Tia R.

Ford
Tia.Ford@yahoo.com | 904.710.3509
Results-driven professional ofering more than 12 years of experience in public relatons, communicatons
and event management. Extremely organized with a proven ability to balance priorites, mult-task and
thrive in high-pressure environments. Consistently developing strong, sustainable relatonships with
community partners, stakeholders, media, vendors and volunteers.
Professional Experience
Supervisor - External Communicatons & Media Relatons
Duval County Public Schools, Jacksonville, FL (2013 present)
Lead proactve district communicatons eforts for the 20th largest school district in the naton
(approximately 130,000 students). Plan and execute public informaton programs and strategies that
promote school district policies, programs, events and priorites with external audiences. Serve as lead
district media contact. Lead development and monitoring of media materials highlightng district initatves
locally, regionally and natonally. Write and edit copy for district collateral, web site and other projects.
Manage external communicatons staf.
Signifcant Accomplishments (2013-2014 school year)
Created and distributed Duval Daily (internal e-newsleter) to more than 13,000 employees
daily (weekdays) and Duval Digest (external e-newsleter) to more than 40,000 subscribers
bi-weekly with an average 19 percent open rate.
Sent an average of 10 news releases and/or media alerts per month and managed an average
of 100 new media inquiries monthly.
Facilitated a 60 percent increase in social media followers (including Facebook, Twiter, Instagram,
Linkedin and YouTube).
Successfully launched The Answer Key (weekly media tp sheet).
Advancement Manager - Events & Social Media
Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida/Second Harvest North Florida, Jacksonville, FL (2008 2013)
Planned and executed special events including fundraisers, annual meetng, and donor/volunteer
recogniton. Managed budget including solicitaton of sponsorships, donatons, compettve bids and
contract negotatons. Managed event-related communicatons. Directed volunteers and staf in event
operatons. Prepared contngency plans. Managed cause-marketng relatonships and campaigns with
partnering business organizatons. Managed agency social media.
Signifcant Accomplishments
Major events included - Empty Bowls Luncheon: Prime Osborn; 1,400 guests; $80,000 raised
in 2012. The Jacksonville FOODFIGHT: Touchdown Club, EverBank Field; 1,200 guests; 80
vendors, $91,000 raised in 2012. The Jaguar Taste of the NFL; Touchdown Club, EverBank Field;
250 guests, $156,000 raised in 2012.
Coordinated major events as part of fve of the most successful fundraising years in agency history
helping move LSS from $800,000 generated in 2008, to more than $1 million in 2009, nearly $1.7
million in 2010, more than $1.7 million in 2011, and more than $2 million in 2012.

Tia R. Ford (contnued)
Public Relatons Specialist
Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, Inc., Jacksonville, FL (2005 2008)
Supported the development and implementaton of Girl Scouts of Gateway Councils PR/Marketng plan.
Assisted in planning and on-site logistcs of public relatons and fund-development events. Developed and
maintained relatonships with media. Created communicatons content for web site, brochures, newsleters
and other collateral. Prepared speeches for key staf, board members and volunteers. Maintained agency
web-site.
Signifcant Accomplishments
Achieved local and natonal atenton for Girl Scout Know Stroke Gold Award Project.
Partnered with local media to create PR Stars program introducing Girl Scouts to the
Communicatons/Public Relatons industry.
Program/Training Specialist
Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, Inc., Jacksonville, FL (2002 2005)
Managed Girl Scout program and training in a regional area of over 2,000 girl members and 1,000 adult
volunteers within Girl Scouts of Gateway Council. Developed educatonal and fun programs/events for Girl
Scouts ages 5-17 that contributed to their leadership development and community involvement. Planned
and conducted training classes for adult volunteers. Supervised the conduct and performance of GSGC
trainers and program facilitators.
Educaton
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Public Relatons Sequence, May 2002
Professional Associatons
Public Relatons Society of America
North Florida Chapter, Jacksonville, FL (2005 - present)
Chapter President (2012)
Managed a leadership team of 15 Board members and commitee chairs. Served as liaison between
chapter members, the Board of Directors and PRSA Natonal. Presided over chapter and Board meetngs.
Served as district representatve.
Signifcant Accomplishments
Led chapter to a 10% increase in chapter membership over 2011.
Served as chapters Immediate Past President (2013-2014), President-Elect (2011),
VP of Program (2010), Secretary (2009), and Professional Development Chair (2005-2008).

Meetng Professionals Internatonal
North Florida Chapter, Jacksonville, FL (2008 - 2014)
Community Outreach Commitee