Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic

Matthew Umstead

Martinsburg,WV

Summary

Results-driven, thought leader with 20+ years of experience in communications, strategic planning and government and community engagement. Dedicated to delivering positive outcomes through constructive collaboration and ingenuity.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

Director, Office of Strategic Planning and Communications

Berkeley County Commission
01.2021 - Current
  • Serve as Public Information Officer for the Berkeley County Commission, the governing body of Berkeley County, WV government, managing various communication channels and platforms in a public relations capacity.
  • Streamlined social media management (Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn) of 10+ official social platforms through social media communication planning software platforms
  • Developed internal governmental process for development, review and update of content for official Berkeley County website, including 15+ government component units.
  • Provide communication assistance and facilitate brand/logo development for Berkeley County government, development of official insignia and public relations products for departments, boards and commissions and component units.
  • Write, distribute, publish official announcements, letters of correspondence, proclamations and resolutions on behalf of the Berkeley County Commission.
  • Research and write whitepapers for strategic planning purposes, compiling information in regard to various quality of life and health, safety and welfare initiatives for the County Commission, including tax policy, parks and recreation development and legislative/lobbying matters.
  • Facilitate and/or manage special projects and quality of life initiatives through engagement with residents, community organizations and municipal, state and federal government representatives.

Bureau Reporter

The Herald-Mail Co.
06.2006 - 01.2021
  • Served as Bureau Reporter for The Herald-Mail Co. in Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. Responsible for reporting/investigating government actions and proceedings in multiple municipalities and counties with diverse demographic populations ranging between 200 and 120,000 residents, including various minority communities.
  • Engaged with supervisors to develop long-term news-editorial strategy for media coverage of longstanding matters of public safety and community interest.
  • Established and maintained effective working relationships with diverse members of the public, federal, state and local government administrative officials, nonprofit organizations and economic development leaders, minority communities, agriculture and business leaders, federal, state and local government administrative staff and elected officials.
  • Computed and tabulated statistics, including electoral results, voter turnout, campaign finance reporting, agricultural crop production forecasts, agriculture and population census and economic growth indicators

Adjunct Professor

Shepherd University
08.2019 - 05.2020
  • Taught Introduction to Journalism and Journalism Practicum courses, including various facets of reporting, editing, note-taking, interviews, ethics, media law, including First Amendment, libel, slander,Social Media publishing, video and photojournalism.
  • Advised The Picket, student-run newspaper at Shepherd University, managing staffing of online publication with $15,000 budget.

Education

Master of Science - Journalism

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV
12.2000

Bachelor of Arts - History, Political Science

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV
05.1997

Skills

  • Knowledgeable in Software/Cloud-Based Tools: Adobe, Civics Plus, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word; Google Workspace, Planable, Canva
  • Social media management (Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram)
  • Web content management
  • Short-form video content development
  • Communication strategy
  • Strategic planning
  • Written and verbal communication
  • Government Relations
  • Problem-solving
  • Online research
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Media Law and Ethics
  • Photography
  • Videography
  • Relationship building

Accomplishments

  • Facilitated development of agreement to allow for creation of Stone Bridge Park, a passive recreation site east of Martinsburg, West Virginia, in collaboration with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks & Recreation Board.
  • Facilitated development of Morgan Park, a pocket recreation site in the community of Bunker Hill, West Virginia, in collaboration with the West Virginia Department of Transportation.
  • Facilitated establishment of Museum Commission in collaboration with Berkeley County Commission and representatives of historical museums and heritage site organizations in Martinsburg and Berkeley County, West Virginia.
  • Obtained funding and facilitated agreement among various parties for waterway debris removal/cleanup project in collaboration with state and regional agency partners.
  • Researched, wrote and successfully presented nomination of county-owned building for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Directed, as committee chair, year-long celebration commemorating the 250th year Berkeley County that featured the staging of multiple community events and fundraising initiatives to generate funds for quality of life projects.
  • Facilitated design of official county seal, county flag, commemorative coins (two); rifle, decanter, ornament, postcards, lapel pin and 250th event logo.
  • Obtained funding, research and direction for successful development and installation of 700-square foot history mural along recreation trail.
  • Collaborated with parks and recreation officials to install 250th Commemoration park benches.
  • Researched and obtained funding and approval for installation of two highway historical markers
  • Facilitated refurbishment of historical markers
  • Provided strategy paper and guidance for launch of regional museum project.

Timeline

Director, Office of Strategic Planning and Communications

Berkeley County Commission
01.2021 - Current

Adjunct Professor

Shepherd University
08.2019 - 05.2020

Bureau Reporter

The Herald-Mail Co.
06.2006 - 01.2021

Master of Science - Journalism

West Virginia University

Bachelor of Arts - History, Political Science

West Virginia University

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Matthew Umstead