Routinely manage overlapping, complex projects, shifting deadlines, tight budgets and competing priorities. A highly creative designer and engaging storyteller that quickly grasps technical concepts, ideas, and content — able to reduce them into easily understood material, with compelling visuals and pristine written content. Writing styles encompass technical, persuasive, casual, and compelling. Final deliverables include proposals, email blasts, corporate communications, RFI's and RFQ's, interview prep, marketing collateral design, award-winning submissions and essays, advertising and PR, deal-closing PowerPoint presentations, press releases, community outreach programs, blogs and more.
Extensive proposal writing experience includes: automated warehousing, cold chain logistics, healthcare, cannabis, workspace, capital development, commercial property management, environmental services, aviation, financial services, construction and program management, civil engineering, international development, technology, power transmission and distribution, water and wastewater treatment systems, MEP, solar, wind, finance, transportation (IDOT, CDOT, Tollway, Metra, CTA) telecommunications, non-profit, packaging, manufacturing, commercial construction, engineering, commercial glass/glazing, architecture and robotics.
WORK EXPERIENCE
9 – 22 / Current
NewCold: Marketing and Communications Manager, North America
NewCold develops and operates advanced automated warehouses and cold chain logistics solutions for leading food companies across the globe. With a global transportation network of over 200 trucks and 300 trailers and country-specific solutions, they provide food and retail customers agile and innovative transport solutions through use of proprietary and third-party logistics (3PL) transport, connecting systems, state–of-the-art transport and yard management software. NewCold’s global network of 15 locations spans across three continents, offering over 1,187,000 pallet positions.
9 – 21 / 9 – 22
Reed Construction: Director of Marketing
Established in 1893, Reed Construction is a full-service construction firm offering general contracting and design-build services.Vertical markets served include: healthcare, cannabis, workspace, capital development, commercial property management, industrial, education, government and financial services. Sales approximately $150M, 100+ team members.
INTEGRATED MARKETING / BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT / PROPOSALS / SALES PRESENTATIONS
• Management of the marketing/ proposal team (2 coordinators) and day to day operations
• Hands-on support of sales and marketing efforts for 8 vertical markets
• Create winning proposals and presentations through to award stage for opportunities exceeding $120M
• Create and author all PowerPoint presentations and interview materials
• Support business development activities of the CEO and business development team
• Competitive intelligence across all verticals
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
• Create targeted email blasts and award submissions (Constant Contact)
• Author company announcements and employee engagement strategy, support HR communications
• Author and distribute blogs, community engagement, PR and outreach communications
SOCIAL MEDIA
• Create and drive social media strategy and calendar
• Author, create and post content for all social media channels
CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
• Develop and maintain brand identity and integrity across all platforms
• Design an extensive library of graphics, templates, Modular presentations, boilerplate and persuasive copy
• Extensive graphic design
WEB
• Refresh and redesign corporate website and online branding
• Google Analytics
• Assist HR with LinkedIn and Facebook recruitment
2 – 18 / 9 – 21
Milhouse Engineering & Construction, Inc.: Senior Marketing and Communications Manager
Milhouse is the largest, interdisciplinary African American owned engineering firm in the country. Services include: architectural, mechanical, civil and structural engineering, program and construction management, environmental services and general contracting. 2020 sales approximately $40M. 300+ team members.
INTEGRATED MARKETING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- Manage marketing and proposal coordinators (1-3)
- Competitive research: track relevant events, competition, industry news and social media posts
- Proposal design and writing for 11 industries
- Support the business development activities of the CEO, group leaders and business development team
COMMUNICATIONS
- Quarterly internal newsletters, targeted email blasts and surveys Open rates routinely exceeded 35%
- Company announcements and employee engagement strategy
- Support HR outreach and activities
- Collaborate with group leaders to author value propositions, sales talking points, case studies and customer success stories
- Author and distribute blogs, community engagement and outreach communications
BRAND MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
- Successful branding and communications helped grow the business by over 25% during a pandemic
- Identify and author all award submissions: executives, top projects, industry leadership, philanthropic
- Print, radio and television ad creation and coordination
SOCIAL MEDIA
- Create social media strategy and calendar
- Author, develop and post content for Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube using Hootsuite or manual uploads
CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
- Partner with 11 industry group leaders to create key collateral: cut sheets, brochures, sell sheets, infographics
- Help launch new product lines (Covid sanitization, asbestos remediation)
- Design and production of television and radio ads
- Create an extensive library of graphics and templates that can be modified for last-minute opportunities
- Plan and execute themed special events, quarterly town hall meetings, employee education and training presentations, political fundraisers, executive speaking opportunities, career fairs, association activities and community outreach
- Identify, hire, train and mentor junior staff members
- Trade show and seminar strategy, graphics, handouts and coordination
- Design and develop corporate videos, unique custom characters and animations
- Job site, event and corporate photography
WEB/COMPANY INTRANET
- Redesigned the corporate website and 4 satellite websites
- Back-end web maintenance and updates using WordPress and Beaver Builder
- Maintain company intranet with daily updates and communications
11 – 15 / 4 – 17
Christopher Glass & Aluminum: Director of Marketing and Communications
Christopher Glass & Aluminum is a full service fabricator and installer of curtain wall, storefront and related interior and exterior facade components serving the commercial construction industry.
