Elizabeth M. Bryant Instructor, Texas State Technical College, Harlingen Campus Responsible for the course development and implementation per TSTC guidelines for assigned Federal Government classes Responsible for the course development and implementation per TSTC guidelines for assigned Texas Government classes Maintaining offices hours for student consultation Designing exams and research projects per course parameters Monitoring current events relative to discussion topics contain within lectures Online teaching as assigned Consultant, 2010-2012 Training for clients and their constituents in preparation for legislative testimony Legislative strategy (mainly focused in Texas) Editing, revising and advising on political communications material Advising clients on potential obstacles in the legislative process Other duties as assigned AARP Louisiana State Office, Communications Director, October 2006-March 2010 Developing and initiating communications/marketing strategies that support AARP s Social Impact Agenda Operating within budget guidelines maximizing online, print and broadcast campaigns Collaborating with colleagues nationwide to maximize support for AARP programs and services Serving as primary media contact and spokesperson for AARP initiatives specific to Louisiana Creating and disseminating media releases, letters to the editor, and multi-media advertising campaigns promoting AARP events, legislative initiatives and member engagement events Engaging and training volunteers on AARP s Social Impact Agenda Promoting via earned media AARP s Programs and Services Supporting volunteers, stakeholders and members working with AARP by providing talking points, scripts, trainings and publications Recruiting and training volunteers through community outreach and member engagement Planning and implementing special events geared to member outreach Lobbying at the state and national level in support of AARP initiatives 1
Texas State Government, October 2002-October 2006 Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Communications Manager, July 2004 October 2006 Working with national, statewide and local elected officials to form coalitions that benefit the disabled community of Texas Building relationships with stakeholder organizations to formulate relevant policy recommendations to local, statewide and national leadership. Project manager for the creation of a statewide integrated inquiries unit to serve legislative offices and DARS consumers Subject matter expert for the development of department policies pertaining to elected officials, media relations and internal communications Advising senior management on appropriate communications strategies for contact with media, elected officials and stakeholders Training DARS senior management on media relations, public testimony and speechmaking Serving as a DARS spokesperson for stakeholder and media relations Texas Department of Health, Communications Unit, Interim Director, January 2004- July 2004 Project manager for the merger of three communications departments as dictated by HB 2292, relating to the consolidation of Health and Human Services Agencies in Texas Working with statewide and local elected officials to form coalitions that benefit public health policy development and implementation Building partnerships with corporations and non-governmental organizations that benefit public health policy development and implementation Managing statewide public awareness campaigns relating to public health concerns (topics include emergency preparedness, bio-terrorism, immunizations, health disparities, tuberculosis, and infectious disease) Researching and writing speeches for the Texas Commissioner of Health Coordinating internal and external communication for Texas Department of Health Public Information Aide, State Senator Judith Zaffirini, October 2002 January 2004 Providing briefing materials for interviews with local, state, national and international media 2
Coordinating media availability and media conferences with local and statewide media representatives within Senate District 21 and at the Texas Capitol Working with legislative staff to write speeches on local and statewide issues Cultivating and maintaining a network of media contacts at the local and state level in an effort to position the senator s legislative agenda Maintaining a working knowledge of previous and current legislative efforts to assist media representatives, as well as writing statements for publication Ensuring that Senate District 21 media representatives are apprised of the senator s activities, media availability and legislative agenda Writing and distributing media releases, then ensuring placement in local and statewide media outlets Representing the senator at events, as designated Maintaining files of print and video clips in an effort to track public opinion The Center for Women & Democracy at the University of Washington Director of Development, Special Project Assignment, May 2001 May 2002 Working with elected and appointed officials to garner participation in Center programs (This effort lead to the first Women s Mission to Cuba in Jan. 2002 which was anchored by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, D-Washington. The mission resulted in a trade deal between Washington State and Cuba valued at an estimated $400 million.) Creating the first strategic fund development plan for sustained growth Working with Center staff and Board to put in place structures and processes that support the Center s fiscal growth Training board members on fund development and strategic planning Ensuring that Center programs are in-line with the mission and are designed in a way to maximize resources Identifying and writing grants that are in-line with the strategic plan in an effort to fund core programs and Center expansion Cultivating individual and corporate donors in cooperation with the University of Washington Central Development Office Writing media releases and working with local and state media representatives for publicity initiatives (Seattle Times, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Weekly, regional publications, Associated Press, all major television and radio affiliates) Working with Center staff to design, compose and distribute a quarterly newsletter for Center supporters The American Diabetes Association, Capital District Austin, TX District Director, December 1998 July 2000 Managing a $300,000 fund-raising goal and four outreach programs while maintaining a positive work environment for staff and volunteers Designing a business partnership package that increased corporate giving by 25%. This plan became a model for other ADA district offices 3
