Meagan Van Beest Email & Phone Number

"INFRA is a purchasing cooperative owned and governed by independent natural and organic food retailers of all sizes working together to leverage our voice in the industry. We unite our members for the purpose of providing operational support, leveraging purchasing power, and engaging in shared marketing activities."As a Member Business Advisor (formerly known as Region Manager), I work with member retailers to support their operational excellence. That means connecting members with the information, resources, and experts they need to operate well. Aspects covered include strategic planning, leadership development, financial management, data analysis, marketing tactics, promotions planning, pricing strategies, merchandising, organizational structure, store operations, human resources, and category management.

Ashland, Wisconsin

The Board of Directors voted to install the interim general management team as a permanent solution to managing the cooperative. I assumed general manager duties along with the store's finance manager and store operations manager. Together we accomplish the following:- Maintaining consistently outstanding service for all of our customers.- Upholding our policies and formulating new and innovative ways to further our Ends.- Overseeing daily operations of our retail store.- Collaborating with department managers in setting realistic and rewarding goals.- Reporting monthly and as needed to the Board of Directors, following schedules defined in the governance policy.- Serving as the face of the organization and as ambassador in our community.- Providing leadership and vision for all members of our cooperative.

Ashland, Wisconsin

I manage marketing and public relations for this 3,200 member food cooperative, which includes creation and oversight of all events, promotions, media, and content. Duties include creation and implementation of promotions/advertising, writing and editing a quarterly newsletter, writing and editing a weekly e-newsletter, writing and design for all collateral, media and brand management, creation of outreach curriculum, website maintenance and content creation, social media management, creation and implementation of both large and small community events, and design of in-store signs and literature.HIGHLIGHTSSuccessful launch and completion of an expansion fundraiser which garnered $440,000 in owner loans. These loans were used for the construction of the Co-op's new store in 2014.Maintaining an average email open rate of 25.8% and average click through rate of 16.28% since 2013.Attracting attendance of 300-400+ at outreach events (in a town of 8,000 people).CORE RESPONSIBILITIESBrand Management - Positive price perception promotions, customer surveys, market analysis, brand guide development, brand strategyMedia Management - Scheduling, content creation and oversight (website, radio, television, print, social media, e-newsletter), media strategyContent Development - Photography, writing (advertising copy for print and radio, blog, social media posts, articles), illustration, designPublic Relations - Media interviews, presentations, public speaking, press releasesEvent Scheduling, Development, and Management - Audience identification, budgeting, event timeline creation, activity development, task delegation, event staff management, vendor scheduling and management, event map, event sign design and creation, event promotion, event analysisBudget Development and Management - Budgeting, analysisRegular use of Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Hootesuite, Google Analytics, and WordPress.This position is in addition to my duties as Co-General Manager.

Ashland, Wisconsin

With no successor identified in a search for a new general manager, the Board of Directors deployed the Co-op's succession plan. As part of the plan, I assumed general manager duties along with the store's finance manager and store operations manager. Together we accomplish the following:- Maintaining consistently outstanding service for all of our customers.- Upholding our policies and formulating new and innovative ways to further our Ends.- Overseeing daily operations of our retail store.- Collaborating with department managers in setting realistic and rewarding goals.- Reporting monthly and as needed to the Board of Directors, following schedules defined in the governance policy.- Serving as the face of the organization and as ambassador in our community.- Providing leadership and vision for all members of our cooperative.

I designed materials for print using the Adobe Design Suite. Projects included business cards, rack cards, brochures, logos, invitations, posters, and labels. Some designs required custom illustrations, which I created from sketch to finished digital file. I also designed and produced vinyl signs, including weeding, masking, and application of vinyl cut letters.

As the creative director for Beest Built Websites, I developed online and offline marketing material (including logos, websites, custom illustrations, photos, and sales literature). Beest Built specialized in helping small businesses, organizations, and municipalities build great-looking, standards-based websites that harness the ever-expanding power of social media.

Ashland, Wi

I returned to my position and duties, as previously listed.

In this telecommuting position with a New York City-based online arts newsletter and journal my duties included managing an editorial staff of writers and interns, editing, writing, researching and recognizing story leads, and developing the editorial calendar. Unfortunately, the company cut my position for budgetary reasons within the year.

This research position included searching online for story leads, fact-checking via search engines and writing news bites.

Ashland, Wi

Duties included designing advertisements and special sections, helping customers with the purchase of newspaper advertisements, creating promotional materials for all in-house activities (includes writing and design), and working with the editorial staff to generate story ideas and find content for special sections. I wrote, edited and proofed advertising copy, meeting daily deadlines.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), English Language And Literature/Letters

Ba, English Literature