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EXPERIENCE

WSAV-TV/News                                                                                                Savannah, GA     Anchor/Producer/MultiMedia Journalist                                                     December 2019 - present

     ● Increased viewership and established trust and dependability with Southeast 

        Georgia and South Carolina communities as the anchor and producer for WSAV

        Coastal Sunrise Weekend

      Produced and anchored live coverage with our Tokyo and Beijing correspondents

         during the 2020 Winter and 2022 Summer Olympic Games

 

      ● Led team collaboration and direction for story assignments, segment creation,

         and newscast improvements 

     ● Routinely anchored and produced evening shows

      Provided wall-to-wall coverage for severe weather events, runoff and presidential

       elections, mass shootings, the Ahmaud Arbery trial, the Alex Murdaugh murder 

       investigation, in addition to other hard news and feature reporting

          ● Produced and reported several long format series including:

              Remarkable Women

                - A national series highlighting women making significant contributions to their

                  communities, with the local winner's story airing on Nexstar's Remarkable

                  Women Special

             Hunger Action Month

                - A series highlighting efforts by local organizations to fight against food insecurity

             Clear the Shelters

               - A series dedicated to shining a spotlight on area shelters and increasing

                 adoptions

      Improved social media viewership on station platforms creating digital exclusive                      content and live social reporting 

 

           Cultivated and expanded relationships between WSAV and local community members

       through leading charity auctions, telethons, and emceeing events

      Proficient with Adobe Creative software, ENPS, Bitcentral, Ross Xpression, Chyron, and 

       WordPress

Freelance Work                                                                Savannah, GA & Salt Lake City, UT

   Photographer/Videographer                                                                          January 2013 - present

      Experience shooting, editing, voicing, writing, producing, and directing long format

         feature projects, documentaries, biopics, promotional videos, and other events

      Provided portrait, family, creative, wedding, business, and event photography sessions    

   Communication/Media Specialist                                                                     April 2016 - present

     Professional mentor and communications coach––working with students and young

        professionals

     Experienced document and website designer with proficiency in multi-media                             conception

     Managed public relations for small businesses, app developers, influencers, and other

         groups

 

   Emcee/Motivational Speaker.                                                                        January 2013 - present

        ● BYU Connect

     Inaugural Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum

        ● 7th Annual Savannah Traffick Jam

     Holiday Hope Telethon

     Radio Disney

        ● Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Salt Lake

       ● Miss Utah Scholarship Pageant

       ● Miss Utah's Outstanding Teen

 

   J​essica Coombs Piano Studio                                                                       January 2007 - present

      ● Piano instructor with more than 15 years of experience teaching private and group                     lessons to all ages and skill levels

      ● In-depth instruction in music theory, ear-training, music history, and performance class

​   Professional Musician/Accompanist                                                             January 2002 - present

       ● Experience as a soloist and a member of group ensembles performing across the U.S. 

       ● Special guest performances at venues such as Abravanel Hall, Rosewagner Hall, Caine           Performance Center, Libby Garner Hall, De Jong Concert Hall, Madsen Recital Hall,               and Pardoe Drama Theatre

KBYU Eleven News                                                                                                    Provo, UT

   Anchor/Producer/MultiMedia Journalist                                                 January 2016 - June 2018        Anchored, produced, and reported for mid-day newscasts

   ● Live reporting experience including covering a presidential visit, presidential election,             severe winter weather, and the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games

      ● Worked as producer, field producer, assignment editor, photographer, and weather                 anchor in addition to assigned duties

      ● Shot, wrote, and produced long format features including a backpack journalism biopic         shot throughout Scotland and England

BYU School of Communications                                                                               Provo, UT

   Ambassador/Video Producer                                                                     August 2017 - April 2018

   ● Represented the university faculty and leadership at promotional events and fundraisers

      ● Organized and ran outreach events––connecting students with alumni

 

   ● Produced videos and other content to showcase global learning opportunities

NY1 Spectrum News                                                                                    New York City, NY

   Intern                                                                                                            April 2017 - July 2017

    Worked in the production of On Stage, an entertainment/Broadway show shot on                  location throughout New York City

   ● Created segments, developed web content, assisted in creative conception, and                    managed guest services

      ● Assisted On Stage team during their Live from the Red Carpet Coverage for the 2017             Tony Award Show

      ● Worked on several long-form feature projects and live town hall events––including                  NY1's 25th Anniversary Special and an in-depth 9-11 Special

ABC4 KTVX                                                                                                 Salt Lake City, UT

   Freelance Associate Producer/Intern                                                 September 2016 - January 2017

    Promoted from an intern to a freelance associate producer one month into internship

