C Maurice Sparrow
Lexington,KY
Summary
Communication: Communicating an organization's message to encourage donations. This includes both written and verbal communication. Relationship building: Building relationships with potential donors. Organizational advancement: Experience with a variety of fundraising strategies, such as grant writing, prospect research, and online fundraising campaigns. Project management: Designing, implementing, and monitoring fundraising campaigns. Integrity: Highest ethical standards and honesty Creativity: High level of creativity that keeps events fresh and memorable.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Advancement
LexArts
01.2023 - 07.2024
- Cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of individual, corporate and foundation giving.
- Planning, organizing, and implementing fundraising strategy, events and appeals.
- Shaping development strategy, in collaboration with the President and CEO and the Development Committee of the Board of Directors.
- Cultivated strong relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, vendors, regulators, and community leaders to promote collaboration and long-term success.
- Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives and long term goals.
- Developed new revenue streams by identifying growth opportunities and forging strategic partnerships with key industry players.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
- Development and execution an ongoing strategy for qualifying donors to ensure retention, growth of donor contributions, as well as recapture of previous donors.
- Creation of customized solicitation strategies matching the objectives of the organization and the interests of the donor/prospect.
- Identification and solicitation of new individual and corporate donors.
- Cultivation of donor portfolios through face-to-face visits and virtual meetings including preparation of personalized materials.
- Maintenance of donor records within a database management tool.
Communications Director
LexArts
02.2013 - 01.2023
- Created and maintained all facets of messaging, branding and communications for LexArts.
- Revamped website content to improve user experience and increase web traffic.
- Developed key messaging for all external-facing materials to ensure consistency across channels and touchpoints.
- Increased media coverage through targeted press releases and proactive media outreach.
- Worked with development staff and the board of directors to create annual campaign themes and strategies for successful fundraising efforts
- Ensured awareness and recognition of the work and impact of LexArts and its initiatives by securing quality press coverage
- Coordinated with design and media teams to develop high-quality creative assets.
- Improved social media presence with tailored content strategies for each platform, resulting in higher audience engagement.
- Negotiated partnerships with event organizers to secure strategic speaking opportunities for company leaders, strengthening industry credibility.
- Spearheaded rebranding initiative, aligning visual identity with company values and strategic direction.
- Generated public interest by coordinating thought leadership initiatives and securing speaking engagements for key executives.
- Elevated executive profile by securing placements in industry publications and organizing guest appearances at events.
Director of Operations
Equus Run Vineyards
08.2010 - 03.2011
- Managed daily operations of $1M annual revenues winery/tasting room/vineyard, including leading, motivating and mentoring staff of 17
- Built, managed, maintained and nurtured strong and productive business relationships with key entities including wholesale accounts, event management resources and tour operators
- Identified and implemented enhancement opportunities for 1,100-member wine club, including quarterly wine release entertainment functions, newsletters and email campaigns
- Clarified and improved the company’s core competencies and translated them into a clearly branded marketing message
- Determined and categorized long-range organizational goals
- Strengthened customer service, marketing and sales functions for improved productivity, efficiency and cost containment
- Evaluated employee performance and goals achievement
- Managed HR functions, including payroll
- Monitored volunteer functions, including volunteer tasting staff, parking staff and event staff
- Ensured all regulatory and legal compliance
- Managed working capital and optimized cash flow
- Planned expansion into high-potential secondary markets
- Developed a company culture of exemplary core values and integrity
Regional Manager, Distributor Sales Consultant
State Beauty Supply
12.2007 - 05.2010
- Managed inside sales operations of $5M sub-distributor
- Developed and maintained relationships with vendors, State Beauty Supply procurement facility and inside and outside sales representatives
- Hosted weekly informational and motivational staff meetings
- Coordinated on-going sales promotion campaigns
- Prepared monthly sales goals and reports
- Evaluated employee performance and goals achievement
- Analyzed monthly, quarterly and annual sales performance
- Strategized on future performance goals
- Assured highest quality client service standards
- Developed, maintained and serviced client base in wholesale beauty distribution
- Consulted salons regarding solid business practices as well as retail and merchandising
- Honored for 14% annual sales growth in a company whose revenues were down 5% in an industry that was down 17%
Director of Marketing and Business Development
Equus Run Vineyards
04.2002 - 12.2007
- Established and executed strategic marketing direction of winery/vineyard
- Developed and coordinated all winery special events, including award-winning summer concert series
- Developed and maintained events calendar including year-round winery events, trade tastings and other winery trade events
- Developed relationships with non-profit entities in support of a goal of supporting local and regional community initiatives
- Increased awareness and presence of winery via public relations, media relations and advertising
- Developed new website and managed regular updates
- Designed and coordinated production of all marketing/advertising collateral
- Developed and executed new product launches
- Managed tourism initiatives
- Developed co-branding opportunities
- Maintained licensing agreements
- Developed and managed winery brand portfolio
- Managed all marketing ROI resources and expenditures
- Increased winery revenues through tourism, corporate business customers and niche customer generation
- Managed the marketing and sales of on- and off-premise wholesale division
- Secured and negotiated licensing agreement of Equus Run Vineyards wines as the official Commemorative Wines of the Kentucky Derby and Churchill Downs
- Served on committee to develop an award-winning regional travel itinerary – The Wine & Spirits Circle Tour of the Bluegrass
- Campaigned wine release concert series to the Southeast Tourism Society and was selected as a Top 20 summer event in the southeastern United States and to the Kentucky Tourism Council and was selected as a Top 10 Kentucky Festival/Event
- Negotiated strategic partnership with non-profit theater group for new winery Shakespeare Festival
- Generated winery wholesale growth of 350% in two years
Education
Master’s of Business Administration - Banking, Finance, Real Estate
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY05.1997
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration - Management
Transylvania University
Lexington, KY07.1987
Skills
- Community relations
- Public relations/media relations
- Project and event management
- Concise, intuitive decisions
- Relationship building
- Written and verbal communications
Community Service
- Lexington’s Freedom Train Committee, lexfreedomtrain.org, Member, Lexington, KY, 2023, Present
- LexArts 40th Anniversary, Chair, Marketing and Communications Committee, Lexington, KY, 2012
- God’s Pantry Food Bank, Emergency Food Pantry Volunteer, Lexington, KY 2012 – 2015
- Debra’s Social Stimulus, Volunteer, Lexington, KY 2010 – 2012
- God's Pantry Food Bank, Board of Directors - Public Relations Committee Chair, Lexington, KY 2006 – 2009
Timeline
Vice President of Advancement
LexArts
01.2023 - 07.2024
Communications Director
LexArts
02.2013 - 01.2023
Director of Operations
Equus Run Vineyards
08.2010 - 03.2011
Regional Manager, Distributor Sales Consultant
State Beauty Supply
12.2007 - 05.2010
Director of Marketing and Business Development
Equus Run Vineyards
04.2002 - 12.2007
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration - Management
Transylvania University
Master’s of Business Administration - Banking, Finance, Real Estate
University of Kentucky
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