Ivan Sanders
Elizabethton,TN
Summary
Qualified Communication Specialist with solid background in managing public relations and disseminating critical information. Proven track record in crafting compelling messages that enhance public understanding and engagement. Demonstrated expertise in crisis communication and media relations. Proactive and goal-oriented professional with excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Known for reliability and adaptability, with swift capacity to learn and apply new skills. Committed to leveraging these qualities to drive team success and contribute to organizational growth.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Golf Pro Shop Assistant
City of Elizabethton
Elizabethton, TN
01.2026 - Current
- Assisted customers with product selection and inquiries in pro shop.
- Maintained inventory accuracy through regular stock checks and organization.
- Processed transactions efficiently using point-of-sale systems.
- Supported events and tournaments by preparing equipment and materials.
- Collaborated with team members to enhance customer service experience.
- Ensured cleanliness and organization of pro shop displays and merchandise.
- Managed club rental program, ensuring availability of quality equipment for visiting golfers.
- Processed sales transactions efficiently, maintaining accurate records of all financial activities within the pro shop.
Journalist
Elizabethton Star Newspaper
Elizabethton, TN
01.1993 - Current
- Investigated local news stories, ensuring accuracy and relevance for community readership.
- Conducted interviews with diverse sources to gather insights and enhance article depth.
- Collaborated with editorial team to develop compelling narratives and maintain publication standards.
- Edited articles for clarity, grammar, and adherence to publication guidelines before final print.
- Developed and maintained relationships with community stakeholders for news sourcing and reporting.
- Wrote, edited and produced stories for Internet and digital channels.
- Researched and gathered information to develop accurate and credible stories.
- Covered high-profile events such as political elections and natural disasters, providing timely updates to readers.
- Evaluated and followed up on news leads and news tips to develop story ideas.
- Utilized social media to engage readers and promote content.
- Covered elementary, middle, high school, and college sporting events by providing photos and writing stories for the paper.
- Covered elementary, middle, high school, and college programs and events including graduations, plays, honor's day, and special presentations working closely with five county high schools, eight middle schools, and two local colleges by providing stories and photos of the events.
- Covered local and state government events including county commission, city council, and visits from Governor Bill Lee, Senator Marsha Blackburn, and Senator Bill Hagerty and state representatives.
- Covered local events such as parades, historical play at Sycamore Shoals State Park, dance recitals, and much more.
- I am a self-contained journalist meaning I shoot my own photos and write the stories associated with the events I cover.
- Used programs such as photoshop, Canva, and Microsoft office along with other software as needed.
- Served as Sports Editor full time for three years.
Public Information Officer
City of Elizabethton
Elizabethton, TN
10.2022 - 01.2026
- Developed and implemented communication strategies to enhance public engagement and awareness.
- Collaborated with city departments to coordinate effective messaging for community events.
- Managed social media platforms, increasing follower engagement through targeted content creation.
- Prepared press releases and public statements, ensuring clarity and accuracy of information disseminated.
- Conducted outreach initiatives to promote city programs, fostering community involvement and feedback.
- Led crisis communication efforts during emergency situations, maintaining transparency with the public.
- Monitored media coverage of the organization, identifying opportunities for proactive engagement.
- Managed websites and social media accounts applying communication strategies and branding to maintain consistent voice and presence.
- Successfully managed reputational risks by addressing unfavorable narratives in a timely manner.
- Collaborated with internal departments to create consistent messaging across all platforms.
- Increased public awareness of programs and initiatives through targeted marketing campaigns.
- Wrote press releases, talking points and and responses to requests for information.
- Improved media relations for the organization, cultivating partnerships with local press outlets.
- Created informative press releases that garnered positive media attention, promoting the organization''s achievements and initiatives.
- Coordinated press conferences and media events, maximizing organizational exposure in the news cycle.
- Developed compelling content for social media channels, driving increased engagement from followers.
- Managed routine and crisis communications with media and members of public.
- Set up interviews with staff members to field media requests.
- Managed crisis communications during emergencies, ensuring accurate and timely information dissemination.
- Pitched stories to media organizations to promote company interests.
- Built strong connections with government officials and policymakers in support of legislative advocacy efforts.
- Communicated with media weekly to build relationships and optimize press coverage.
- Helped with photo and video production and performed visual and sound editing tasks.
- Forged strong media relationships to further public relations goals.
- Wrote press releases for routine use and crisis management.
- Used Photoshop and Canva to create and distribute press releases to media outlets.
- Produced and distributed internal and external communications.
- Delivered program information to public by authoring press releases, conducting media campaigns, and maintaining program-related websites.
- Built and maintained positive relationships with public by utilizing strategic plans.
- Developed and implemented social media strategy to increase engagement and reach new audiences.
- Produced and distributed brochures, newsletters and press kits.
- Managed media relations for organizations to produce successful results.
- Cultivated strong relationships with media representatives to secure widespread coverage and feature stories.
