Helping large and small businesses succeed through strategic marketing communication and public relations.

Capabilities: Integrated communication planning; project management; print and Internet PR and marketing communication; web strategy and content; media relations; new product launches; crisis communication; financial communication; newsletter / magazine creation and content; video / multi-media presentations; speech writing.

Clients include: CNA; MarchFirst; W. W. Grainger; Jordan Industries; Platinum Health Care; AT&T; Imageworks; American Whole Health; bSwift.com; TotalMRO.com, Westwardtools.com; American Medical Association; Nolan Law Group; Case Construction; Atlas Financial Corp.; The Executive Registry; Platinum Bank; Bryn Mawr Task Force.

Experience

JI Ventures - Marketing Communication and PR consultant / writer in the launch of this venture capital firm focusing on telecom and Internet infrastructure start-ups. Managed by Jordan Industries, Inc. of Lake Forest. (Current)
Projects include:
· Creating marketing / PR strategy; writing capabilities brochure; web site strategy and content

MarchFirst - Marketing Communication and PR consultant / writer in re-branding of W. W. Grainger's B2B site OrderZone.com, re-named Works.com. Ranked #3 on NetMarketing's Top 200 sites. (2000)
Projects included:
· Created B2B marketing / PR strategy as part of MarchFirst team
· Lead writer / information architect of web site, banner ads and site demos
· Project manager / writer of e-mail marketing campaign

Platinum Health Care (www.platinumhealth.com) - As Marketing / PR Director, helped bring to
market this start-up health care company that is introducing direct care to Chicago. (1999-2000)
Projects included:
· Developed comprehensive marketing communication and PR strategy
· Designed and coordinated media relations campaign
· Created print and web marketing/PR material

Atlas Financial Corporation (www.atlasfin.com) - Consultant and lead writer in creation of this
commercial real estate web site. (1999)
Projects included:
· Information architect / writer / producer of web site

The Executive Registry (www.execreg.com) - Marketing / PR Director in the creation and successful launch of this Internet start-up that serves as a career resource for executives nationwide. (1999)
Projects included:
· Branding and PR strategy and execution
· Information architect / writer / producer of web site
· Created marketing material & media relations campaign

Other Experience

Washington National Corporation - Lincolnshire, IL
Publicly-held life and health insurance holding company with annual sales in excess of $1 billion. The corporation was merged into Conseco in 1998 and all operations were transferred to Indiana.

Director of Corporate Communications (1993 - 1998)
Planned and produced strategic internal and external communications programs in support of business objectives. Reported to CEO. Responsible for nationwide employee and sales force communication, issue management and crisis communication, change management, marketing communication, media relations and investor relations projects. Provided communication counsel and speech writing services to CEO and senior executives. Served as Senior Editor of all corporate publications and web site. Managed internal staff and external vendors.

Key Washington National Accomplishments:
· Successfully managed internal and external communication during comprehensive strategic planning efforts and subsequent acquisitions, divestitures and restructurings.

· Appointed by board of directors to Strategic Planning Committee.

· Positioned corporate-wide publication as a credible source of information and a key management tool.

· Senior Editor and writer of various award-winning corporate publications, annual reports, brochures, letters and speeches.

Other Washington National positions:
Manager, Corporate Communications (1989 - 1992)
Senior Editor, Corporate Communications (1985 - 1988)

Digital Pathways, Inc. - Palo Alto, CA
Marketing Communications Specialist (1984 - 1985)
Lead writer/assistant product manager on a team that successfully brought two pioneer PC software
products to market.

Vilas County News-Review - Eagle River, WI
General News Reporter, Special Projects Editor (1983 - 1984)
Received Wisconsin Newspaper Association award for In-Depth News Reporting.

Professional Affiliation
Member, International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) - Chicago

Education
University of Wisconsin - Madison; B.A., Journalism (1983)
Awarded The Milwaukee Journal's Harry J. Grant Scholarship

Computer Skills
Proficient in a number of Macintosh/PC programs, including: Adobe Pagemaker, Photoshop, Pagemill, Acrobat; Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Explorer, Outlook Express.