Charlene A.

Nelson, APR, ABC

charlnene@creativesolutionsdc.com / 406.799.2570

Objective - To apply my extensive marketing, branding, business development, pub

lic relations, and speaking skills in a progressive organization.
Marketing, Branding, & Public Relations
- Strategic Marking and PR Plans
- Branding
- Brochures
- Logos
- Websites
- Radio Ads
- Print Ads
- Billboard
- Flyers
- Annual reports
Creative strategist with strong skills in research and analysis leading to measu
rable results. Proven track record in developing branding campaigns, positioning
strategies, and all marketing and advertising materials to promote business pro
ducts and services.
- Researched, designed, and launched rebranding campaign for hospital that resu
lted in a revenue increase of 30%. Managed billboard, radio, and newspaper adver
tising along with development of brochures, logo, press releases, and county-wid
e events. Won an international business award for this project.
- Consulted with mega yacht marina to develop a strategic Marketing and Public
Relations Plan geared to expand business into new markets and capture larger sha
re of the mega yacht industry. Worked with staff on creation of magazine ads, br
ochures, events, press releases, newsletters, and more to strengthen their brand
and increase awareness among key audiences. Resulted in a 30% increase in numbe
rs of mega yachts berthing at the Marina. I continue to work with them on brochu
res, events, tradeshows, and more.
- Worked with resort developer in St. Lucia to develop her resrot's brand and e
nsure it was communicated through creation of logo, tag line, business cards, an
d web splash page.
- Design and write brochures, websites, logos, and direct mail pieces for a wid
e variety of business sectors.
- Achieve a 95 percent success rate for press releases, many resulting in front
page or feature story coverage. Extensive background in managing media relation
s, training executives to speak to the media, writing Op Eds, and conducting per
sonal interviews.
- Conducted focus groups and surveys for an association with more than 15,000 m
embers. Conducted detailed demographic and dues analysis to target barriers to g
rowth and retention. Resulted in landmark decisions by board that increased grow
th of association, created new service areas, and increased member satisfaction.

Business Development
- Market Research
- Competitors Analysis
- Pricing Strategies
- SWOT Analysis
- Target Audience Identification
- Strategy and Tactic Development
Skilled in working with executives, boards, and teams from a variety of business
 sectors to develop strategic business plans. Clear thinker and able to integrat
e multiple objectives and complex issues into achievable action plans that adher
e to set budgets. Started and manage three businesses (one was overseas).
- Developed business plan for new Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. Conducte
d research to set competitive pricing while meeting revenue objectives.
- Designed and wrote business outlook for national bio energy program resulting
in new investors and growth of the program.
- Consulted with building association to conduct member survey that resulted in
a new brand and targeted promotional materials (e.g. website and brochure) as w
ell as increased membership.
- Consulted with new St. Lucian Security Company to establish a business, defin
e target market, and create promotional materials to build awareness and generat
e business.
- Facilitated board of National Public Radio in the development of a vision tha
t focused their priorities, aiding them in fund-raising and promotion.
- Developed vision, strategic plan, and marketing communications strategy for n
ew west-wide organization, the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition (WFLC) whic
h was comprised of 17 states and seven regions of the Forest Service. Devised cr
eative approaches to strengthen the organization and to build awareness and supp
ort externally. Resulted in WFLC being an established and influential player in
the funding and management of west-wide natural resource issues.

