Experience

Muscatine Power and Water

• United States
• Utilities
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Manager Marketing and Sales

  • Mar 2021 - Present

• Acting Manager, Marketing and Sales

  • Dec 2020 - Mar 2021

• Marketing Communications Specialist

  • Apr 2012 - Dec 2020

  I handle all internal and external creative for this public Utility which provides electric, water and telecommunications (video & broadband) services. Using my complete skill set in print, audio, video and web, I have successfully brought major high cost marketing projects in-house, saving the Utility tens of thousands of dollars annually, while raising the level of quality. I am appreciated for my ability to explain complex concepts to the general public and make the organization look good to customers and civic leaders. I handle all media advertising. I am responsible for writing and revamping organizational publications. I have injected numerous ideas into the organization which are now part of the culture and daily workflows for others. I am trusted to write presentations, quotes and community briefings on behalf of senior leadership. Show less



Shottenkirk Automotive Group

• West Burlington, IA

• Marketing Manager

  • Nov 1995 - Apr 2012

  I created this job when I convinced the owner that I could effectively relieve his top level managers of the direct day to day responsibility for the marketing and advertising functions in his dealerships so they could concentrate on managing their people and increasing sales and profits. At the time of my departure, I was a leader of a 3 person department, Using my communication and consulting skills, I worked directly with general managers to develop marketing strategies and then executed those plans in the most cost-effective manner to achieve short and long term goals. On a weekly basis, I conceived and produced all advertising in print, radio, television and direct mail, handled all media buying, performed necessary public relations functions and managed substantial annual marketing budgets for multiple locations within a 9 store dealership group. While my job description was mainly Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations, I was also called upon frequently by top management to use my extensive skill set to lead strategic planning sessions, sales training and quality initiatives throughout the organization, as well as special projects outside my main marketing function, involving communication, presentation and effective implementation of management objectives. Show less



Bick/Pritchard Broadcasting

• Burlington, IA

• Radio Personality

  • Jan 1999 - Feb 2012

  Although I left broadcasting full-time in 1987, for many years, I continued to work part-time as a host on radio stations WINK-FM and KQ92 as a way of keeping my speaking skills sharp. Technology allowed me to be on the air every day with a minimum time commitment that did not interfere with my primary career. Although I left broadcasting full-time in 1987, for many years, I continued to work part-time as a host on radio stations WINK-FM and KQ92 as a way of keeping my speaking skills sharp. Technology allowed me to be on the air every day with a minimum time commitment that did not interfere with my primary career.



Miller Beauty Supply

• West Burlington, IA

• Director of Marketing

  • Nov 1993 - Nov 1995

  As Marketing Director for this wholesale supplier, I was able to hone my skills and expand my knowledge of Business-to-Business marketing while helping our business partners (customers) sell-through to their customers (consumers) and become more profitable. I was the developer and driving force behind a customer-focused relational marketing effort where our marketing department became a consultant to our business clients, assisting them with local consumer marketing, advertising, promotion and customer relations. We also used our in-house experts to help them establish good management and stock keeping practices, which in turn generated increased sales for us to the salons, and increased sales for the salons to their clients, in a true win-win relationship. I was integrally involved in all image development and presentation, market research, creating and implementing marketing plans and budgets, company sales promotions and leadership of the creative staff. I was directly involved in the planning, execution and marketing of two annual Trade Show/Educational events where we combined continuing education for clients with sales opportunities for us. I learned the “other side” of marketing by working closely with the purchasing director to have the right products at the right time at the right price to insure strong sales promotions. I also managed a graphics department which produced all internal and external publications and promotional literature. Show less



Crystal Ice Company

• West Point, IA

• Manager of Sales, Marketing and Public Relations

  • Feb 1991 - Oct 1993

  While I never sold any ice to Eskimos, I once sold a million dollars’ worth of frozen water to a large grocery store chain. That 5 year contract was the hallmark of my tenure with Crystal Ice. In an industry where most operators settle for servicing only small mom & pop stores, we aggressively sought out and won contracts with large chains in a 3 state area with our superior manufacturing and delivery systems. As the primary customer contact and troubleshooter, I was in the field daily establishing and maintaining relationships with customers while seeking out new opportunities. I drove significant sales increases by breaking into new markets, identifying and assisting with the acquisition of other ice companies, developing new distributors in markets outside our own, and selling our unique production, packaging and delivery system to other manufacturers and distributors. I designed and implemented changes in merchandising, packaging and advertising which helped establish our brand as the dominant packaged ice product in our market area. In 1992, I delivered a major presentation on packaging and delivery innovations at the national convention of the Packaged Ice Association and wrote the keynote speech for my boss who was also President of the association. Show less



Fort Madison Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Corp.

• Fort Madison, IA

• Executive Director

  • Dec 1987 - Feb 1991

  With no prior experience, I beat out dozens of candidates for this position by demonstrating a passion for the community where I lived. I then channeled that passion into effective leadership of both of these non-profit organizations. I spearheaded economic development efforts, facilitating outside business recruitment, local business start-ups and expansions, resulting in the creation of over 1000 jobs and $30 million in private capital investment within the community. When I took over, the Chamber was deeply in debt and struggling with declining membership and poor public perception. Through strong leadership, by the end of my first year, we had improved the public image, increased membership substantially and eliminated the debt. I was responsible for office operations, supervision of staff and volunteers, budgets and work plans. In the course of my everyday work, I gained experience in grant writing, legislative lobbying, strategic planning, legal and real estate research, prospect negotiations, and cooperative business activities. Show less



Talley Broadcasting Company

• Fort Madison, IA

• Operations Manager/Program Director

  • Oct 1979 - Dec 1987

  As Operations Manager and air personality for KBKB AM & FM, I supervised all programming, production and technical personnel. I was also involved in all sales, purchasing and, promotional activities. At the time I left, I was considered the top morning radio personality in the market and the leading advertising copywriter and creative audio producer by my peers. I previously served as Program Director, Music Director and Production Director at the stations. As Operations Manager and air personality for KBKB AM & FM, I supervised all programming, production and technical personnel. I was also involved in all sales, purchasing and, promotional activities. At the time I left, I was considered the top morning radio personality in the market and the leading advertising copywriter and creative audio producer by my peers. I previously served as Program Director, Music Director and Production Director at the stations.