Communications Specialist
Louisiana State University Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, La. (1998 – present)

• Disseminate information from agents, specialists and scientists to the media in southeast Louisiana.
• Write for journals, magazines, newspapers and the Web as well as participate in broadcast interviews of upcoming events.
• Responsible for public relations for LSU AgCenter events via the media in southeast Louisiana.
• Coordinate all media events in New Orleans and the Southeast Region.
• Responsible for media buys in my area to promote advisory and commodity group activities.
• Work with agents, specialists and researchers throughout the state to help coordinate their media relations efforts in the form of broadcast and print interviews.
• Supervise progress of LSU AgCenter employee media efforts through publications and broadcast media.

Employment Claims Investigator/Interviewer
Mississippi Employment Security Commission, Senatobia, Miss. (1996 – 1998)

• Interviewed claimants, reviewed unemployment insurance claims.
• Responsible for submitting recommendations to review board for approval or denial of benefits.
• Worked directly with the appeals representatives to adjudicate fraudulent and/or misrepresented claims.
• Compiled monthly reports and submitted statistical data to central office.

Sales Representative
The Pillsbury Company, Mandeville, La. (1991 – 1995)

• Responsible for managing 70 retail grocery stores in Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas territory with annual sales totaling more than $8 million dollars.
• Additional duties included duties as regional public affairs officer and total quality management team member.

Communications Director/ Salesman & Producer
WWMS- Miss 98 Radio Station, Oxford, Miss. (1988 – 1990)

• Responsible for producing local newscasts.
• Supervised the news team in the gathering and production of local news for the Oxford/North Mississippi area.
• Also responsible for producing four agricultural news reports daily, which included weather and market summaries.
• Managed advertising sales for the AM sister station and assisted in advertisement production.

• Advisor—Louisiana State University Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANNRS) chapter
• Member—Gamma Sigma Delta Agriculture Honor Society, LSU
• Member-Louisiana Association of State Communicators
• Publicity Manager-New Orleans Garden Show Committee
• Publicity Committee Chairman—Myriam’s House (Shelter for homeless women)
• Member-LSU AgCenter Diversity Conference Planning Committee
• Member-Greater New Orleans Agribusiness Council
• Member-New Orleans Metro Area Horticulture Foundation
• Member-Greater New Orleans Agricultural Coalition
• North Louisiana Agribusiness Council—Monroe
• Louisiana State Fair Committee—Shreveport
• Member-Office of Emergency Preparedness Communications Committee—Bossier City
• Member-Agricultural Communicators in Education
• FCC Licensed RadioTelephone Operator

Ph.D., 2011, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Human Resource Education and Workforce Development 

M.A., 1991, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Journalism (Public Relations and Broadcast)

B.S., 1986, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Agriculture Communications