Development Director

Russell Haddad

Email: abqgqf@r.postjobfree.com

Address: **** ************ ****

City: Elizabeth City

State: NC

Zip: 27909

Country: USA

Phone: 252-***-****

Skill Level: Management

Salary Range: $80,000

Willing to Relocate

Primary Skills/Experience:

See Resume

Educational Background:

See Resume

Job History / Details:

RUSSELL G. HADDAD, TMP

1039 Consolidated Road ~ Elizabeth City, NC 27909

252-***-**** ~ 252-***-**** (cell)

abqgqf@r.postjobfree.com

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

7/12-11/12: BILL LUTON FOR NC HOUSE, NORTH CAROLINA`S FIRST HOUSE DISTRICT, ELIZABETH CITY, NC

Campaign Manager:

* Liaison with business community, including maintaining relationships with district chambers of commerce, economic developers and organizations involved with job creation

* Recruit and manage campaign volunteers

* Create and manage campaign electronic newsletter

* Plan campaign events, including fundraisers

* Liaison with county Democratic Party leaders

* Develop and maintain relationships with local and state Democratic Party leaders

* Utilize Votebuilder software for voter research

5/10-7/12: U.S. REP. G.K. BUTTERFIELD, NORTH CAROLINA`S FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, WILSON, NC

Director of Economic Development & Business Outreach:

Economic Development

* Monitors major economic development projects in the district; makes recommendations as to how the office might be helpful

* Identifies, develops and maintains relationships with key stakeholders within economic development community; communicates needs and goals of stakeholders to relevant staff and the Member

* Attends stakeholder meetings involving members of state and local economic development community.

* Provides assistance to members of the local business community and act as liaison between community and the SBA, USDA Rural Development and other federal agencies

* Assists local businesses and constituents to identify federal funding opportunities; provides necessary follow-up and support for local efforts

* Works closely with Grants Coordinator on overlapping issues

* Works with Communications Director to create and provide up-to-date content for website on economic development issues and opportunities

Appropriations/Grants

* Assists constituents and local governments in understanding and navigating the federal appropriations process; works closely with DC staff to prioritize and monitor appropriation requests

* Assists community groups, local government agencies and businesses who are seeking federal appropriations; works with District Director and DC staff to monitor local appropriations requests.

* Works with state, local and non-profit entities to generate appropriations requests (particularly for projects related to Agriculture, Transportation & Infrastructure, Homeland Security, Energy and Water)

* Works closely with Grants Coordinator to assist constituents with grant requests and to identify federal funding opportunities; assists Grants Coordinator in providing transition from failed appropriations requests to the grants process

Outreach

* Under the direction of the District Director, the DED acts as liaison to the following:

o Statewide officials (elected and appointed)

o County and local officials

o Local business and community leaders

o Foundations and charitable Organizations

o State and local Chambers of Commerce

o NC Rural Economic Development Center

o USDA Rural Development

o NC Department of Commerce

o Governor`s Office

o Other relevant organizations and advocacy groups

* Works with District Director to implement strategic outreach plan; specific focus on outreach to businesses and those seeking federal grants.

* Recommends district outreach based on Member`s legislative agenda and priorities.

* Assists in planning and executing major district events.

* Works with Communications Director and other appropriate staff to publicize major economic development initiatives and other district events

* Distributes office publications to local organizations

* Represents the Member at meetings and events as assigned by the Member, the Chief of Staff, and/or the District Director

* Helps prepare the Member for district events; staffs Member as necessary

* Helps identify District priorities that should be added to the Member's schedule

* Identifies issues and concerns that may require legislative action and makes recommendations to the Legislative Director and the Chief of Staff

* Serves as Outreach Coordinator for relief and redevelopment, in the event of disaster

* Establishes and maintains relationship with counterparts in the NC Delegation

9/08-5/10: NORTH CAROLINA DIVISION OF TOURISM, FILM & SPORTS DEVELOPMENT, RALEIGH, NC

Director of Tourism Development:

* Planning, implementation and management of the Division`s Tourism Development Program to market North Carolina as a travel destination

* Managed up to 12 Tourism Development Officers across the state who acted as liaisons with local communities through December 2009

* Create and deliver presentations to local Chambers of Commerce, tourism groups and conferences throughout the state

* Fully reorganized the Tourism Development Program to maximize efficiency, creating an organizational chart with goals and objectives

* Liaison on various initiatives such as Blue Ridge Parkway 75th, Civil War 150th and National Heritage areas

* Liaison with other related state agencies including but not limited to Cultural Resources, DENR, Cooperative Extension and Parks & Recreation; and liaison with intra-Divisional programs such as Domestic Marketing and Partner Programs to maximize impact on state`s tourism industry

* Division liaison for Commerce`s 21st Century Communities and Certified Retirements Communities programs.

* Provide communities and entrepreneurs with technical assistance for tourism planning, assisting in areas of strategic planning, product planning and identifying grant funding. Identify tourism workforce training and educational opportunities for the tourism industry sector

* Work on statewide tourism development initiatives

* Develop and maintain partnerships to facilitate Division`s goals

* Make presentations to appropriate groups to further Division goals. Includes but not limited to development and marketing of African-American Trail, Highway 17 Corridor, Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War, Highway to History and other outdoor recreational, historical and cultural trails.

