Tom Unger, APR, ABC, CTM, ACB, Fellow PRSA
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CAREER SUMMARY
An award-winning corporate communications professional with a strong emphasis in the financial services and health care industries. Entered the field in 1989 after working for 10 years as a newspaper, radio and television reporter/editor. Skills include employee communications, media relations, strategic planning, research, speech writing, news writing, editing, public speaking, desktop publishing, event/meeting planning, staff management, budgeting, graphic design and news photography.
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS EXPERIENCE
News Writing Pro, Vancouver, Wash. June 2, 2018 to present
Owner/operator of this independent communications consulting firm. Provide news/feature writing, media training and communications consulting/coaching services to a variety of clients. Present workshops in news writing for public relations and marketing professionals, as well as in business writing for corporations and nonprofit agencies.
Wells Fargo, Portland, Ore. April 1996 to June 1, 2018
Vice President and Oregon Region Manager of Corporate Communications at this national financial services firm. Managed internal and external communications in Oregon and Clark County, Wash. Served as the company’s chief spokesperson in the same region. Proactively communicated the company’s services, products, activities, community donations and achievements to employees and the news media. Advised senior executives regarding corporate communications strategy and issues. Wrote speeches for top executives. Produced and managed news content for some internal web sites. Produced weekly newsletters.
First Interstate Bancorp, Los Angeles, Calif., and Portland, Ore. March 1993 to April 1996
Assistant Vice President in the Employee Communications and Media Relations Departments. Worked with First Interstate Bank’s top executives in California to produce a weekly newsletter distributed to executives throughout the state. Coordinated a series of 19 annual employee forums (and oversaw its $60,000 annual budget). Co-edited a monthly employee magapaper. Wrote press releases for the media. Advised senior management regarding employee communications for major issues. Contributed articles to annual report for shareholders and its annual report for employees. Served on acquisitions communications team and created newsletter for employees affected by mergers. Served as a media spokesperson for the firm in the Pacific Northwest region.
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Los Angeles, Calif. April 1990 to March 1993
Staff Editor in the Public Relations Department of this 1,200-bed community hospital, the largest of its kind in the Western United States. Produced a physicians’ publication on behalf of the medical center’s chief executive. Researched and wrote articles for four other internal and external publications. Conducted a readership survey that resulted in improvements to the publications. Attracted news coverage by writing materials for the media. Wrote speeches for top executives and board members. Member of the team that created employee intranet and served as my department’s Web Master.
St. Vincent Medical Center; Los Angeles, Calif. August 1989 to April 1990
Writer/Editor in the Public Relations Department of this 386-bed non-profit hospital. Served as the principal media contact. Generated news coverage by working with physicians and patients to publicize medical cases in the media. Produced a physicians’ publication, an employee newsletter and an external/internal magazine. Planned and placed advertising that led to an increase in hospital programs. Created brochures for prospects and participants in hospital departments and programs.
JOURNALISM EXPERIENCE
Worked as a reporter, editor and bureau manager for 10 years for community newspapers and a television/radio station in Los Angeles, Calif.; Beaverton, Ore.; and British Columbia, Canada. Completed freelance writing assignments for numerous regional newspapers and national magazines. Co-hosted a weekly, live cable television news/interview show for three years.
PRO BONO/FREELANCE WORK
Created communications either as an independent communications consultant or as a volunteer for:
· Maurice Lucas Foundation
· Oregon League of Minority Voters
· Profile Theatre Project
· Learning for Life
· Concordia University
· Portland State University
· Protecht Inc.
· Senior Citizens Council of Clackamas County
· local Toastmasters Clubs in L.A. and Portland
· Oregon Bankers Association