Professional Experience
An experienced freelance writer, I write everything from newspaper and magazine articles to news releases. I've also written a book on creativity that Penguin Random House Company published in May 2015. I write regularly for several regional magazines and also am contracted to do photography and video work. Additionally, I am seen as an expert on the subject of creativity and conduct workshops and do one on one coaching.
Expertise
Writer
30 Years
Photographer
30 Years
Other, Specify
30 Years
Specialty
Entertainment
30 Years
Lifestyle
15 Years
Other, Specify
18 Years
Industries
Magazine - Local/Regional magazines
15 Years
Newspaper - Local/Regional
30 Years
PR (firm) - Small to mid-sized corp. clients
30 Years
Total Media Industry Experience
30 Years
Media Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)
The Palm Beach Post (10+), PBG Lifestyle Magazine (10+), Hobe Sound/Tequesta Magazines (10+)
Corporate Client List (# assignments last 2 yrs)
Palm Beach Outlets (10+), Dreamstar Custom Homes (10+), Penguin Random House (1-2)
Other Work History
THE PR CZAR® INC., Stuart, Florida
President/Founder/Owner since 1998
CREATIVE CABOOSE, a division of The PR Czar® Inc., Stuart, Florida - 2011 - present
Certified Creativity Coach and Author
Previous Staff Positions:
SUNFEST OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, INC., West Palm Beach, Florida
Marketing & Public Relations Manager
THE MIAMI HERALD PUBLISHING COMPANY, West Palm Beach, Florida
Community Relations Manager
NORTHWOOD UNIVERSITY, West Palm Beach, Florida
Director of Public Relations
WPEC-TV, CHANNEL 12, West Palm Beach, Florida
South County Bureau Chief, Morning News Anchor, Reporter
Technical Skills
Video editing (Final Cut), Photo Editing (Photoshop)
Foreign Language Skills
n/a
Unions
n/a
Computer Skills
Microsoft Office, Final Cut X, Adobe Photoshop, and a number of other Mac programs
Equipment
I'm a "gadget queen," owning and operating numerous digital cameras (mostly Nikon and Sony), video cameras (Sony), Macintosh desktop and laptop systems, Tascam audio recorder
Work Permits & Visas
n/a
References
Christopher Hayes, editor, PBG Lifestyle Magazine - Christopher@pbglifestyle.com, (561) 307-4191
Lori Cates Hand, executive acquisitions editor, DK Publishing (Penguin Random House), lori.hand@dk.com, (317) 428-3551
Frank Valente, president & CEO, Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, fvalente@hstc1.org, (772) 600-3200
Awards
• Won more than 60 awards for professional programs and projects entered in the Gold Coast Public Relations Council’s Bernays Awards, Florida Public Relations Association’s Golden Image Awards, the International Festivals & Events Association’s annual media competitions, Women in Communications’ Ace Awards and photography competitions.
• Certified as a Creativity Coach by the Creativity Coaching Association, January 2014.
• Won the 1994 Star Award from the Palm Beach County Chapter of Women in Communications, Inc. and the 1991 Up & Comers Award in the Public Relations/Public Affairs category from Price Waterhouse and South Florida Magazine.
• Presented with a statewide Distinguished Service Award from The Florida Literacy Coalition, Inc. for exceptional contributions to literacy efforts in 1991.
• Achieved public relations accreditation (APR) in September 1988 from the Florida Public Relations
Associations
Creativity Coaching Association
Florida Public Relations Association
