Communications Director

Led website redesign project, taking only four months to complete and reducing page count from 470 to 115. / Earned the highest ratings from team members on anonymous survey about team leaders. / Tripled editorial productivity. / Boosted quality and quantity of media production. / Increased subscriptions by 23% in two years.

Dept. of Retirement Systems (2020 - Present)

Plan and execute strategic communications. / Ensured production of accessible, inclusive communications across media. / Lead communications team through pandemic and return-to-work. / Promote positive reputation through media relations.

Media Relations Director +
Interim Communications Director

Led Willamette's communications office through major organizational and staffing changes. / Responsible for the media relations effort that resulted in Willamette's inclusion in "Colleges That Change Lives," impacting enrollment significantly. / Shifted enrollment conversation from cost to value. / Earned national Silver Anvil award for leading eclipse event / All magazines earned CASE medals under my leadership. / Helped transform reputational crisis related to sexual assault concerns into a positive opportunity for campus dialogue. / Increased subscribers and engagement across social media presences. / Taught classes about persuasive communication campaigns and how to succeed in college.

Willamette University (2009-2020 + 2011-13)

Plan and execute strategic communications, marketing and branding.  /  Lead creative team.  /  Manage media relations, social media, crisis communications.  / Create stories, photos and graphics.  /  Hire and train staff.

Photographer

Adam Torgerson Photography (2003-Present)

Work featured in regional magazine, billboards and commercial publications. 

Create images from concept to print. / Teach classes about photography. / Manage small business operation.

Senior Public Affairs Specialist 

Oregon Department of Transportation (2005-09)

Led communications function for the first emergency operations center used by the department in decades. / Addressed sensitive questions live on air about federal and state policies, including A.R.R.A., the federal stimulus package. / Earned agency's "Driving Force" award for on-air contributions during unprecedented storms and flooding. 

Responsible for all aspects of external communication across media.  /  Delivered insightful, clear on-air interviews.  /  Managed crisis and strategic communications.

Financial Investigator

Oregon Real Estate Agency (2004-05)

Regularly assigned most sensitive cases and consistently among the most productive investigators. / Repaired relationships between management and staff while negotiating successful bargaining contract. / Found theft by forensically reconstructing agent's trust account.

Investigated real estate activity.  /  Audited client trust accounts.  /  Interpreted statutes and regulations.  /  Analyzed policies and legislation.

Assistant Budget and Policy Analyst

Oregon Budget and Management Division (2001-03)

For gubernatorial transition teams, researched and created a presentation that explained how the budget fell so short and what options were available to address it. / Protected the only "General Fund" agency not cut during budget reductions. / Tracked all proposed reductions during the five special legislative sessions and multiple Emergency Board meetings.

Analyzed agency budgets and developed the governor’s budget.  /  Presented the governor’s budget to the legislature.  /  Analyzed proposed legislation for fiscal and organizational impact.  /  Researched and presented policy issues on behalf of the governor for the public, media and executives.  /  Webmaster.

Editor in chief + Copy Editor

Western Oregon Journal (2000-02)

Earned ONPA awards for publication and individual writing excellence. / Lobbied successfully for major increase in organizational funding. / Solicited IT grant to replace computer system. 

Managed content and organization under tight deadlines.  /  Managed and hired staff.  /  Sold, designed and placed advertising.