Marla Schneider Email & Phone Number

Benton Harbor, Mi, Us

Muskegon, Michigan, Us

• Oversee all aspects of a 501(c)(6) economic development organization with a focus on public/private investment, strategic planning, operations, marketing, business development, and special projects.• Spearheading all fundraising activities for the organization, resulting in a 100% increase in private investment in two years.• Direct a team that visited with over 450 businesses in the past 3-years, resulting in a total of $899.8 million in capital investments with 520 new jobs for Muskegon County.• Expanded the scope of the organization beyond traditional economic development services to include talent development, community development, and housing; resulting in the exposure of 500+ students to manufacturing careers, over $3 million in grant dollars for communities, and the establishment of a full-time housing position within our operations.• Improved strategies, site readiness, and marketing for two industrial parks and identified a privately-owned 500-acre site for potential development that will become West Michigan’s largest industrial site once completed.• Work with local, State, and Federal elected officials to advocate for industrial projects to assist businesses with sustainability and future expansion opportunities.

Fort Wayne, In, Us

· Directed all aspects of the distilling business from production to retail operations, including: marketing, communications, sales, production, legislative issues, facility management / improvements, and technology. · Led all marketing efforts, including a re-branding of the company and its product lines to authentically showcase the personality and culture of craft distilling. · Managed internal and external communications through social media, websites, email marketing, press releases, and media relations. · Improved the quality of products by working with expert consultants and implementing efficient processes as a part of the company’s continuous improvement plan. · Implemented safety plans, procedures, and training for production and restaurant employees. · Directed a 12,000 square foot build-out of the distillery’s restaurant/cocktail bar and separate cocktail lounge by interfacing with the architect, construction team, government officials, and vendors. · Implemented preventative maintenance schedules and facility wellness plans. · Interfaced with local and State elected officials to overturn alcohol laws that prevent Indiana distilleries from realizing the same benefits as wineries and breweries. · Managed the sales team for all accounts, including building relationships with retailers and wholesalers that represent the company brand. · Pivoted to hand sanitizer production during the beginning stages of the COVID-19 public health crisis. Paused production on all spirits to manufacture sanitizer and subsequently donated over 9,000 gallons to the regional community. Served as the primary contact and spokesperson for media relations during the crisis and formed a relationship with a local non-profit organization, which allowed the business to obtain over $100,000 in funding from foundations to support the purchasing of materials for hand sanitizer production. · Increased the annual revenue of the company 750% over a period of four years.

Fort Wayne, Indiana, Us

• Facilitated entrepreneurial growth of Fort Wayne Metals related entities through the creation, acquisition, and expansion of businesses from planning to sustainable execution.• Identified business opportunities and made recommendations for investments to the Chief Executive Officer.• Defined, developed, and implemented strategic business plans for start-up businesses and acquisitions.• Assessed investment risk using financial, statistical, and economic data to create manageable solutions for business development.• Developed and implemented marketing plans for approved investment projects.• Developed standard operating procedures to manage and maintain business operations and financial objectives.• Managed the business transition from start-up (or acquisition) to execution of service or product delivery.• Hired and mentored business managers to oversee the operations of a business in an employee-centric and fiscally responsible manner.• Managed supplier, customer, and financial contracts and obligations.

Fort Wayne, In, Us

• Executive team member and department head for marketing, communications, event planning, investor relations, and technology systems for the organization.• Directed the organization's primary branding, marketing and communications, as well as the marketing and communication for the departments of economic development, business services, business advocacy, leadership development / community engagement, and graduate retention.• Managed budget planning, forecasting, contracts and work plans for the organization's marketing, communications, and technology departments.• Directed strategies, implementation, and processes for all marketing and communications efforts (branding, printed materials, ad placement, press releases, media relations, events, research, and presentations).• Developed the organization's new brand through the merger of three separate organizations, facilitating vision and mission statements, forming brand attributes, values, and a brand style guide.• Implemented a testimonial-focused marketing campaign that included print, video, and radio testimonials showcasing clients' success stories.• Managed all internal communications, including reporting of benchmarks and key performance indicators to the Board of Directors, committees, and staff.• Guided all messaging and served as the point of contact for controversial legislative issues and crisis communications.• Proactively developed relationships with media outlets, served as the primary point of contact for all media inquiries, created and issued press releases, and advised the executive staff on consistent internal and external messaging.• Provided support to six internal departments in the organization for marketing, communications, research, and event planning services.• Supervised the marketing and communications department staff and contractors.• Directed strategies, implementation, and procedures for all technology-related systems across the organization.

• Directed the organization's transfer of information through the management of all technology systems, marketing and communications strategies, internal operations, and financial oversight.• Managed budget planning and forecasting for the organization.• Defined and managed strategies for all marketing and communications efforts (printed materials, ad placement, press releases, events, and presentations).• Created standard operating procedures and systems to support day to day operations.• Served as the executive staff member in attendance of all Executive Committee and Board of Directors meetings along with the President of the organization.• Appointed to the Transition Committee during the merger of the Fort Wayne-Allen County Economic Development Alliance, Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, and Leadership Fort Wayne. Served as the leader to spearhead policy changes, implement systems and procedures, develop the primary brand, proactively communicate milestones to all staff and media, and combine technologies used by the three organizations into one system.

Served as one of the co-founders, responsible for business development and marketing, operations and web development. Company consisted of two employees, several sub-contractors and more than fifty clients.

Fort Wayne, In, Us

Developed and managed all department and outreach websites for the School of Engineering, Technology and Computer Science.

Us

Developed websites, an intranet, a steam generator information system (SGIS) and reactor information system (RIS) for the nuclear power plant industry.