • Edited all entertainment and activist calendars
  • Organized the annual “Indycent Exposure” local-music concert
  • Coordinated and compiled music for the “Rare and Well Done” CD of local music

Education 

University of North Carolina at Greensboro 1989 – 1991 
Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing

East Carolina University: 1985 – 1989
Bachelor of Arts in English/minor in art