I have been in public relations since starting as communications manager for Vail Associates in 1993.  I ended my tenure with the company as the Director of Corporate Communications for Vail Resorts, North America's largest ski resort operator.  I left the company in 2000 to open Witt Communications, Inc. and have worked with clients from around the country and in numerous industries.

In January 2006, I returned to Vail Resorts Development Company full time, but left again in November 2006 to reopen Witt Communications. 

I have extensive experience in dealing with legal issues, federal and state governments, community relations, environmental issues and crisis communications.

For those interested, here's a full resume.

WITT COMMUNICATIONS

OWNER

OCTOBER 2000 - PRESENT

Eagle, Colorado. Witt Communications is a Colorado-based public relations and strategic communications firm founded in October 2000. The company provides services for clients in a number of industries, including Internet, resort and leisure, architecture and design, and business services. Services provided by Witt Communications include: Crisis management; Media relations; Corporate communications; Strategic image consulting; Media kits (design and production management, writing, editing); Annual reports (design and production management, writing, editing); Brochures and sales pieces; Persuasional/informational collateral; Public affairs consulting; Public speaking training; Business presentation consulting and preparation

VAIL RESORTS, INC.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

NOVEMBER 1997-OCTOBER 2000

Vail, Colorado. North America's largest ski resort operator, owners of Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Grand Teton Lodge Company. Responsible for twelve person communications department, including local, national and international media relations as well as internal communications and community/government relations. Served as primary company spokesperson to all media on corporate issues. Worked directly with executive committee to develop, recommend and implement comprehensive community and public relations programs with corporate overviews. Oversaw or directly managed external PR agencies locally and internationally. Media contacts include travel, lodging, real estate and financial. Developed annual public relations plans, prepared annual budget of $1.5 million. Co-wrote company's 1997-2000 annual reports; produced 1998 annual report.

VAIL ASSOCIATES, INC.

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

APRIL 1993-NOVEMBER 1997

Vail, Colorado. Responsibilities included serving as company spokesperson to local and national media, developing annual public relations plans, preparing annual budget of $850,000, writing press releases and internal communications, hosting visiting press members, organizing special events, developing and maintaining media relations. Informally acted as department's MIS supervisor for software and hardware. Successfully assisted in all aspects of internal and external corporate communications during company's recent merger and initial public offering. Areas of daily responsibility included ski resort operations, real estate development, corporate activities, crisis communications and community relations. Supervised design and implementation of Internet homepage for Vail Associates, including contract negotiation with suppliers.

THE WALT DISNEY COMPANY

DIRECTOR, FINANCE-EUROPE

SEPTEMBER 1990-OCTOBER 1992

London, England. Responsibilities included evaluation of strategic business opportunities for divisional growth, including library acquisitions, third-party representations and joint ventures. Performed financial analysis and control of developing and ongoing television production, acquisition and distribution activities. Spearheaded company's participation in successful $57 million consortium bid for UK television franchise license, including negotiating with banks, supervising consultants, coordinating internal resources, preparing 10-year business plan and writing bid documentation. Prepared and controlled annual operating and capital budgets for six European offices. Reduced division receivables to three-year low, collecting over $17 million in a 10-month period.

DINO DE LAURENTIIS COMMUNICATIONS

DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT

JUNE 1989-SEPTEMBER 1990

Beverly Hills, California. Areas of responsibility encompassed negotiating feature film distribution agreements for theatrical, video, television and ancillary markets. Supervised seven-person International Sales Department responsible for all contract preparation and administration, collection of funds, client servicing and delivery. Prepared financial projections, cash flow analyses and documentation for lending banks. Liaised with external and internal legal counsel during ongoing litigation. Oversaw creation and implementation of custom-designed software for international distribution agreements.

DINO DE LAURENTIIS COMMUNICATIONS

MANAGER, INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT

JUNE 1988-JUNE 1989

Preparation of all new distribution contracts and administration of current contracts, including collection of funds, analysis of distribution reports and release availabilities.

EDUCATION

RIPON COLLEGE, Ripon, Wisconsin, 1986. B.A. in economics; minor in philosophy. Cum laude.

UCLA, Los Angeles, California, 1988. M.B.A., emphasis on entertainment finance.

DALE CARNEGIE COURSE graduate, 1999. Received Highest Award for Achievement