PROFILE

Award-winning, results-oriented Project Manager and Art Director/Designer with extensive experience creating and implementing market-specific product messages that integrate advertising, publishing and communications to build brand awareness. Hands-on leader who inspires employees to consistently exceed expectations under tight deadlines. The most successful people invest in their strongest talents or areas of expertise.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Project Management, Budget Management, Art Direction, Creative Design, Marketing Strategies, Brand Management, Concept Development, Corporate Communications, Editorial Direction, Problem Resolution, Team Leadership, Client Relations, Illustration, Information Design and Interactive Design, Strategic Communications, Data Design, Social Media Marketing.

EXPERIENCE

U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration
Washington, D.C., USA

Air Traffic Organization - Management Services, Customer Strategy, Customer Experience and Messaging Group

Branding and Program Manager
May 2021– Present

Performs multiple, varying, and complex assignments under the minimal direction of a more experienced professional. Applies experience and comprehensive knowledge of customer strategy, employee engagement, and organizational health programs and methods to facilitate the development of written products that articulate, interpret and explain Management Services (AJG) and ATO programs and policies, including supporting content for the ATO minute. Meets with the customer to discern project objectives, points to be emphasized and the relative degree of importance of various pieces of the information to be disseminated. This work frequently crosses organizational boundaries throughout the ATO, impacts each ATO Service Unit and directly affects the accomplishment of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) strategic objectives.

May act as a contributing specialist on large work activities or as project manager or team leader for large project’s and activities involving the analysis, interpretation and integration of information. Identifies communication needs, and develops informational materials that inform customers about new initiatives and programs. Applies fact-finding skills and investigative techniques, such as interviews, surveys, and subject-matter research to develop reports, articles, newsletters, training materials, brochures, interpretive handbooks, pamphlets, guidebooks, speeches, or video scripts to convey complex information throughout AJG and the ATO. Reviews material and documents prior to issuance to ensure that content is factual and an accurate reflection of ATO policies and practices.

NextGen Office, NextGen Collaboration and Messaging Office - Outreach Division

Project Manager
August 2016 – Present

Project Manager for multiple contracts ensuring that their goals are mutually beneficial. Responsible for recommending authorizing (or denying) actions and expenditures for both standard delivery orders and task orders, and those that fall outside of the normal business practices of its supporting contractors and sub-contractors. Created and reviewed schedules and key milestones to ensure project is on schedule and in budget. Act as a significant contributing specialist on large work activities; as project manager; or team leader for large projects/programs/activities. Provide strategic planning, communicating the organization’s vision and objectives, setting priorities, assigning tasks and responsibilities, monitoring and evaluating performance. Advanced knowledge of the technical aspects of the work directed, and advanced knowledge of budget, and other administrative policies and procedures, and an advanced understanding of the objectives of the organization.

Division Manager (Acting), Stakeholder Collaboration Division Manager (A)
July 2018 – September 2018

Work primarily to foster relationships to enhance collaboration and coordination with industry and interagency partners. You will collaborate with stakeholders (industry and interagency partners) to support the actions and activities from the various executive-level boards and meetings coordinated by the Industry Collaboration Branch, ANG-M11, and the Interagency Collaboration Branch, ANG-M12.

Division Manager (Acting), NextGen Performance and Outreach (March 2018 – July 2018)

Served as Division Manager in charge of spearheading all aspects of communication and outreach for promoting FAA’s NextGen Initiate to modernize U.S National Airspce System.

Air Traffic Organization - Management Services, Diversity Office

Art Director - Visual Information Specialist (0303)
October 2010 – May 2015

Communicator for diversity issues which included outreach and advocacy. Created a wide-variety of print/web collateral.

Air Traffic Organization (ATO) - Strategy and Performance, Communications Services

Art Director - Visual Information Specialist
October 2007 – October 2010

I supervised and coordinated work of graphic designers and ensure that finished product reflects a unified conceptual approach to the project. Various artists may create or develop specific parts of an art piece or scene; as art director I unified the vision. In particular, I’m in charge of overall visual appearance and how it communicates visually, stimulate moods, contrast features, and psychologically appeals to a target audience. I made decisions about visual elements used, what artistic style to use, and when to ultimately use motion. Created and managed data and trend analysis, for ATO news web site and provided strategic planning for future sectional information. Served as point of contact to provide advice and guidance on the application design and creation and dissemination of new SOPs for all creative and outreach work.

