Experience

Luther College

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Director of Development; Campaign Co-Director

  • Sep 2021 - Present

  Provide strategic oversight and management of the fundraising activities and teams within the development office, including annual giving, major and principal gifts, legacy/gift planning, prospect research, and data operations. Work in collaboration with the Vice President in securing substantial financial resources and gifts that enable the College to accomplish its mission and achieve its strategic goals. Manage and coordinate planning, implementing, and sustaining comprehensive campaigns on… Show more Provide strategic oversight and management of the fundraising activities and teams within the development office, including annual giving, major and principal gifts, legacy/gift planning, prospect research, and data operations. Work in collaboration with the Vice President in securing substantial financial resources and gifts that enable the College to accomplish its mission and achieve its strategic goals. Manage and coordinate planning, implementing, and sustaining comprehensive campaigns on behalf of the College, serving as campaign co-director.

• Director of Development - Major and Planned Gifts; Campaign Co-Director

  • Sep 2016 - Aug 2021

  Manage the major, legacy, and principal gift efforts of the development office, while providing leadership and direction for a team of major and planned giving officers. Work in partnership with the vice president for development to manage and coordinate planning, implementing, and sustaining comprehensive campaigns on behalf of the college. Build relationships and invite gifts from donors regionally and nationally, with primary emphasis on growing support for the college by increasing… Show more Manage the major, legacy, and principal gift efforts of the development office, while providing leadership and direction for a team of major and planned giving officers. Work in partnership with the vice president for development to manage and coordinate planning, implementing, and sustaining comprehensive campaigns on behalf of the college. Build relationships and invite gifts from donors regionally and nationally, with primary emphasis on growing support for the college by increasing multi-year pledges, major and legacy/planned gifts. Serve as an ambassador of the college with responsibility to both college and donor, while supporting the college mission to connect faith and learning, freedom with responsibility, and life’s work with service.

• Gift Planning Officer

  • Jan 2013 - Aug 2016

  Cultivate, solicit and steward donors and prospective donors regionally and nationally through personal visits and event contacts. Primary emphasis on growing support for the college by increasing multi-year pledges, major and planned gifts. Serve as ambassador of the college with responsibility to both college and donor while supporting the college mission to connect faith and learning, freedom with responsibility, and life's work with service.



West Music Company

• United States
• Retail
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Director of Merchandise Management

  • Aug 2010 - Dec 2012

  Provided leadership and direction for a team of 8 merchandise managers (buyers/planners) in a multi-channel retail environment. In addition, served as Merchandise Manager for Band, Orchestra and General Classroom instruments. * Provided product leadership and created compelling assortments that reflected the target customer while meeting key financial results (sales, gross margin, inventory turn and gross margin return on investment). * Maintained cross-divisional… Show more Provided leadership and direction for a team of 8 merchandise managers (buyers/planners) in a multi-channel retail environment. In addition, served as Merchandise Manager for Band, Orchestra and General Classroom instruments. * Provided product leadership and created compelling assortments that reflected the target customer while meeting key financial results (sales, gross margin, inventory turn and gross margin return on investment). * Maintained cross-divisional relationships with sales, marketing, accounting and fulfillment. * Maintained a complex distribution and merchandising process to serve the customers needs, while analyzing current trends and buying habits to make appropriate buying decisions. * Developed and implemented sales promotion programs and managed priority vendor partner and coop marketing programs. * Managed inventory and sales budgets by category, maintaining open-to-buy and beginning and end of month inventory levels. * Led weekly cross-divisional team meetings to communicate upcoming events, promotions, new product, and sales training. * Analyzed sales and inventory performance to assure effective inventory management and profitable return on investment. * Forecasted and planned international imports for proprietary brands. Show less Provided leadership and direction for a team of 8 merchandise managers (buyers/planners) in a multi-channel retail environment. In addition, served as Merchandise Manager for Band, Orchestra and General Classroom instruments. * Provided product leadership and created compelling assortments that reflected the target customer while meeting key financial results (sales, gross margin, inventory turn and gross margin return on investment). * Maintained cross-divisional… Show more Provided leadership and direction for a team of 8 merchandise managers (buyers/planners) in a multi-channel retail environment. In addition, served as Merchandise Manager for Band, Orchestra and General Classroom instruments. * Provided product leadership and created compelling assortments that reflected the target customer while meeting key financial results (sales, gross margin, inventory turn and gross margin return on investment). * Maintained cross-divisional relationships with sales, marketing, accounting and fulfillment. * Maintained a complex distribution and merchandising process to serve the customers needs, while analyzing current trends and buying habits to make appropriate buying decisions. * Developed and implemented sales promotion programs and managed priority vendor partner and coop marketing programs. * Managed inventory and sales budgets by category, maintaining open-to-buy and beginning and end of month inventory levels. * Led weekly cross-divisional team meetings to communicate upcoming events, promotions, new product, and sales training. * Analyzed sales and inventory performance to assure effective inventory management and profitable return on investment. * Forecasted and planned international imports for proprietary brands. Show less