* Administrator for Tourism Matching Funds Grant Program ensuring compliance with all established laws and guidelines regarding grant program; publish schedule for grant award process, including call for proposals, evaluation period and awarding of grants; manage grants process at all levels, working closely with Division management; provide information on other grants programs for industry partners as appropriate

* Work with communities to identify potential sites and guide them through the installation process in collaboration with the multi-state Civil War Trails Program

* Ensure that program`s results are published in weekly electronic newsletter (Newslink); report results to management, Tourism board as appropriate; make presentations to appropriate groups as requested

7/05-9/08: ELIZABETH CITYAREA CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU, ELIZABETH CITY, NC

Director:

* Continuing duties that began as Tourism Director with the Chamber of Commerce.

* Chief Financial Officer supervising full-time, part-time and volunteer staff, coordinating internships for university students, strengthening and creating new partnerships, including Elizabeth City State University, downtown business and redevelopment organizations, arts council and economic development agencies

* Secured office space and created new visitors center from ground up.

* Created and developed first official tourism website for the destination

* Implemented a community cooperative advertising program with local attractions and retail outlets

* Recruited several large scale events, including two major bass fishing tournaments

* Helped secure funding for a city/county Parks & Recreation Master Plan resulting in the construction of a soccer/baseball/softball sports complex

* Community liaison with Disney production company during filming of The Guardian

* Worked with local, regional, state and federal officials on several initiatives, including the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, NC Civil War Trail and local occupancy tax legislation

9/00-6/05: ELIZABETH CITY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,

ELIZABETH CITY, NC

Tourism Director:

* Developed and implemented a marketing strategy for waterfront community of 18,000 residents and county of 35,000.

* Produced budgets related to advertising placement, creating activities, promoting existing events and developing group tour packages.

* Created and managed the Harbor Nights Music Series and attracted a national powerboat race.

* Wrote tourism news articles for chamber newsletter

* Wrote press releases relating to local tourism activities

* Oversight of the Chamber website tourism content

* Recruited Dismal Swamp Canal excursion boat - Bonny Blue - for weekend trips to Elizabeth City

* Planned and organized four Tourism Affecting Communities conferences with 100-plus attendees

* Created first Elizabeth City Visitors Guide

* Created first Elizabeth City historic districts booklet

* Helped create the Elizabeth City Aviation Trail

* Support person for the Chamber's Tourism Committee and Elizabeth City-Pasquotank County Tourism Board

* Worked with local, state, regional and federal officials on various projects, including the Wright brothers Centennial of Flight Celebration

SUPPLEMENTAL WORK HISTORY

3/00-9/00: THE DAILY ADVANCE, ELIZABETH CITY, NC - Staff Writer

11/99-3/00: STOP & SHOP SUPERMARKET CO., QUINCY, MA - Asst. Zone Manager

10/96-10/99: WIDOFF'S MODERN BAKERY, INC., WORCESTER, MA - Co-owner

5/96-9/96: UNION-NEWS OF SPRINGFIELD, SPRINGFIELD, MA - Staff Writer

2/94-5/96: THE RECORDER, GREENFIELD, MA - Staff Writer

8/92-2/94: WORCESTER TELEGRAM & GAZETTE, WORCESTER, MA - Staff Writer

9/90-8/92: WAAF RADIO - Production Assistant/Sales Support Clerk

1/87-5/87: KATM Radio - Promotions Coordinator

9/85-12/87: WFTQ Radio - Intern; Interim Marketing Director

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

2007 Gold Award for Destination Marketing Initiatives - Elizabeth City Area CVB

* Niche Marketing (Holiday Card)

2007 Innovation Award - Elizabeth City Area CVB (2)

* Best Bureau Local Stakeholder Relations (Ron Paul Blimp)

* Best Bureau Community Partnerships (Net-Work)

2006 Rising Star Award: North Carolina Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus

2006 Platinum Award for Destination Marketing Initiatives - Elizabeth City Area CVB (2)

* Best Print Advertising

* Discover the Good Life Daily Website

2006 Gold Award for Destination Marketing Initiatives - Elizabeth City Area CVB

* Nestled in History, Steeped in Charm Visitors Guide

PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES

Friends of the Museum of the Albemarle Board of Directors (2012-Present)

Elizabeth City Morning Rotary (2012-Present)

AYSO Soccer Coach (2004-Present)

Elizabeth City Jaycees: Community Development Vice President (2004); President (2005); Chairman of the Board (2006)

Elizabeth City Boys Club Board of Directors (2005-08)

J.C. Sawyer Elementary School PTA: Fundraising Chair (2005-06); President (2006-07)

Pasquotank Arts Council: Board of Directors (2004-08); President (2007-08)

NorthEast Tourism: Vice-Chair (2007-08): Chair (2008-09)

Historic Albemarle Tour, Inc.: President (2001-05)

Elizabeth City State University Chancellor`s Installation Committee (2007)

EDUCATION

Worcester State College - Bachelor of Arts-Media, English Minor, 1991

Leadership North Carolina - 2008

Southeast Tourism Society`s Tourism Marketing College - Tourism Marketing Professional, 2009

REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

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