- Coordinated media interviews with organization staff, board members and volunteers.
- Drafted press releases detailing relevant newsworthy information and supporting brand image, and worked with news media to spread positions.
- Prepared or edited organizational publications such as employee newsletters or stockholder reports for internal or external audiences.
- Covered City Council meetings taking photos and writing a recap of monthly meeting.
- Helped organize our Tweetsie Trail Jams concert series developing graphics, posters, and other publications to help tourism in our city.
- Served as dual Public Information Officer for the City of Elizabethton and Carter County government during the devastating Hurricane Helene flooding working 15 hours days for three straight weeks in the Emergency Operation Center. Did live Facebook's informing viewers of vital information regarding supply drop-off and pickup locations, daily welfare checks conducted by rescue crews, information about electricity and water restoration efforts, and other important information from the Emergency Management Agency and the state Incident Response Team. Also set up interviews with local, state, and national news media in regard to efforts in the county.
- Received my Master Public Information Officer certificate from the LEIC of the University of Tennessee.
- I am a member of the NIOA - National Information Officers Association receiving a top three finish for one of my photos of local police chasing a fleeing suspect in a local river.
- I have attended several trainings and Crisis Symposiums on handling crisis situations.
Education
High School Diploma -
Gate City High School
Gate City, VA05.1984
Skills
- Public engagement
- Community engagement
- Communications strategies
- Website management
- Photography
- Media relations
- Press release writing
- Crisis communications
- Social media expertise
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management
- Reliability
- Professionalism
Accomplishments
Certified Master Public Information Officer - University of Tennessee.
Member of NIOA (National Information Officers Association).
Finished in top 3 nationally with a photo of local officers chasing suspect in a river.
Certification
Master Public Information Officer - University of Tennessee LEIC
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Golf Pro Shop Assistant
City of Elizabethton
01.2026 - Current
Public Information Officer
City of Elizabethton
10.2022 - 01.2026
Journalist
Elizabethton Star Newspaper
01.1993 - Current
High School Diploma -
Gate City High School
Section name
- - Responsible for promoting the positive things the city and its departments do for the residents to overcome any negative opinions generated via website and social media.
- - Revamped website to a more modern website through Revize platform. Responsible for social media updates on Facebook and Instagram.
- - Took photos and wrote stories to post on website, Facebook, and Instagram along with providing to local media about the positive happenings within the city and its departments and personnel.
- - Interacted with local news media including newspapers, television, and radio on activities and happenings within the city.
- - Covered City sponsored events such as Covered Bridge Days, music in the park, Christmas parade, Independence Day festivities, and many more taking photos and writing positive stories to post on our sites.
- - Covered City Council meetings taking photos and writing a recap of monthly meeting.
- - Helped organize our Tweetsie Trail Jams concert series developing graphics, posters, and other publications to help tourism in our city.
- - Wrote a monthly newsletter that was distributed to those on our email subscription list including photos and stories along with graphics of upcoming events and job opportunities within the city.
- - Served as dual Public Information Officer for the City of Elizabethton and Carter County government during the devastating Hurricane Helene flooding working 15 hours days for three straight weeks in the Emergency Operation Center. Did live Facebooks informing viewers of vital information regarding supply drop-off and pickup locations, daily welfare checks conducted by rescue crews, information about electricity and water restoration efforts, and other important information from the Emergency Management Agency and the state Incident Response Team. Also set up interviews with local, state, and national news media in regard to efforts in the county.
- - Received my Master Public Information Officer certificate from the LEIC of the University of Tennessee.
- - I am a member of the NIOA - National Information Officers Association receiving a top three finish for one of my photos of local police chasing a fleeing suspect in a local river.
- - I have attended several trainings and Crisis Symposiums on handling crisis situations.
- - Developed close relationships with each department in the city including street and sanitation, city schools, library, parks and recreation police, fire, water resources, and electric. Also worked with Main Street Elizabethton in support of their efforts.
- - Established positive relationships with various groups throughout the city including Kiwanis, Optimist Club, Lions Club, and religious organizations.
- - Utilized software applications such as Canva, Microsoft Suite, Revize, and others.
- - Covered elementary, middle, high school, and college sporting events by providing photos and writing stories for the paper.
- - Covered elementary, middle, high school, and college programs and events including graduations, plays, honor's day, and special presentations working closely with five county high schools, eight middle schools, and two local colleges by providing stories and photos of the events.
- - Covered local and state government events including county commission, city council, and visits from Governor Bill Lee, Senator Marsha Blackburn, and Senator Bill Hagerty and state representatives.
- - Covered local events such as parades, historical play at Sycamore Shoals State Park, dance recitals, and much more.
- - I am a self-contained journalist meaning I shoot my own photos and write the stories associated with the events I cover.
- - Use programs such as photoshop, Canva, and Microsoft office along with other software as needed.
- - Served as Sports Editor full time for three years.