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Resume 2024

SUMMARY

Experienced, dynamic, and dedicated, Stephen is a versatile event producer, recreation, and hospitality manager. He is also a writer and a highly experienced media and marketing professional. A natural collaborator but also comfortable working independently, Stephen is a skilled communicator and mentor. He has a natural ability to connect with others and generate enthusiasm. He is organized and meticulous.

TECHNICAL & CREATIVE SKILLS

Copywriting, Writing
CivicPlus
Wordpress, SEO
Adobe PhotoshopKinetic ™ (Kx) Conferencing & Event Management software
Canva Pro, Constant Contact
Social Media Engagement
HTML (basic) 		 Adobe Premiere,
Adobe Encore
Final Cut X, DaVinci, iMovie
MS Office Suite, Apple iWork Suite       Apple Logic
Apple Mainstage
Garageband

CULTURE, RECREATION & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, TOWN OF HUDSON, COLORADO
Town of Hudson | Hudson, CO | February 2023 – September 2024
As the Town of Hudson’s first Culture, Recreation, and Communications Manager, I developed and implemented organization and operational structures for the Recreation and Communications departments, which now run efficiently and effectively.

  • Developed, produced, and managed all Town events, including Public Safety Day, Kid’s Fishing Derby, Easter Egg Hunt, Cedar Street Block Party & Market, Summer Music Mash, Trunk or Treat, Lunch & Lawn Games, Harvest Festival, Senior Bingo & Lunch days, the Veteran’s Memorial & Picnic, and the end-of-year Holiday Parade.
  • Responsible for creating and disseminating all Town communications content, including social media, public relations and marketing materials, video, graphics, and text, and delivering across various channels.
  • Created and wrote all graphics, including flyers, posters, press releases, maps, articles, and ads.
  • Write press releases, articles, advertisements, and the monthly Hudson Newsletter.
  • I changed the newsletter from quarterly to monthly and gave the Town a new, consistent voice across all communications channels.
  • Serve as Public Information Officer (PIO).
  • Commissioned an artist’s mural rendering for a 400-foot-long, 35-foot-tall building in Hudson. The Town is working to install what may be the largest mural on a building in Colorado (rendering available).
  • Maintain and update the Town’s (CivicPlus ™) website, including creating events calendar pages and newsflashes, adding and maintaining various Town business and information pages, photos, and articles.
  • Increased Facebook Followers from 400 to 2200 in the first year In a town of 2000 people.
  • Developed sponsorship relationships with local-area companies, including United Power, ALLO Fiber, Northern Engineering, Platte Valley Medical Foundation, TBK Bank, Bank of America, Waste Management, Motherlode CoPacking, The SouthEast Weld County Chamber of Commerce, and the Hudson Public Library.
  • In 2023, I secured $11,350.00 in event sponsorship dollars. In 2024, I garnered $30,140.00, twice the 2024 goal of $15,000 and two-thirds of the Town’s yearly event budget, allowing us to add several events to the Calendar.
  • In 2023, sponsorship dollars I brought in allowed the Town to use part of the Rec. & Events budget to install Trimlight ™ permanent ornamental lights on the Hudson Town Hall.
  • Build and manage all event budgets.
  • Manage staff and volunteers; create and manage employee event schedules.
  • Report regularly to the Town Council on Recreation and Communications efforts and initiatives.
    Schedule and do radio interviews for Town of Hudson events.
  • Develop and manage relationships with small businesses and talent (e.g., musicians and vendors).
  • Negotiate contracts and manage invoices (in/out).
  • When appropriate, act as Emcee for events.
  • Shoot promotional photographs and videos; edit promotional and informational videos.
  • Fly the Town’s DJI Mavic Pro ™ Drone, shooting video for marketing efforts.
  • Responsible for event design, production, and setup; design event lighting.

