Sommer Woods Email & Phone Number

• Coalesced support for the M-1 Rail among the diverse community by establishing business and community advisory councils. Maintain positive relationships with project partners. • Navigate the complex relationships between the board of directors, local businesses, donors, corporate foundations, elected officials, trade unions, neighborhood and community organizations, and Transdev North America, the operator of the transportation system. Instituted initiatives that improved employee morale.• Monitor achievements and conduct data analysis and benchmarking studies to determine D & I objectives. • Increase awareness and ridership of the rail system. Promote branding of sponsor organizations through strategic public and media relations, social media, and advertising initiatives and marketing strategies. Adeptly responded to heated community concerns about the M-1 Rail and its effect on the adjacent neighborhoods. • Manage substantial government relations activities with the Detroit City Council and Wayne County officials to set and amend ordinances and policies related to construction, towing, right of way, and accessibility. • Maintain continued support for the M-1 Rail by engaging with business leaders, foundations, and sponsors such as Penske Corporation, General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Quicken Loans, Henry Ford Health System, Kresge Foundation, JP Morgan Chase, and Ilitch Holdings.

Provide event management services that integrate brand development, public and media relations, marketing collateral, social networking, and community outreach. NOTABLE PROJECTS • Re-elect Mayor Dave Bing Campaign / The BING Fund (2009 –2010) – Successfully planned and executed fundraising events well under projected expense budgets, while maintaining a positive image for the Mayor. Demonstrated resourcefulness by leveraging vendor relationships for competitive pricing. Delivered memorable experiences to guests. • The Parade Company’s Hob Nobble Gobble (2006–2009) – The most magical fundraiser of the year in metro Detroit. Oversaw operations logistics including stage production, catering, venue coordination, transportation, audio visual, décor creative, and acquiring “B” level entertainment. Managed the $600,000 operations and vendor budget. • The Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix - IndyCar and American LeMans Series (2007–2008) – Managed event and sponsorship activation for 64 national corporate clients. Organized hospitality, hotel contracts, transportation, and receptions for 25,000 guests over three days. Managed a team of 20 managers, coordinators, and union representatives. Successfully delivered event objectives 18% under budget by implementing a comprehensive Request for Proposal process. Expanded inclusion and interest in automobile racing and STEM subjects by developing an internship program for Detroit high school students who otherwise would not have had an opportunity to participate in the event.• United Negro College Fund (2006-–2007) – Project manager for scholarship dinner. Effectively planned and executed the event logistics, sponsorship fulfillment, and entertainment, and served as the committee liaison. • Detroit Jazz Festival (2006) – Secured 85% of identified sponsors and created sponsorship packages.

Detroit, Michigan, Us

Interacted extensively with federal, state, and local officials, and executives from major film and production companies, national membership associations, and other organizations seeking to host large-scale special events.• Promoted Detroit as a premier location for conferences, film productions, sporting events, ethnic and cultural festivals, and other large-scale activities that complement economic development opportunities. • Re-engineered division processes and turned around the underperforming special events approval function to ensure event sponsors pay the cost of city services needed to support public safety and logistics.

The NFL’s championship game was held at Ford Field in Detroit in 2006.Built global relationships between professional staff, board members, and other stakeholders to promote a world-class environment for Super Bowl XL. Planned related Super Bowl activities to provide engagement with those residing in the region and not attending the game. • Managed sponsorship activation of Host Committee contracts valued over $10 million that included a $6 million metropolitan event and the oversight of a $1 million budget for the sponsorship fulfillment sales team. • Developed a marketing plan for the official Super Bowl XL business presence program. Ensured all brand marketing, media, event on-site recognition, publicity mentions, and ticket inventory were fulfilled per the sponsorship contracts.

Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl, Us

Managed a tournament budget of $5 million and negotiated more than 25 vendor contracts. Resourcefully secured cost savings to maintain expenses $200,000 below budget each year. • Served as the corporate hospitality client liaison. • Managed golf course catering, coordinated floral orders and deliveries, distributed invitations, and managed hotel accommodations and transportation. Trained and managed more than 1,200 event volunteers in reception and credentials checking, hospitality, scoring, course marshal rules and spectator safety, and golf cart operations. • Planned and executed several successful PGA TOUR initiatives which included the TOUR Championship Dennis Walters Youth Clinics for 1,000 inner city youth, a Senior PGA TOUR event with four months lead time, Pro-Am competitions, Pro-Am draw parties, and awards functions for top level executives and distinguished guests.• Expanded the PGA TOUR brand to new audiences. • Awarded PGA TOUR Championship recognition for management employee of the fourth quarter, 2003.

Young Leaders Program

Ba, Marketing

College/University Preparatory And Advanced High School/Secondary Diploma Program