Public Relations, Marketing, Development

Grant Van Leuven

**** ****** ***** ***** *****, CA 91913 619-***-****

*****@*********.*** linkedin.com/in/grant-van-leuven-5253a167/ portfolio: https://go.click.ly/ECkda GOAL: To engage in a new, long-term, full-time employment relationship with a compelling organization by contributing my M.Div. education and more than a decade of pastoral experience along with my specialized collegiate training and workforce communications, PR, marketing, editorial, and development practice to its mission and prosperity while maintaining long-term, part-time pastoral service to my church. SKILLS: Seasoned in researching, teaching, preaching, writing, and pastoring in active church ministry. Proven abilities as a professional in marketing, sales, account service, public and community relations, editing, networking, and special events. Advanced in writing for news (with the AP Stylebook), features, publications, direct mail, business proposals, and advertising. Proficient with designing ads, newsletters, and other marketing materials with Adobe and Canva software; editing and producing audio messages with Audacity; and managing websites and SEO, social media, customer relations, and staff and contractors. Significant media relations success with garnering local, regional, and national news coverage as well as fundraising with development and major gifts donor relations, CRM database management, appeal letters, and securing foundation relationships and grants. I also am an experienced photographer with my own digital camera kit.

PRESENT EXPERIENCE:

08/10 to present Puritan Reformed Presbyterian Church Minister of the Word and Sacraments San Diego, CA

Conduct regular Biblical and theological research. Write and preach two sermons each Lord’s Day. Teach mid-week lectures, Sabbath Classes, and my own detailed membership course through the Westminster Confession of Faith. Write e-devotions, our website’s Pastor’s Posts, and denominational correspondence. Pastor and counsel members and visitors. Lead monthly Session meetings and governance. Administer weekly communion as well as baptisms, weddings, and funerals as needed. Plan, design, write for, and execute our community and media relations and marketing, including visitor packages, postcards, brochures, evangelism tracts, advertisements, news releases, and website content. Record, edit, and post sermons and lectures to our SermonAudio page and use them and interviews to produce our daily radio program, Man’s Chief End. Draw on church work to write articles for the Alliance of Confessing Evangelical’s e-magazines. Manage our website and SEO, YouTube and Meta social media platforms, and live worship multicasting. Also guided the Session and congregation through de-incorporation, declaration of association, and a new name, logo, stationary, website, signage, and marketing materials. Researched and prepared government submissions to sell part of our property and apply for the parsonage’s tax exemption.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:

03/21 to 06/23 Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals Community Engagement Coordinator Lancaster, PA (I worked remotely from San Diego) Served as West Coast representative for development friend and fund raising, and coordinated church relations, Reformation Societies, and prison ministry nationally and internationally. Managed and wrote for public and media relations locally and nationally. Solicited, edited, and wrote articles and book reviews for its various e-magazines. Served as Managing Editor for MeetthePuritans.org. G. Van Leuven Resume, Page 1 of 3

04/05 to 08/10 Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary Director of Development & Communications Pittsburgh, PA All in supporting the six-year bicentennial campaign (for which I was approached and hired): planned, developed, designed, and wrote for and produced marketing, publicity, and fundraising efforts including print, email, video, the internet, and a new website. Pitched and coordinated media relations for stories. Oversaw the Seminary’s Annual Fund and wrote and produced all fundraising materials and appeal letters. Worked with and reported to the President in directing all institutional advancement efforts, including meeting with churches and individuals nationwide to cultivate friendships and support, giving presentations, preparing and submitting foundation grant proposals, and executing planned giving events and materials including Planned Giving 101 Seminars and a Faith Legacy Newsletter. Participated in networking groups to develop relationships and opportunities. Worked with Director of Admissions on communications to impact recruitment success for masters and doctoral degree programs, including radio advertising and internet marketing. Created and oversaw the annual RPTS Biblical Counseling Institute Spring Conference, and supported the annual Westminster Conference and Bicentennial Celebration Event. Coordinated and executed several Reformation Society of Pittsburgh events and other conferences annually at the seminary. Pitched, edited, and helped publish three books. Produced a special historical YouTube video garnering over 45K views to date. 07/02 to 03/05 WORD-FM (Salem Media)

Account Executive Pittsburgh, PA

Sold spot radio advertising, developed long-term partnerships with new clients, and grew the business of new and inherited accounts. Researched and strategized unique selling points, competitive analysis, profitability, brand personality, target audiences, and other aspects of client advertising. Worked closely with creative team to write and produce radio ads. Managed account growth and direction of campaigns. Fastest start in booking sales for any account executive in WORD-FM’s history. 01/02 to 07/02 Epilepsy Foundation Western/Central PA Director of Communications/Marketing Pittsburgh, PA Directed and wrote media relations initiatives, pitched media with story ideas, wrote and edited quarterly newsletters and brochures, and wrote, edited, and laid out website content. Pitched media successfully with 30th Anniversary angles in Erie, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh gaining increased web activity and inquiries to 800 number. Planned record-setting advertising and PR campaign for annual conference introducing services to Erie. Developed statewide news dissemination strategy with record coverage. 07/00 to 01/02 Ten/United (formerly HMS Hallmark Ad Agency) Account Manager Pittsburgh, PA