 

EVENT MANAGER, ENT CENTER FOR THE ARTS & THE HELLER CENTER FOR ARTS & HUMANITIES
University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) | Colorado Springs, CO | October 2021 – September 2022

  • Primary point of contact for all internal and external events and catering (BEO) needs.
  • Coordinate and manage internal department events and external (contracted) events at the Ent Center for the Arts, a venue housing the 241-seat Chapman Recital Hall, 750-seat Shockley-Zalabak Theater, the Gallery of Contemporary Art (GOCA), Theatreworks, the Visual & Performing Arts Department (VAPA), the Equity Union theatre company housed in the Ent Center, Kang Lee Shepard Studio, and other event and education spaces.
  • Coordinate and manage internal and external (contracted) events at the Heller Center for Arts & Humanities, a unique 34-acre venue with an artist studio, a house with indoor and outdoor spaces, and a guest house.
  • Meet with new and existing clients, perform walkthroughs, and meet to discuss event(s) logistics, production needs and venue tech rider, setup, insurance requirements, and catering needs.
  • Manage contracts for Heller Center Guest House residencies.
  • Assess appropriate event charges and build quotes (cost estimates) for those inquiring about event venues.
  • Input event data into event management/scheduling software, KxConferencing ™
    Coordinate staff for onsite, day-of-event support, including checking setups, catering deliveries, audiovisual setup, and inspecting rooms to meet client expectations.
  • Conduct venue tours of the Ent Center for the Arts and Heller Center for the Arts and Humanities.
  • Create event layout/setup diagrams for the Catering and Production teams to follow using Social Tables ™.
  • Create event timelines and support/manage events on the day of, as necessary.
  • Schedule all VAPA (Visual & Performing Arts Department) concerts and events in venues within the Ent Center.
  • Schedule all venues and spaces for TheatreWorks performances and rehearsals. Theatreworks is an Equity (Union) Theatre company whose home is the Ent Center for the Arts.
  • Schedule all Gallery of Contemporary Art (GOCA) events within the Ent Center for the Arts.
  • Conduct venue tours, provide venue pricing, contract and insurance requirements information, catering and other services offered, venue technical information, capabilities, and limits, setup and logistical information, and answer relevant client questions.
  • In Kx Conferencing™ software, “close out” events, preparing them for final invoicing, consists of adjusting any differences between the original quote and the final invoice, sending it to the Client for approval, then settlement/processing through the UCCS finance team.
  • In Kx Catering™, create and manage large/complex BEOs (Catering Banquet Event Orders).
  • Ensure and enforce State and University guidelines and policies regarding events with alcohol and food service.
  • Create effective working relationships with clients within and across departments and reporting lines.
  • Assist in training student staff, providing ongoing support and development opportunities.

HEAD HOUSE MANAGER

Aspen Music Festival & School | Aspen, CO | June 2021 – August 2021 (Seasonal)

  • Managed daily FOH operations for over 140 concerts and special events in 58 days in the 2055-seat Benedict Music Tent (one of the largest stages in the U.S.) and the 550-seat Harris Concert Hall.
  • Scheduled and managed four full-time House Managers, two full-time Lead Ushers, 44 paid Student Ushers, and 18 volunteers
  • Began the season with an Usher payroll budget of $24,000, ended with a surplus of $6,170; total used $17,830
  • During COVID, facing complex logistical ticketing, audience flow, seating, and signage challenges on an 8-acre property, developed a complex ticket-holder entry, exit, seating, and traffic flow plan that followed State and Local pandemic rules and guidelines and kept our patrons and staff safe.
  • Implemented the highest set of standards for Front of House (FOH) comportment and patron quality-of-service
  • Ensured patron safety, comfort, and satisfaction; defused and resolved a variety of minor patron issues
  • Managed program and insert (print) distribution at Harris Concert Hall and The Benedict Music Tent; included daily and weekly program inserts, sponsorship, and patron recognition signage.
  • Tracked and approved weekly hours for the House Manager and Lead Usher using Paylocity; Slate was used to track student payroll hours.
  • In concert with “Meadows Crew,” ensured venue cleanliness and safety of the 8-acre property.
  • HeartSaver CPR AED Certified

