Lou Valla Email & Phone Number

Partners in operation of small-scale commercial cleaning business.

Greater Omaha Area

As well as director of all marketing & communication

Greater Omaha Area

Replaced full-time marketing coordinator, working 25 hrs/wk to strategize & execute all marketing & communications for the organization

Fremont, Nebraska

Springfield, Missouri Area

Broad spectrum of responsibilities included writing news releases and disseminating to media contacts; redesigning and maintaining website and social networks; implementing new logo and tagline in all communication materials; fundraising for and unveiling $5 million capital campaign; writing grants to fund food distribution in 28 Missouri counties; fundraising through direct mail pieces; writing and designing quarterly newsletter, annual report and monthly memo; working with print and mail vendors; designing and writing handouts, press kits, posters and displays; planning events; giving tours. Successfully executed the annual Check Out Hunger holiday campaign, doubling donations in one year, while adding the event I named, The Art of Ending Hunger. Also wrote the nonprofit's first communication guidelines.I was privileged to have worked in hunger relief for two years before working at an ad agency specializing in foodservice for just over a year. On my first tour at a Feeding America food bank, I was able to completely restructure and rewrite the food bank’s website and introduce the organization to social media platforms, creating a new level of dialog for the organization. The organization’s largest fundraising events during my tenure proved to be the most successful food bank radio-thons in the nation. During the same time period, Rotary International chose the organization as one of the first agencies across the globe to be featured in its up-and-coming video magazine. Also while working as the public relations coordinator and event planner, the organization was honored as only the fifth organization in the region over the last 40 years to receive a prestigious challenge grant from The Kresge Foundation. I was given the opportunity to add new events, implement new communication materials and secure grant funding (including writing NAP tax credits applications). I'm also proud to have played a part in our $5 million capital campaign.

Conducted B2B foodservice public relations for clients including Smucker Foodservice, Tyson Food Service, MARS Foodservices, The Food Channel and Noble.

- 417 Magazine, 20 Under 30 Party, event execution- Springfield Visitors & Convention Bureau, Crisis Communication Plan- March of Dimes, Inaugural Iron Chef Fundraiser, promotion- Habitat for Humanity, Tool Belts & Bow Ties fundraiser, publication design & event follow-through- Council of Churches of the Ozarks, Connections Handyman Service, communication materials- Springfield Ad Club, Inaugural Networking Reception, event management