Work

CURRENTLY CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR WITH GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS ASSOCIATION

PAST CLIENTS AND JOBS

McGill Associates
The Association of Boarding Schools
ITI Marketing
People-First Tourism
Brahma Ridge Event Center
Blue Ridge Country
WNC Woman
Sustainable Travel International
The International Ecotourism Society
Business Lexington / Smiley Pete Publishing
The Group Travel Leader
Terra Incognita Ecotours
Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality
Winchester Therapeutic Massage

Editor, The Laurel of Asheville

Working for the popular arts and culture monthly first as a freelance writer, then as web content manager, communications director and finally as its editor was a wonderful experience in which I helped to coordinate the teamwork of writers, photographers and designers. It was the dream job I set out to achieve upon first moving to Asheville, and it was one of the most inspirational and challenging roles I ever had. www.thelaurelofasheville.com.

Consultant
US, Canada, Central America
Contract Editor and Freelance Writer
May 2006 to August 2014

My contract work included ecotourism consulting, consumer magazine and travel trade articles, web and print content creation, editing, redesign and structural consulting, marketing strategies, conference coordination, public speaking, social media direction and a host of other activities for a variety of clients in the US, Canada and Central America. My Kudos page provides recommendations from clients and members of teams on which I have worked. The Articles page provides links to some past publications.

Seascape Kayak Tours
Costa Rica; New Brunswick
Director of Marketing, Communications
January 2008 to October 2010

Initiated and directed re-branding initiative in 2008 including new logo, tag-line, award-winning web site, collateral print materials, marketing strategy and social media networking. Scheduled, directed and executed all marketing and communications materials and related budget; edited, wrote and managed web site, including online newsletter, social media, blogs and site updates; wrote press releases and articles for industry trade and consumer publications; handled client requests for information and bookings; provided client follow-up; designed trip itineraries for presentation; developed and maintained strategic partnerships and relationships with industry associations, large-scale tour operators and conservation organizations; arranged media interviews, speaking engagements and other public relations opportunities; and provided editorial and administrative support for company owner to further raise awareness of Seascape’s leadership in environmental conservation and sustainable tourism. www.seascapekayaktours.com

Modern Traveler Magazine, Indianapolis, Ind.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief in startup phase
August 2006 to May 2008

Conceived of and completed the start-up phase of a global travel print magazine designed to connect the travel consumer to tour operators, tour suppliers and destination marketing organizations doing responsible travel, sustainable tourism and ecotourism. Work included the development of an in-depth business plan; creation of an active advisory council of well-respected leaders in responsible, sustainable and adventure tourism; promotion of the magazine through attendance, sponsorship and speaking engagements at industry association events and conferences; and direction of writers, graphic designers and photographers to produce the logo, brand, magazine design and prototype preview Issue. Although enthusiastically supported by the travel industry, the project failed due to lack of sufficient investment.

National Tour Association, Lexington, Ky.
Editor-in-Chief, Courier Magazine
May 2002 to May 2006

Initiated and coordinated the redesign of content and graphic design for NTA’s official publication, a four-color monthly magazine of roughly 100 pages with readership of 5,000 tour operators, tour suppliers and destination marketing organization members. Supervised managing editor; assigned stories and directed free lance and in-house staff writers; worked with association members to create in-depth member-written business section; edited and wrote stories; oversaw photography and graphic design; planned each yearly editorial calendar; worked with sales and publishing team on advertising incentives; attended and spoke at association and trade conventions and international product development trips.

F. Figart Communications, Winchester, Ky.
Founder and Sole Proprietor
Sept. 1997 to May 2002

Provided free lance writing, editing and project management for a variety of local clients. Directed concept design and wrote copy for web sites, brochures and other collateral. Coordinated and led seminars for female entrepreneurs at Midway College. Edited an academic anthology in the field of sociobiology.

Greater Opportunities for Women (GO Women)
Founder and Executive Director
Feb. 1998 to May 2002

Conceived of, founded and directed this award-winning non-profit organization designed to help women in Eastern and Central Kentucky obtain greater self esteem and more effective job skills. Coordinated all aspects of ten-week training sessions for low-income women and managed team of volunteer mentors.

Williams McBride Group, Lexington, Ky.
Chief Writer, Nov. 1996 to Sept. 1997

Chief writer and editor of all text for this state-of-the-art graphic design firm. Writing all copy for a variety of technical clients, I worked with a team of top-notch graphic designers and project managers. Acquired new skills in client interfacing, direction of design work, large-scale project management and branding.

Lexington Herald-Leader, Lexington, Ky.
Copy Writer, Editor and Reporter
July 1994 to Nov. 1996

Developed and coordinated special sections for the Creative Services department, cross training in the Newsroom as a feature writer in the Community Section for this award-winning Knight-Ridder daily newspaper. Worked with graphic designers on projects from the ground up. Learned interviewing skills, honed journalism prowess and developed project scheduling and networking abilities.

Meridian Communications, Lexington, Ky.
Proofreader and Copy Editor
July 1993 to July 1994

Read all copy, proofreading and editing at mockup through blue-line stage for full-scale advertising agency.

EDUCATION

B.A. English 1992, Berea College, Berea, Kentucky. G.P.A. 4.0 in major; 3.87 overall. Summa cum laude.