Objective

Program or project management position in public service, public relations, or communications, allowing me to use my diverse, yet complementary, skills.  This professional objective is supported by 17 years experience in the Astronaut Office at NASA coordinating national and international high-profile appearances for the Astronaut Corps, 25 years in the entertainment industry, working with a variety of celebrities and dignitaries, and related experience in the following areas:

• Customer/client ambassador and liaison
• Promotional presentations
• Brochure design, electronic editing
• Proposal and press releases
• Research and analysis
• Nonprofit/museum accreditation

Key International Accomplishments

• Established the first “Live Concert In Space” (Paul McCartney) via satellite to the Expedition XII Crew on board the International Space Station that generated the greatest amount of positive world-wide media/press in recent NASA history. (2005)
• Established and supported the NASA Johnson Space Center, Flight Crew Operations, Astronaut Office Contingency Action Center (CAC) Administrative Support position that serves to support Astronauts during launches and landings of space missions and was instrumental in the search, rescue, and recovery phases of the Columbia accident. (1993-2005)
• Established/owned company “NASA Facts” to promote and educate the public about NASA and the space program. (1985–1995)

Experience

Administrative Lead - Volunteer Registration – Emergency Preparedness Office, Mercer Island, WA

(2009 – current)

• Provided administrative services for the Mercer Island Emergency Preparedness Officer and register volunteers during emergency drills and emergency operations.  (Previous experience included: Fire Warden for the Astronaut Office, established and supported the position of Administrative Support for the JSC/FCOD (Johnson Space Center/Flight Crew Operations Directorate) Contingency Action Center during her tenure at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX, and participated in the ground search to recover crew/mission film canisters in the Columbia Space Shuttle Debris Field in East Texas  (The Contingency Action Center monitored all Space Shuttle launches, on orbit activities and landing, and implemented Astronaut participation in the search, rescue, and recovery operations for the Space Shuttle Columbia Accident.)

Astronaut Appearance and Executive Administrative Support –  supporting personal requests from current and former astronauts, their family members, company executives and Board of Trustees.

(2006 –current)

§         Provided Astronaut Appearance coordination, publicist and executive administrative support for current and former astronauts and/or astronaut family members including, but not limited to Mrs. Lani McCool, Widow of Columbia Space Shuttle Pilot, William McCool), space related educational programs (XXI Congress of the Association of Space Explorers’ Community Day 2008: 39 former Astronauts, Cosmonauts and Payload Specialists reached over 42,000 students and educators throughout the state of Washington.)

§         Served as liaison/ambassador to current and former astronauts, their Board of Trustees, executive and general staff of profit, not-for-profit, and  non-profit aerospace and aviation organizations as well as global high profile figures in the military, political, entertainment industries and alike. Duties included oversight of all scheduling activities, edited and published Trustee reports for Executive Committees and full Board meetings.  Served as production coordinator and organized company-wide support for Board meetings and special events attended by national and international senior executives and celebrities.  Developed volumes of company-wide archives, processes and procedures for re-accreditation, and prepared for a national peer site visit review.  Co-designed four databases for tracking internal and external communications, telephone log, and public appearance requests.

Astronaut Appearances Publicist and Senior Astronaut Appearances Administrator – Astronaut Office, NASA Johnson Space Center (NASA Contract: USA Business Ops Staff II), Houston, TX

(1989–2006)

§         Integrated public relations with appearance events that gave astronauts a medium to provide NASA with the best possible global exposure and publicity impact.  Strengthened relationships between media through print and electronic interviews and editorial boards.

§         Served as frontline ambassador and liaison, coordinating astronaut appearances to ensure that national and international clients had an understanding of requirements and possible sensitivities and an opportunity to weigh them against NASA priorities.  Served as exclusive appearance coordinator by special request from senior astronauts.  Provided instruction to various directorates on funding and preparation of government reimbursable travel documents.  In addition to standard publicist and appearance administrator functions, performed the following tasks:

§         Expedition X: ISS Long Duration Mission - Arranged video conferences and teleconferences with various renowned authors, political figures, television and film artists. (2004-2005)

§         A Patriot’s Handbook: “First Words Spoken by a Man On The Moon” - Provided NASA with proposal and researched book segment. (2003)

§         Academy Awards Opening and Closing Segments with Expedition II, ISS Long Duration

      Mission - Coordinated “confidential” segment with show executive producers. (2001)

§         Expedition III: Long Duration Mission – Arranged and coordinated special congressional and gubernatorial greetings for crewmembers. (2001)

§         “Space Cowboys” - Escorted NASA astronauts and spouses on the “Red Carpet” for the Houston Premier, VIP dinner, and media/press events. (2000)

Company Owner – NASA Facts - San Diego, CA, and Houston, TX

(1985–1995)

§         Served as an Ambassador and provided information to the public about NASA and the space program.

§         Conducted science programs as Miss Frizzle at annual school and community events in accordance with the national observance of Space Day.

      (1989–1995)

Development Officer, Special Projects Coordinator and Administrative Assistant to Chief Engineer - Cannon Capitol Group, San Diego and Tehachapi, CA

(1984–1988)

§         Provided tax credit incentives to prospective investors in alternate energy (wind turbines) in conjunction with tax credits for investing in research and development.

§         Managed engineering office special projects and daily office operations in absence of Chief Engineer.

Liaison for “The Great Space Shuttle Exhibition of Japan,” based out of The Cernan Corporation, Houston, TX (1982–1984)

§      Assisted delegation of international diplomats and senior business leaders in requisitioning

   Space Shuttle components through NASA and its contractors, to add historical relevance in refurbishing

Pathfinder, Orbiter 098, originally utilized for Shuttle jet propulsion tests.  In addition, facilitated travel and escorted the delegation, international media representatives, and event promoters to NASA facilities and contractors throughout the United States.

Director (Shareholder), and Executive Assistant of Corporate Affairs - BCI, Las Vegas, Nevada, San Diego, California, Houston, Texas (1984-1995) and Tour Management and Appearance Booking Agent, Lighting/Sound Engineer and Executive Assistant of Corporate Affairs – BCP (BCI affiliate), Toronto, ON; Edmonton, AB

(1972–1984)

• Ensured that all related business and operational strategies were successfully implemented on behalf of an entertainer and recording artist who was under contract with Howard Hughes Hotels in Las Vegas.
• Ensured that all related business and operational strategies were successfully implemented at the base office and while on tour throughout Canada and the United States.

Education

§         Bachelor of Arts Degree, Public Relations: School of Visual Arts, New York, NY (2000)

§         Licensed Private Pilot, Western Sun Aviation, San Diego, CA (1987)

§         Associates Degree, Journalism/Applied Arts: Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Calgary, AB (1972)

Publications

§         The Museum of Flight Press Releases (2007–2008)

§         The Museum of Flight Monthly and Quarterly Board Reports (2006-2008)

§         The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Press Releases (2000–2006)

§         “SPACE IS THE PLACE” Children’s Activity Workbook (1986)

Awards and Recognition

§         da Vinci Award, The Museum of Flight President’s Award for Excellence (2008)

§         Quest for Excellence Performance Award, presented by NASA contractor USA (2003)

§         State of Nebraska Recognition for Dedication to Aerospace Education (1999)

§         Quest Monthly Award for Community Service, presented by NASA contractor USA (1998)

§         Quest Monthly Award for Excellence, presented by NASA contractor USA (1997)

§         NASA Silver Snoopy Award, the Astronauts’ Award presented by NASA (1996)

§         NASA Group Achievement Award For Outstanding Teamwork presented by NASA (1992)

References available upon request.