    Worked in the production of the daily hour long Lifestyle Show Good Things Utah

    Produced stories for newscasts and web, booked and managed clients, created                      segments, and produced special live on-location shows

Society of Professional Journalists                                                                             Provo, UT

  BYU Chapter Secretary                                                                    September 2016 - January 2017

    Organized meetings, events, and outreach opportunities to network with professionals

    Planned bi-weekly activities for 56 club members

    Attended journalism conferences in Utah and New Mexico––working with journalists on        how to improve methods, tools, and output

Capital West News                                                                                                      Provo, UT

  Reporter                                                                                                   January 2016 - June 2016

    Published several weekly articles covering the Utah State Legislature

      ● Attended legislative meetings, hearings, and conducted in-depth policy research

  .   ● Interviewed legislators, lobbyists, and community members

    Awarded "Best All Around Reporter" from publication staff

The Daily Universe                                                                                                      Provo, UT

  Reporter                                                                                                   January 2016- June 2016

    Wrote weekly in-depth political, community, and issue-based pieces 

    Facilitated connections within Utah communities to create awareness for solutions to              community-wide issues

Miss America's Outstanding Teen                                                                Salt Lake City, UT

   Miss Utah's Outstanding Teen                                                            September 2012- October 2013

     Represented the state of Utah at the national Miss America's Outstanding Teen                .     competition

     Served as a youth leader and mentor promoting and implementing my platform                       "Pursue Your Potential" at more than 250 events

    ● Created social awareness and engagement as a guest speaker and performer at                        schools across the state of Utah

    ● Networked with local organizations and charities serving as a spokesperson for the Miss            Utah's Outstanding Teen Organization and as a spokesperson for MeadowGold and              Children's Miracle Network

    ● Awarded several scholarships and recognitions for piano performance and community              engagement

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COMMUNITY SERVICE

Humanitarian Advocate and Volunteer:​

ALF Family Services

Alzheimer's Association

America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia

Ben's Friends

Bluffton Self-Help

Canines with a Cause

Children's Miracle Network

Coastal Children's Advocacy Center

Emmaus House Soup Kitchen

Follow the Flag

Georgia Historical Society

Hilton Head Humane Association

Humane Society for Greater Savannah

Morning Star Cultural Arts

National Museum of the MIghty Eighth Air Force

People Helping People of Savannah

Renegade Paws Rescue

Salvation Army

Savannah Center for Blind and Low Vision

Savannah/Chatham CASA

Savannah Feed the Hungry

Savannah Tree Foundation

Savannah Working Against Human Trafficking

Shelter From the Rain

Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc

Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum

Step Up Savannah

St. Vincent de Paul Homeless Shelter

The Savannah Interagency Diversity Council

Utah Food Bank

United Way of the Coastal Empire

Utah Symphony and Utah Opera

YMCA of Coastal Georgia

EDUCATION

Brigham Young University                                            Provo, UT

   Bachelor of Arts, Communications, Broadcast/Journalism Emphasis      Summa Cum Laude                                                         April 2018

    ● Minors: Music, Theology, Civic Engagement and Leadership 

     GPA 4.0

      Dean's List all semesters

      Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society

      Phi Eta Sigma BYU Honor Society

      Golden Key International Honour Society

      Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society

Art History and Curatorial Study Abroad               London, UK

  Student                                                             April 2016- June 2016

    Studied and toured throughout Europe including: England,          Switzerland, and France

 

     ● Focused studies included Art History, Greek and Roman               Mythology, British studies, Classical Literature and Music

● ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

Nominated for Three Student Production Emmy Awards  

Recipient of the Best News Anchor in the 2018 BEA National                        Student News Competition

Recipient of the 2018 Jane Clayson Johnson Award 

 

2018 William Randolph Hearst Foundation Television Features Competition National 5th place Recipient

 

Mark of Excellence Award in the Society of Professional Journalists Region 9 Television Sports Reporting Category

   

Mark of Excellence Award in the Society of Professional Journalists Region 9 Television In-Depth Reporting Category

 

Mark of Excellence Award

in the Society of Professional Journalists Region 9

Television Feature Reporting Category

Gordon & Illa Mills Endowed Fund Recipient

Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Scholarship Recipient

Capital West News"Best All Around Reporter" Award

BYU Communications Broadcast Journalism Talent Award

BYU Communications Print Journalism Talent Award

BYU Full Tuition Academic Scholarship

Performed in 2002 Winter Olympics

2011 Children's Miracle Network Scholarship Recipient

Glenn S. Harmon Instrumentalist Award (2011-2012)

Top prizes in the USU Piano Festival (2006-2013)

Performed with the American West Symphony under the direction of Maestro Joel Rosenberg

Debuted with the Utah Symphony under the direction of Maestro Vladimir Kulenovic

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