Microsoft Suite
LISA KUCZMARSKI
Director of Communication, Tourism and Business Development, Policy Analyst, Marketing Strategies, Crisis Communication, Leadership Development, Writer, Editor, Radio and TV Production, and Content Creator
Montrose,CO
Summary
- Dynamic Director with over 15 years of progressive career experience across internal and external communications. Offering excellent leadership, management, $10M+ budgeting, and organizational skills to coordinate multiple teams on concurrent projects. Proven business development and media presence with tailored strategies for each platform, resulting in higher revenue and engagement for B2B, B2C, B2B2C, entrepreneurial, Government, and HR settings.
- Recently, I served as the Director of Communication and Tourism for the City of Montrose, Colorado. I developed and maintained the City's communications and marketing strategies, ensuring prompt, accurate, and accessible messaging to our staff, citizens, businesses, stakeholders, and visitors to successfully enhance community life and increase sales tax revenues. I have an extensive background in developing executive relationships, stakeholder management, business acumen, developing teams, handling confidential information, providing world-class customer service, and event coordination.
- I founded two successful businesses in high impact industries, growing each to successful ownership transition and profit.
- My passion for communication also led me to host my own radio show for over 8 years, obtain my General Ham Radio license for backcountry emergency communications and produce/edit AV content.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
2
2
Languages
Work History
Director of Communication and Tourism
City of Montrose, CO
01.2022 - 01.2024
- Leadership: Mentored 6 diverse communications and events teams. Optimized a $12.8M budget, that secured 4% revenue increase yielding $72.9M in 2023.
- Communications: 35% social media exposure increase in first year. Assessed 3 crisis communications events and deployed strategies. Produced cross-functional assets and media events on 8 platforms.
- Engagement: Taught leadership and customer service classes to 50+ internal staff annually. Increased stakeholder engagement by 45%. Authored 6 leadership culture classes for employee training. Launched DEI and thought leadership assets.
- Editorial and Storytelling: Wrote, Edited and Published 82-page, 2023 Visitor Guide printing 50,000 copies with over 25 digital assets. Produced and posted for 3 separate voices. City, Montrose PD and Visit Montrose.
Director of Business, Innovation, and Tourism
City of Montrose, CO
01.2020 - 01.2022
- Leadership: Mentored 6 teams and $10M budget achieving 60% increase in retail sales enhancement and 15 new businesses in first year.
- Communications: PR strategies increased business incentives by $750,000, yielding $3.75M tax base increase. Increased social media presence by 30% within first year.
- Engagement: Captured 65% increase via platform overhauls and campaigns for 5 voices: City, Montrose PD, Visit Montrose, Animal Shelter, and Black Canyon Golf Course.
- Editorial and Storytelling: Grew thought leadership opportunities by 25%. Devised pandemic and crisis messaging reaching over 21,000 households.
HR Generalist & Safety Coordinator
City of Montrose, CO
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Leadership: Administered 100% of the risk and claims communications. Secured $250,000-$400,000 savings in premium and claim costs annually.
- Communications: Increased UX by 25% via digital metrics for "A Better Montrose" App. Deployed crisis strategy and communications plans for $400,000 wildfire/pedestrian bridge claim.
- Engagement: Taught 1,000 attendees safety and leadership training.
- Editorial and Storytelling: Designed 6 classes covering ethics, team building, risk management, safety, organizational structure, and customer service. Strategized internal pandemic messaging for 170+ employees.
Office Manager
UWSP-Treehaven, College of Natural Resources Field Station
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Leadership: Successful collaboration with 150 students, faculty, staff, and 3,000+ customers annually. Mentored 5-10 student interns and 5 volunteer teams for various programs.
- Communications: Revamped orientation procedures saving 50 employee hours and $75,000, which was then used for student programming.
- Engagement: 40% increase in internal stakeholder engagement via owned channels. Conducted internal investigation resulting in $60,000 savings.
- Editorial and Storytelling: Designed and taught "Field Station Office Management" class for exceptional UX through leadership based content to 25 students.
