LYNNETTE GONZALES

San Antonio, TX 78232 SUMMARY:

lynn_gonzales@sbcglobal.net 210-882-6323

Highly accomplished, award-winning communications professional with 14 years of outstanding experience managing local and national communication campaigns for diverse industries, agendas and media outlets. In-depth brainstorming, strategizing, writing, editing, layout, and design skills. Diplomatic and insightful team leader with proven expertise managing, leading and inspiring internal and external teams toward common goals and top performance. Strengths include: The ability to help publications and corporate communication ascend to the next level. Creates and develops company-wide messaging platforms, from research to writing to delivery, that support the companys goals and objectives. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with proficiency in building and maintaining strategic business / client relationships, while interfacing positively with people of diverse backgrounds. Public affairs-trained by Department of Defense to handle crisis communication, media relations and community outreach. Extremely adaptable, composed and purposeful in transitional and high-pressure environments with rapidly changing priorities. Decisive, superbly organized and results-oriented, with experience overseeing national multi-site locations. Independently develops and implements comprehensive employee, field, channel or executive communications strategies / roadmaps, messaging frameworks and communications initiatives. EXPERIENCE: THE SCOOTER STORE, New Braunfels, TX 2008 - 2011 The SCOOTER Store is America's leading supplier of scooters and power chairs for people with limited mobility. Communications Manager Developed, implemented and managed healthcare companys corporate communication programs / campaigns for all nationwide locations, working closely with External Relations & Government Affairs and Marketing departments. Produced daily electronic newsletters for corporate and remote employee audiences, incorporating quarterly theme and company goals. Established and maintained network of contacts within each department as source for internal stories. Wrote all corporate messages, including newsletter articles, news releases, key messaging, executive speeches and talking points, leadership briefings, companywide rally scripts, new product announcements, etc. Provided communication support to all departments, helping leadership write messages that interpret and integrate business strategies, editing department-specific newsletters, and strategically planning key announcements. Collaborated with Marketing Department concerning consistent messaging across audiences and communicating messages via social media channels. Developed media training program for customer advocates and remote employee-owners to use when answering investigative reporter inquiries regarding customer complaints. Coordinated company responses to online complaints through social media channels and complaint boards. Pitched stories to local media outlets surrounding national locations and trade media in mobility industry. Created long-term campaign to bring public relations in-house, saving $90K in annual agency fees. Implemented corporate identity initiative through public relations to overcome effects of negative historical event, which resulted in increased affirmative company mentions in mainstream media. Established media strategy for company's community service program, coordinating coverage with local communities nationwide. Proactively wrote press releases highlighting new products, industry awards, community projects, new hires and other positive information for distribution to area media.

LYNNETTE GONZALES

lynn_gonzales@sbcglobal.net

Page Two 2007 - 2011

ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY, San Antonio, TX St. Mary's University is the first institution of higher learning in San Antonio.

Adjunct Professor, English & Communication Studies (2007 Present) Delivered post-secondary instruction on print journalism, business writing and public speaking to undergraduate students from a variety of majors. Position was concurrent with position above. One of two returning adjunct faculty selected from staff of ten. Refined curriculum to incorporate reality-based lessons from government, corporate and small business environments into each eight-week course and five-week summer course. Instructor, Upward Bound Program (2007 2008) Recruited by university program director to join faculty. Position ran concurrently with position above. Taught advanced high school students concepts of literature and basics of essay writing for college preparation. BLUE CLOVER, San Antonio, TX 2007 - 2008 Blue Clover is a highly creative firm, fusing strategic online and traditional marketing communications. Public Relations Account Executive Developed and implemented positive publicity campaigns for a variety of agency clients, including oil-and-gas producers, financial institutions, government officials, medical offices, and architecture firms. Created media lists and built media relationships with key media representatives on clients' behalf. Wrote pitch messages and news releases for media, coordinating coverage efforts in print and broadcast. Led successful international media campaign for Texas-based oil and gas companys new product. Company and product were featured in leading industry radio program, on cover of industry trade publication, and in New Products section of three international trade magazines. Campaign was awarded Proliner Award of Excellence by Association for Women in Communication. NORTH EAST INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, San Antonio, TX 2005 2007 North East Independent School District is the second largest school district in San Antonio and serves the north central and northeast areas of Bexar County. Assistant Director of Community Relations Handled district public relations, including internal publications, media queries and community events. Overhauled a program of uninspiring internal and external newsletter publications. Analyzed existing publications and processes impacting quarterly distribution to 8,000 faculty and staff and 172,000 community members. Redesigned layout and content of both publications and implemented publication schedule for all issues. Revamped newsletters won three Silver Star awards and four Gold Star awards from Texas School Public Relations Association. External newsletter also won international Print Communicator Award of Distinction. Maintained district's online newsroom with news releases, announcements, media advisories and photographs. HARCOURT ASSESSMENT, San Antonio, TX 2003 - 2005 An education and information company, providing educational products for educators and clinicians. Senior Editor Managed and coordinated editorial process for contracted state assessment tests, such as the Hawaii State Assessment and the Oklahoma State Department of Education Testing Program. Collaborated with project team members, including content specialists, production coordinators and other editors, to meet deadlines for all phases of test production. Edited all school assessment test materials, such as manuals, reading passages, test items and art pieces, for grammar, content and style.

LYNNETTE GONZALES

lynn_gonzales@sbcglobal.net

Page Three

U.S. AIR FORCE CIVIL SERVICE (AFCS) 2000 - 2003 The AFCS provides administrative, operations, and technical support to the United States Air Force. Newspaper Editor, Wichita Falls, TX (2002 2003) Produced and managed 28- to 32-page weekly newspaper for 82nd Training Wing and 80th Flying Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base. Trained new staff, contributing writers, and unit public affairs representatives in newspaper procedures and journalistic writing. Worked with leadership to communicate key messages from wing level and major-command level. Public Affairs Specialist, Colorado Springs, CO (2000 2002) Recruited by Secretary of the Air Force to participate in civil service paid internship program and coordinated public affairs, including internal communication, media relations and community relations, for major command at Peterson Air Force Bases. Coordinated and led civic leader tours through Air Force institutions, representing major command. Planned Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame ceremony, securing coverage by Denver and local media. Trained command spokespersons to handle crisis-related media interviews and press conferences. Member of public affairs team for Air Force-level competitions, covering stories for three command teams and contributing stories and photos to competition newsletter and home base newspapers. Wrote articles about and took photos of competitors daily challenges and successes that were published on national news wire services and in global military base newspapers. Articles won Print Journalist of the Year award from military major command and second place Air Forcewide. Specialty magazine published five-page article with photos on a competition. EDUCATION: MA, Communication Studies, Distinguished Graduate, St. Marys University, San Antonio, TX BA, English / Communication Arts, Summa Cum Laude, St. Marys University, San Antonio, TX PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Honor Graduate, Public Affairs Officer Course, U.S. Defense Information School, Fort Meade, MD Professional Development Workshops PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS: International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Association for Women in Communication (AWC) AWARDS: 2010 Winner Print Educational Materials Category, The ESOP Association 2009 Communications Professional of the Year, Cambridge Who's Who among Professional Women in Writing and Publishing 2006 The Communicator Award for Print Media 2001 Air Force Print Journalist of the Year, Second Place 2001 Air Force Space Command Print Journalist of the Year Judge for Clarion Awards for Association for Women in Communications, International Association of Business Communicators for Silver Quill Awards, and North East ISD PTA Reflections Portfolio of Samples Available Upon Request