Experience

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  Zodrow & Associates

  • Birmingham and Mobile, AL

  • President and CEO

    • Feb 2003 - Present
    • Birmingham and Mobile, AL

    Senior executive providing consulting services to non-profit groups and organizations, identifying and implementing practical, cost-effective solutions to operational and financial challenges through management, fundraising and marketing. Services include organizational performance audits, campaign feasibility studies, volunteer donor training, logo and brand development, strategic marketing plans, and museum/theater/exhibition planning and marketing.As author of the thesis "Survival of the Fittest: A Delphi Study on Marketing Science Museums", my research has benefited museum administrators including Brian Taylor, Executive Director of Science Alive! in New Zealand. According to Taylor: "Tony's recommendations on marketing gave me all the ideas I needed to maximize our museum's entrepreneurial opportunities. As a result, we have netted an extra $250,000 per year for the past five years. Thank you, Tony!"

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  GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico

  • Mobile, AL

  • Executive Director

    • 2005 - Nov 2016
    • Mobile, AL

    Senior administrator responsible for master planning, capital fundraising and project management for the creation and launch of GulfQuest (National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico). Opened in 2015, this $63 million interactive maritime museum is the first of its kind dedicated to the historical, cultural and economic impact of the Gulf of Mexico. As founding Executive Director, steered and managed the master planning process for capital acquisition and project management for the museum's building, galleries, exhibits, programs and services. Designed and implemented the museum's name, logo and branding identity. Established and managed the exhibits design and fabrication process, working with 16 exhibits design, media and fabrication firms. Guided creation of educational programs, focusing on STEM-related content. Spearheaded the capital campaign, raising $10.8 million from corporations, foundations and individuals (including a $1 million lead gift). Secured and managed federal grants that provided $4.4 million. Executed two New Markets Tax Credits transactions, producing $2.8 million. Directed the design and build-out for the museum's themed store and café. Designed and directed the marketing launch (social media, digital, print, broadcast, billboards, etc.) with advertising agency. Assembled the initial staff for planning/fundraising and the senior management team prior to start-up. Oversaw first year of museum operations and established visitor services, group sales, memberships, facility rentals, volunteer program and more. This unique 120,000 sq. ft. museum features 90 interactive exhibits, themed theaters, pilot simulators, and artifact displays on nine decks/galleries housed within a mock container ship, all inside a building that resembles a large ship headed into the Gulf of Mexico. Prior to its grand opening, GulfQuest was honored by being named "Alabama Attraction of the Year" at the Governor's Conference on Tourism.

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  McWane Science Center

  • Birmingham, AL

  • President and CEO

    • 2001 - 2004
    • Birmingham, AL

    Senior executive accountable for administration of large urban science center with $6+ million operating budget. Worked with the Board of Trustees and senior management team to implement goals and objectives, enhance exhibits and programs, and improve financial performance. Established and executed strategies to reverse four years of annual deficits, achieving first fiscal year with balanced budget since opening year. Generated significant attendance increases through new programming and marketing strategies, reversing trend of declining annual visitation. Enhanced earned income from admissions, memberships, group sales, facility rentals and museum store. Established new interactive exhibits and upgraded existing exhibit galleries. Restructured Education Division and expanded programs, substantially increasing public and school group participation. Raised $2.1 million for 33,000 sq. ft. expansion for traveling exhibitions hall, classrooms and special events space. Established multi-year commitment for traveling exhibitions, bringing blockbusters (Titanic, Tutankhamen, Einstein) to McWane for the first time. Secured five-year, $1 million commitment from county to offset reduction in state funding. McWane Science Center is Alabama's premier science center with 90,000 sq. ft. of hands-on exhibits, an IMAX dome-screen theater, and themed galleries including Science Quest (physical science), World of Water (fresh and saltwater aquariums), Explore! Lab (paleontology) and Rushton Science Theater (live science demonstrations).

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  Science Museum Oklahoma

  • Oklahoma City, OK

  • Deputy Director

    • 1993 - 2001
    • Oklahoma City, OK

    Senior administrator with direct responsibility for fundraising (capital campaigns, annual fund, major gifts, corporate and foundation grants, fundraising events, sponsorships and endowment) and marketing (advertising, promotions, group sales, memberships, facility rentals and marketing research). Raised over $3 million in operating support over three-year period, surpassing $1.2 million for the first time in museum’s history. Helped raise $7.5 million for construction of Oklahoma’s first large-format, dome-screen theater. Lead team that successfully marketed the theater’s launch, which was honored with the Gold MAC (Marketing, Achievement and Creativity) Award from the Giant Screen Theater Association. Directed design and implementation of new branding identity; produced integrated communications including annual reports, marketing materials, membership newsletters and website updates. Enhanced earned income from admissions, memberships, facility rentals and museum store. Increased proceeds from fundraising events. Provided support for capital campaign, raising $3.2 million for exhibits, programs, facilities and endowment. Initiated new marketing promotions and relationships ("Adventure District" branding, co-op marketing, etc.). Omniplex is Oklahoma's premier museum center with over 150,000 sq. ft. of interactive, historic and artistic exhibits including a large interactive science museum, the state's only planetarium, the Oklahoma aviation/space museum, multiple art galleries, botanical gardens/greenhouses, and a large-format, dome-screen theater.

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  Phillips University

  • Enid, OK

  • Associate Vice President for University Relations

    • 1990 - 1993
    • Enid, OK

    Executive responsible for public relations and marketing including fundraising and student recruitment. Provided support for the Renaissance Campaign, raising $4.8 million for property acquisition, facility renovations, academic programs, and endowment. Established and coordinated an annual celebration to strengthen the university/city relationship (featuring parades, concerts and international bazaars). Supervised production of publications and videos for student recruitment, helping to attract university’s largest enrollment in 12 years. A private, liberal arts university with over 1,000 students, Phillips University was named by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 10 regional liberal arts colleges in the western U.S.

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  The Daily Iowegian

  • Centerville, Iowa

  • Managing Editor

    • 1988 - 1990
    • Centerville, Iowa

    Managed newsroom with multiple reporters; provided daily assignments; wrote news articles, feature stories, editorials and weekly column; produced news and feature photographs; designed newspaper layout; produced special sections; and served as community liaison.

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  The Herald-Democrat

  • Siloam Springs, Arkansas

  • General Manager/Managing Editor

    • 1985 - 1988
    • Siloam Springs, Arkansas

    Assisted Publisher with business management; managed newsroom; provided daily assignments; wrote news articles, feature stories and editorials; produced news and feature photographs; designed newspaper layout; produced special sections; and served as community liaison.