Contracting Officer's Technical Representatives for multiple contracts (BMS, TMP, Northrop Grumman and CTGI/Infina) - Ensures that their goals are mutually beneficial. Responsible for recommending authorizing (or denying) actions and expenditures for both standard delivery orders and task orders, and those that fall outside of the normal business practices of its supporting contractors and sub-contractors. Created and reviewed schedules and key milestones to ensure project is on schedule and in budget. Attended training and interpret laws/regulations regrading contracts and FAA acquisition process.

RELATED EXPERIENCE

Northrop Grumman - Global Information Technology Division
Reston, Virginia, USA

Art Director
January 1997 – October 2007

Managed, Inspired, and guided the design team to realize prominence as a premiere provider of award-winning information design. Facilitated weekly creative brainstorming meetings and work closely with the client to shape and critique information design and the creative vision for the product/project. Researched and prepared written reports to help understand the challenges of branding and creating new information architecture. Created project schedules and briefings/presentations. Prepared and created analysis reports for web site redesign for Federal Agencies. Created best-practices reports/briefings to help aid in the redesign of content and overall design of the web sites. Recommend current design materials and resources. Prepare variety of graphic and visual presentations and products using a variety of electronic and multimedia products and services (e.g., internet, electronic, print, on-line media, etc.)

eFORCE Inc.,
McClean, Virginia, USA

Art Director
November 2000 - March 2001

Provided art direction and web usability/human factors testing for commercial internal and external web sites.

Ernst & Young LLP /Tascor (Creative Services Group)
Washington, DC, USA

Designer
July 1997-December 1997

Designed proposals, brochures, covers, presentations, and logos. Performed hands-on design work for client projects. Work with Ernst & Young to create and maintain a corporate brand for the company. Developed printed materials for Ernst & Young clients. Designed and created proposals for fortune 500 companies.

Lakeside Home LLC
Warrenton, Virginia, USA
Freelance Designer
2009–2018

Designed and art directed a website, home elevation illustrations, home site diagrams for craftsman homebuilder.

Ela Interiorismo
Santiago De Compostela, SPAIN

Freelance Designer
2009–2016

Designed and Art directed brand campaign, logo, identity and promotional collateral for interior design company.

Bottlenose Dolphin Research Institute (BDRI)
ITALY and SPAIN

Freelance Designer
2011

Designed and logo, identity and promotional collateral for dolphin research.

National Propane Gas Association (NPGA)
Arlington, Virginia, USA

Freelance Designer
May 2003–2007

Designed and Art directed full color annual reports.

Rob Reiner (Director/Actor)
Arlington, Virginia, USA

Freelance Designer
September 1999

Designed logo and art work for tobacco issues “Stop Prop 29.” Logo was used in lobbying campaign and other campaign materials. Los Angeles, California.

United States Congressman The Honorable Rush Holt
Washington, D.C., USA

Designer
January through September 1999

Designed and developed congressional printed materials for U.S. Congressman Rush Holt. Designed and created multi-page newsletters and brochures and created new identity campaign for congressional materials. Washington, DC.

Liverpool Public Library
Liverpool, New York, USA

Clerk/Desktop Publisher

Provided administrative support and technical assistance to facilitate public access library personal computer systems and support library patrons use of personal computer systems. Aided in the design of the Library’s web site, creating graphics and HTML scripting. Designed and updated brochures and library informational flyers. Liverpool, NY.

GALLUP, INC. "CliftonStrengths"

Positivity - I'm generous with praise, quick to smile and always on the lookout for the positive in the situation.
Woo - Winning Others Over. I embrace the challenge of meeting new people and getting them to enjoy working with me. Strangers are rarely intimidating.
Strategic - I'm able to sort through the clutter and find the best route. It is not a skill that can be taught.
Achiever - Helps explain my drive. Describes a constant need for attainment. I feel as if each day starts at zero—by the day's end, I must achieve something tangible to feel good about myself.
Communication - I like to explain, to describe, to host, to speak in public, and to write. This is my communication theme at work.
Includer - "Stretch the circle wider." This is the philosophy around which I orient my life. I want to include people and make them feel part of the group.

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator

ENTJ - Extraversion, Intuition, Thinking, Judgment
Frank, decisive, assume leadership readily. Quickly see illogical and inefficient procedures and policies, develop and implement comprehensive systems to solve organizational problems. Enjoy long-term planning and goal setting. Usually well informed, well read, enjoy expanding their knowledge and passing it on to others. Forceful in presenting their ideas.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Fine Arts-Illustration - Syracuse University, College of Visual and Performing Arts
Syracuse, New York, 1996.
Executive Leadership Program - Graduate School USA, Center for Leadership and Management
Washington, D.C., 2012.

The Experimental Layout Lab of Jen Simmons