Biography
Emily’s background in marketing, communications and journalism provides unique expertise to her work as a public affairs professional. Her Communications degree allows her to craft effective messages; and, her MBA with a concentration in Marketing allows her to identify target audiences, while giving careful consideration to all relevant business aspects.
Emily has worked for profit and non-profit organizations in a variety of industries, including health care, education, print media, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, she worked as a communications consultant for the Dallas Independent School District and has been responsible for public policy activities at the state level (in education) and national level (health care reform). In several positions, she served as company spokesperson, handling both public relations and crisis management.
As a marketing manager, communications officer, and public affairs manager, Emily has been responsible for brand management, advertising and messaging. She is an experienced webmaster, responsible for the development and creation of more than a dozen Intranet and Internet sites (a few in Spanish) and the implementation of social media online marketing strategies.
Emily started her career as a newspaper reporter for Gannett, one of the nation’s largest newspaper chains. Her assignment in El Paso allowed Emily to cover the news in both El Paso and neighboring Mexico, including the 1994 rebel uprising and civil unrest following the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
As a political and public affairs reporter, Emily was the recipient of the state’s highest award in journalism: the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors’ Award. She also earned two journalism fellowships – an Associated Press fellowship in Washington, D.C. and the Poynter Institute for Media Studies fellowship in Florida. Additionally, she served on the Editorial Board, worked as a columnist, and served as Assignments Editor.
Emily lives in Flower Mound, Texas and is the lone female at home – even the dogs are males. She met her husband, Richard, at 15; they have two sons. Emily cooks authentic Mexican food and is an avid reader. She jogs or cycles long distances every day, probably an excuse to listen to hours of podcasts involving politics.