I started my career as a production assistant during college, working on commercial and documentary projects. After graduation, I joined the creative services team at the local FOX affiliate in Dallas where I served as a creative producer for KDFW FOX 4 and FOX Sports Southwest. After three years at the local station, I accepted a position at the network level with FOX Broadcasting Company in Los Angeles. There, I served as an Affiliate Marketing Manager and later Senior Marketing Manager where I produced and managed national marketing campaigns for shows such as Prison Break, 24, American Idol, The X-Factor and GLEE. After nearly 8 years at FOX, I moved back to Texas and joined Visit Fort Worth. Over the past seven years my role has grown to AVP of Marketing for Visit Fort Worth and Film Commissioner. Three years ago, our team started Fort Worth’s first-ever film commission and since then have helped over 300 projects and landed films like Old Man & the Gun starring Robert Redford.

I feel my background in marketing and communications/PR could be a valuable addition to the AFCI Board of Directors. On a personal level, I’d love to see AFCI offer even more marketing guidance/workshops and opportunities for film commissions so this is an area I would love to contribute to. I currently serve as AVP of Marketing for Visit Fort Worth in addition to being the film commissioner. I feel my 15+ years of marketing experience at a major network and now a destination which has including planning marketing campaigns, experiential events, video and social media content, media buys, PR plans etc. could help expand those offerings under the AFCI umbrella (educational and CO-OP).

I really appreciate the major changes AFCI has undergone in the past year. I really notice a difference in the content and opportunities offered to members. Moving forward, I feel continuing to develop meaningful networking and pitch opportunities for AFCI members will be really important in addition to offering innovative and inspirational educational opportunities. As incentives continue to be a challenge in some regions, thinking about how to creatively market a destination and honing into the right audience is an area that AFCI could help guide.

The opportunity to help build something that will enhance the organization, help fellow film commissioners and keep film commissions stay relevant as technology and the industry constantly change. I think it would also be a great opportunity to learn from other board members and really help move initiatives forward.