Program Administrator
WI Institute of Public Policy and Service, UWMC
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Leadership: Mentored team of 4 interns to curate the David R. Obey Civic Resource Center.
- Communications: Promoted statewide 2015 Obey - Petri Civic Participation Lecture Series featuring Retired U.S. Representative David R. Obey (D) and Retired U.S. Rep Tom Petri (R) to discuss current topics and how citizens engage in political issues through bipartisan actions.
- Engagement: Composed a database of 3,500 participants to track 11 lectures and ensure data-driven analyses for planning and event question responsiveness.
- Editorial and Storytelling: Wrote and proofread promotional 50+ press releases, ads, posters, and articles for digital media, traditional print and broadcast platforms.
Farmer
Kuczmarski Farms, Inc.
Rhinelander, WI
03.1993 - 11.2012
- Leadership: Assisted with operating a 4th generation, 1200-acre potato farm specializing in table stock potatoes, green bean, and oat production.
- Communications: Branded and analyzed marketing strategies for our family's honey production.
- Engagement: Assisted and analyzed WI DNR Deer damage hunting opportunities, yielding $100,000 savings in crop damage.
- Editing and Storytelling: Edited technical data, soil research information, organic certification applications and qualifying documentation, WI DNR deer damage reporting, claim submission data, and environmental impact findings. Collaborative relationships with WI DNR researchers, UW Madison Environmental Resources Center, UW Madison Integrated Pest & Crop Management Program, and the Wisconsin Vegetable Growers Association.
Executive Assistant
City of Rhinelander
Rhinelander, WI
09.2007 - 06.2012
- Leadership: Directed Community Development Block Grant Program with $250,000 budget. Reported grant funding status and participant use quarterly to federal agency and annual status of program to municipal council.
- Communications: First point of contact for public. Deployed crisis communications for sewer backup affecting 109 residences. Organized media event and hotline for claim assistance and updates. Spearheaded the city’s insurance and recovery activities totaling $800,000 in claims reimbursement.
- Engagement: Researched and proposed the City’s health insurance coverage. Researched, designed and operated a City Deer Hunt program collaborating with WI DNR. Recruited 85 properties, 150 hunters, 832 acres, and 157 deer harvested, capturing a 25% decrease in deer/vehicle accidents and a 10% decrease in reports of Lyme Disease.
- Editing and Storytelling: Curated City Hall Mural project. Optimized $10,000 budget to produce representative mural of community's history. Produced and presented corporate communications including annual reporting to WIDNR, Council, Mayor and Administrator as well as monthly reporting for council and community activities.
Owner & Executive Director of Operations
Eco-Strategies, LLC.
Rhinelander, WI
04.2004 - 11.2008
- Leadership: Co-Founded a woman-owned environmental consulting business specializing in Pase I & II Site Assessments, soil and groundwater investigation and remediation, water quality assessments, technical report editing and proofreading, landfill monitoring, petroleum product investigation and remediation, lead risk assessments, and utilization of phytoremediation.
- Communications: Designed and analyzed marketing, communications, and business growth strategies. Obtained HUBZone Certification. Created 5 and 10 year strategic plans.
- Engagement: Increased revenue by 300% within four years. Fostered lucrative relationships with federal, state and municipal clients. Negotiated Federal Contracts with USFS.
- Editing and Storytelling: Compiled and analyzed data for LUST reporting, groundwater contamination reports, Phase I & II assessments. Authored marketing narratives used for pitches, presentations and ad campaigns.
Education
Master of Public Administration -
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
Oshkosh, WI 09.2019 - 01.2021
B.A. Communications - Journalism -
University of Wisconsin - Madison & Stevens Point
Stevens Point, WI 01.2015 - 05.2017
Skills
- Communication Strategy & Development
- Policy & Program Analyst
- Strategic Planning
- Entrepreneurial & Small Business Expansion
- Marketing Campaign Strategy & Development
- Crisis & Issue Management
- Brand Management
- Project Management
- Senior Leadership Development
- Team Building
- Thought Leadership Content
- Executive Communication Content
- Internal Communication Content
- External Communication Content
- Marketing Analytics
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
- Professional & Technical Writing
- Business Consulting
- Content Coordination
- Public and Media Relations
- Media Outreach
- Search Engine Optimization Practices
- Campaign Coordination
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Quote
I dwell in possibility.
