AUSTEN L. ONEK
austen.onek@gmail.com (901) 213-6635 Google Phone
OVERVIEW
33 years experience in project management/direction, expert editing / writing / proofreading from extensive communications & journalism background (AP/Chicago Style); executive director/producer online events; internal / external / corporate communications familiar; public speaking & presentation expert.
★ Teamwork / Independent work comfortable
★ Channel content development, continuity & oversight
★ Training / Teaching leader, class/subject matter research & development
★ Subject / Message Creation & Alignment with company / department standards
★ Emergency Communications Expert
PROFESSIONAL
JUNE 2022 to PRESENT
WDEF-TV NEWS 12 Chief Meteorologist
Weekday Evening News, Digital Weather Creator, Advisor On Social Media Content/Strategy, Public Communication Specialist / Public Speaking Specialist
JULY 2020 to JUNE 2022
COVID-19 JOINT TASK FORCE – SHELBY COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Public Information Specialist, Executive Director SCHD Press Conference Live Webcasts, Social Media Management,
SCHD Liaison to Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris office, 160 N. Main: Project Manager Print Media, Videographer, Creative Design, Advisor On Social Media Content/Strategy
SEPTEMBER 2018 to MARCH 2020
BARTLETT CITY SCHOOLS Substitute Teacher
JANUARY 2008 to JULY 2019
CITY OF MEMPHIS: PINK PALACE MUSEUM, EDUCATION DEPT.
Scientific Advisor / Instructor, Successful Grant / Press Release Writer, Public Communication Specialist
NOVEMBER 1997 to JANUARY 2020
WREG-TV CBS MEMPHIS, TN
Senior Digital Specialist, Senior Meteorologist, Anchor / Reporter, Webmaster (former), Graphic & Animation Artist, Communications / Promotions / Public Information Specialist
JUNE 1994 to OCTOBER 1997
KFSM-TV 5 CBS FORT SMITH / FAYETTEVILLE, AR
Meteorologist, Anchor / Internet Reporter, Graphic Artist,
Public Communication / Media Relations
JULY 1990 to JUNE 1994
KTKA-TV 49 ABC TOPEKA, KS
Meteorologist, Anchor / Environmental Reporter, Graphic Artist, Public Communication/Media Relations Audio/Radio Editing, Production Dept. P/T employee, P/T Photographer
JULY 1990 to JULY 1991
KMAJ AM/FM TOPEKA, KS Weather Anchor, Announcer, Production Staff, Commercial Writer/Editor, News Dept. Intern
EDUCATION FORMAL
The University of Kansas: Bachelor of Arts: Atmospheric Science & Physics, May 1991
The University of Memphis: Master of Arts: Journalism and New Media, 2020-2022
References & Samples available upon request
PROOF OF PERFORMANCE
2021-2022 Executive Director & Producer, Shelby County Health Department COVID-19 Joint Task Force weekly / bi-weekly online streaming press conference briefings from SC Emergency Management Agency main training ops theater.
2021 Shelby County Office of the Mayor: Project Lead for requested SC Department of Corrections COVID-19 vaccination video campaign. Result: By year’s end, total vaccination levels within the SCDOC inmate population rises to 75%, near 95% into early 2022.
2021 Shelby County Office of the Mayor: Project Lead for requested multi-format COVID-19 vaccination campaign, primarily print but sidebar radio & television advertisement development, utilizing QR codes and specialized . Print media distributed to public access areas of various Shelby County government facilities explaining the benefit and low risks of COVID-19 vaccinations. Result: steady increase in Shelby County Health Department and Shelby County government websites
2015-2020 Top 5% Memphis DMA local news social media influencers via ShareRocket survey data
2002-2003 Creator / Project Lead for WREG-TV energy conservation campaigns “Power To Save!” and the follow-up “Power 2 Save!” Result: ultimately earning $250,000 in advertising revenue
References & Samples available upon request
Meteorologist Austen Onek 