Hon. Brian Berger, CAE

PO Box ****

Wilmington, NC 28406

910-***-****

acn1rv@r.postjobfree.com

PROFILE: A senior manager with more than 15 years of experience in

association, corporate, non-profit and start-up settings. Proven

leadership, communication, strategic planning, problem-solving and

project management skills utilized to enhance growth,

profitability, and improve programs & policy, including:

Marketing /Brand Management Communications / Journalism

Campaigns Government Relations

Grassroots Advocacy & Public Event Planning / Business

Policy Development

Public Relations & Industry

Affairs

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Marketing & Public Relations Consultant, Wilmington, NC & Exton, PA,

January 2010- present

. Provided marketing, communications & public relations, and advocacy

strategic plans and services to large & small companies in several

industries, non-profit organizations, political coalitions and

candidates. Created marketing and communications programs and

collateral materials, directed media planning and advertising

campaigns, prepared speeches and presentations for elected officials

and business leaders, conducted market research including focus groups

and survey formulation, and tracked trends, emerging opportunities &

challenges.

Steel Framing Alliance, a Division of American Iron and Steel Institute,

Washington, D.C. & Wilmington N.C. (remote), May 2007- January 2010

Manager, CFS Engineers Institute (CFSEI)

. Led industry trade association and market development organization

through a period of unprecedented program expansion and revenue growth,

with responsibility for day-to-day operations and programs including

successful marketing, public relations and communications plans and

strategies;

. Cultivated organization vision and achieved buy-in for key strategies

among diverse stakeholders including Board of Directors, members,

investors and industry partners;

. Initiated and directed membership and chapter growth efforts, and

originated new programs and events, that consistently exceeded

organization goals;

. Responsible for financial management, budgeting, identifying and

implementing multiple new and successful revenue streams, and creating

organizational efficiencies;

. Managed industry committees, volunteer recruitment, member relations

and communications, educational programming, and industry outreach

efforts, including formation of new Regional Chapters and industry

partnerships;

. Launched a new nationally-recognized "Award for Innovation" program

earning coverage in Top 25 national media and securing substantial

positive media from outreach and public relations campaigns;

. Implemented operational procedures and governance policies,

recommending to the Board of Directors improvements and solutions to

challenges, and served as primary representative of the organization to

media, industry and target audiences;

. Spearheaded all aspects of Annual Conference & EXPO and other events,

including content development, sponsorships and promotion, and

contracting & logistics, generating increased revenues and attendance

growth despite industry contraction and severe economic conditions.

Landmark Communications, Inc., Jacksonville, NC, August 2004-March 2006

Newspaper Editor and Reporter

. Award-winning photojournalist, graphic designer and photographer for

60,000-circulation weekly publication serving local community and the

U.S. military at home and abroad;

. Supervised weekly columnists and freelance

reporters.

The Adhesive & Sealant Council, Inc., Bethesda, MD, December 2003-July 2004

Manager, Marketing & Member Services

. Marketed adhesives to market segments in the U.S.

and internationally;

. Directed marketing and media relations programs,

strategies and budgets;

. Created all marketing and public relations

materials, member newsletter, advertisements,

and other printed and electronic media

communications;

. Developed and managed Web site content and

programs;

. Managed industry relations, market research and surveys, and member

recruitment;

. Launched new revenue streams and negotiated business-to-business sales;

. Served as program manager for collaborative seminars, educational

programming and industry events - generating increased profits &

reduced expenses.

National Retail Federation, Washington, DC, July 2001-December 2003

Manager of Communications

. Created marketing and advocacy materials, originated themes and ideas

for public relations and marketing campaigns, Web site content, and

annual reports, newsletters, executive speeches, articles,

opinion/editorial columns, press releases, fundraising documents, and

other promotional and informational publications utilizing latest

technologies;

. Consulted marketing, government relations,

Foundation and Membership Departments to

implement organization's communication

and development strategies with media and public.

Williams & Jensen, P.C., Washington, DC, February 1999-July 2001

Legislative Analyst

. Developed political analysis and issue briefings for major global

telecommunications,

transportation, healthcare and consumer product corporations and

trade associations;

. Analyzed and monitored healthcare, transportation, technology,

electronic commerce, privacy, environmental, energy and international

trade legislation and regulations;

. Negotiated meetings with client representatives and Congressional

Members and

staff, and explained ramifications of proposed legislation;

. Advised clients on Congressional hearings and Federal regulatory

meetings;

. Identified alliance opportunities and crafted correspondence to

Congressional Members and

staff, industry groups, and public interest organizations.

Fleishman-Hillard, Inc., Washington, DC, August 1998-February 1999

Public Relations, Healthcare Practice

. Generated earned media coverage for clients including positive coverage

in major market newspapers, magazines, television and radio programs,

community media & trade publications;

. Drafted press releases, media advisories and public service

announcements (PSAs);

. Researched public policy issues, speaking opportunities and potential

alliances;

. Participated in brainstorming meetings to develop strategies and

objectives for public relations and social marketing campaigns.

EDUCATION & LICENSES:

Bachelor of Arts, Government, Hamilton College, (NY)

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program, East Carolina

University, (NC)

Local Elected Leaders Academy (University of North Carolina, School of

Government)

Certified Association Executive (American Society of Association

Executives)

Master State & Local Government Innovator (MSLGI)

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES & PUBLIC LEADERSHIP POSITIONS:

New Hanover County Board of Commissioners (Elected 2010)

National Association of Counties (Environment, Energy and Land Use Steering

Committee)

North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, Legislative Delegate

(Taxation & Finance, Health & Human Services, Justice and Public Safety,

and Intergovernmental Relations Steering Committees)

Smart Start of New Hanover County, Board of Directors

American Society of Association Executives

National Association of Manufacturers, Association Peer Group

Public Relations Society of America

American Marketing Association, Triangle Chapter

Chairman, New Hanover County Scattered Site Housing Committee

New Hanover County Department of Social Services, Board of Directors

Wilmington Downtown, Inc., Board of Directors, Executive Committee

Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, Transportation

Advisory Committee Representative

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority, Board of Directors (Public Relations

Committee; Long Range Planning Committee)

Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, United Way (Cape Fear) Executive Board

Wilmington Regional Film Commission, Member

Cape Fear Community College, Board of Trustees

Legion Sports Complex Commission Board Member

WEB SITE & CONTENT DEVELOPMENT:

www.cfsei.org

www.nrf.org

www.ascouncil.org

www.steelframing.org

Also: More than a dozen political, business, project-based & outreach

campaign Web sites (1999-2012)

PERSONAL INTERESTS:

Photography, Travel, Volunteer Fire Rescue & EMT Provider, Humor Writing,

Outdoor Sports and Recreation, Special Olympics Volunteer, Canine Shelter

Home Fostering Program, Mental Health & Disability Non-Discrimination

Advocacy

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