PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
I have 24 years of professional experience with state and municipal government as well as nonprofit executive leadership. Some highlights of that career are featured here.
West Virginia Botanic Garden
executive director
2019-present
Manage non-profit’s budget and finances, human resources, facilities and grounds development and maintenance, fundraising, membership, events, and programs.
Assign and supervise daily responsibilities of professional and seasonal staff and more than one hundred volunteers.
Lead a board of directors, seven standing committees, and a variety of ad hoc committees through planning and policymaking.
Cast vision for the future through planning and implementation.
Implement new guest services initiatives.
Develop revenue generating programs including rental management, facilities expansion that generates earned income, fundraising events, annual appeal, capital campaigns, and donor relations.
Write grants for site development projects, education, and other mission-centered achievements.
Set direction, goals, design, and content for public relations components including social media content, newsletter editor, press releases, and advertising.
Notable accomplishments include:
• Increased membership from 400 to more than 700.
• Obtained more than $50,000 for and executed completion of a new maintenance facility.
• Obtained more than $3.3M for and executed completion of a new events facility. Began implementation of a business plan for that facility that increased revenue of the organization leading to additional expansion of services.
• Obtained more than $500,000 for a new visitors center and administrative facilities.
• Developed a wide variety of other site improvements such as a Children’s Adventure Garden, Pollinator Garden, updated signage and waymarking, sculptural features, utilities, irrigation, and trails.
• Developed a branding and marketing plan.
• Created new programs and events such as West Virginia Botanic Garden Day (via Resolution of the WV House of Delegates), Morgantown Area Nonprofit Scarecrow Spectacular, Howl-O-Ween Doggie Trick or Treat, and others.
City of spencer
Director of Planning & development
2016-2017
Initiated and developed a guideline for a Comprehensive Planning process for the City of Spencer.
Established relationships with area businesses, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Authority, and economic stakeholders to develop opportunities for success.
Assisted with human resources management—recruiting, interviewing, and hiring city employees, including police officers and other staff.
Developed a robust outdoor recreation initiative through resource improvements and marketing, resulting in City of Spencer being named West Virginia’s top rising Adventure Town by Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine in November 2016.
Handled all social media and marketing for municipal events, SpencerTrails, West Virginia Black Walnut Festival, and various entities operating under the Spencer Development Authority.
Organized, obtained funding, and collaborated with NGOs on numerous events ranging from parades to live music.
Obtained grants for key infrastructure needs from a variety of sources; managed budgets for those grants and provided final reporting.
Obtained dilapidated properties for razing through tax sales and private negotiations.
Assisted in preparing agendas for City Council meetings and presented monthly reports to the Council.
nterfaced with local media to promote city programs, initiatives, and accomplishments.
Assisted law enforcement staff by serving as a mediator as needed.
West virginia rivers coalition
conservation specialist
2015-2016
Led campaign to designate a Birthplace of Rivers National Monument in the Monongahela National Forest.
Gathered input from local communities on federal public lands management.
Met with stakeholders, including municipalities, civic groups, and businesses in relevant communities, to determine outcomes for federal land management initiatives.
Performed lobbying work at all levels, from municipalities to the U.S. Presidential Administration.
Worked extensively with all state media outlets to shape messaging of the Birthplace of Rivers National Monument initiative.
West virginia Department of Agriculture
compliance assistance specialist
2000-2015
Developed a multitude of regulatory compliance and safety presentations; used video editing skills to develop safety training films for a national audience.
Performed investigations to determine compliance activity and developed plans to improve compliance specific to the needs of various industries.
Traveled throughout all West Virginia counties to build relationships with stakeholders, carry out work duties, and advance the goals of the WV Department of Agriculture.
Performed regular public speaking engagements as a representative of the state.
Wrote regulatory code for adoption by the West Virginia Legislature.
Obtained HAZWOPER certification and completed the OSHA Disaster Site Worker Training Program.
Trained in Incident Command System for emergency response; member of first responder team.