Robert Yoder, MBA

*** ****** ******, *******, ******** 41071

859-***-**** • acukc8@r.postjobfree.com

Bill Neyer, Mayor

City of Harrison

*** ****** ******,

Harrison, Ohio 45030

Dear Mayor Neyer:

With over a decade experience in economic and community development, public administration experience for the communities of Newport, Erlanger, Elsmere, and Carroll County, a Master's of Business Administration, extensive experience working with regional organizations like the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, OKI Regional Council of Governments, Southbank Partners and the Northern Kentucky Workforce Investment Board, I would make an excellent candidate for the Assistant to the Economic Development Director.

My experience in local government, non-profits and regional development organizations provides me with a strong foundation to help the City of Harrison achieved your economic and community development objectives. I have a proven track record of initiating innovative programs that help improve relations with the residents, attract businesses and help invigorate communites, such as:

• Developed the Newport Renaissance District as a regional center for technology start-ups, quality urban loft living and fitness related businesses;

• Developed the Rekindle Micro-Enterprise Development Program and the Rekindle Micro- Enterprise Loan Fund, including applications, loan requirements, management procedures and loan committee.

• I have been successful in grant writing and administration for both government and non-profit organizations. I hope you will find my experience, education and reputation as a person who has developed multiple initiatives in economic and community development in the region as a strong foundation for your Economic Development Director position.

Sincerely;

Robert Yoder

Robert Yoder, MBA

510 Monroe Street, Newport, Kentucky 41071

859-***-**** • acukc8@r.postjobfree.com

Highly motivated, strategic thinker with excellent written and verbal communication skills and expertise in: Public Administration Economic & Community Development Downtown Revitalization Grant Writing & Administration Web & social media Strategic Planning

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Economic Development & Grant Writing Consultant

August 2015 - Current

Currently working with local municipalities and economic development organizations, I provide economic and community development services, grant writing, and grant administration consulting.

• Wrote a successful Transportation Alternative Program Grant for the City of Silver Grove. Resulting in a

$305,000 award for new sidewalks and recreational trails.

• Managing the Southbank Trail Town initiative for Southbank Partners. This initiative seeks to have the six Southbank cities of Bellevue, Covington, Dayton, Fort Thomas, Ludlow and Newport designated as Kentucky Trail Towns.

•Working with ReNewport, a citizen led initiative, to develop a quality of life plan for Newport, KY. My involvement included writing the economic development and history sections of the document, and creating the ReNewport Website.

Executive Director

Carroll County Community Development Corporation June 2013 - August 2015 The Carroll County Community Development Corporation promotes community development and to improve the quality of life for all who live and work in Carroll County.

• Led a successful regional effort to secure funding of $16,000,000 for the construction of a new Jefferson Community and Technical College.

• Led a countywide effort, Work Ready Carroll County, involving education, government and industry to earn Work Ready Progressing designation from the state of Kentucky.

• Federal, state and private foundation grant writing resulting in over $350,000 in funding awarded for community projects.

Adjunct Instructor - Business Management

Gateway Community and Technical College

Developed curriculum and instructed students in small business management programs for Gateway’s Work Force Solutions group and Jefferson Community and Technical College-Carrollton. Business Development Director

Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission May 2011 - August 2012 Created the Rekindle Micro-Enterprise Program that provides training, start-up coaching and access to funding for the residents of the eight county Northern Kentucky region.

• Developed the Rekindle Micro-Enterprise Development Program – the first micro-enterprise program in Northern Kentucky.

• Created the Rekindle Micro-Enterprise Loan Fund, including applications, loan requirements, management procedures and loan committee.

• Created partnerships with Northern Kentucky University Small Business Development Center, SCORE, Northern Kentucky Area Development District and Gateway Community and Technical College to provide additional support and assistance for Rekindle participants. Main Street Coordinator

City of Newport, KY May 2006 - June 2010

Responsible for the revitalization efforts within Newport’s central business district, one of Kentucky’s largest Renaissance districts, covering 28 city blocks and more than 250 businesses.

• Grant Writing: Awarded over $1 million in federal, state and foundation grants

• Developed the Newport Renaissance District as a regional center for technology start-ups, quality urban loft living and fitness related businesses. Attracted over 30 new businesses.

• Created Go2Newport.com, a website promoting Newport’s businesses and events over 15,000 site visitors per month

• Newport's representative for OKI Regional Council of Governments, and Southbank Partners

• Initiated a weekly e-newsletter that generated over 1,200 opt-in subscribers promoting businesses and events in the community

AWARDS:

2010 Campbell County Extension’s Outstanding Economic Development Volunteer 2011 Newport Business Association’s Long Standing Service Award Renaissance Coordinator

City of Erlanger, KY October 2003 - May 2006

Coordinated the downtown revitalization efforts for Erlanger and Elsmere, Kentucky

• Developed and hosted Open for Business a monthly cable access television program featuring interviews with local business owners

• Developed branding campaign for “The Dixie” Business District that promoted the 120+ business community over the Internet, on cable TV and in print media

• Created the Dixie Farmers’ Market, now one of Kentucky’s largest weekly markets, to build retail excitement in the business district

• Established the Erlanger/Elsmere Program as a Certified Level 1 Renaissance Program, the highest ranking available in Kentucky

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

• Treasurer for ReNewport

• Northern Kentucky Area Development District Board Member

• Northern Kentucky Workforce Investment Board Member

• Business Services Committee, Northern Kentucky Workforce Investment Board

• Board Member Campbell County YMCA

• Newport Representative for Bank On Greater Cincinnati

• Newport Representative for Southbank Partner’s Vision 2020 Project

• Newport Representative for the OKI ICC Committee and OKI Central Area Loop Transit Study Committee

• Erlanger Representative for the OKI Dixie Highway Corridor Study

• Erlanger Staff Representative for the Erlanger Housing Authority

• Member of the Newport Transit Center Advisory Committee

• Member of the Newport Brownfield Project Advisory Committee

• President/Chair and Treasurer for the East Row Historic Foundation

• Chair, Vice-Chair, and Member of the Board of Directors and Webmaster for Preservation Kentucky,Inc.

• Vice-Chair, Newport Citizens Advisory Council

• Newport Historic Preservation Commissioner

PUBLICATIONS

• Newport in Vintage Postcards, Arcadia Publishing, 2005 PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

• University of Michigan Business School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Business-to-Business Marketing Strategies - Executive Education Program EDUCATION

Masters of Business Administration

Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana

Bachelor of Arts, Marketing & International Studies Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois

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