Currently, I am working as a Media Specialist and Photoshop Instructor at Lewis and Clark Community College. Before coming here, I served as the Marketing Director for a non-profit. Before that, I was the Managing Editor of a weekly newspaper, the Macoupin County Enquirer~Democrat, from 2009 to 2011. 2011 was an excellent year for me. I was named one of the Top 25 Leaders in Macoupin County under the age of 45 by the Macoupin Economic Development Partnership. I also won several awards during the Illinois Press Association's 2011 Convention, including first place for my government beat reporting, second place in the Public's Right to Know category, third place for my coverage of taxation, third place in the Investigative Reporting category, and an honorable mention for my school board coverage. The Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Press Association honored me with the Abraham Lincoln Media Award in 2010. This is truly one of the most meaningful awards which I have received. Communicating is my speciality. I am a prolific graphic designer, journalist and public speaker. I have experience creating brochures, business cards and other promotional materials. Page layout and design are examples of my many passions. I also enjoy researching pertinent topics, interviewing sources and journalistic writing.