Darlene Johnson-Cargill

4028 East Meadow Lane

Orange Village, OH 44122

M 216 5138919
T216 2922624
Home email: darlene292@gmail.com

SKILLS
Excellent oral and written communication skills; strong organizational and analytical abilities;
strategic thinker; personable, motivated, enthusiastic; proven ability to gain relationship
loyalty; high ethical standards; dependable; evaluates options before taking appropriate risks;
willing to adjust to changing demands and circumstances.

EXPERIENCE
The Illuminating Company, A FirstEnergy Company, Cleveland, Ohio — 1981- 2009

• Area Manager - 1991-2009

Responsible for civic, political, community engagement in Northeast Cuyahoga County. A
member of the Company’s leadership team. Engaged in constant and frequent contact with a
network of community leaders through involvement and membership on committees and
boards. Established and maintained successful relationships with mayors, council members,
and civic leaders in Northeast Cuyahoga County through networking, entertaining, and
utilizing interpersonal communication skills. Corporate contact for mayors, councils and
administrators throughout area. Local media contact for responding to Company-related
community issues. Succeeded in maintaining Company’s high customer satisfaction rating in
Northeast Cuyahoga County by being available 24/7 to answer inquiries. Received high ratings
from leadership in Northeast Cuyahoga County,

• Community Affairs, Representative — 1986 -1991

Responsible for Community Engagement. Supervised and evaluated performance of a staff of
four community affairs representatives. Developed community and civic engagement
programs that positioned Company as a giving, caring member of the corporate community,
Decision-maker for $1.5 million corporate and foundation contributions to not-for-profit
organizations; coordinated Company’s involvement and participation in community events
such as the WVIZ Auction; Bright and Beautiful Block Contest, Senior Olympics, Rock N’ Roll
Racing; United Way Day of Caring; Bee for Literacy; and a number of other special events.

• Public Affairs Representative - 1985 - 1990

Media and community affairs. Media contact for all major corporate and community issues.
Responsible for developing and writing news releases; served as spokesperson to media
outlets. Developed and maintained relationships with media representatives through
networking and entertaining; Coordinated 200-member Speakers Bureau. Assigned speakers,
developed internal speech training programs for employees and established a network of
professional trainers for executives.

• Editor — 1981-1985
Published 24-page employee and retiree magazine 10 times a year; developed and designed
publication from concept to completion; Supervised assistant editor, graphic designer; hired
photographers and printers. Developed and wrote chief executive’s monthly letter to
employees.

Reporter, The Cleveland Press, Cleveland, Ohio - 1974 -1981

Wrote feature stories; Interviewed authors, actors/actresses, sports figures and entertainers;
Beat reporter for schools; Community affairs reporter - interviewed and wrote stores on (then)
all 33 Cleveland City Councilmen. Also contributed stores to the Sports pages; worked as a
copy and graphics editor.

E D U C AT I O N
Bachelor of Arts, Communication - Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
B O A R D S A N D A F F I L I AT I O N S
Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU), Senior Citizens Resources, League of Women Voters
Education Fund, Mayfield Heights Business Alliance and Chamber of Commerce, Beachwood
Chamber of Commerce, Heights Regional Chamber, Grand Prix Charities, Hillcrest Rotary,
Society of Professional Journalist; Parmadale, Beechbrook, National Association of Black
Journalists, Neighborhood Centers Association; Cleveland Municipal School District, Community
Advisory Chair.