INTEGRATED MARKETING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- Creation and management of an internal marketing and communications department
- Planned and executed dozens of themed special events, employee education and training, trade shows, sponsorships, career fairs, association activities and community outreach
- Researched and proposed bar coding hardware and software solution for warehouse & job sites
- Sourced new leads for interior work, new construction and facilities maintenance services
COMMUNICATIONS
- Bimonthly newsletters, targeted email blasts and surveys. Open rates routinely exceeded 48%
- Assisted with HR and corporate compliance, recruitment, job descriptions, policies and procedures
- Authored value propositions, sales talking points, case studies and customer success stories
- Researched, designed and created trial graphics, courtroom presentations and legal briefs
BRAND MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
- Built the Christopher Glass & Aluminum brand as one of the largest specialty contractors in the Midwest
- Created, released and distributed a continual stream of digital content
SEO & SEM
- Developed and implemented cost effective, totally organic SEO & SEM
CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
- Partnered with sales to design and create a library of collateral & customizable sales presentations, Lunch and Learn’s, brochures and sales support materials for every division and vertical market
- Created a library of interactive forms and educational programs for employee training
- Digital photography, multimedia and video content creation
- Redesigned & reworked the corporate website incorporating UX best practices
- Created and grew new social networking channels: YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn
6 – 12 / 6 – 15
ARPAC LLC (nVenia): Marketing and Creative Director
One of the largest custom packaging manufacturers in the country and leading packaging line system integrator with 35,000+ global installations. Annual sales approximately $70M. 60% of sales through distributors, 40% direct to end-users. Required to quickly gain an intimate understanding of the packaging industry, electrical and mechanical engineering, complex robotics and robotic programming for locally and international markets.
INTEGRATED MARKETING, STRATEGIC PLANNING, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- Developed, planned and executed marketing programs at all stages of the funnel, managed a $1M integrated marketing budget: 60% for tradeshows, 40% advertising and inbound marketing
- Developed integrated marketing campaigns utilizing lead scoring, inbound marketing content, interactive media and print, targeted email blasts, direct mail and private label programs
- Worked closely with IT to research and implement a bar coding hardware and software solution f
- Worked with senior executive team to identify KPI’s, closed-loop reporting to measure program effectiveness, monthly metrics to monitor effectiveness of marketing strategy and programs
- Planned and executed themed special events: plant tours, customer visits & sponsored sports events
- Successfully restructured a dysfunctional marketing department, bringing head count down to 2
- Collaborated with sales and product managers for new product launches, authoring value propositions, sales talking points, case studies & published success stories delivered via web, social media & print
- Market research, competitive analysis, short & long range marketing sales strategies
BRAND MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
- Rebranded the company and entire product line of over 80 custom engineered machines leading to double sales growth in less than 2 years
- Branded and launched ARPAC’s aftermarket division as SupportPro
- Created & distributed private label collateral & sales support materials and programs for key industry partners including Rock-Tenn, Yaskawa Motoman, Delkor, Allen Bradley & Veritas.
SEO & SEM
- Developed a highly cost effective, totally organic SEO & SEM
- Aggressive keyword analysis, tagging, monthly blogs, whitepapers, gated content and social media
- Highly successful SEO and inbound marketing programs with key industry players
CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
- Designed a complete library of promotional literature and modular, customizable sales presentations for every vertical market in both English & Spanish
- Designed and produced complete online library of product and system training
- Aggressive advertising campaigns leveraging multiple delivery channels
- Creation and management of a massive media library with thousands of images and videos
WEB, E-COMMERCE
- Designed & developed 2 new websites, migrated e-commerce catalog with over 19,000 SKU’s
- Fully searchable, gated media library
- 2 custom written apps; an ROI and material usage calculator
2 – 10 / 2 – 12
Trainor Glass Company: National Marketing, Communications & Creative Director
At $200M in annual sales, Trainor was one of the largest multi-disciplinary commercial contractors in the country. Hired as a Strategic Marketing Manager, promoted to National Marketing and Creative Director within 2 months. Managed a total marketing budget of well over $3M. Company unexpectedly ceased operations 2 / 2012.
