Marketing and communications- As part of the senior management team, I create and execute new initiatives for my department and collaborate on strategic planning for other departments.- Communicate promotions and specials to BLUE HAWK members on behalf of our 140 vendor and solution partners. - Redesigned of our website while only working with an $8,000 budget. - Oversee BLUE HAWK University online training platform.- Developed the Showroom Assistance Program creating an avenue for our vendor partners to convey their merchandising collateral in an efficient manner. - Manage part time marketing coordinator.- Create presentations templates on behalf of the CEO for meetings, conferences and board meetings. - Perform all graphic design and art direction.- Represent BLUE HAWK at cooperative conferences and other co-op events forging solid relationships with key players in other industries and related fields.Meeting/Conference planning- Organize, execute, and creatively market six events per year, including our 800-1000 person annual conference, one golf networking event, one winter networking event, two board of director’s meetings, and an industry trade show.- Sourcing, site selection, and contract negotiation.- Develop and implement new online registration sites and tracking tools for each event.- Meeting management, including webpages, marketing material development and distribution, registration, meeting communications, rooming list management, attendee assistance, food and beverage, décor, entertainment, off-site event coordination, meeting and exhibit set-up, audio visual and production, PowerPoint template design, presentation coordination, speaker/presenter logistics, award coordination and giveaway selection.- Maintain and manage event budgets and expenditures. - Solicit event sponsorships.- Post-meeting administration, including reconciling bills and payment disbursement.

CCA is an international volunteer association of more than 300 professional communicators.~ 2007-2008 PresidentLed nine-member board of director meetings using Robert’s Rules of Order.Guided board through development and implementation of strategic plan, including implementing a new CCA brand.Led board-conducted performance review of executive director.Coordinated effort to find new management team upon retirement of executive director, which included researching organizational management structure options, reviewing resumes, arranging interviews with board of directors of possible replacements, leading interview process, and follow-up.Developed plan to transition from current executive director to new management team.Set and monitored yearly budget.Provided direction for executive director regarding both daily operations and event-specific situations.Responded to numerous requests from membership and committee chairs on CCA functions.Kept membership informed of board activity and opportunities within CCA through six president’s letters.Organized committee chairs and recruited committee members.Gave in-person presentations at annual institute. Also held positions of vice president and treasurer.

Worked with senior management to develop brand priorities and ensure a consistent message was presented throughout the organization and membership. Developed, designed, and executed advertising for trade publications and other programs to build co-op brand recognition and strategic messages within the contractor community and building material industry.Generated positive media relations and garnered coverage for 80% of submissions in cooperative/industry publications. Designed and produced marketing materials increasing meeting attendance by 30%.Provided 100% of art direction on all marketing and advertising projects.Maintained up-to-date media kits and editorial calendars for 10+ publications. Successfully transitioned 2-color, 8-page newsletter to 20-24 page, full color magazine, while decreasing company expense by 80%. Represented company at cooperative conferences and other co-op events forging solid relationships with key players in other industries and related fields.Organized, executed, and creatively marketed five meetings per year (working within a $750,000 yearly budget), including national member meetings of as many as 500 attendees, board of directors meetings, industry trade shows, and sales training.Pre-planning and consultation, including sourcing, site and venue selection, and contract negotiation.Collaborated with key members of the information technology departments to develop and implement new online registration sites and tracking tools.Meeting management, including marketing material development and distribution, registration, meeting communications, rooming list management, attendee assistance, food and beverage, décor and entertainment, off-site event coordination, meeting and exhibit set-up, audio visual and production, presentation coordination, speaker/presenter logistics, and award and giveaway selection.Post-meeting administration, including reconciling bills and payment disbursement.

Cooperative Solutions was a management company for seven purchasing co-ops in building materials, retail bike shops, tools and fasteners, restaurants, photography, and turf and lawn. In addition to serving as the management team for these co-ops, the company also incubated new co-ops to help independent owners compete.Performed the following functions for seven co-ops in different industries:All meeting planning functions, including site inspection, venue selection, contract negotiation, marketing materials, meeting communication, attendee assistance, on-site management, photographer, sponsorship solicitation, and budgeting.Wrote, edited, and laid out marketing materials for each co-op, including newsletters and meeting materials.Helped develop logos and marketing literature while YaYa! Bike and EatFleet were in the incubation process.

Nesco Mfg./StoneWorks is a manufacturing company that produces architectural specialty products and Eldorado Stone. Created marketing materials.Responsible for coordination of outside vendors including but not limited to proposals, proofing, approvals, timelines, delivery schedules, and cost controls.Designed samples and showroom.Inside sales.Managed distributor accounts.Developed custom design plans for walk-in customers.