Thomas A. Balzer, Cae Email & Phone Number

Columbus, OH, US

Columbus, Ohio Area

• Serve as the chief staff officer of a statewide trade association representing the trucking industry. Directly responsible for all functions of the organization including membership services, fiscal management &.
• Increased organizational revenue by 20%, including a 15% increase in membership dues and a 30% increase in non-dues revenue, decreased organizational expenses by 18%, and increased organizational assets by over 730%.
• Improved staff productivity, satisfaction and accountability through various initiatives
• Developed the organization’s first strategic plan in over 40 years
• Extensive experience in development of non-dues revenue programs that are mission aligned.
• Lead a legislative advocacy effort directing a team of independent lobbyists and in concert with an engaged member driven legislative committee that effectively advocates industry positions and achieves public policy.

Bismarck, ND

• Served as a senior executive of a trucking company with over 750 employees in 16 states and an international logistics division. Duties include corporate strategy, property management, insurance, procurement, contract.
• Developed a driver recruitment, retention, and recognition program to cultivate a high-quality workforce.
• Secured financing for equipment to ensure effective utilization of company resources.
• Successfully designed and implemented a new model of driver pay that improved productivity and staff morale.
• Established a property management system cataloging all corporate locations for facility maintenance.
• Laid the framework for a company wide strategy and culture change initiative.

Bismarck, North Dakota Area

• Served as the chief staff officer of a statewide trade association representing the trucking industry. Directly responsible for all functions of the organization including membership services; fiscal management.
• Returned the organization to sustained profitability after 8 years of losses.
• Increased membership by 30% and membership dues revenue by 94%
• Expanded the educational offerings of the organization to increase members’ access to industry specific trainings.
• Designed a broad based orientation for new board members and implemented a board portal system to provide for more effective transitions and higher levels of organizational understanding and transparency.
• Developed an organizational structure to provide roles and responsibilities for staff, officers, directors and committees.

Bismarck, North Dakota, United States

• Managed a business unit of a state government agency that was tasked with administering over 20 different programs including safety education, federal grant programs and three separate associations. Supervised seven.
• Executive Director, Prairie Rose State Games, managed the day-to-day activities of a 3,500 member statewide organization that produced a 3 day Olympic style festival with over 30 sporting events.
• Executive Vice President, North Dakota Off Road Vehicles Association, succeeded in the startup statewide membership association specializing in safety education and government relations.
• Executive Advisor, Snowmobile North Dakota, provided oversight for a 2,000 member association that managed the state trail system including fleet management, lobbying and board governance.
• Implemented a metrics based operations management system to dramatically improve organization effectiveness and employee productivity and execution.
• Implemented program budgeting and a time tracking system to more effectively utilize budget dollars.

Oxford, Ohio, United States

• Oversaw the international implementation of a proactive policy initiative and accompanying educational program for an international membership association headquarters with 160,000 members and 185 chapters.
• Consulting work with over 200 independent nonprofits and university systems.
• Lead an international public relations campaign with placements in The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The Boston Globe, USA Today, The Times-Picayune, The National Post (Canada), and The Dallas Morning Star.
• Developed an industry leading health education program to address alcohol & drug abuse among college students.
• Worked with university presidents, policy boards, boards of trustees, and faculty advocating major changes in policies.
• Extensive experience in risk and crisis management.

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Business/Commerce, General

B.B.A, Marketing

Activities and Societies: Phi Delta Theta Fraternity Student Senator Interfraternity Council Dakota Student NewspaperStudent Union.