Wrote for and managed public relations campaigns for the nation’s fourth largest fuel fund, and negotiated advertising sponsorships (sold a $60,000 utility package with FOX 53-TV); award-winning work resulted in record media coverage, record public awareness, and record donations for the charity. Executed award- winning media relations for local retail outlets of one of the country’s top computer companies. Developed media relations and wrote media and promotional materials for a 21-store franchise in Greater Pittsburgh of a national salon; also coordinated its advertising and traffic needs. Wrote news releases for a supermarket chain in the Tri-state area, and headed successful PR launch of new loyalty card program. Contributed to re-branding and media campaign development and execution for a state-wide think tank. Researched and prepared presentations for agency clients, request for proposals, and new business prospects. 05/99 to 06/00 Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Manager of Public Relations & Marketing Pittsburgh, PA 09/98 to 04/99

Interim Director of Marketing & Public Relations

G. Van Leuven Resume, Page 2 of 3

As Manager: Negotiated marketing partnerships and advertising trades. Wrote for and edited quarterly newsletter, biannual magazine, media materials, direct mail, brochures, website, radio PSAs, and print advertising. Successfully initiated and managed media relations for breaking news and feature stories, including an historic African elephant birth, a new name and logo announcement, and the construction and opening of the new Aquarium. Secured regional and national media coverage such as a Mister Rogers Neighborhood segment and Wildlife Magazine. Interviewed on radio and TV as Zoo spokesperson. Managed and trained marketing staff/interns. Advised advertising agency’s annual ad campaign. Created and executed special events that generated new income and media attention and increased attendance. As Interim Director: In addition, conducted staff reviews and managed annual budget/ad schedule. 08/97 to 09/98 New York State Clipping Service (Burrelles) General Manager – Western New York Penfield, NY

Marketed news clipping services to Western New York companies through sales calls and visits. Wrote, executed, and evaluated a successful direct mail campaign. Serviced and grew accounts. Sold national Burrelles products and services. Managed production and customer service for Western New York office. Led staff meetings and conducted staff reviews. Created customer service and supervisor positions. 04/97 to 08/97 Easter Seal Society of Monroe County Special Events Coordinator East Rochester, NY

Ran all aspects of promotion, organization, and execution of a softball marathon fundraiser, increasing funds raised year over year by 54 percent. Interviewed with media, and made a presentation to over 11,000 people at an AAA league baseball game. Solicited donations for a golf tournament fundraiser. 08/96 to 11/96 Rural Opportunities, Inc.

Event Coordinator (temporary position) Rochester, NY Solicited advertising for fundraising dinner program book and raised over $24,000 on behalf of migrant farmworkers. Organized a similar reception and program book for Farmworkers Legal Services of New York. Designed advertisements and program for both books. Managed media relations. FREELANCE EXPERIENCE: I did contract work as a script writer for Hoffer’s Video Productions in Butler, PA, and Eckert Marketing & Communications in Pittsburgh, PA. I also consulted Revelation Sound Productions in Rochester, NY, with radio ad messaging and a media buy, and I wrote its feature article for a local Christian newspaper and a direct mail campaign—all resulting in record sales each of those two years. EDUCATION:

• M.Div. degree from Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Pittsburgh, PA, 2010.

• B.A. degree from Buffalo State University, Buffalo, NY, in Public Communications; minor in Writing, 1996; graduated Summa Cum Laude.

• A.S. degree from Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY, in Communication and Media Arts, 1994. AWARDS: Two President Club Member national reward trips to CA headquarters, Salem Communications, 2004/2005. Two Mootilda Awards from Gateway, Inc., for outstanding media coverage, 2000/01. Accolades from the National Fuel Fund Network for media coverage and a direct mail appeal letter on behalf of $1 Energy Fund, 2001. Matt Matteo Communications Scholarship, 1994. Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges, 1994. National Dean’s List, 1994. Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, 1994. COMMUNITY WORK: Member of Puritan Reformed Presbyterian Church in San Diego, CA, and have led the church in outreach and community events with various local organizations. Served on the steering committee of the East County Pregnancy Care Clinic for about five years to help establish its new San Diego branch office not far from the church. Volunteered often for events for the East County Pregnancy Care Clinic and the Creation & Earth History Museum in San Diego. G. Van Leuven Resume, Page 3 of 3