Richard “Rocky” Merz

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PROFESSIONAL OBJECTIVE
Continue service to the public in a position applying the skills gained from 9+ years
of government, legislative and community affairs experience.

Strengths
Skilled communicator. Experienced public speaker. Creative problem solver.
Loyal employee. Team player. Critical thinker.
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Public Information Officer/Community Relations Manager, Cincinnati Health Department

August 2008-Present
Serve as the representative and often spokesman for the department on a variety of matters
including general health, emergency preparedness, governmental and community affairs.
! Develop internal and external communications and advocacy strategy.
! Develop written communications including brochures, flyers, web updates, public service
announcements, press statements and more.
! Co-Produce and host the monthly cable show “We Know Health Matters.”
! Foster productive working relationships and partnerships with the community at large
and elected officials. This includes monitoring legislative initiatives.
! Serve on numerous local and national working groups and committees focused on public
health and emergency preparedness.

Chief of Staff, Cincinnati Vice Mayor David C. Crowley

February 2002-August 2008
Manage daily activities of the Vice Mayor’s office and staff:
! Created policy initiatives by researching and drafting legislation, then working with
community and Council Members to get initiatives adopted (such as the creation and
passage of Cincinnati’s revamped Clean Air Law).
! Performed public relations activities such as writing speeches and talking points, press
releases, working with and pitching story ideas to reporters, and representing the Vice
Mayor at community meetings.
! Worked with the City Administration to solve problems such as addressing constituent
concerns and complaints.
! Researched budget implications to help Vice Mayor make decisions about the billion
dollar annual City budget.
! Served on the Zoning Code Review Committee, which reviews and makes
recommendations regarding the City’s Zoning Code to the Planning Commission.

(over)
Campaign Manager, Cincinnati Vice Mayor David C. Crowley
January-November 2005, 2007
Oversaw all aspects of the successful 2005 and 2007 re-election campaigns (2007 his best
finish):
! Created and implemented the general campaign strategy and timeline including message
strategy, issue research, target-audience identification, and communications (i.e., writing
candidate questionnaires, speeches, talking points, creating campaign literature, and
managing a comprehensive mail, television and radio campaign).
! Managed the budget and coordinated fundraising efforts including direct solicitation,
letter writing and donor database management.
! Created and oversaw the field strategy including the management of a campaign and
volunteer coordinator.

Legislative Aid, Cincinnati Vice-Mayor Minette Cooper

June 2001-February 2002
! Organized legislative activities.
! Managed general office correspondence including e-mail, faxes and letters.
! Researched and composed speeches and talking points.
! Served as Field Organizer for the successful 2001 re-election campaign (her highest
finish in four elections).

Deputy Campaign Manager, Todd Portune, Hamilton County Commissioner.

May 2000-November 2000
! Conducted extensive research and helped develop a campaign message strategy.
! Assisted in debate preparation and opposition research.
! Worked closely with the campaign manager to develop a media strategy.
! Coordinated volunteers in field efforts including yard sign and literature distribution.
! Responsible for day-to-day scheduling of candidate and volunteers.

Interned for City of Cincinnati

January 1999-May 1999
! Fielded customer service phone calls and letters from constituents.
! Worked with City Administration to find solutions and conduct appropriate follow-up.
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AWARDS
! 2000 Addy Award for conceptual contribution to the Hamilton County Commissioner
Todd Portune “Action Figure” political campaign commercial.
! 1999 Best Actor Award from the Xavier University Theater Department.
! 4-year Performing Arts Grant Scholarship from the Xavier University Theater
Department.

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science with Business Administration Minor,
Xavier University, Cincinnati OH, 1999
 TECHNICAL SKILLS
Windows, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Word, Outlook

References available upon request.