Kim Blackstone

506 Howell Drive

Newark, Ohio 43055
kbdee092@westpost.net
740.344.6165
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Training & Development
Marketing & Communications
Brand Advocacy & Team Building
Communications and training specialist offering 10+ years of proven success as a
brand advocate in high-volume, consumer-centric retail marketing environments.
Deploy highly successful training, sales, and integrated marketing programs to c
ultivate brand equity, create brand ambassadors, and build the infrastructures t
o support explosive growth. Manage fiscal resources effectively, implementing pr
ograms and campaigns with high value and return on investment. Foster team-centr
ic cultures through the acquisition, coaching, training, retention, and ongoing
development of talented management and staff.
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Experience & Contributions
Buckeye Valley Building Industry Association, Newark, Ohio
Chief Executive Officer * 2000 - October 2010
Built strong brand equity through leadership of internal and external communicat
ions initiatives, a focus on educating and training members to advocate for thei
r needs, and strong marketing programs that resulted in robust awareness and act
ion. Defined and implemented strategic plans to drive innovative and revenue-gen
erating programs, member acquisition and growth campaigns, and key community-bas
ed initiatives. Provided counsel, leadership, and direction to a team of 16 boar
d members, 300+ members, 75+ volunteers, and a dedicated administrative assistan
t. Coordinated legislative, regulatory, and political efforts to protect the int
erests of members, educating process stakeholders on how select decisions could
impact industry growth. Cultivated relationships throughout the community, resu
lting in increased support of association initiatives.
Marketing & Communications
* Engaged target audiences through integrated Marcom campaigns-print, broadcast,
billboard, and Internet-maximizing fiscal reach by leveraging relationships, se
curing co-op dollars, and utilizing social media marketing.
Communications Excellence
* Recognized at the national level for producing exceptional communications with
receipt of three "Association Excellence Awards" for best communications within
the Special Event and Member Publications categories.
Executive Communications
* Prepared testimony and talking points to influence legislative actions, not on
ly as the CEO of the association, but as a member of the Executive Officers Coun
cil on the National Association of Home Builders.
Training & Development
* Identified training and development opportunities within the organization and
throughout the member community, creating programs and materials to proactively
meet needs and propel the organization's impact in the industry.
Strategic Planning
* Developed and executed strategic growth initiatives-including directing merger
s with four neighboring building industry associations-and defining the policies
, procedures, and systems to create a solid infrastructure.
Relationship Cultivation
* Grew membership 40% by creating and maintaining an organization that advocated
 for the needs of its members; leveraged relationship management and persuasive
communications skills to secure far-reaching member support.
Program Management
* Increased sponsorships of, and participation in, the annual Parade of Homes an
d Home and Garden Shows, capturing average annual profits of $100,000 through pl
anning, coordination, and execution of these annual programs.
Revenue & Profit Growth
* Drove a 100% increase in profit from revenue-generating events, not only throu
gh the design of exclusive sponsorship packages, but through the creation of muc
h more robust programs that actively prompted participation.
Program Innovation
* Spearheaded a new "Haunted House" program for 2010 in lieu of the Parade of Ho
mes, responding to the economic downturn in the building industry by creating a
unique program for members to gain increased visibility.
Community Relations
* Managed the association's partnership with a local trade school, controlling e
very aspect-budgeting through final sale-of 9 new-home construction projects. Ge
nerated an average of $20,000 in profit per home and provided students with hand
s-on opportunities to practice in-class lessons.
General Nutrition Centers, Columbus, Ohio
Regional Sales Director * 1998 - 2000
Orchestrated talent acquisition, on-boarding, coaching, training, and developmen
t initiatives during a period of explosive growth-with a new store opening every
other week-while managing a multi-state region with 40 units and $10+ million i
n revenues. Controlled operating expenditures and the bottom line through dilige
nt oversight of labor, travel, and expense budgets. Provided strategic leadershi
p to a team of 6 senior managers, 40 managers, and 120 associates, serving as a
hands-on mentor traveling extensively to execute in-store development and commun
ications programs.
Over-Quota Performance
* Captured the #2 ranking in the division-out of 12 regions-for generating 156.1
% of goal; coached management and staff to optimize product placement, merchandi
sing, consumer education, and inventory control opportunities.
Management Retention
* Achieved "Best Retention" in the division through development and training of
leaders who felt empowered and motivated to achieve aggressive performance goals
; built bench strength for the organization at a critical time.
Procedural Compliance
* Coached store-level teams in policy and procedure compliance, resulting in cle
an internal audits and the infrastructures to support a focus on driving sales,
customer satisfaction, and profitability.
Dots, Inc., Columbus, Ohio
District Manager * 1993 - 1998
Spearheaded the achievement of revenue goals in an 11-store region with 150 staf
f members, 100 seasonal employees, and $10 million in annual sales. Recruited, s
elected, trained, and developed top-performing team members committed to the Dot
s mission, vision, and performance objectives. Cultivated a spirit of team camar
aderie and a shared focus on cost control.
President's Club Performance
* Won President's Club honors for three years based on a combination of sales, r
etention, and loss prevention results. Enjoyed award with numerous managers with
in my district who also delivered unmatched contributions.
Sales Program Development
* Developed an enhanced "Train the Trainer" program to improve training initiati
ves at the store level; program was adopted by several regions due to ease of im
plementation and strength of outcomes.
Succession Planning
* Filled 80% of open opportunities through internal promotions, demonstrating th
e ability to coach, train, and develop staff into key managers; held the lowest
turnover rate in the entire company, averaging just 12%.
- Foundational Experience -
Victoria's Secret * District Trainer
- Charged with managing the brand's flagship store and "living the life" of a si
ngle unit manager while beginning to develop a new district training program. -
Gantos, Inc. * District Manager
- Received rapid promotions to management, new store launch, and training roles,
resulting in accountability for leading a 7-unit district generating $10 millio
n in annual sales. Ranked #2 companywide for sales and shrink control. -
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Academic Background
Bachelor of Fine Arts * Major in Fashion Merchandising * Minor in Business
Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
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Community Involvement
Past Board Member, Licking County Coalition for Housing * 2006-2010
- Supported mission and vision setting, strategic planning, and communications i
nitiatives -
Past Member, Zonta International * 2005-2007
- Worked to advance the status of women at the global and local level through se
rvice and advocacy -