Emily Dickinson
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
RemoteImportant To Me
Company CultureWork-life balanceHealthcare benefitsPaid sick leave401k matchPaid time offFlexible work hoursWork from home optionTeam Building / Company RetreatsStock Options / Equity / Profit SharingCareer advancementPersonal development programs4-day work weekAffiliations
- Montrose Children's Museum, Board Member
- KVNF - Public Radio Station, Community Advisory Board Member
- KF0JTT, Ham Radio Operator
Software
Adobe Suite
Google Suite
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform
ADP/NeoGov
QuickBooks
Apple - iWork
Ajera Project Management Software
Canva Pro
Squarespace
Interests
Fly fishing
Camping
Hiking
Ham Radio Operator - SOTAs
Jeeping
WXPR Radio Show Host-DJ
Foodie
Reading
Accomplishments
Received 2023 Woman Of Distinction award from Montrose business community.
Received 2019 Safety Champion Award from Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA)
Certification
- Bringing a Product Management Mindset to Building Superior UX and CX, Business Management and Organization Certificate, George Washington University, Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, J. Robinson, 2023
- The AI Revolution in Government, Business Management and Organization Certificate, George Washington University, Center for Excellence in Public Leadership, J. Robinson, 2023
- Emergency Management Laws and Authorities Training Certificate, City of Montrose, Emergency Manager- MEP, P. Eller, 2023
- Supervisor Leadership Training Certificate, City of Montrose, 2019
- Risk Management, Safety and Security Certification, CVMIC, Certified through Risk Management & Loss Control Division, R.Bayer and B. Rank. 2011
- Effective Fleet Safety Program Certification, CVMIC, Certified through Risk Management & Loss Control Division, B. Strenz and B. Rank. 2011
- Playground & Park Inspections, CVMIC, Certified through Risk Management & Loss Control Division, P. Allen and B. Rank. 2011
- Safety Leadership for New Supervisors Training. Certified through Associated Financial Group. E. Shimi, 2011
- Benefits Administration Training. Certified through Associated Financial Group. G. Bott, 2011
- Conducting Facilities Inspections, CVMIC, Certified through Risk Management & Loss Control Division, P. Allen and B. Rank. 2011
- Employment Practices Liability Training, CVMIC, Certified through Atty. Greg Gunta, 2009
- Open Records Training, CVMIC, Certified through Asst Attorney Generals McGlynn-Flanagan & Olsen, WI DOJ, 2007
- Election Forms Training, WI Municipal Clerks Association and Certified through State Elections Board 2006
- Baseline Chief Election Inspector Training, WI Municipal Clerks Association and Certified through State Elections Board 2006
Timeline
Director of Communication and Tourism
City of Montrose, CO
01.2022 - 01.2024
Director of Business, Innovation, and Tourism
City of Montrose, CO
01.2020 - 01.2022
Master of Public Administration -
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
09.2019 - 01.2021
HR Generalist & Safety Coordinator
City of Montrose, CO
01.2017 - 01.2020
B.A. Communications - Journalism -
University of Wisconsin - Madison & Stevens Point
01.2015 - 05.2017
Office Manager
UWSP-Treehaven, College of Natural Resources Field Station
01.2015 - 01.2017
Program Administrator
WI Institute of Public Policy and Service, UWMC
01.2014 - 01.2015
Executive Assistant
City of Rhinelander
09.2007 - 06.2012
Owner & Executive Director of Operations
Eco-Strategies, LLC.
04.2004 - 11.2008
Farmer
Kuczmarski Farms, Inc.
03.1993 - 11.2012
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