Evelyn H. deFrees

Evelyn H. deFrees
254 Lawry Road Searsmont, ME 04973
207-462-0815 | evelyndefrees@gmail.com

EXPERIENCE

2001-2009/2011-2019/2021-Present
E. deFrees Consulting Searsmont, Maine
Policy, communications and organizational management services for non-profits, coalitions and foundations including:
Policy strategy and legislative advocacy | Strategic communication planning and media relations | Meeting, retreat and workgroup facilitation | Project planning and management | Interim communications, policy and leadership support | Public presentations and training  

2019-2020
Maine Department of Labor Augusta, Maine • Director of External Affairs
Developed and directed legislative and communications programs and supervised external affairs staff. Worked with Governor’s Office, legislative committee chairs and leadership and interested parties on policy initiatives including earned paid leave, family leave and wages for people with disabilities. Represented the Department in cross-agency initiatives including the Maine Climate Council.

2009-2011
Maine Public Utilities Commission Augusta, Maine • Communications Director
Directed media communications and public information program—press responses, press releases and statements, radio and television interviews and agency reports. Developed educational material for public and policymakers on utility issues. Managed internal coordination of agency legislative work and external communications with legislators.

1991-2001
Natural Resources Council of Maine (NRCM) Augusta, Maine • Legislative and Outreach Director
Lead policy advocate for NRCM at Maine Legislature. Directed legislative strategy, developed environmental vote scorecards and trainings on citizen lobbying, local organizing, and coalition-building. Represented NRCM on the boards of coalitions including Maine Citizens for Clean Elections, Maine Toxics Action Coalition, Clean Air Campaign. Directed grassroots outreach program and staff including strategic planning, staff supervision and public workshops on policy issues and citizen advocacy.

1984-1989
Penguin USA New York, New York • Manager, Subsidiary Rights and Special Sales
Managed foreign, book club, large print, audio and film rights for all Viking and Penguin children’s books and selected adult titles. Directed the special sales department and managed premium and licensing sales to major specialty book accounts. Earlier posts included managing specialty retail and wholesale book sales accounts, mail order and museum book sales, sales analysis and marketing strategy development for specialty book sales and trade show participation and editorial project work.

1983-1984
The Glusker Group, Inc. New York, New York • Research Editor
Managed production of specialty book series including text and illustrations research