Catherine Mortensen named as Communications Director for Congressman Lamborn
Washington, Jun 12, 2008 -
Washington, DC -- Congressman Doug Lamborn announced this week he has hired a former elected official and journalist from his Colorado district to serve as his new Director of Communications.
Catherine Mortensen served on the Canon City Council from 2003-2007 and spent the past year at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University where she earned a Master’s of Public Administration.
“We are thrilled anytime we can hire someone from the district,” Lamborn said. “Catherine and her family have lived in Canon City for six years where they own a small business. As a former elected official, Catherine understands the importance of open and transparent communication with the citizens.”
Mortensen also has ten years experience as a radio, print and television reporter, and anchor in New Mexico and Colorado.
“I look forward to helping Congressman Lamborn reach out to reporters and citizens throughout the district,” Mortensen said. “As a former reporter myself, I fully appreciate reporters’ deadlines and am committed to getting members of the media what they need, when they need it.”
Catherine will work closely with two other staff members who assist the Congressman with communications: Deputy Press Secretary, Kristine Michalson and Press Assistant Grace Seaton.
New contact information:
E-mail: catherine.mortensen@mail.house.gov
Office phone: (202) 225-4422
Cell phone: (202) 841-2653
Personal cell/home number: (719) 275-6418
ATTACHED RESUME AND HEADSHOT BELOW
CATHERINE L.MORTENSEN
6 Shaler Lane
Cambridge, MA
(719) 275-6418
e-mail: catherine_martines@ksg08.harvard.edu
Areas of Expertise
• Government and Community Relations
• Strategic Public Communications
• Political Campaign Operations
• Professional training at Harvard’s Kennedy School
Education HARVARD UNIVERSITY, Kennedy School of Government Cambridge, MA
Master in Public Administration, expected June 2008
Concentration in: communications.
BOSTON UNIVERSITY Boston, MA
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, 1990
Bachelor of Science, Journalism, 1990 Cum Laude
OXFORD UNIVERSITY, St. Catherine’s College Oxford, U.K.
Modern British Studies, 1989
Professional CITY COUNCIL Canon City, CO
Experience Council Member
2003-2007 Elected official in a city of population 20,000
• Approved and managed annual budget ($22 million)
• Coordinated press, radio and television coverage for Council
• Directed constituent relations efforts
• Reviewed and approved/denied commercial and residential development plans
CANYON CURRENT Canon City, CO
General Assignment Reporter
2001-2003 Enterprised local news stories: politics/government, business, education
• Winner of 2001,2002 Colorado Press Association Award for best business story, best editorial
NEW MEXICO LEGISLATURE Santa Fe, NM
Press Secretary for House Republicans
2001 Directed and coordinated public communication for all 47 Republican members of the State House
• Created and maintained statewide media contact directory
• Strategized with House Leaders on political communication plans
• Analyzed bills for political and economic impacts
• Wrote press releases
KRQE-TV, CBS AFFILIATE Albuquerque, NM
General Assignment On-Air Reporter
1998-2000 Covered breaking news under tight deadlines
• Enterprised in-depth stories on issues such as welfare reform, domestic violence, drunk driving
KOAT-TV, ABC AFFILIATE Albuquerque, NM
General Assignment On-Air Reporter/Fill-in Anchor
1993-1997 Lead reporter on team coverage of New Mexico visit by Vice President Al Gore
• Reported on Presidential Campaign of Sen. Robert Dole
• Helicopter reporter at the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
• Covered breaking news daily
1992-1993 KOBF-TV, NBC AFFILIATE Farmington, NM
Anchor
• Anchored 10pm nightly newscast
• Shot, edited wrote all stories
1991-1992 KKOB-AM RADIO Albuquerque, NM
Anchor/Reporter
• Reported and anchored four live newscasts daily
• Part of team which won Associated Press Best Radio Newscast in 1991
Memberships/ Served on the Community Relations Board of the Federal SuperMax prison, Florence,
Service CO, 2004-2007
Served on Community Advisory Panel for Federal Superfund Site, Canon City, CO,
2004-2007
Youth Bible Study Teacher, 2005
Language Skills: fluent in Spanish
Travel: traveled and lived extensively abroad, Europe, South America, Asia
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