L. Russell Lawson III

7919 Rock Creek Road

Richmond, Virginia 23229-6643

(804) 240-8862

Internet: www.russell-lawson.com

E-mail: russ@russell-lawson.com

Resume of Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Communication

Writing/Editing - 25 years experience with base of BA Journalism. I've written and edited news releases, speeches, position papers, corporate brochures, annual reports, newsletters, advertising copy, direct mail, telemarketing scripts, sales materials, slide programs, radio and video commercials and programs.

Public Speaking - 26 years experience backed up by four years in Toastmasters International, where I was a contestant and winner in local and regional public speaking contests. Other experience includes lectures, training sessions, group leadership.

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Management

Supervision - 22 years experience overseeing employee and volunteer-based task assignments. My responsibilities have included hiring/firing, job definition, performance appraisal, counseling, goal setting, multiple task assignment and delegation.

Training - 22 years experience training employees and volunteers in public relations writing, computer operations, systems management, public speaking and corporate orientation.

Consultation - 25 years experience counseling individuals, groups and organizations in public relations and management. I have been a statewide troubleshooter, media relations advisor, management analyst, community organization specialist and legislative lobbyist.

Group Problem Solving - 22 years experience in defining, analyzing and developing solutions to problems. I have been trained in the Kepner-Tregoe problem analysis system which used group and individual process to arrive at solutions, decisions and plans. I developed CRG StraightTalk, a client marketing analysis technique which became one of our unique selling points.

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Organization and Process

Research - 24 years experience in marketing and opinion research among narrow and broad publics. My accomplishments include reader surveys, public knowledge and perception studies, internal and external public opinion projects, consumer product and corporate marketing analysis; focus groups and telephone interviews.

Planning - 24 years experience in planning local, regional and national public relations and marketing campaigns. I have concepted, written, directed, implemented, executed and evaluated plans for non-profit and for-profit organizations, with objectives covering awareness, education, political action, fund raising, product sales and employee, volunteer and sales force motivation.

Analysis -21 years experience in analyzing employee productivity, project efficiency and cost-benefit, organizational structure, management systems and marketing opportunities.

Marketing - 18 years experience creating, writing and executing marketing plans and projects for various clients. I have been responsible for preliminary marketing research, basic marketing rationale, specific strategy and media recommendations and creative support through advertising and public relations. Marketing recommendations that I have proposed have covered product development, pricing, distribution channels and promotion support.

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Technical

Print Production - 26 years experience in all phases of print production including developing specifications, seeking bids, directing electronic design and pre-press as well as mechanical art preparation, planning printing operations, checking printer methodology and plate preparation, and on-press review and adjustment. I have worked in single, multiple and four color process environments, and am familiar with the most recent digital printing options as well as traditional offset techniques.

Audio Visual Production - 23 years experience in concepting, writing and producing audio-visual presentations for training, awareness, promotion and motivation. My work includes single projector and multi-projector shows with synchronized audio tracks, digital multimedia presentations, film and video.

Broadcast Production - 22 years experience in creating, writing and producing commercials and programs for radio and television broadcast. My responsibilities have included casting, camera-work, direction, pre- and post-production and on-air talent.

Meeting Management - 15 years experience in planning, coordinating and staffing major membership and public meetings. I have been responsible for annual meetings, special fund-raising and motivation events, legislative conferences and educational seminars for internal and at-large public audiences of up to 350 people.

Computer Operations - 19 years experience in business computer applications including database management, Internet development, HTML programming, financial analysis, word processing and telecommunications. I own four IBM-compatible and two Macintosh computers, have successfully networked both work and home environments. For two years, I was in charge of branch office automation for my last employer. I have been responsible for hardware and software purchasing decisions.

Computer Programming - 14 years experience in programming computers in the BASIC language. Three years programming in HTML.

Photography - 30 years experience in 35-mm SLR photography for corporate, audio-visual and public relations programs. I have won awards in color photography.

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