Director of Public Relations

Posted on: 2006-02-26

Monica Reyes; 214/608-7969 Profile Bilingual communications professional with 14 years of diverse communications experience including: corporate, consulting/PR Agencies (general market and Hispanic) and non-profit. Excellent interpersonal skills with a natural ability to build relationships and motivate and establish rapport with staff and clients at all levels. Skills Summary · Fluent in Spanish· Strategic Planning and Implementation· Writing, Editing and Presentations· Project and Event Management· Internal Communications · Employee Relations· Internal Client Relations · Motivation and Coaching· Community Relations· Media Relations Experience Ornelas & Partners September, 2005 – Present Director of Public Relations Provide general market and Hispanic communications strategy and planning for existing clients. Lead new business pitches and presentation development. Provide leadership for day-to-day Agency operations, including account strategy, financial management and new business development. Supervise Agency staff and external partners for collaborative client services. City Year San Antonio January, 2005 – September, 2005 Fund Development Manager Responsible for fund development, focusing on corporate, foundation and major gifts. Also worked to identify and recruit new board members and volunteers. City Year San Antonio is a member of the AmeriCorps network and is a national youth service program that unites young adults between the ages of 17 to 24 for a year of community service, civic engagement and leadership development. USAA Federal Savings Bank September, 2002 – September, 2004 Corporate Communications Director Provided strategic communication counsel to Bank executives. Responsible for development and implementation of internal/employee communications and projects including: process changes, leadership meetings, change management, on-line publications, corporate newsletter and special events. Worked closely with Human Resources to develop and deploy sensitive front-line employee communications such as job reclassifications, schedule changes, pay scale changes and training initiatives. In addition, collaborated with legal and compliance, as well as supported member and public communication projects as needed. Capital One April, 1998 – September, 2002 Corporate Communications Manager Managed four associates and Dallas/Fort Worth Corporate Communications initiatives including: associate communications, community relations, special events and media relations. Developed and maintained collaborative relationships with Corporate Real Estate, Government Relations and Human Resources. Managed local employee communications initiatives such as change management, scheduling and training, and employee relations issues. Managed “employer of choice” efforts that included strategic planning and implementation of programs that supported company culture, associates and our communities. Managed $1.5MM local charitable contributions budget as well as local corporate communications operating budget. Community relations responsibilities included management of charitable giving, Chamber activities, board placement for local executives, in-kind donations, volunteer activities and strategic alignment of overall community relations efforts with business needs. Worked in a matrixed structure, reporting to the Senior Manager of Community Affairs in Richmond, Va., and maintained a “dotted line” reporting structure to DFW executives. Monica Reyes Page 2 BSMG Public Relations January, 1995 – April 1998 Account Supervisor – June, 1996 – April, 1998 Managed and provided daily account support and supervision for American Airlines, NationsBank, NationsCredit, GTE, Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Grapevine Mills Mall and various pro bono projects. Worked with staff to provide client support on projects such as research, planning and implementation of various programs, including media relations, crisis communication, media training, internal and external communications, community relations/corporate giving, strategic planning, and special events. Supervised two senior account executives, one account executive, one assistant account executive, one staff assistant and managed internship program. Reported to Senior Director and assisted on special projects and new business development. Senior Account Executive – January, 1996 – June, 1996 Managed and provided daily account support for NationsBank, NationsCredit, Snelling Personnel Services, GTE and Global Industrial Technologies, Inc. Was responsible for researching, planning and implementing client programs, including media relations, strategic planning, special events and special projects. In addition, supervised an account coordinator, worked on new business pitches, pro bono projects and managed the internship program. Account Executive – January, 1995 – January, 1996 Worked with, and reported to Senior Account Executive. Provided account support for Global Industrial Technologies, Inc., (formerly Indresco, Inc.) and the NationsBank Community Investment Program. United Way of Metropolitan Dallas November, 1991 – December, 1994 Community Relations Associate Served as editor of quarterly newsletter, worked with designers and printers, worked on various campaign print materials and other miscellaneous projects. Coordinated media relations activities, primarily with the Hispanic media. Coordinated various events including: Chairman’s Announcement, volunteer recognition events, Campaign celebrations and employee events. Translated the 1992 and 1993 campaign films and various other print materials into Spanish. Assisted in the production and editing of the 1993 Spanish campaign film. Served as a Loaned Executive for the 1992 and 1993 Campaigns in the Insurance and Professional Divisions, respectively. As a Loaned Executive, assisted in coordinating and implementing employee campaigns within various companies. Education University of North Texas, 1991 Bachelor of Science – Journalism/Public Relations; Minor – Psychology Additional · Adjunct Professor – spring 2001, University of North Texas, Department of Journalism · UNT Journalism Department Advisory Panel· Former member – Dallas CAN! Advisory Committee; Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas · Former Board member: The Parenting Center; Dallas Commission on Children and Youth; Love For Kids Inc. (President-elect)· Sweet Adelines International · Public Relations Society of America References available upon request.