Motivational Training and Speaking

- Leadership
- Goal setting
- Problem-solving
- Creative Visualization
- Business Development
- Marketing, PR, Advertising
Persuasive communicator. Skilled in public speaking, facilitation, training, wri
ting, and negotiation.
- Created and hosted a business seminar in St. Lucia targeting small to mid-siz
ed businesses instructing them on the how-to's of market research, brand develop
ment, business plans, low-cost yet effective marketing tactics, and strategic po
sitioning to increase revenues. More than 60 people attended and rated it a 9 on
a 1 to 10 scale.
- Lectured at colleges, spoke to numerous groups on a variety of business-relat
ed topics.
- Spoke to Senior Communicators at the Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide as par
t of a three-person panel. Presented my case study on an award-winning re-brandi
ng campaign.
- Spoke to more than 70 businesswomen in Missoula on marketing. Talk was titled
, "Knowing Your Business."
- Delivered more than 60 speeches / seminars to audiences ranging from 5-200 pe
ople in national and local organizations, congressional briefings, boards, natio
nal and regional leadership teams, private groups, businesses, associations, and
agencies. Topic range: business development, how the L&C Bicentennial could aid
tourism in US, media training, marketing communications, re-branding campaigns,
state and private forestry programs, tribal relations, international forestry,
membership development, legislative outreach, Presidential transition, and fores
t health issues.
- Live local TV spokesperson representing the USFS, Regional Office updating th
e local publics on the daily news about the 2000 summer fires. Wrote script and
delivered it at least six times.
- Negotiated treaty rights between Nez Perce Indians and federal agency resultin
g in landmark decision.
 - Trained senior executives to skillfully handle media interviews.
- Handled media communications - TV, newspaper, radio - for a variety of execut
ives at high-pressure meetings, press conferences, and ceremonies.
Prepped Senior Executive for a live interview with E&E TV over the controversia
l issues of forest and wildfire management.
Writing
-Op Eds
-Feature Articles
-Promotional Materials
-Speeches
-Press Releases
-Journal Articles
-Websites
-Brochures
-Annual Reports
Proven written communication skills on a variety of topics to a wide range of au
diences.
- Wrote an article on how effective marketing and public relations can influenc
e public policy. Article was published in a professional journal - Women in Natu
ral Resources.
- Wrote and was featured twice as a Guest Editorial in Business Focus Magazine,
an Eastern Caribbean Publication. Titles were: Sharpening Professional Skills t
o Get Ahead and Financial Planning the Key to Financial Success.
- Wrote numerous brochures, annual reports, ads (radio and print), newsletters,
web copy.
- Wrote op eds that were published in national and regional newspapers and nume
rous press releases that received coverage.
- Designed and wrote fact sheets designed to influence members of congress to f
und a particular program or create specific legislation.
- Wrote think pieces for professional journals on how to increase association's
effectiveness in the delivery of education and services.
- Wrote speeches for regional executives, members of congress, mayors, and gove
rnors.

Management & Supervision

-Budget Management
-Financial Analysis
-Program Management
-Staff Training and Development
Experienced in managing teams and budgets to achieve business goals. Maintain ea
sy rapport with staff while developing individual skills and motivating them to
achieve a high level of productivity. Provide strong leadership and confident in
making decisions.
- Managed a $1.5 million budget for membership and marketing department for a p
rofessional association. Budget supported more than 15 cross-departmental functi
ons.
Started and currently run my own marketing and public relations firms in the US
.
- Managed many 5-15 person teams around events, marketing and PR campaigns, and
day-to-day business (e.g. 2002 Olympic Celebration, L&C National Bicentennial,
Campaigns).
- Co-led in creating new organization. Developed charter, business plan, market
ing plan, and executive job descriptions. Worked with team to launch organizatio
n resulting in strong west-wide presence.
 - Managed an International Forestry program creating work plans, budgets, and c
onducting exchange programs. Organized teams to put on training in both US and B
elize. Hired and managed staff as needed to achieve goals.
- Created program to train and hire individuals from local American Indian trib
es to staff area employers and help them meet diversity goals. Program well rece
ived and successful.
- Supervised employees in various organizations and developed training plans, e
valuated their performance, and provided training and guidance.
- Worked extensively with new staff person (recent graduate) to teach them how
to be a marketing and PR professional for a mega yacht marina. Essentially was p
ractical, on-the-job training.
Event Planning & Execution
-Celebrations
-Business Launches
-Trade Shows
-Conventions
-Modeling Shows
-Award Ceremonies
-Commemorations
-Political Events
Seasoned in the detail and organization required to put on events.
- Lead 11-person team in creating celebration for 2002 Olympics in Utah. Wrote
speeches for Governors and Mayors. Resulted in TV, newspaper, and radio coverage
. Managed all public relations, creation of marketing materials, and the details
of the event (e.g. media, photographers, tours, etc.). Resulted in coverage in
the two largest newspapers, on the top two TV stations, and top-of-the-hour on l
ocal radio stations
- Led a team in program development and design of all collateral for national c
onvention. Resulted in significant increase in attendance (2,500) and number of
exhibitors/sponsors as well as increase in revenue and customer satisfaction.
- Produced male model search in California to create the first-ever elite corp
of male models. Recruited celebrity and high profile judges and secured sponsor
businesses who donated hair, make-up, music, and wardrobes.
- Coordinated all PR and marketing for the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Commemora
tion. Worked with local officials, congressional members, regional and state for
esters, and city mayors. The event was covered in local and regional newspapers
and on the radio stations. Created promotional materials, wrote speeches and pre
ss releases, conducted media interviews, and more.

