Vice President Management
Resume:
WILLARD L. BILL BLEVINS, JR.
Fairport, NY 14450
***********@***.***
INTERNET MEDIA / ELECTRONIC PUBLISHING / CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Operations ! Business Development ! Strategic Planning ! Executive Leadership
Accomplished senior executive with 14 years of experience managing online and Internet operations, and product
development for regional and national newspaper publishing firms. Demonstrated strong ability to evaluate
business opportunities and new technologies, with proven track record of effectively implementing leading edge
concepts to leverage business success in new market segments and business spaces. Executive leadership and
Board of Directors experience augmented by earlier experience in newsroom management and photojournalism.
Maintain a broad understanding of server, web hosting, browser, and web development technologies and tools
relating to design, development, and management of online content.
"20 Under 40 Award, Presstime Magazine, Newspaper Association of America (Dec. 2000)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
GATEHOUSE MEDIA, INC.; Fairport, New York (July 2006 Present)
A national, publicly traded media firm (www.gatehousemedia.com) with holdings that include 92 daily newspapers,
plus over 400 other weekly, directory, and online publications.
Vice President of New Business Development July 2009 Present
Chosen by CEO to serve in this newly created role. Charged with evaluating new investment (acquisition)
opportunities, developing strategies for leveraging existing resources in new business spaces, and fostering new
relationships with other media firms to pursue cross-promotional partnerships and alliances.
Manage multiple pilot programs to assess viability and scalability for short- and long-term business growth.
Identify potential new lines of business that are consistent with company s mission and vision.
Evaluate acquisition opportunities and develop business case for pursuing these opportunities.
Develop business plans and make presentations to Board of Directors for new initiatives.
Vice President of Online Operations July 2006 July 2009
Recruited to develop GateHouse Media s online strategy, which was integral to the firm s successful IPO in 2006.
Managed online media operations that generated more than $25 million in revenues during fiscal 2008.
Spearheaded research and development of next generation online product offerings, which led directly to creation
of VP for New Business Development role (see above).
Recruited, hired, and managed technical teams accountable for building and launching a content management
platform (CMS) across over 450 web sites, which delivered a cost savings of 50%.
Grew annual online revenues from $3.8 million in 2006 to $26 million in 2008 (680% increase).
Managed the integration of web-based business components as GateHouse Media successfully acquired more
than $1.5 billion worth of new business.
Directed the rollout of user generated content (UGC) video publishing platform across network of 465 sites.
Briefed Board of Directors, CEO, investors, bankers, and senior management on new business opportunities
and progress on forward initiatives.
SEARCH INITIATIVES, LLC; Nashua, New Hampshire / Temecula, California
This search engine optimization (SEO) firm helps small and medium businesses (SMB) build site traffic,
strengthen their relationships with local consumers and advertisers, creating profitable eCommerce
marketplaces. (www.elocallistings.com)
Member, Board of Directors 2007 Present
Invited to join Board of Directors for this start-up company based on experience in newspaper industry and
knowledge of SMB advertising, online marketing needs, and eCommerce business channels.
WILLARD L. BILL BLEVINS, JR.
Resume Page Two
585-***-**** ! ***********@***.***
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
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COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER HOLDINGS, INC. (CNHI); Birmingham, Alabama
Vice President of Online Operations April 2004 June 2006
Directed electronic publishing operations for this employee-owned media company with 90 daily newspapers
and more than 100 non-daily publications across the United States. Established Internet publishing vision
and strategy, and championed initiatives to develop and grow this key business segment.
Designed firm s Internet publishing strategy and implemented training for publishers and sales directors
to familiarize them with new business models.
Built online revenues from $1.4 million to over $12 million, annually, in first 24 months (850% increase)
Successfully transitioned over 200 independent newspaper sites onto a shared content management
system (CMS) using common templates, centralized site administration, and a unified business model.
THE FREE LANCE-STAR PUBLISHING COMPANY, INC., Fredericksburg, Virginia (1990 2004)
Director, Fredericksburg.com & The Star Directory 1999 2004
Managed the Internet and Yellow Pages publishing division of The Free Lance-Star Publishing Company,
including www.Fredericksburg.com and the Star Directory, a local community telephone directory.
Supervised 26 employees, including a 12-person multi-media sales team, a programming group, graphic
arts and production group and an editorial news staff.
Positioned www.Fredericksburg.com as a leader in publishing local information online.
Served on three-person team that developed a patented application for searching and displaying real estate
MLS listing data in real time using mobile devices.
Chosen for 20 Under 40 Award by Presstime Magazine (Dec. 2000).
Director of Photography 1997 1999
Staff Photographer 1990 1997
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Bachelor of Science 1994
James Madison University; Harrisonburg, Virginia
The Executive Experience, Executive Leadership Training LeaderPoint 2006
COMMUNITY & PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Associated Press Digital Advisory Committee (2005 Present)
Newspaper Association of America (NAA)
New Media Federation Member (1999 Present) / Digital Advisory Council Member (2004 Present)
Fredericksburg Jaycees, Board of Directors (1990 1993); Member (1990 2004)
Virginia Press Association, Technology Committee Chairman (2000 2004)
Trout Unlimited Life Member (2008)
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