Stephen T. Sears, Mba, Cep Email & Phone Number

Falls Church, Virginia, Us

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2021, EIMA is a non-profit technical trade association covering North America with over 600 members comprised of leading manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and applicators involved in the exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) industry.Since being appointed to CEO in 2021, I have focused efforts on helping position EIMA and the industry for future growth in a post-pandemic environment by: • Recommending, facilitating and implementing a new industry strategic plan with the Board of Directors. The new framework aligns the industry’s over-arching objective with the priorities of both the Board and individual members as well as enhances member and allied group participation.• Revamping the dues structure to increase resources and provide entry points for greater member involvement and support.• Maintaining momentum in EIMA's ongoing programs, such as the Architectural "Hero" Awards, Annual Meeting and Fall Board and Working Group Conference, representation in building codes and standards groups, defending the industry in high-value markets like New York City, workforce development and education initiatives for the EIFS industry, and more.• Facilitating a diverse coalition with messaging and leadership to help convince the Minneapolis Planning Commission about the virtues of today's EIFS with Drainage. Efforts helped turn a proposed outright ban of EIFS into a unanimous vote to permit EIFS on every part of the building.

Reston, Virginia, Us

A $4M national trade association for clay brick manufacturers and distributors established in 1934. Hired as Director of Marketing & Communications and ultimately promoted to Chief Operating Officer in charge of regions and local chapters.• Bolstered a 16-18% jump in brick demand by millennials by proposing, selling through and expanding financial commitment of an award-winning advertising program for the $1.4B clay brick industry. The campaign won a 2019 Gold “Addy” award from the Ad Club of New Orleans, and members’ financial support for the advertising and promotion increased by over 430% during my tenure as COO. In fact, support for these initiatives grew so much that they ultimately represented over 30% of the association’s total functional expenses.• Contributed to stoppage of detrimental, statewide preemptive legislative bills in Georgia, Indiana and Tennessee and helped enact over 20 masonry ordinances in high-priority homebuilding markets by recommending, conceiving and implementing a multi-state, grassroots lobbying program that coordinated with members and worked in concert with advertising program.• Persuaded members of association’s largest region to increase voluntary dues contribution by 150% through proof of concept of advertising and local/state lobbying programs.• Lowered brick’s published installed cost by 30% and repositioned cost perception by recommending an industry cost study, and convincing construction industry’s preeminent cost purveyor to adjust its decades-old methodology.

Reston, Virginia, Us

• Represented the brick industry in local, trade and national news media. Secured high-value media placements in publications, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Newsday and others.• Devised and presented a reorganization plan that incorporated the programs and memberships of previously autonomous brick trade groups into the national association.

Reston, Virginia, Us

• Defended the industry from a Silicon Valley-backed startup manufacturer attempting to usurp brick's brand equity with a fly ash product made to resemble brick. Spearheaded multi-pronged program that included media relations, advocacy and executive communication.

Reston, Virginia, Us

• Established 11 local brick chapters by recruiting over 60 financially-participating members in association's new Midwest/Northeast Region. Councils included members in Baltimore/Washington, Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, New England, New York and Richmond.

Privately held consulting entity that created alliances with public, private and nonprofit sectors. Enhanced firm’s marketing positioning and advised an emerging non-governmental organization (NGO) on its effort to provide web-based procurement technology to developing governments.

New York, Ny, Us

Global full-service marketing communications network. Assigned to IBM account, the single biggest account with worldwide billings of $600M-$700M at the time.• Coordinated worldwide focus group testing process and television advertising studio shoot for IBM Software’s $100M worldwide “Codernauts” campaign, where unaided awareness increased by 125% and Adweek awarded a “Best Spot” in March 2001.• Supervised and facilitated ad campaign for “Windows 2000” where results surpassed campaign target by 300%.

New York, Ny, Us

• Leveraged IBM’s corporate structure by facilitating a campaign development process that culminated in the simultaneous and worldwide launch of nine different executions of a worldwide campaign within the same day.

Boutique ad agency operating in over 60 countries and the Agency of Record for Computer Associates International, the $3.5B software multinational now known as CA Technologies.• Enhanced client’s brand presence with C-Suite executives in Europe, Asia and South America by researching, recommending and rolling out a multimillion-dollar worldwide sports marketing sponsorship with McLaren Formula One auto racing team. Sponsorship helped brand client after a series of acquisitions, and the partnership endured for nine consecutive seasons.

New York, Ny, Us

Global marketing communications firm. Assigned to KFC, Advil and Xerox accounts. Supervised creative process and production of radio spots, featuring James Garner, for Xerox Personal Copiers.

Washington, Dc, Us

Obtained security clearance.

Mba, Emphasis On Strategic Marketing

Ba, Political Science And Government

Freshman Year Curriculum

High School Diploma