ENGAGEMENT AND EVENTS MANAGER (Interim)

Historic Beverly | Beverly, MA | January 2021 – May 2021

  • Developed, produced, and managed events at three historic properties
  • Events include plays, open-air films, reenactment and history-related programs, virtual and IRL conferences, rentals and special events, kids experiential programming, outdoor concerts with internationally-known musicians, and multiple collaborations with synergistic organizations
  • Produced, managed, and supported 180+ virtual and real-world events, programs, and presentations/year
  • Wrote marketing plan, event advertising/marketing matrix, and budget for the 2021 season of events
  • Managed marketing efforts including online calendars, social media, radio ads, and PSRs, and newspapers
  • Wrote press releases, social media campaigns and posts, newsletters, and website content
  • Acquired earned media coverage with newspapers, radio stations, and local cable channels
  • Developed and manage collaborative relationships, create new synergistic partnerships
  • Responsible for all property and event rentals, including weddings (contracts/event management)
  • Managed event communications/emails, RSVPs, confirmations, and follow-ups

GENERAL MANAGER & DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Bas Bleu Theatre | Fort Collins, CO | August 2019 – March 2020 (COVID-19 closed the theatre for over a year)

  • Reporting to BoD, responsible for the leadership, strategic planning, and development
  • Managed Colorado Gives Day fundraising and marketing efforts, created multi-media content
  • Managed operations and production budget, making sure we didn’t go over budget
  • Created monthly operations/board reports, attended all board meetings
  • Managed fundraising campaigns, including aspects of the big, annual “Mardi Gras”-themed fundraiser
  • Managed grant applications & follow-up; wrote portions of grants, processed all donations through Fundraiser ™
  • Maintained fundraising database and wrote and processed acknowledgment and “thank you” letters
  • Managed box office operations, including vendor relationship management
  • Created and oversaw the distribution of marketing materials, including website & social media
  • Built the theatre a new WordPress website
  • Supervised bookkeeper to ensure a balanced budget, and that all financial obligations were paid, income was promptly recorded, and financial records were up to date and transparent
  • SELF EMPLOYED | FREELANCE | CONTRACT | April 2013 – August 2019
    Communications & Media Arts — End-to-end Video Production, Web Design, Writing, Marketing, Tutoring 

HIGHLIGHTS: 

  • WRITER, DIRECTOR, PRODUCER, “SUNSHINE REBELS: Gotham’s Lost Tribe”
    A documentary film pursued under the auspices of D.A. Pennebaker’s company, Living Archives, the film tells the story of a group of 1970’s inner-city teenagers who came together in New York City at Central Park’s Naumburg Bandshell and in the process left an indelible stamp on world culture through startling innovations in graffiti art, music, and extreme sports. 
  • EDITOR, DIGITAL ASSET MANAGER — BLUE DAYS FILMS, “SHE’S THE BEST THING IN IT”
    A documentary film by Ron Nyswaner (PHILADELPHIA, FREEHELD, and THE PAINTED VEIL). Edited fundraising teasers/ trailers.
  • DIGITAL IMAGING TECHNICIAN (DIT), 2ND AC — DOVID MEYER  Feature film
  • DIT (Digital Imaging Technician): Responsible for the safe transfer of all film
  • 2nd AC: Assist DoP and 1st AC. Member of the camera team responsible for setup, lens management, camera moves
  • CAMERA OPERATOR, VIDEO EDITOR — Seven21 Media Center  | March 2013 – Feb. ’14
    Using Final Cut and Adobe Premiere, edited TV ads and corporate films.
  • VIDEO DEPT. & SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNITY MANAGER
  • Dragon360 Marketing | Kingston, NY | Sept. 2012 – Feb. ’13
  • Launched and managed the video department
  • Authored 38-page white paper detailing the value of video in marketing
  • Managed clients’ social media presences, edited blogs, and articles for SEO keyword optimization and relevant linking
  • Wrote scripts, shot, edited, optimized, marketing videos
  • Artistic Director, The Palace Theatre, Danbury, CT    Dec. 2009 – Jan. 2011
  • The Palace opened in 1928 as a 1999-seat venue but it fell into neglect and shut its doors in the 90s. Dark for nearly 15 years, it was open again and struggling for three years before my hiring. My mission was to raise our profile, involve the community in our theatre, increase audience attendance and revenue, and help bring commerce and energy back to Main Street, Danbury.
  • Duties & Accomplishments:

  • PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

    The Palace Theatre | Danbury, CT | Jan. 2010 – Jan. 2011

    • Realized an increase in audience attendance, ticket sales, and concessions revenue within the first four months of taking the position
    • Wrote and managed production budgets, contracts, and offer sheets
    • Negotiated contracts and riders with music agents and managers representing artists like Buddy Cage, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Larry Coryell, Colbie Caillat, Shawn Colvin, Citizen Cope, Lucy Kaplansky & Jimmy Webb, and Judy Collins, among others
    • Managed operations front and back of house, concessions, inventory, and payroll
    • Served as representative in the press and in the media; emceed when appropriate
    • Managed financial business of theater, monitoring budget, production, and payroll expenses
    • Managed daily operations and maintenance, led production meetings, attended all rehearsals
    • Built a new website and integrated it with accesso ShoWare and new ticket printers
    • Implemented and managed online ticketing system; upgraded box office software and hardware
    • Developed relationships with local businesses, the media, community members, and local policymakers
  • Co-Founder, Artistic Director, Center for New Media & the Arts   
  • Jan. 2008 – Nov. 2009
  • Conceived and co-founded the Center, an art gallery and live arts venue in a 2,400 sq. ft. loft space in a historic, 1848 building in Bethel, Connecticut where P.T. Barnum once had a vaudeville stage and Mark Twain played pool when the first floor of the building was a billiard hall. With a 15-feet high ceiling and 17 windows that were 9-feet tall, it had also been the Bethel High School gym, the Post Office, even a roller skating rink. 
  • At the Center, our mission was to provide arts and arts education programming that served our community with thought and purpose. And our programming included live theatre, music, dance, comedy, poetry spoken word, films, special events, and benefits. The following is part of what I wrote as our mission statement:
  • The arts celebrate all aspects of our lives. They serve to enlighten us and broaden our horizons. The arts inform our perspective, cultivate cultural and personal expression and expand our capacity for empathy and compassion.    In short, they teach us about life.
  • Scope of Work:
  • Conceptualized and produced performances, art exhibits, and special events. Programming included stage plays, music, dance, comedy, poetry spoken word, films, special events, and benefits.
  • Developed arts education programs included acting and music instruction, life drawing, songwriting, salsa and swing dance lessons.
  • Facilitated special film nights and in-person conversations with artists, actors, and filmmakers.
  • Sought out and developed relationships with local and regional artists.
  • Represented the Center in the public and in the media.
  • Managed venue rentals and agreements.
  • Trained staff, volunteers, and interns.
  • Developed an email database of 733 contacts in less than a year.
  • Wrote our newsletters, press releases, and marketing and promo materials.
  • Produced benefits for charitable organizations including a 911 First Responders Fund, the Wyatt Foundation for Becker Muscular Dystrophy, and WPKN Radio.
  • Worked closely with architect, town, and state officials to ensure compliance with codes and regulations.
  • Developed relationships with local officials and the First Selectman and head of the Chamber of Commerce volunteered to cut the ribbon at our opening day celebration.
  • Education
  • Columbia University, Bachelor of Arts, Literature/Writing Program, with honors, 1997.
  • Hunter College, Communications studies, 2 years (46 credits).  Dean’s List.
  • Volunteer Work
  • Former Events Planning Lead, Charter for Compassion International.
  •