Meetings Management & Group Facilitation

-Team Building
-Issue Management
-Motivational Lead trainer in meetings management and group facilitation.
- Facilitated development of mission, goals, and objectives for Montana's Natio
nal Public Radio elected Board. Resulted in motivated and focused board members
who could focus their resources and enhance fund-raising.
- Facilitated more than 40 sessions with a wide variety of audiences on topics
such as: mission and vision development, Montana Governor's Westslope Cutthroat
Trout Conference, community development, federal programs for communities, Valui
ng Diversity training session, and structure of organizational leadership teams.
Sales
-Real Estate
-Modeling
-Nutritional Supplements
Experienced sales executive in presenting products and services in the best ligh
t for determined target audiences producing measureable results.
- Sales Executive for resort in St. Lucia. Secured several site visits and one
reservation of $10,000.
- Worked in Advocare, a multi-level marketing company and achieved a high rate
of sales in just one month.
- Led modeling firm in sales of modeling instruction course.
Executive Career Coaching
-Salary negotiation
-Transferable Skills Assessment
-Interviewing
-New Career Exploration
Seasoned in coaching professionals and helping them market themselves as a uniqu
e brand.
- Worked with a number of high level professionals (e.g. senior managers, vice
presidents, legislative directors, political appointees) helping them create a r
esume to successfully take them to the next level.
- Helped professionals identify and articulate transferable skills to gain empl
oyment in a new sector.
- Coached professionals on salary negotiation, interviewing skills, and job mar
ket research to achieve career goals.
Congressional / Governmental Relations
-Testimony
-Field Tours
-Member Visits
-Drafting Policy Language
-Fact Sheets
Knowledgeable and experienced in influencing elected governmental officials to b
oth create policy and to fund key government programs.
- Testified before the House Resources Subcommittee Chairman, Rep. Helen Chenow
eth, regarding the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial and community economic needs.
- Worked with senators and their staff to draft economic action language to qua
lify five states for Rural Community Assistance, a federal program under the USF
S, State & Private Forestry.
- Helped congressional staff write appropriation's language to mark funds to co
mmunities for special projects.
- Prepared regional foresters and state foresters for Congressional Member visi
ts in D.C. Developed talking points, key messages, and fact sheets.
- Conducted numerous personal visits to congressional staff sharing information
on forest health, fires, economic assistance, urban forestry, and budgets.
- Organized legislative field trips for congressional members around issues suc
h as fire, forest health, community development, and urban and community forestr
y.
- Crafted a Western White Pine communication and policy strategy with forest he
alth specialists defining local and national needs and opportunities. White pape
r was used to influence Congressional officials to support the Forest Health bud
get line item.
Education, Certifications, and Awards
- B.S. Business Administration - Marketing; psychology minor, University of Mon
tana, 1992.
- Hold two accreditations equivalent to Masters Degree (APR from the Public Rel
ations Society of America; ABC from the International Association of Business Co
mmunicators).
- Awarded International Golden Quill of Excellence and a Silver Inkwell of Exce
llence in 2005 for Hospital Re-branding Campaign from International Association
of Business Communicators.
- Trained and Certified as a facilitator and meetings management expert (40-hou
r course).
- Workforce Diversity Trainer (48-hour course).
- Awarded numerous commendations and cash awards for performance over the years
.
Positions Held
- Self-Employed: Slingshot Creative Group (July 2010 - present), Marketing, Pub
lic Relations, Design, Advertising, Co-Owner.
- Self-Employed: Creative Solutions (2002 - June, 2010), Marketing, Branding, B
usiness Development. Owner.
- DCG Properties, Resort Developers for Le Paradis, Sales Executive, St. Lucia,
10/07 - 01/08.
- Society of American Foresters, Senior Director of Marketing & Membership, Bet
hesda, MD, 3/06 - 9/07.
- Western Forestry Leadership Coalition, Marketing and Communication Director,
based in Denver, CO but responsible for 17 western states, 5/2001 - 8/02.
- US Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, Regional Offices (R-1 and R-5)
, Legislative Affairs & Marketing Director, MT, ID, NV, UT, ND, 6/98 - 4/2001.
- US Forest Service, Region Office (R-1), Legislative Coordinator & Public Affa
irs Specialist, MT, ID, ND, 10/00 - 2/01 (detail).
- USDA Forest Service, Region Office (R-1), Regional Tribal Relations Coordinat
or, MT, ID, ND, 1/98 - 6/98 (special detail).
- USDA Forest Service, Lewis and Clark National Forest, American Indian Program
Manager/Int'l Forestry Program Manager / EIS Writer Editor, Great Falls, MT, 2/
90- 1/98 (FT and PT).
- Marquee Models, Entertainment Producer and Modeling Instructor, San Diego, CA
, 3/89 - 9/89.
- Southern California Security Services, Administrative Assistant, San Diego, C
A, 10/86 - 4/87.
- USDA Forest Service, Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Cleveland Nation
al Forest, Personnel Assistant, Great Falls, MT and San Diego, CA, 5/84 - 3/89 (
PT and FT).
Interests
- SCUBA diving, reading, holistic health, teaching, motivational speaking, and
the outdoors.
References
- Available upon establishment of mutual interest.