LaTica R. Matthews-Carroll
Upper Marlboro,Md
Summary
Seasoned Event Manager, experienced in coordinating and executing large- and small-scale events. Demonstrated skills in vendor relations and event marketing to deliver memorable experiences. Notable success in client satisfaction and meeting rigorous performance goals.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Event Manager and Protocol Specialist
JMark Services
08.2022 - Current
- Provides strategic insights into event concepting, planning, and management.
- Provides event support for VIP guests, such as high-level military personnel and distinguished individuals visiting for meetings, briefings, tours, and demos, while ensuring coordination of all divisions' key personnel and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs).
- Strategize, oversee, and implement a diverse range of events, including client interactions, industry gatherings, and internal projects.
- Establish production timelines and workflows; manage on-site operations for main sessions at events, covering setup, technical guidance, rehearsals, breakdown, and any additional oversight required.
- Maintain and track events in the Protocol Calendar, which captures detailed information, including the type of event, location, schedules, and meeting requirements.
- Coordination of meeting/demo dry runs for the preparation of a high-level meeting with many moving parts.
- Advise on the proper use of Official Representative Fund Requests (ORF) submission through thorough cost estimates and proper submission.
- Skillfully negotiate contracts for all assigned meetings and events for any off-site meetings.
- Create, oversee, and enhance budgets for international events.
- Launch and staff virtual events.
- Negotiate agreements and contracts effectively.
- Ensure the financial viability and sustainability of events.
- Work together with internal teams to guarantee that all operations adhere to policies, procedures, standards, and government guidelines, as well as ethical codes.
- Recognize and address potential risks linked to large-scale events.
- Supervise the creation and administration of a crisis management plan for organizational events, in collaboration with internal departments.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and company policies during event planning and execution.
- Recognize significant opportunities for global engagement through events, conferences, and collaborations.
- Serve as a representative, ensuring that all events embody the government’s identity and objectives.
Senior Event Planner
LMI
11.2018 - 08.2022
- Plans events and conferences for national and international visitors to a U.S. Pentagon.
- Organizes meals, tours, programs, documents for distribution, audio-visual needs, transportation, translation services and accommodations as required.
- Works in conjunction with a government contracting officer, government sponsors of events, and existing protocol offices to provide support.
- Organized weekly events that provided direct support to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.
- Managed and oversaw more than 500 meetings each month by supervising five policy conference rooms and the reservation system.
- Acted as a primary point of contact between vendors and Action Officers to ensure all financial, catering, facility, setup, and security requirements were fulfilled for their events.
- Monitored Official Representative Fund Requests (ORF) approvals to guarantee proper funding for each event.
- Prepared materials for meetings, including tent cards, place cards, seating charts, agendas, folders, and name badges.
Special Events Program Manager
J. Terry & Associates
11.2016 - 08.2018
- Provides management and leadership to a team of Customer Assistant Reps, Special Events Coordinators and a Technical Writer for the Department of Defense, Pentagon.
- Responsible for making sure that any gaps in performance or quality are quickly identified and addressed.
- Managed daily operations by implementing processes and programs to deliver effective services to customers.
- Collaborated with the Pentagon Building Manager and Assistant Building Manager to strategize and manage logistics for significant construction projects and special events at the Pentagon.
- Led efforts in planning, coordinating, and assessing permit processing activities.
- Addressed administrative challenges by overseeing report preparation, data analysis, and solution identification.
- Fulfilled operational needs by organizing and delegating administrative tasks.
Outreach and Social Media Specialist
Excalibur Associates. INC
05.2016 - 07.2016
- Responsible for developing and planning site visits nationwide on behalf of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) conducting roadshows focusing on procedures for domestic emergency preparedness.
- Developed and produced targeted brochures for the domestic workforce related to emergency management for the Department of State (DOS).
- Composed daily Department Notices that reach an audience of over 33,000 subscribers.
- Designed a presentation for the Outreach Team leader to deliver at a White House meeting focused on promoting OEM initiatives.
- Enhanced website content and visibility through the use of AskOEM and ePrepare tools.
- Initiated and managed advertising and media strategies to assess the impact of communication efforts.
- Assisted in the design and production of specialized brochures for the domestic workforce regarding emergency management for the Department of State (DOS).
- Engaged with key government agencies to disseminate information about new Emergency Management programs and training opportunities.
- Collaborated with the Program Coordinator to support the development of outreach strategies for employees across the nation.
- Conducted research to identify best practices in emergency management communication.
- Evaluated feedback from outreach initiatives to refine future communication strategies.
Contract Support Specialist
eGlobal Tech
07.2015 - 04.2016
- Exhibited exemplary customer service and provides high level coordination, development, maintenance and administration of Contracting Officer Representatives (COR) files in accordance with the TSA COR Handbook applicable with regulations, and operational directives.
- Collaborated with the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) to conduct more than 50 market research studies annually, analyzing competitor pricing and strategies.
- Verified that contractors adhered to legal standards, client requirements, and governmental regulations.
- Developed summaries and updates for contracts, outlining essential contractual obligations and financial plans.
- Oversaw and coordinated both digital and physical requests from approximately 450 federalized airports, as well as the Deployment Division of Procurement Requests (PR) and Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPR) for furniture, fixtures, and equipment exceeding $2 million.
- Kept a comprehensive audit file for each contract, including the original agreement, all communications, modifications, amendments, clarifications, and payment timelines.
Communications Specialist
CTI
04.2011 - 02.2015
- Supported the Building Manager of the Pentagon.
- Duties consisted of creating and editing any forms of communication that would be disseminated to the public of the Pentagon.
- Ensure proper formatting in accordance with the DoD writing standards.
- Advanced from Special Events Coordinator to Communications Specialist.
- Elevated from Senior Administrative Assistant to Special Events Coordinator.
- Collaborated with the Pentagon Building Manager and Assistant Building Manager to draft comprehensive Building Circulars and narrative reports.
- Reviewed and refined technical documents for clarity and accuracy.
- Acted as a consultant for Government Agency requesters regarding events held in public areas or spaces managed by the Pentagon Building Manager's Office.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications & Marketing
University of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD01.2015
Certificate - Protocol Officer Training
The Protocol School of Washington
Certificate - Fundamentals of Systems Acquisition
Homeland Security Acquisition Institute
Certificate - Personal Concierge
International Association of Professions Career College
Certificate - Certified Record Management Officer
Washington Headquarters Services
Skills
- Event planning
- Budget management
- Contract negotiation
- Protocol coordination
- Vendor management
- Time management
- Logistics management
- Transportation and logistics coordination
- Venue selection
- Expense control
- Cross-functional teams leadership
- Menu planning
- Records management
- Catering management
- Event billing
- On-site execution
- Catering coordination
Clearance Status
Top Secret/SCI
Years Of Relevant Experience
10+
Timeline
Event Manager and Protocol Specialist
JMark Services
08.2022 - Current
Senior Event Planner
LMI
11.2018 - 08.2022
Special Events Program Manager
J. Terry & Associates
11.2016 - 08.2018
Outreach and Social Media Specialist
Excalibur Associates. INC
05.2016 - 07.2016
Contract Support Specialist
eGlobal Tech
07.2015 - 04.2016
Communications Specialist
CTI
04.2011 - 02.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Communications & Marketing
University of Maryland University College
Certificate - Protocol Officer Training
The Protocol School of Washington
Certificate - Fundamentals of Systems Acquisition
Homeland Security Acquisition Institute
Certificate - Personal Concierge
International Association of Professions Career College
Certificate - Certified Record Management Officer
Washington Headquarters Services
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