Catherine Bolton

          EXECUTIVE PROFILE

Demonstrated ability to lead. A marketing communicator with strong business acumen experienced in successful restructuring and implementing organizational change. Created and managed global, national, and local strategic public relations plans to meet business and financial goals. Responsible, results-oriented executive with extensive experience working with senior executives and boards of directors to meet organizational goals through consensus building and communications. Expertise and experience in: media relations, strategic planning and budgeting, corporate positioning and branding, crises communication, public relations, community outreach, advertising, marketing, global government relations, digital media, and corporate social responsibility.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

River Rock Communications, Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania                                                   2008 – Present

Senior Partner

Responsible for business development as well as writing strategic marketing and marketing communication plans for businesses in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Services provided include: research (focus groups), Internet and digital planning, strategic planning, crisis communication, community outreach, employee training, and media training. Counsel clients on their marketing, public relations, and advertising campaigns. Specialize in clientele in four business sectors:

• Economic Development and Tourism- Wayne Economic Development Corporation, Wall Street West, Metro Action, Buck Hill Falls Company
• Health care - Community Medical Center, New Life Home Care, Inc., Northeast Ear, Nose and Throat, Cancer Center/Delta Medics, Wright Center
• Business to business - Fidelity Bank, Craighead Associates, LLC, Biz 360, Highland Associates
• Consumer products – Dunkin Donuts, Airline Petroleum, Alexander’s Salon and Spa, Perez Design, Build Remodel

PUBLIC RELATIONS SOCIETY OF AMERICA, New York, New York                           2000 - 2008

Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer

Restructured fiscal and operational management of fragile 30,000 member professional organization into a successful, dynamic, results-oriented organization. Rebranded and repositioned the marketing of the organization resulting in successfully increasing revenues and membership levels. Successfully managed organization through three crises.

• Worked closely with board of directors to identify and remedy problems relating to technology, infrastructure, human resources, customer service, and product/services provided by the organization.
• Effected million-dollar turnaround resulting from fiscal responsibility of executors; enforced financial policies, sound budgeting, and employee accountability and responsibility.
• Developed winning team of 50 empowered employees; restructured staff, developed internal communication plans, and hired executives with skill levels necessary to meet organizational needs.
• Established innovative new products, sponsors, and volunteer opportunities including a global network of public relations associations, an ambassador exchange with the Chinese government, and the organization’s first digital and SEO plans. Restructured information technology systems to become more user friendly; revamped website.

INTERNATIONAL COPPER, New York, New York                                                                 1997 -2000 Vice President, Director of Worldwide Communication Programs

Created strategic plan and budget for worldwide public relations network to create marketing communication initiatives to increase the use of copper products. The communication network was responsible for monitoring and mitigating environmental and governmental concerns and regulations relating to use of copper products.

• Worked with industry leaders, scientists, NGOs, and government agencies to respond to crises and challenges facing the industry.
• Successfully managed $9 million funding of promotional programs in North America, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, including overseeing agency planning and budgeting. Restructured website and coordinated global integration of 27 sites.
• Instituted public relations and government affairs campaigns to manage issues of sustainable development and corporate social responsibility.
• Trained global response teams in crises communications and developed Internet and intranet systems to rationalize and disseminate information globally.

AKZO NOBEL SALT, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania                                                              1989 - 1999 

Director of Corporate Communications

Established and directed corporate communications department and marketing communication for food and road salt divisions. Directed strategic activities at local, regional, national, and international levels for the $500-million, 2,200-employee business unit of a Dutch-owned multinational company; responsible for internal communication and philanthropic activities to meet the need of headquarters and operations at three underground mining operations, four manufacturing plants.

• Developed Salt Saves Lives, a national marketing campaign to combat negative environmental image of road salt.
• Developed food marketing campaign, Great Chefs, using celebrity chefs to educate media and the consumer on the valuable role of salt in the diet; directed and managed work of one advertising and two public relations agencies.
• Demonstrated extraordinary crises communication initiative to manage corporate reputation collapse of largest salt mine in the Western Hemisphere. A two-year effort resulted in successful permitting of new mining operations.
• Planned and executed public relations strategy for corporation during closure of plant operations and sale of business unit to Cargill.

WNET PUBLIC TELEVISION, New York, New York                                                             1985 - 1989

 Director of Corporate Development and Special Projects.

Created and implemented successful strategies to secure unrestricted funding for corporations and private foundations. Developed new projects and promotional programs to enhance relationships with corporations and large donors.

• Established international event, Gala of Stars, in conjunction with Austrian television (ORF) and WNET to raise funds and premier joint production for opera programming.
• Tickets to the Arts - developed promotional relationship with cultural institutions in New York to enhance value of public television membership.
• Responsible for fundraising and relationship management with corporate partners for unrestricted donations.

PRINCESS GRACE FOUNDATION, New York, New York                                                   1983 - 1985

 Director of Administration

Launched American foundation in its inaugural year. Worked with board of directors and the Reagan White House to raise more than $1 million at inaugural gala weekend. Worked with major sponsor donors on underwriting opportunities. Established and helped structure the giving program to support young talent. Handled press and paparazzi surrounding the event and the family while they were in America for foundation events.

DOW JONES, New York, New York                                                                                                   1983

Executive Sales Representative

Targeted presidents, CEOs, and private investors to introduce new radio wire service communication system to the financial market in New York.

SIX FLAGS CORPORATION, New York, New York                                                                     1982

 National Manager Public Relations

Progressed in seven years from a sales representative to manage company’s first public relations office in Manhattan; responsible for national media publicity for all Six Flags properties.

MARYWOOD UNIVERSITY, Scranton, Pennsylvania     Current                                                               Assistant Professor – Public Relations, Global Media, Strategic Management - graduate level Public Speaking and Business Policy – undergraduate level.

EDUCATION

NEWHOUSE SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION, SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY, MS degree

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, THE WHARTON SCHOOL, Executive Programs

AKZO NOBEL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, Arnhem, Netherlands

HARVARD SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, Executive Development Program, Boston

JERSEY CITY STATE UNIVERSITY, B.A. in Advertising Communication, Cum Laude

LACKAWANNA COLLEGE, Serve on the Board of Directors

LOCAL CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE

ZUMBA INSTRUCTO R

WEIGHT WATCHERS LEADER