Lucas L Johnson II
Cane Ridge,TN
Summary
Successful Communications Manager bringing more than 30 years of progressive experience in journalism, marketing, and public relations. Born connector easily establishes useful partnerships and develops performance-oriented teams. Ably leads strategic marketing communications initiatives. Excellent record of performance in writing/storytelling, editing, and marketing.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Communications Specialist
Vanderbilt University School of Engineering
Nashville, TN
04.2022 - Current
- Produce monthly e-newsletter.
- Showcase faculty, students, and research through stories promoted internally and externally.
- Collaborate with team to promote, plan and organize communication materials.
- Pitch stories to local and national media outlets.
Consultant
Self-Employed
Nashville, TN
05.2015 - Current
- Specialize in editing, proofing, writing, marketing, and consulting.
- Coordinated publicity that led to first national news coverage of 11 Alabama brothers who collectively served 158 years in U.S. military (publicity has led to production of a documentary about the brothers, and feature film interest).
- Speak to high school and higher education classes about journalism, effective communication, and public relations.
Communications Manager & Engagement Specialist
Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN
01.2016 - 03.2022
- Successfully managed diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and promote university's students, faculty, staff and alumni, and highlight achievements in its various colleges and departments.
- Wrote crisp and fresh press releases, and made direct pitches to reporters, editors, broadcasters, and producers on national and international platforms.
- Achievements included getting university and one of its alum featured "Person of the Week" on ABC World News Tonight.
- Coordinated publicity for TSU's coding partnership with Apple that led to global news coverage and praise from top Apple officials, including CEO Tim Cook.
- Started newsletter for university community and alumni.
- Prepped faculty, staff, and students for media interviews.
- Worked with local and state leaders to increase TSU's presence in the community.
- Consistently and effectively promoted university's mission both internally and externally.
- Looked for enthralling narratives that supported university's strategic communications goals.
- Demonstrated involvement in local community and an established regional network.
- Helped develop recruitment initiatives for university.
- Worked with administrators to revamp university's crisis management plan.
- Recognized by administrators and faculty for exceptional work promoting university.
Reporter
Associated Press
Nashville , TN
01.1992 - 01.2016
- Produced accurate and attention-grabbing stories with global reach.
- Broke story about audio recording of interview with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. discovered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, attic and later donated to National Civil Rights Museum by magician David Copperfield, who had purchased the audio.
- Main news coverage was politics, education, health care, and technology.
- Worked with editors to plan legislative coverage that produced numerous national stories.
- Lawmakers lauded legislative content for being accurate and fair.
- Simplified other topics in health care, energy, government, and technology through clear, concise, and compelling writing.
- Honored by Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth for coverage of children's issues.
Adjunct Professor
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TN
06.2000 - 08.2002
- Taught two undergraduate Media Writing courses.
- Advisor to student newspaper.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, TNSkills
- Effective communication and collaboration
- Writing and editing skills
- Research and data collection
- Team building
- Proficiency in artificial intelligence
Accomplishments
- Author of the books Remembering Roots and Finding the Good; co-author of Youth Change Agent.
- Awarded a grant to write a series of stories about the impact of COVID-19 on education in underserved Tennessee communities.
Timeline
Senior Communications Specialist
Vanderbilt University School of Engineering
04.2022 - Current
Communications Manager & Engagement Specialist
Tennessee State University
01.2016 - 03.2022
Consultant
Self-Employed
05.2015 - Current
Adjunct Professor
Middle Tennessee State University
06.2000 - 08.2002
Reporter
Associated Press
01.1992 - 01.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
Middle Tennessee State University