BRIAN J. ZELASKO 10 Turkey Hollow New Hartford, CT 06057 • (413) 297-8237 mobile • [email protected]

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Director of Community Relations and Production Support January 2007- Present Western New England University, Springfield, Massachusetts Responsibilities included:  Serve as liaison between the University and Western Massachusetts communities.  Establish strategic partnerships and alliances with other organizations and institutions.  Engage local and statewide legislators to address the University’s priorities.  Strive to connect University faculty, staff and students with community needs.  Represent the University on various local community boards and committees.  Present professional development workshops.

Adjunct Instructor 2007 - Present Western New England University, Springfield, Massachusetts Communication Department; Courses include Public Speaking, Communications Principles

Adjunct Instructor 1999 - 2010 Westfield State University, Westfield, Massachusetts  Taught a variety of communications courses at the University including; Writing for Radio and Television, Communication History, Broadcast Journalism, Photojournalism, Speaking on Radio and Television, Persuasive Communication, Introduction to Mass Media, and Mass Media Issues.

Full-Time Instructor Fall 2006 Westfield State University, Westfield, Massachusetts  Taught a variety of communications courses at the University. Advise students.

Vice President, Communication 2001 - 2006 Director of Public and Media Relations 1999 - 2001 United Way of Pioneer Valley, Springfield, Massachusetts Responsible for:  Strategic planning, development and implementation of all marketing efforts.  Responsible for press relations including press releases and press conferences.  Development and production of annual fundraising campaign collateral materials.  Writing weekly United Way column for Springfield Republican Plus-Newspaper.  Production of Annual Report and quarterly newsletter.  Creating and maintaining organization’s web site.  Organizational branding efforts including events and advertising.

News Director 1995 - 1999 WWLP-TV - NBC Springfield, Massachusetts  Responsible for managing a news department with 46 journalists; produced 5 hours of news each day  Produced several local and statewide political debates and election coverage.  Participated in strategic planning of station including; adding newscasts, promotional campaigns, sales presentations and staff realignment.

News Director, 1994 - 1995 WTAJ-TV - CBS Altoona, Pennsylvania  Similar responsibilities to above, WWLP-TV.  Created two remote news bureaus in outlying cities.  Equipped the newsroom with all new video and satellite equipment. Managing Editor, 1992 - 1994 WPRI-TV - ABC Providence, Rhode Island  Similar responsibilities to above, WWLP-TV.  Edited all news department copy for air.  Developed and managed news internship program.

Producer 1988-1991 WHDH-TV CBS Ch-7 Boston, Massachusetts  Producer for an award winning, one-hour news magazine show called “Our Times”.  Taught others the first computerized Avid video-editing software program.

News Operations Manager, Satellite Coordinator & Field Producer 1982-1988 WHDH-TV CBS Ch-7 Boston, Massachusetts  Included extensive overseas and domestic travel to cover local angles of world events.  Responsible, in part, for negotiations with employee union.  Hiring & training all technical news staff including; videographers, editors, satellite coordinators.  Won three Emmy Awards while working at WHDH TV

News Photographer & Field Producer 1977-1982 WKBW-TV ABC Ch-7 Buffalo, New York  Included extensive overseas and domestic travel to cover local angles of world events.  Assist in the conversion of newsroom from film to videotape.  Hiring and training technical news staff.

______EDUCATION Trinity College - Hartford, CT, Masters Degree, American History – Mass Media Concentration 2008 Providence College - Providence, Rhode Island, Masters Candidate – History 1993-1994 Boston College - Boston, Massachusetts, Bachelor of Arts, Communications. 1993 Various Management Training Programs and Marketing Seminars1983-1988 State University of New York at Buffalo – Two Years of Liberal Arts Study ______

SOME AFFILIATIONS Present and Past:

Management Team, Western New England University Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship 2007- Chair -Western New England University Communication & Leadership Conference 2004-2010 Executive Board & Marketing Committee, Western MA Boy Scouts Council 2001-2013 School Board, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Springfield, MA 2007-2009 Board of Directors, Valley Press Club 2000- Board of Directors and Corporator, Association for Community Living 2009-2011 Board of Directors, Martin Luther King Family Center 2010-2011 Missions Board Chairman, Westfield Evangelical Free Church 2003-2007 Sunday School Teacher, Westfield Evangelical Free Church 2002-2004 Judge, National IFPA Advertising & Journalism Awards 2009-2013 Judge, Associated Press State Awards 1996-2011 Judge, RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Awards 2007 Workshop Presenter, MassMutual Financial Academic Achievers Conference 2008- Seminar Presenter: Massachusetts Service Alliance, Human Service Forum, Press Club. Team Leader and Instructor for English Summer Camp, Changyang, China, 2005 RTNDA - Radio and Television News Directors Association 1994-1999 AP/RTNDA/Emerson/SPJ New England Regional Conference Committee 1996-2003 President, Massachusetts Associated Press Advisory Board 1996-1998 Advisory Board, Springfield Technical Com. College Communications Dept. 1996-1998 Trustee, Boston Catholic Television Center 1984-1988 Youth Little League coach + Town Basketball coach