Twelve years of professional journalism experience, including Congressional correspondent for Knight-Ridder Financial News in Washington, D.C. ( an international wire service ), and daily newspaper experience with The Charlotte ( N.C. ) Observer. Eleven years of professional public information experience with local government, including the City of Rock Hill ( S.C. ), a full-service city of 50, 000 ; and Wake County government ( N.C. ), a county of 680, 000 with 12 municipalities. Responsible for internal and external communications, including weekly employee newsletter, media relations ( news releases, news conferences and serving as spokesperson ), web site content, a wide variety of presentations, event planning ( board and management team retreats ), and production of information pieces ranging from brochures to annual reports to citizen newsletters.