Melissa Thomas Email & Phone Number

Tennessee, United States

Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol Area

Johnson City, Tennessee, United States

Chief Marketing Officer for the first e-commerce company selling compressed memory foam mattresses direct to consumer. The business sold in 2018 and relocated.-Directed in-house creative teams and led national advertising and digital marketing teams.-Expanded marketing program from primarily paid search to include video, social media, national print and email campaigns, increasing reach and visibility by approximately 125%.-Introduced performance-based affiliate marketing resulting in over 75% return on category investment.

Blountville, Tn

Commercial airport serving Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and Western North Carolina.-Directed marketing, public relations, air service development and customer service efforts. Built department and programs from the ground up.-Primary spokesperson for airport. Handled crisis communications during the events of Sept. 11, 2001 and for other aviation-related incidences and activities.-Established a comprehensive communications program including an interactive website, community outreach pieces and frequent speaking engagements.-Crafted air service development program--one of the first in the nation-- to actively recruit air service to smaller communities suffering from airline consolidation.-Conducted widespread community research to support air service recruitment efforts.-Created air service incentive program for use in recruiting airlines to TRI. Program was instrumental in receiving grants and new service.-Prepared and won two Small Community Air Service Development Grants (1999, 2002), competing nationally for limited U.S. DOT funds. Resulted in addition of service to three airline hubs.-Lobbied the U.S. DOT for landing/take-off slots for service between TRI and Chicago O'Hare (1998). One of three small communities in the U.S. to receive slots resulting in new service.-Partnered with regional employer and cable provider to become first commercial airport in the nation to offer free wi-fi in terminal, concourse and parking areas. (2002)-Partnered with economic development groups on presentations to recruit new business to region.-Steered communication plans for numerous major building and paving projects that interrupted normal flow of operations, resulting in minimal impact to passengers, tenants and visitors.

Membership-based organization designed to promote business and community prosperity.-Established membership recruitment and retention program, including outreach prospecting, sales, research, volunteer placement and sponsorship.-Launched ambassador program to quickly integrate new and prospective members into chamber activities.-Published communications pieces.-Managed all aspects of small and large-scale special events.

Clemson, South Carolina, United States

Large, public land-grant research university.-Coordinated marketing and promotional efforts for 12 Business Services auxiliary operations.

Bachelor'S Degree, Corporate Communications , Minor In Marketing

Activities and Societies: Alpha Gamma Delta

Master Of Science, Digital Marketing, 4.0