Sandra L. Hershelman

Communications Specialist and Executive Officer
• Extensive background in written and oral communication. Able to think quickly on feet, even when being eyed by a television camera. Personable, articulate, intuitive, intelligent and professional. Accustomed to demanding deadlines and high-pressure situations. An effective debater. Cool in chaos.
• Strong aptitude for business; 20 years of hands-on experience operating small businesses. Hired by business owners to ensure their success, via marketing, advertising, message development and creation of collaterals.
• Organized multitasker. Award-winning writer, editor, interviewer, photographer, desktop publisher, Web designer. Excellent computer skills. Eye for composition, whether on paper or through a camera lens.
• Client satisfaction is top priority. Conscientious, intuitive, friendly and sincere. Passionate about life. Believe strongly that life's too short to not have a positive attitude.
• Able to successfully develop and pitch a story concept, interview and research for content, and submit a well-written article on time.
• Highly capable executive officer with strong leadership skills. Breathed new vitality into a struggling nonprofit association. Increased membership by 56 percent, doubled attendance at dinner meetings, changed public perception.

Sandy Hershelman Designs
(Cat's Eye Design)
Owner, since 1997

• Owner and creative talent, offering communications expertise for business and personal needs. Business marketing, writing, desktop publishing, public relations, Web pages, book development, photography (custom and stock), development of collaterals, branding, résumés, instruction (at local college) and more.
• Contract with myriad businesses, in and out of Washington State. Guide businesses in successful marketing campaigns, including print, Web and television exposure.
• Developing small business seminars to assist new businesses. With other professionals, will teach various topics to help others overcome potential pitfalls and strengthen their starts in business. Topics presented may mirror published business management articles. (Examples: marketing, networking, dare to fail, effective collaterals, SWOT analysis. . .and more.)
• Managed campaign for 2005 city council candidate. Ensured his strong message was broadcast via brochures, the Web, effective newspaper ads, personal appearances, forums and TV talk shows (producer and co-host). Consulted with 2002 sheriff candidate, strengthened his message and designed his brochure, mail piece and website. Also accompanied him on numerous personal appearances, evaluating his efforts while schmoozing on his behalf.
• Since the mid-1990s, created most of the Chimacum School District’s bond and levy campaign informational brochures. Produce the school’s award-winning Chimacum School Matters newsletter.
• In 2002, Cat’s Eye Design was renamed Sandy Hershelman Designs to take advantage of strong existing name recognition within the local community. Sandy Hershelman Designs: http://www.sandyhershelman.com

Freelance writer/photographer
Since 1990

• Byline has appeared in numerous local, regional and national publications. Award-winning journalist and photographer. Photos have graced magazine covers. Co-taught a digital photography class at Washington State University; also asked to teach PageMaker (computer software) and newsletter production classes.
• Since 1998, an on-air interviewer for Port Townsend, Washington, television station, PTTV 47. Covered elections and co-host town meetings, as well as produced and co-hosted shows to spotlight political candidates.

Jefferson County Home Builders Association
Executive Officer
Since 2002

• Devoted to promoting the building trades within Jefferson County, Washington. Effective in all aspects of running an HBA: public relations, marketing, government affairs, publications, budgeting, personnel management, website design and maintenance, strategic planning, event planning, networking, record keeping and accounting.
• Create and produce an effective newsletter, website and membership recruitment tools. Put on recruitment classes. Worked as liaison to local college for JCHBA's nine-month-long residential carpentry class.
• Increased membership by 56 percent (and growing!). Doubled attendance at monthly dinner meetings.
• Continue to work diligently—and effectively—at changing the negative public perception of the JCHBA into one of a positive community partner. Fought to secure and develop a Built GreenTM® programfor Jefferson County HBA. Nurtured a committee to develop a home show (May 2008). Secured seats on the WRIA 17 planning unit, critical areas ordinance and housing needs committees, and on the board of Olympic Ecomonic Development (formerly Economic Development Council of Jefferson County). Am a stakeholder in the Tri-Area sewer planning process.
• Strive to maintain a presence within the Building Industry Association of Washington. Elected 2007 chairman of the Washington State Executive Officers Council. Served as the 2006 vice chair.
• Presented Effective HBA Websites at the 2006 National Association of Home Builders' EOC Seminar in Connecticut.
• Negotiated with the local business journal to publish the JCHBA monthly newsletter in its paper at no charge, increasing the exposure of the JCHBA’s efforts to all registered businesses in two counties.

Alpha Electric
Port Hadlock, WA
Partner
1988-1989

• Active partner in an electrical contracting firm. Was “the office,” handling all of the paperwork, accounting and human resources. Company closed when my electrician partners joined the union (IBEW 46).

Professional awards:
• Washington Newspaper Publishers Association "Better Newspaper Contest" awards for "Best Comprehensive Coverage,""Government Affairs,""General News Stories" and "Best Humorous Feature"
• First Place winner, 2006 and 2007 Web Page Contests, Washington State Fairs Association (for www.jeffcofairgrounds.com)
• Nominated for 2007 Business Leader of the Year (Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce)
• Winner, 2003 & 2004 Rotary District 5020 Conference Newsletter Competition
• "Fort Worden Searchlight Tower" photo was chosen to grace Gatheringplace's 2001 Port Townsend calendar
• "Lone Oarsman" photo was Best of Show in Seafirst's 1995 Faces of Washington competition
• School Planning & Management magazine awarded the Chimacum School Matters newsletter its 1998 Community Relations Award

Writing samples and references available upon request.

Experienced in real estate and installment loans, title insurance, fire and mortgage insurance, electronic data processing, general ledger research, accounts receivable, credit investigating, reception, payment processing, collections and various secretarial duties. "Best Banker" awards for sales and service.

Community Involvement:
• Rotary Club of East Jefferson County (2002-2006; Paul Harris fellow)
• Port Townsend BPOE #317 (Elks)
• Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce
• Chimacum School District
• Peninsula Dispute Resolution Center
• Jefferson County Masterminds (business think-tank)
• Washington Coalition for Open Government
• Soroptimist International of Port Townsend & East Jefferson County
• Olympic Economic Development (formerly Economic Development Council of Jefferson County) board of directors
• Habitat for Humanity of East Jefferson County
• Jefferson County HBA (member)

Continuing Education:
• Leadership & Management Seminar (NAHB EOC, week-long) 2005,'06, '07
• Conflict Mediation (40 hours), Peninsula Dispute Resolution Center (Port Angeles, WA) 2004
• Internet Marketing (class), Washington State University, 2004
• Group Problem-Solving Initiatives: Build Communication, Conflict Resolution and Collaboration (seminar) 2004
• American Institute of Banking (Chicago, IL) 1977
• University of Illinois (Chicago, IL) 1975-76

P.O. Box 521
Port Hadlock, WA 98339
360.385.1087
hershelman@olympus.net