           PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST         Professional Summary     Public relations and communications specialist adept at media relations, special events coordination, issues management and community relations.       Skills          Deadline-oriented  Strong creative vision  Event planning  Strong communication skills  Media relations  Communications management      Natural leader  Creative writing  Diversity trainer  Strategy development  Public Relations  Information gathering            Work History      Public Relations Specialist  ,     09/2019   to   Current     Company Name   –   City  ,   State      Generated and implemented media pitches for clients in Entertainment, Medical, Fitness, and Tech Industry  Communicated with media weekly to build relationships and optimize press coverage  Developed campaigns to increase public awareness of company and engage customers  Coordinated press releases and handled press inquiries for the company  Forged strong media relationships to further public relations goals  Wrote press releases for routine use and crisis management         Contributing Writer and On Camera Host  ,     08/2011   to   Current     Company Name   –   City  ,   State      Conducted extensive research on Entertainment and wrote several long-form pieces  Networked with various industry leaders and experts to gather multiple perspectives on issues  Wrote and produced compelling investigative and human interest stories about celebrities and iconic news subjects  Captured and reported post-show recaps, highlighting successes and opportunities for improvement  Traveled to location to write and report firsthand experience  Introduced fresh and new angles on previously-reported material to update and inform readers  Lead camera host for www.presspassla.com  Excelled within on-call journalism positions, blending experience and passion to ensure timely and comprehensive reporting  Interviewed high profile guests in the entertainment and sports industry  Wrote factually correct, concise and engaging news stories within tight deadlines  Researched potential news or feature stories for timely and quality distribution to public  Managed competing deadlines with efficiency  Completed thorough research into assigned topics  Utilized exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills to produce engaging and error-free content  Followed through on beat sources, contacts and leads to gather information for stories  Applied understanding of public opinion, social media and traditional media use to create engaging and attention-grabbing stories         Director of Operations  ,     08/2003   to   08/2018     Company Name   –   City  ,   State      Supervised over 200 stamping and assembly employees to maximum productivity, at multiple locations  Reduced project downtime and oversaw safety and various certification processes  Developed and deepened relationships to form lasting and loyal partnerships  Hired, coached and trained staff and monitored performance and offered mentoring to junior team members  Limited financial discrepancies, reviewing and approving billing invoices and expense reports  Assisted with executive decision-making and strategy planning, initiating productive relationships with management teams and serving as the key contact for various personnel issues  Directed safety operations and maintained clean work environment in adherence to FDA and OSHA requirements  Grew the business by creatively driving sales and maintaining cost controls  Drove sales by effectively managing several multi-units within the facility  Built customer and employee loyalty and effectively implemented operational strategies  Delegated assignments based on site plans, project needs and knowledge of individual team members  Collaborated with management, technical crew members and fellow supervisors to organize efficient site operations and achieve demanding schedule targets  Boosted team productivity through contests and incentives for staff         Education      Bachelor of Arts  :   Communications      Fayetteville State University   -   City  ,   State      Graduated with a 3.8 GPA  Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority  Graduated summa cum laude  Member of Alpha Psi Omega Honor Fraternity  Majored in Speech/Communications And Theater  Minored in Biology         Skills      Deadline-oriented  Strong creative vision  Event planning  Strong communication skills  Media relations  Communications management    Natural leader  Creative writing  Diversity trainer  Strategy development  Public Relations  Information gathering        Work History      Public Relations Specialist  ,   09/2019   to   Current     Company Name   –   City  ,   State      Generated and implemented media pitches for clients in Entertainment, Medical, Fitness, and Tech Industry  Communicated with media weekly to build relationships and optimize press coverage  Developed campaigns to increase public awareness of company and engage customers  Coordinated press releases and handled press inquiries for the company  Forged strong media relationships to further public relations goals  Wrote press releases for routine use and crisis management         Contributing Writer and On Camera Host  ,   08/2011   to   Current     Company Name   –   City  ,   State      Conducted extensive research on Entertainment and wrote several long-form pieces  Networked with various industry leaders and experts to gather multiple perspectives on issues  Wrote and produced compelling investigative and human interest stories about celebrities and iconic news subjects  Captured and reported post-show recaps, highlighting successes and opportunities for improvement  Traveled to location to write and report firsthand experience  Introduced fresh and new angles on previously-reported material to update and inform readers  Lead camera host for www.presspassla.com  Excelled within on-call journalism positions, blending experience and passion to ensure timely and comprehensive reporting  Interviewed high profile guests in the entertainment and sports industry  Wrote factually correct, concise and engaging news stories within tight deadlines  Researched potential news or feature stories for timely and quality distribution to public  Managed competing deadlines with efficiency  Completed thorough research into assigned topics  Utilized exceptional writing, editing and proofreading skills to produce engaging and error-free content  Followed through on beat sources, contacts and leads to gather information for stories  Applied understanding of public opinion, social media and traditional media use to create engaging and attention-grabbing stories         Director of Operations  ,   08/2003   to   08/2018     Company Name   –   City  ,   State      Supervised over 200 stamping and assembly employees to maximum productivity, at multiple locations  Reduced project downtime and oversaw safety and various certification processes  Developed and deepened relationships to form lasting and loyal partnerships  Hired, coached and trained staff and monitored performance and offered mentoring to junior team members  Limited financial discrepancies, reviewing and approving billing invoices and expense reports  Assisted with executive decision-making and strategy planning, initiating productive relationships with management teams and serving as the key contact for various personnel issues  Directed safety operations and maintained clean work environment in adherence to FDA and OSHA requirements  Grew the business by creatively driving sales and maintaining cost controls  Drove sales by effectively managing several multi-units within the facility  Built customer and employee loyalty and effectively implemented operational strategies  Delegated assignments based on site plans, project needs and knowledge of individual team members  Collaborated with management, technical crew members and fellow supervisors to organize efficient site operations and achieve demanding schedule targets  Boosted team productivity through contests and incentives for staff      