INTEGRATED MARKETING, STRATEGIC PLANNING, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- Brought all outsourced work in-house, saving the company over $100,000 annually
- Successfully launched/promoted 4 new national divisions
- Garnered multiple prestigious awards, propelling Trainor from #10 nationally to #1 in less than 2 years
- Management, design and execution of high value special events, themed dinners, VIP hosted trips, sponsorships, showroom promotions and industry tradeshows
- Significantly shortened long sales cycles while identifying new lead sources through direct marketing to architectural and engineering firms, general contractors and facilities managers
COMMUNICATIONS
- Marketing & communications liaison between Herman Miller Inc., all dealerships and stakeholders
- Designated spokesperson, created and distributed all media content, communications and PR
BRAND MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
- Rebranded Trainor Glass Company, branded & launched Trainor Stone Facades, Trainor Solar, Trainor Modular Walls and Trainor Design Centers in less than 1 year
SEO/SEM
- Pay per Click & interactive ads, with budgets ranging from $500-2000/month
- Organic SEO/SEM through press releases, blogs, success stories & published feature articles I authored
- Media management: print ads, pay per click, interactive ads and radio spots
CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
- Hands-on development and execution of all integrated marketing content: brochures and catalogs, print, web and radio ads, monthly newsletters, direct mail, etc. for 4 national divisions
- Interactive AIA and Herman Miller Dealer “Lunch & Learn” training presentations
- Customized, modular sales presentations for all brands and divisions
WEB, E-COMMERCE
- Designed & developed multiple web sites (2 National Glass Association Best Website winners)
- Design and development of retail e-commerce site offering luxury home products and services
- Content management and Integrated strategy for 12 web sites and branded digital environments
- 8+ unique email blasts/month sent to a managed list of over 35,000- open rates exceeded 40%
8 – 09 / 1 – 10
Smurfit-Stone: Marketing & Creative Services Manager
$7.3B manufacturer of paperboard, pulp, and paper-based packaging. Responsibilities of 3 employees were consolidated into this single position. Successfully managed complex, overlapping projects, tight budgets and aggressive deadlines with no cost overruns & minimal support staff. Company never emerged from bankruptcy.
8 – 04 / 2 – 09
Orbus Exhibit and Display Group: Marketing and Creative Director
Leading manufacturer and trade-only supplier of exhibit, display and POP products, services and graphics sold only through distributors. In less than 4 years, helped increase sales from $2M to over $24M. Hired as a Strategic Marketing Manager, promoted to Marketing and Creative Director after 9 months.
INTEGRATED MARKETING, STRATEGIC PLANNING, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- Concepts & design of multiple annual product catalogs (conventional and interactive) including private label versions for franchises including Signs Now, Fast Signs & Signarama
- Account based marketing targeting top national franchises and sign shops
- Weekly metrics reports evaluating effectiveness of all marketing efforts
- Signature authority for departmental cost control/ budget administration
- Worked closely with IT to research and implement a bar coding hardware and software solution for manufacturing plant and e-commerce warehouse
- Sourced vendors and negotiated contracts for printing, custom databases, web hosting & advertising
COMMUNICATIONS
- Authored nationally published press releases and feature articles, extensive copywriting
- Developed and managed direct mail, targeted email and telemarketing campaigns
- Design & creation of the Orbus brand and brand architecture
- Product branding & new product launches
CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
- Interior design of the corporate offices and showroom
- Content development, photography and video for all marketing efforts and channels
SEO/SEM
- Pay per click, Google Adwords and highly effective, totally organic SEO and SEM leveraging keywords, press releases, social networking & multiple optimized websites
WEB, E-COMMERCE
- Designed, developed and maintained 12+ product and e-commerce websites with thousands of SKU’s
- Developed & managed a massive custom written database which simultaneously updated pricing and products on all satellite and private label websites
SKILLS
Adobe Creative Suite
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15+ years
Digital Marketing
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15+ years
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
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15+ years
Adobe InDesign
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15+ years
Branding
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10+ years
Google Analytics
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10+ years
WordPress
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5 years
Blogging
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15+ years
Digital Photography
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15+ years
Creative Direction
-
15+ years
Digital Marketing
Storytelling
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10+ years
Proposal Writing
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15+ years
Sales Presentations
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15+ years
Special Events
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10+ years
Trade Shows
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15+ years
Web Design and Development
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15+ years
Marketing
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15+ years
Marketing Communications
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10+ years
Marketing Automation
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3 years
Marketing Strategy
-
15+ years
Creative Direction
-
15+ years
Writing Skills
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10+ years
Branding
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15+ years
Brand Management
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15+ years
Newsletters
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10+ years
New Product Launches
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15+ years
Microsoft Office 365
Microsoft Office
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15+ years
Microsoft Powerpoint
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15+ years
Photo Editing
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15+ years
Photoshop
Email Marketing
Analytics
Content Management
Hootsuite
Content Marketing
Social Media Management
Content Creation
Video Production
Graphic Design
Computer Networking
Content Development
Events Management
Public Relations
Adobe Illustrator
Copywriting
E-Commerce
SEM
PPC Campaign Management
User Interface (UI)
EDUCATION
Digital Bootcamp
HTML, Web Design & Development, Dreamweaver, Digital Imaging & Photoshop Certification
Illinois Institute of Art
Digital Imaging, Adobe Illustrator
University of Illinois at Chicago
Bachelor of Art degree in Comprehensive Design, minor in Journalism. Graduated magna cum laude, cumulative GPA 4.8 (on a scale of 1-5). Able to skip the entire first year of college on the strength of my portfolio upon admission. Dean’s List several years.