WorldWide Music Services

• Chicago, IL

• President/Business Consultant

  • Dec 2009 - Aug 2010

  Managed day-to-day sales and operations of a start-up sheet music wholesale distributor based in Chicago, IL. The company served retailers of all sizes, throughout the world, helping each to serve their need of providing quality service to the customer. * Developed sales and operations policies and procedures. * Implemented operational changes in warehouse to allow for same day order fulfillment. * Consulted and implemented ERP solution changes (Microsoft Navision). * Managed… Show more Managed day-to-day sales and operations of a start-up sheet music wholesale distributor based in Chicago, IL. The company served retailers of all sizes, throughout the world, helping each to serve their need of providing quality service to the customer. * Developed sales and operations policies and procedures. * Implemented operational changes in warehouse to allow for same day order fulfillment. * Consulted and implemented ERP solution changes (Microsoft Navision). * Managed customer and vendor relationships. * Attended trade shows (Domestic and International). * Managed, developed and coached sales and operation teams. Show less Managed day-to-day sales and operations of a start-up sheet music wholesale distributor based in Chicago, IL. The company served retailers of all sizes, throughout the world, helping each to serve their need of providing quality service to the customer. * Developed sales and operations policies and procedures. * Implemented operational changes in warehouse to allow for same day order fulfillment. * Consulted and implemented ERP solution changes (Microsoft Navision). * Managed… Show more Managed day-to-day sales and operations of a start-up sheet music wholesale distributor based in Chicago, IL. The company served retailers of all sizes, throughout the world, helping each to serve their need of providing quality service to the customer. * Developed sales and operations policies and procedures. * Implemented operational changes in warehouse to allow for same day order fulfillment. * Consulted and implemented ERP solution changes (Microsoft Navision). * Managed customer and vendor relationships. * Attended trade shows (Domestic and International). * Managed, developed and coached sales and operation teams. Show less



West Music Company

• United States
• Retail
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Inventory Analyst

  • Jan 2009 - Dec 2009

  Analyzed inventory levels and sales trends to ensure optimal levels of inventory; Analyzed and monitored vendor lead time; Monitored slow move, discontinued and obsolete inventory; Created forecasts for identified priority vendor partners; Reviewed sales trends, monitored inventory performance and made appropriate mid-course corrections to forecasts; Maintained line reviews by product category for product managers; Analyzed pricing (web and catalog) for competitiveness and consistency; Sales… Show more Analyzed inventory levels and sales trends to ensure optimal levels of inventory; Analyzed and monitored vendor lead time; Monitored slow move, discontinued and obsolete inventory; Created forecasts for identified priority vendor partners; Reviewed sales trends, monitored inventory performance and made appropriate mid-course corrections to forecasts; Maintained line reviews by product category for product managers; Analyzed pricing (web and catalog) for competitiveness and consistency; Sales analysis reporting and review by channel; Report writing based off of departmental needs (Jet Reports)

• Educational Consultant

  • May 2008 - Jan 2009

  Assisted with development and selection of print music and media for the Music Education catalog and web; Assisted with development and maintenance of relationship with print music vendors and negotiated most favorable pricing; Monitored purchasing of designated product lines including print music; Provided consultation for external and internal customers; Researched and wrote product content and web marketing including e-blasts, blogs, buying guides, sales events and advocacy information;… Show more Assisted with development and selection of print music and media for the Music Education catalog and web; Assisted with development and maintenance of relationship with print music vendors and negotiated most favorable pricing; Monitored purchasing of designated product lines including print music; Provided consultation for external and internal customers; Researched and wrote product content and web marketing including e-blasts, blogs, buying guides, sales events and advocacy information; Assisted with coordination, prepared for and attended conferences, exhibits and workshops; Developed relationships with centers of influence within field.



Music & Arts

• Musicians
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Buyer, Print Music/Special Purchasing

  • Aug 2007 - May 2008

  Product leadership for the print music category; Drove key financial results and branding objectives; Planned authentic market-centric product assortments; Vendor negotiation with a focus on bottom line results and strong future partnerships; Pro-active collaboration with Planning, Marketing, Sales, Distribution and Operations teams.

• Special Purchasing Manager

  • Jan 2006 - Jul 2007

  Leadership, direction and supervision of Educational and Special Order Buyers. Managed level of customer service given to retail and educational sales division. Developed and maintained working relationships with sales division management and vendor community.



West Music Company

• United States
• Retail
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Director of Purchasing

  • Jan 2001 - Jan 2006

  Supervised purchasing and inventory control departments; Established policy and procedure for Purchasing; Established and maintained vendor relationships; Resolved order discrepancies and administered returns to vendor; Negotiated price, service, quality, and terms for delivery of product to internal and external customers; Maintained expense and supply requisitions; Analyzed inventory performance for turn, gross margin and GMROI; Analyzed open-to-buy; Attended product trade shows and… Show more Supervised purchasing and inventory control departments; Established policy and procedure for Purchasing; Established and maintained vendor relationships; Resolved order discrepancies and administered returns to vendor; Negotiated price, service, quality, and terms for delivery of product to internal and external customers; Maintained expense and supply requisitions; Analyzed inventory performance for turn, gross margin and GMROI; Analyzed open-to-buy; Attended product trade shows and conventions; Managed and maintained all school band & orchestra instrument bid requests.

• Print Music Team Lead

  • Jun 1999 - Jan 2001

  Facilitated print music purchasing corporately; Managed and maintained print music inventory for 8 locations; Managed print music team corporately; Planned and organized advertising, promotions, and conventions for print department; Established and maintained vendor relationships; Band Instrument and Print Music Sales.



Tipton Middle School

• Tipton, IA

• Director of Bands

  • Jul 1998 - Jun 1999

  Taught middle school (grades 5-8) instrumental music. Taught middle school (grades 5-8) instrumental music.