Implementing a media sponsorship package that offers free advertising and exposure in broadcast as well as print media. This effort increased the awareness of diabetes and programs offered by ADA resulting in a 30% increase in individual giving (i.e. memorials and special gifts) Conceptualizing and implementing special events and educational outreach programs that are of interest to the 90,000 people in the Central Texas area directly affected by diabetes and their families Recruiting and forming a working council to augment staff in fund-raising and outreach efforts Working with individuals and foundations to implement and fund programs for children with type 1 diabetes (i.e. grants, special gifts and corporate sponsorships) Identifying and cultivating elected and appointed officials to assist ADA in serving its constituency and publicizing its mission KLRU-TV, PBS Affiliate, Austin, TX Special Events Director, June 1996 December 1998 Overseeing a $500,000 fundraising budget Conceptualizing and implementing events which act as fundraising and positioning tools for KLRU. The largest of these is the nationally recognized Austin City Limits Celebration which is one of the top-grossing PBS fund-raisers Designing advertising plans that work within budget parameters and hit our target audience for each event Facilitating communication between staff and board members to guarantee the fiscal success of each event Compiling and presenting information to businesses in an effort to create corporate partnerships for each event On camera assignments as a station spokesperson Director of Volunteer Services, August 1994 June 1996 Maintaining a 1500 person volunteer database Conceptualizing and implementing volunteer structures for all station fund-raisers and office support Recruiting new volunteers through community outreach while maintaining the interest and enthusiasm of existing volunteers Obtaining in-kind donations from Central Texas businesses used for volunteer benefit Ensuring that all volunteers are properly trained for each assignment On camera assignments as a station spokesperson KRGV-TV ABC Affiliate, Rio Grande Valley, TX General Assignments Reporter McAllen, TX Aug 1990 January 1994 Extensive live reporting from Mexico and Texas (bilingual) Producing, editing and reporting news stories for three live broadcasts 4
Producing, editing and reporting a 14 part series from Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. This effort lead to the highest ratings the station had realized in its history. Anchoring on a utility basis for three daily newscasts Maintaining a network of local, state and federal officials as news contacts Serving as a station representative at community events KTVE- TV NBC Affiliate, Monroe, LA Bureau Chief El Dorado AR, June 1989 August 1990 Coordinating a four person news department covering the South Arkansas region of a dual-state television station Ultimately responsible for the content and integrity of three live broadcasts Editing, producing and reporting news stories for three live broadcasts Reporting regularly on the Arkansas legislature and the political future of then Governor Bill Clinton WBRZ-TV ABC Affiliate, Baton Rouge Louisiana News Assistant, August 1988 June 1989 Assisting assignments editor and news director for a top rated ABC affiliate news team Writing voice-over copy for four live broadcasts Field producer for all state and local election coverage Assistant to parish court reporter for two major statewide trials Field producer for the 1988 Republican National Convention in New Orleans Education May, 1989 Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge BA Journalism and Spanish May, 2002 St. Edward s University School of Management, Austin, Texas Professional Development Business Law 4.0 Non-Profit Management 4.0 Human Relations 4.0 Managing Organizations 4.0 May, 2014, Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana Master s Degree; Social Sciences focusing on Public Policy and Political Communication Skills: Quantitative Statistical Analysis/SPSS Qualitative Statistical Analysis/Lexis-Nexis Proficient in Spanish 5
Activities and Honors 1988 Board of Directors, Student Chapter, Radio and Television News Directors Association 1989 Louisiana State University Dean s List 1990 Texas Associated Press Best Reporter Division II 1994 SECA Awards Competition Best On-Air Blooper 1996 PBS Overall Development Award 1996 PBS Certificate of Merit, Special Events Fundraising 1996 PBS On-Air Auction Award 1997 PBS Special Events Fundraising Award 1999 Volunteer Healthcare Clinic, Spanish Language Translator 2000 ADA Regional Presenter, Corporate Sponsorship 2001 Seattle, Washington representative for the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers (CAWP) Forum for Women Elected Officials 2002 Board of Directors, Biscuits and Gravy Productions, Austin, Texas 2003 Confirmed Candidate, Foreign Service Officer, U.S. State Department 2004 Member, Texas Health and Human Services Enterprise Workgroup/Communications 2005 Special Recognition for Project Management Deaf Services of Texas/DARS 2007 Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum, Communications Sub-Committee Member 2008 AARP State Campaign Manager, Divided We Fail, Letter of Recognition 2009 National Website Redesign Committee, AARP 2009 LPB Volunteer-Pledge Drive Host 2010 LPB Volunteer- Pledge Drive Host 2011 LPB Volunteer-Pledge Drive Host 2012 LPB Volunteer-Pledge Drive Host 2013 Leadership Committee, The Wesley Foundation 2015 KRGV, ABC Affiliate for the Rio Grande Valley, Political Analyst Constant-Donor/Volunteer- Society of St. Vincent de Paul 6
References Glenn Neal, Deputy Commissioner Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) (Cell) 512/418-6572 Relationship: Former Supervisor at DARS Karen Domino, District Director Office of Congressman Cedric Richmond (LA-02) (Cell) 713/213-0528 Relationship: Former Colleague, Texas Senate; Former District Director, Senator Rodney Ellis Dr. Louis A. Day, Professor, Expert, Journalism and Ethics LSU, Manship School of Mass Communication (Office) 225/578-6811 Relationship: Undergraduate Professor for Media Law; Professor, Doctoral Seminar in Public Affairs Philosophy Dr. Charles Vincent, Baker City Council, Professor Southern University, Nelson Mandela School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs (Residence) 225/774-8777 Relationship: Graduate Professor, Southern University 7