Resume of Thomas S. Stevens
Key Qualifications
- Communications Expertise: Experienced writer and effective public speaker with background in community service, political and theatrical work. Developed promotional materials for local organizations, including newsletters, advertisements, brochures and informational material.
- Collaborative Contributor: Consensus-builder with strong relationship skills, able to work independently and with others to promote short and long term organizational success.
- Advocate: Passionate and articulate about the importance of maintaining the arts as a core part of our culture and educational curriculum.
- Technical Skills: Over 20 years of experience as copyeditor and proofreader with solid background in common office software, including Microsoft Office and Macintosh Pages. Facility to learn and master new software quickly.
Tom's work with Vermont Dictionary Project
Experience
Executive Director
Vermont Alliance for Arts Education March
2008 – Present
Waterbury, Vermont
Vermont Alliance for Arts Education is a member of the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network. Responsibilities include planning major professional development conference for educators, writing and editing newsletter, advocate for and promote importance of the arts in K-12 education, arrange outreach for arts educators, and organize Poetry Out Loud, an NEA and Vermont Arts Council event.
Executive Director
Vermont Dictionary Project 2002 –
Present
Waterbury, Vermont
Founder and executive director of non-profit organization with a mission to distribute dictionaries to third graders across the State of Vermont. Developed 30-minute presentation to introduce, educate, and excite children about the importance of vocabulary as a base for their literacy skills. Program includes statewide outreach to schools, service groups, and funding sources. Seasonal, part-time position.
Education Director
Waterbury Congregational Church 2007 –
Present
Waterbury, Vermont
Coordinate educational programs for children and adult congregants of local church. Develop appropriate lesson plans for various age ranges, concentrating primarily on youth. Responsible for coordinating teacher schedule for weekly lessons. Work with education committee and pastor to develop ongoing budget. Work with education and stewardship committees to develop yearly budget for education program. Part-time position, approximately 20 hours per month.
Production Coordinator and Director
QuarryWorks Theater 2001 –
2006
Adamant, Vermont
Coordinator of summer theater, managing three separate theatrical productions, each with its own cast and crew. Year-round activities include writing newsletter articles, public relations, season planning, casting, scheduling, and communications. Director: Measure for Measure, Twelfth Night, Moon for the Misbegotten, Alice in Wonderland, Johnny Tremain.
Chair, Waterbury Select Board 2006 – 2008
Elected to Select Board 2005. Oversight includes working with municipal manager on budgets for town functions, including highway and fire departments, capital improvement plans, recreation and library expenditures and all other functions incumbent upon elected town officials. Testified at State Legislature on numerous occasions, leading to passage of key legislation. Write and edit various Select Board communications, including editorials and letters, and speak with local media to discuss and promote numerous issues. Part-time, primarily evening meetings 1-2 times per week.
Chair, Waterbury Downtown Partnership 2005 – 2006
Led working group formed to develop strategy and execute application for Waterbury’s Downtown Designation. Developed and implemented public relations and outreach plans, including organization of two major public education meetings. Worked with multiple boards and community groups to develop and present application to Statewide Downtown Board. Designation granted in November 2006.
Waterbury Merger Committees 2002, 2006
Member of committees drafting plans for merger between Town and Village of Waterbury. Organized and implemented public relations and outreach plans, including radio appearances, opinion pieces, and public meetings. Wrote, designed and presented voter informational materials.
Reader, “Open Season” by Archer Mayor 2008
The voice of Joe Gunther. Reader for new audiobook version of Archer Mayor’s first installment of his Joe Gunther novels. Released September 2008.
Stay-at-home Parent 1994 – 2007
Primary caregiver for family during early to mid-childhood.
Community Service
Waterbury Congregational Church (historian) 2001 – 2008
Directed historical video, A Song to Sing, celebrating 200 th anniversary of church. Developed, designed and edited brochure for capital campaign. Collect and safeguard historical materials belonging to church.
Advisor, UVM Extension, Children, Family and Strong Communities Group 2003 – 2007
Reflect and respond to policies set forth by UVM Extension programs with an emphasis on those that affect children and families.
Revitalizing Waterbury (vice president, secretary, board of directors) 2001 – 2007
Co-developed, wrote and edited Revival News and Notes newsletter, introduced during recent capital campaign for restoration of the Waterbury Railroad Station. Member of website development committee. Led development of Waterbury Downtown Partnership (see above). Of note: developed and implemented strategy to acquire fire-damaged historical landmark, the William Wells House, creating contacts in Civil War history community. Created public relations campaign that led commercial developer to build an “authentic replica” of the Wells House.
Education
Boston University College for the Arts, Boston, MA: Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bread Loaf Writer’s Conference, Ripton, VT
