About Me
My gift is the ability to envision concepts and translate them into actionable strategies that strengthen commercial results. Throughout my career as a marketer, business leader and entrepreneur, I have connected the dots to solve complex issues and identify opportunities that create a positive business impact. I see possibilities in what may be veiled as challenges and create the connections - from idea to implementation – required to make it happen.
As a marketer by profession, I thrive on using analysis and insights to inform the development of new products and create powerful communications that connect with a target audience. As an executive leader, I skillfully communicate and collaborate across organizational levels and forge key external relationships. I know how to build high performance teams and connect every stakeholder – direct reports, cross-functional colleagues, vendors – to the mission at hand. I provide clear expectations, not all the answers and exercise judgment in knowing when to let my team lead the way.
I am entrepreneurial by nature and, whether employed by an organization or running a business, I own my results. I strive to win and my track record shows I have repeatedly taken calculated risks and raised my hand to participate in or lead initiatives that challenge the status quo and expand core revenue models. My goal is to achieve a balance of leadership that connects the business realities of today with the business opportunities of tomorrow.
From CONCEPT to COMMERCIALIZATION
I "connect the dots" to bring new concepts to market, solve complex issues and seize opportunities that move businesses forward.
Core Competencies
Professional Experience
Brand & Marketing Strategy. Developing, positioning and leveraging brand assets to capture new markets and pursue growth opportunities through analytical and research-driven marketing strategy
Business Acumen. Pragmatic leader with strong knowledge of core business functions and financial management experience, including large-scale budget management
Entrepreneurial. Confident and collaborative leader who rolls up my sleeves to help drive project-related work as appropriate; challenges teams to examine existing paradigms and remain flexible in changing directions to meet business objectives
Building & Leading Teams. Hands-on ability to build and mentor talent to support a high performing culture where people are appreciated, engaged and accountable
Cross Functional Leadership. Leading cross-functional teams in solving complex issues, proactively identifying opportunities and implementing enterprise wide initiatives
Communicator & Consensus Builder. Exceptional communicator and collaborator able to influence and build consensus across organizational levels and build key external relationships
REYNOLDS AMERICAN • Winston-Salem, NC
Sept. 2014 – Present
Current position:
Senior Vice President, General Manager - Next Gen Oral Products
Consumer Marketing
Executive commercial leader with direct accountability for growing next generation products in an emerging segment. Responsible for leading teams to unlock revenue growth in new segments and managing P&L for multi-million dollar business unit. Prior role included leading the enterprise's largest consumer brand, a multi-billion dollar business that is #1 in the U.S.
CERTUSBANK, N.A. • Greenville, SC
Oct. 2013 – Aug. 2014
Functional Expertise
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Brand & Marketing Strategy Consumer Packaged Goods Marketing, Payments and Financial Industry Marketing, Online Marketing
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Building Teams and Developing Talent
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Commercial Accountability with Multi-Million Dollar P&L Accountability
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New Business Launches
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Integrated Campaign Development
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Customer Acquisition and Loyalty
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Customer Experience Delivery
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Product/Channel Innovation
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Strategic Partnerships
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Enterprise Initiatives Leadership
Patent
An Online Marketplace For Advertising. US Patent Application 61/512,630 filed July, 28, 2011. Patent Pending.
2010 - present
2010 - present
Recruited to advance the marketing efforts of an early stage financial institution with aggressive growth plans. Responsibilities included developing a more proactive, insight driven marketing function; defining a compelling brand point of difference; and building a collaborative, non-traditional bank marketing culture.
Position held:
Senior Vice President, Head of Marketing
SAVVEO, INC. • Charlotte, NC
Jan. 2011 – Present
Launched tech company focused on revolutionizing the traditional media sales process with a disruptive online platform. Member of executive team that set the overall direction for the company. Contributed leadership, business acumen, marketing expertise and execution skills required to take company from concept to commercialization.
Positions held:
Co-Founder, Vice President of Marketing, Advisor (Jan. 2011 – Oct. 2013)
VISA, INC. • Charlotte, NC
May 2007 – March 2011
Recruited to bring consumer package goods brand marketing expertise into a B2B role and subsequently promoted to lead consulting teams for key client accounts. Established a track record as a marketing thought leader and proven business partner with ability to navigate matrix organizations, engage key stakeholders and gain executive buy-in.
Positions held:
Senior Director, Consulting Team Leader (Bank of America and PNC Bank Clients, May 2010 – Mar. 2011)
Senior Business Leader, Signature Client Lead (Wachovia and Bank of America Clients, May 2007 – Apr. 2010)
R.J. REYNOLDS TOBACCO COMPANY • Winston-Salem, NC
May 1998 – May 2007
Led direct reports, cross-functional teams and agency partners in strategy, planning and execution of integrated, cross-channel marketing initiatives for $6 billion flagship brand. Developed leading consumer and field marketing programs that strengthened consumer engagement and resulted in share gains from largest competitor.
Promoted to lead newly formed business unit and expand distribution of higher margin product lines. Led development of U.S. operating strategy and collaborated with global counterparts to achieve synergies.
Positions held:
Senior Business Unit Head – SUPER PREMIUM Brands (May 2006 – May 2007)
Senior Marketing Director – INNOVATIONS (Jan. 2006 – Apr. 2006)
Senior Marketing Director – CAMEL (Apr. 2004 – Dec. 2005)
Brand Marketing Manager – DORAL ( Jan. 2002 – Mar. 2004)
Assistant Brand Marketing Manager - DORAL (Nov. 2000 – Dec. 2001)
Marketing Assistant - SALEM Channel Marketing ( Jun. 1999 – Oct. 2000)
NATIONAL COMMERCE BANK CORP (NOW SUNTRUST) • Memphis, TN
June 1992 – July 1997
B2B consultant and lead training manager for National Commerce Bank Services, a subsidiary which licensed the bank's grocery/retail branch distribution model to national and international banks. Prior to this role, demonstrated success as a branch manager and loan officer for the parent company. This included being selected as a member of the "new market start-up team" focused on expanding the bank's geographic footprint.
Positions held:
Consultant & Sr. Training Manager, Australia & New Zealand Training Lead (Jan. 1996 – Jul. 1997)
Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager (Jul. 1994 – Dec. 1995, Raleigh, NC)
Branch Manager, Loan Officer (Jun. 1993 – Jun. 1994, Memphis, TN and Roanoke, VA)
Management Trainee (Jun. 1992 – Feb. 1993)
Education
THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE Knoxville, TN Master of Business Administration, Marketing
RHODES COLLEGE Memphis, TN Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration