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
Jessica 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