Lead the overall brand strategy for 14 restaurant brands fostering a culture of innovation by executing end to end brand marketing plans across all channels for Thompson Restaurants (to include fine dining, fast casual and QSR brands).

I am honored to serve as an Adjunct Professor of Marketing at West Virginia University. I bring a blend of real-world experience and academic knowledge to the classroom focused on marketing campaigns, aiming to equip students with both the classroom and practical skills needed to excel in today’s dynamic marketing landscape.

Responsible for creating an innovative marketing strategy that aligns with and supports the Donatos brand. Accountable to create a visionary strategy that will lead to increased sales, brand awareness and reputation in the market. Build stronger and more strategic relationships with their customers and partners (to include Red Robin and Reef partnerships). Led calendar planning, menu innovation and research, digital/social strategy, loyalty growth, marketing budgets, PR and customer experience .Highlights include:- Led marketing and menu innovation team to build breakthrough marketing calendar and pipeline.- Developed social strategy for brand that led to organic follower growth on FB, Instagram, Twitter while establishing a Tik Tok channel- Pushed rewards member focus leading to growth in members, order frequency and member engagement- Defined brand value proposition via consumer research implementing into every touchpoint of the brand strategy

Accepted consulting role with the challenge of transforming the sales, with a high ecommerce mix to a stronger retail presence by leveraging brand and field marketing experience. Quickly designed a process to create local co-ops and retail marketing programs while building brand awareness and profitability. Capitalized on national calendar with a specific tailored local promotional calendar to drive retail. Developed field marketing team to support retail side of the business. Empowered and motivated team to achieve common goals and create powerful consumer experiences. Strategized new ways of working internally to drive sales and generate a larger ROI YOY. Highlights Include:• Recognizing the need to drive local awareness, developed tactical plans and testing opportunities to divert web-based traffic to brick and mortar locations.• Designed process to create 45+ new co-ops across the Edible Arrangements system to include: establishing legal entities, gaining franchise alignment, building kick off meeting templates, and developing co-op advertising processes. • Led team to develop local marketing programs enabling the co-ops and independent operators to activate turnkey local sales drivers. • Worked with local agency partners to execute successful campaigns via new ways of working and updating business KPIs.

Entered role with of goal of leveraging extensive marketing background and strategically developing innovative brand marketing and calendar plans to drive brand relevance, increase profitability, and engage customer base. Developed an understanding of core marketing opportunities, redirected focus to deliver immediate impacts to volume sales and revenue streams.Instrumental component in building the brand through key partnerships with channels and international teams, also acting as a collaborative cohort for franchisees to deliver a consistent marketing message across all levels. Defined national promotional calendar, including annual core pillars, key new product initiatives, and system-wide promotions. Highlights Include: - Recognized low priority placed on off-premise sales and took strategic steps to develop 3-year plan, redirect marketing, and increase training – delivered a single-year sales increase of 140%. - Created marketing manager position to own the off-premise side of the business and drive accountability. - Designed RFP for new advertising agency – increased earned impressions 20%, owned impressions 23%, and 5+ points in audience growth. - Brought focus on beverage side of business – developed new platform and pipeline of products. - Drove research analytics surrounding the design of a new and engaging menu board.

Reported to the CMO with a dotted-line relationship to the COO. Regularly reviewed long-range plans, sales, trends, and strategies with Marketing Leadership Team. Executed a clear vision, direction, coaching, feedback, and mentoring to six team members to facilitate achievement of individual and group goals. Engaged in business review meetings with franchise partners at the DMA level to analyze P&L, sales, customer feedback, and other pertinent data points and benchmarks to develop actionable plans that improved revenues and profits. Envisioned and implemented a concise segment and geographical market plan, value propositions, road map, and go-to-market strategies. Collaborated with cross-functional partners and agencies to include Consumer Insights, National Advertising, Digital, PR, and Calendar Team. Presented at national meetings to build franchisees’ base knowledge on local marketing techniques.Highlights Include:- Project-managed 6,000 restaurants with a combined $5.5 million in sales; led group through large- scale local marketing programs.- Established credibility with 200 franchise partners, cultivated deep relationships, and influenced an ideal spending plan. - Drove a $15-million increase in revenue in three years by developing a branded program─the National School Lunch sales layer. - Produced and managed a local marketing toolkit and training to support national calendar. - Influenced a 75% participation rate and buy-in among franchisees for local programs, such as Local Flavor Playbook─one of many national programs cascaded down to a local level.- Promoted with increased responsibilities in 2011 to lead the Customer Experience team focused on increasing customer engagement and satisfaction for the brand through social media engagement, website feedback, and ensuring the Voice of the Customer/VOC is always in the forefront.

Led an 800+ territory of restaurants through market-specific spend management, ROI analysis, and budget allocation for media, print, and local store marketing initiatives. Held a major role during a pivotal juncture in the company’s transition to franchises. Operated as the center of competency for market knowledge, sales trends, sizing, customer profiles, and competitive analysis. Served as subject matter expert/SME to build operations know-how on marketing calendar and local marketing tactics.Highlights Include:- Jointly created, developed, designed, and produced marketing programs for 800+ restaurants generating $800 million in sales.- Oversaw up to $1.6 million in budget expenditures for local and media plans.- Delivered 2% sales growth year over year with sales blitz program.- Transitioned over 37 markets between company and franchise ownership.

Refined and improved the product value proposition and implemented the best market-penetration strategy for 200+ restaurants. Functioned as a hub of expertise and sounding board for assigned markets.

Drove sales and heightened brand awareness by developing experiential marketing calendar executing beer and wine tasting events at beverage retailer. Created and implemented print plans and media buys for local events and grand openings. Engaged in client-facing consultations with alcohol beverage suppliers and distributors.