Grant Walker Services
Freelance Writer
January 2024 – Present
Old Mission, Michigan, United States
Over 20 years experience writing award-winning copy, press releases and feature articles for healthcare and education. Ten years in management leading high-achieving marketing and communications teams.
Asante
Marketing Manager
January 2021 – January 2024
Medford, Oregon, United States
Researched, developed and implemented service-line marketing campaigns both in-house and with vendors. Copy and web writing and editing. Transitioned strategy to content and experience marketing and launched digital platforms for blogging, webinars and reviews. Tied marketing efforts to measurable results.
Rogue Community College
Director of Marketing and Public Information
July 2014 – January 2021
Grants Pass, Oregon
Developed and led an outstanding team of marketing specialists for RogueCommunity College, a three-campus college with a broad spectrum of programs that help people of Southern Oregon reach their goals and dreams. Responsible for writing and editing blogs, marketing copy, communications and website. Managed internal communications, student communications, public information and community and media relations.
Successfully transformed marketing, public relations and public affairs into a strategic, modern, integrated and data-informed effort.
Developed new marketing research and strategies to make marketing decisions more data informed.
Developed strong digital, email, SEO and social media marketing.Innovated recruitment with automated marketing and customer relationship management tools.Improved student communications through innovative social media app, email marketing, and traditional print marketing.
Brought responsibilities for the RCC website into the marketing department.
Led recruitment team and then helped develop new recruitment department.
Iron Horse Communications
Owner
June 2000 – January 2020 (19 years 8 months)
Grants Pass, Oregon
Professional writing services, marketing, public, and media relations consulting, web site design and hosting. Helped Education Service District, which provides special education to K-12students, to develop media relations and strategic communications. Media training for several industries including education, healthcare, and herbal supplements. Writing and web development for several organizations including the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin and the American Association of Radiologists of Indian Origin.
Asante
Senior Public Relations Specialist
July 2007 – July 2014 (7 years 1 month)
Medford, Oregon
Public relations and marketing for Asante, a three-hospital health system in Southern Oregon. Responsible for all public relations, and internal communications campaigns. Greatly improved media relations and created strategic partnerships with media sources to produce regular health-related programming.
Grew strong relationships with physicians and physician groups to bring medical care and health information to the public.Led organization to new internal communications strategies and tactics including intranet and electronic newsletters
Developed specific campaigns to integrate pubic relations with marketing efforts and the strategic plan with great success in cardiac, breast cancer, new physician group, and healthcare reform campaigns.
Developed social media and other new technologies for PR efforts.
Created and edited internal and external newsletters. Worked with emergency preparedness committee to improve crisis communications.
Built relationships with local agencies to improve public relations.
Southern Illinois Healthcare
Communications Coordinator
June 1998 – June 2007 (9 years 1 month)
Carbondale, Illinois
Responsible for all internal and external public relations. Editor, employee and community newsletters, web site content and newswire, media relations and photography. Developed strategic marketing campaigns with marketing representatives and integrated marketing and public relations efforts. Greatly improved media relations.
Pioneered social media.
Developed web strategies.
Led “Medical Malpractice Reform Now” campaign, a statewide public relations effort in Illinois, resulting in meaningful tort reform legislation.
Murphysboro American
Reporter and Dark Room Technician
January 1989 – June 1988
Murphysboro, Illinois
Part time reporter and dark room technician for local, daily newspaper.
CUSD #186
High School English Teacher
August 1988 – June 1998 (9 years 11 months)
Teacher of English, composition, American Literature, theater, journalism and photography.
Southern Illinois University
Lecturer
1986 – 1988 (2 years)
Centralia, Illinois
Taught college level introduction to theater and playwriting classes in the Illinois Department of Corrections college education program that helped inmates earn college credit in advance of parole or release. Worked in high, medium, and minimum security correctional facilities.
The Neighbor Newspaper
Feature Writer
1978-!984
Portland, Oregon
Regular feature writer for weekly newspaper based in historic Northwest Portland.
Education
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, MFA, Theater/Playwriting · (1985 – 1988)
Portland State University, Bachelor’s, English · (1978 – 1980)
Mt. Hood Community College, Associate of Applied Science, Radio and Television Broadcasting Technology/Technician · (1975 – 1977)