Experience

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  Rancho Santa Fe Garden Club

  • Greater San Diego Area

  • Executive Director

    • Dec 2018 - Present
    • Greater San Diego Area

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  Thora & Associates

  • Greater San Diego Area

  • Principal and Consultant

    • Sep 2017 - Present
    • Greater San Diego Area

    Consultant and advisor to local businesses and non-profit organizations to strategize and implement initiatives to enhance awareness, build support, creative fundraising strategies, develop additional funding sources, organize events, and execute marketing and public relations campaigns. Current clients include:• Public Policy Partners• Hilder Law• Rico Resort Thailand• Shawn's Painting Services• Drainpipe Plumbing, LLC • Encinitas Friends of the ArtsAlso January 1999-April 2009

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  Encinitas 101 Main Street Association

  • Encinitas, CA

  • Executive Director

    • Feb 2015 - Sep 2017
    • Encinitas, CA

    • Liaison between the organization, local government agencies, local businesses, and community stakeholders• Drove revenue growth through increased membership, enhanced events, grant opportunities, new projects, sponsorships and partnerships• Oversaw the creation and implementation of more than 30 arts and cultural events per year, including developing concepts, navigating permitting process, and marketing promotions• Improved perception of organization with effective communications and public relations• Increased promotions of events and business through new digital marketing programs• Managed half million dollar budget and financials, reporting the board as necessary• Developed and oversaw effective staff and positive work environment• Oversaw compliance with bylaws and IRS tax exempt status requirements for 501(c)6• Restructured staff and job descriptions for a more efficient and positive work environment• Worked closely with board of directors and business executives• Oversaw management of editorial calendar, budgets, vendors, media & member databases• Designed and produced print collateral promotional materials• More than doubled grant income

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  ReadyAmerica

  • Escondido

  • Marketing Director

    • Jul 2013 - Feb 2015
    • Escondido

    Ready America is parent company to three companies that lead the market in emergency preparedness products and seismic bracing. Responsibilities and successes included:• Developed marketing and public relations strategies to promote products lines• Coordinated details for trade shows and corporate events• Coordinated local, national and international media for large scale events• Developed new product package design for established products and those entering the marketplace• Developed social media strategies• Executed and edited photography and videography• Designed and oversaw production of print collateral to promote the company and products

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  Escondido Downtown Business Association/Escondido City Magazine

  • 262 E. Grand Avenue, Escondido, CA 92025

  • CEO

    • May 2009 - Jun 2013
    • 262 E. Grand Avenue, Escondido, CA 92025

    • Built consensus between organization & community to improve business environment• Guided efforts to meet organizational goals in challenging economic climate• Delivered compelling reports to gain and maintain support by key supporters• Established relationships with government, utility, organizational and corporate leaders for support• Created profitable magazine that increased revenue and elevated perception of Escondido• Restructured staff and job descriptions creating a more efficient and positive work environment• Managed budgets and presented reports to city council and other stakeholders• Established new promotions and events to support organization and put more “feet on the street”• Developed new projects & events to raise funds for organization and raise awareness of downtown• campaign to promote downtown & drive traffic to downtown businesses and events• Developed design and content of traditional and social media marketing• Managed database of donors, elected officials, community leaders, partners & media• Oversaw compliance with bylaws and IRS tax exempt status requirements for 501(c)6I continued to manage, design, publish and grow Escondido City Magazine long after Downtown Business Association lost funding and I assumed another position. Magazine endured as a compelling and informative publication that informed residents and promoted Escondido as a destination for a long time.

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  Baja Lifestyle Magazine

  • Ensenada Area, Mexico

  • Editor/Publisher

    • 2008 - Apr 2009
    • Ensenada Area, Mexico

    • Launched print publication with the purpose of informing residents and promoting Baja California as a tourist and retirement destination• Managed all aspects of business, including development, budgets, research, marketing communications• Developed marketing materials, advertising campaigns, public relations tactics for clients• Established successful partnerships with consulates, media and government agencies• Founded/published highly acclaimed binational publication, executing all aspects of editorial and advertising• Developed and directed web and emarketing content and social networking strategies• Recruited and oversaw writers, photographers, web designers, editor, sales representatives and print production

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  Thora & Associates

  • Encinitas, CA

  • Owner/Creative Partner

    • Jan 1995 - Apr 2009
    • Encinitas, CA

    • Developed marketing, advertising and public relations strategies for a variety of clients• Integrated diverse disciplines into marketing and promotional solutions• Managed projects, events, and campaigns from concept to execution and follow up• Designed innovative and creative solutions to help promote clients• Created consistent brand identities over diverse disciplines• Advertising and web design, photography, videography and event development and management• Worked with clients to establish budgets and worked within set budgets and timelines

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  First Arts

  • Visalia, California Area

  • CoFounder/Vice President

    • Apr 2004 - Sep 2008
    • Visalia, California Area

    • Co-founded 501(c)3 non-profit organization with a mission to support and foster the arts in the community• Developed marketing plan and materials for fundraising, sponsorships and event promotion• Founded and organized many successful events, engaging a diverse community to support the arts• Nurtured media relations for high level of awareness and financial support for projects and programs• Developed financial support through delivery of compelling presentations to civic & corporate groups• Advocacy led to partnership with City Manager and adoption of comprehensive arts and cultural plan for city• Oversaw compliance with bylaws and IRS tax exempt status requirements for 501(c)3

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  Boys & Girls Club of Tulare County

  • Visalia, California Area

  • Development Director

    • 2000 - 2004
    • Visalia, California Area

    • Developed fundraising plan for new nonprofit organization• Designed marketing and public relations tactics and materials for events and fundraising• Raised awareness of organization in community through public and media relations and events• Organized successful events for fundraising and “friend-raising” purposes• Recruited and engaged community leaders to increase support of organization