Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
BusinessDevelopmentManager

Elizabeth Barber

Fredericksburg,VA

Summary

Highly motivated and self-driven individual with strategic planning, management, operations oversight, executive leadership, and project management experience. Highly experienced in stakeholder engagement, nurturing relationships with elected officials, business executives, partners, and community leaders. Experienced public speaker and communicator.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

Economic Development Manager

Stafford County
05.2023 - Current
  • Plan, develop, organize and manage the execution of countywide economic development programs to encourage business attraction, existing business expansion and retention, and entrepreneurial development.
  • Develop and manage the department budget and oversees finances along with feedback from county leadership.
  • Develop and manage department’s workforce development projects and coordinates with local, state and federal workforce development programs.
  • Manage strategic initiatives with a focus on collaboration with and implementation across the senior leadership team and organization.
  • Monitored resource allocation, budget development and personnel recruitment for multiple projects.
  • Cultivate and steward key relationships in collaboration, including the Board of Directors, industry, funding community and operations leaders.

Co-Owner

Sebring Soda & Ice Cream Works
07.2018 - Current
  • Managed day-to-day business operations of a small restaurant in a main street, downtown community.
  • Trained and motivated employees to perform daily business functions.
  • Evaluated suppliers to maintain cost controls and improve operations.
  • Enhanced operational efficiency and productivity by managing budgets, accounts, and costs.
  • Monitored market conditions to set accurate product pricing and take advantage of emerging trends.
  • Used knowledge of market trends to create value-added solutions resulting in significant increase in revenues.
  • Oversaw business budget planning and administration, accounting functions, purchasing, and bi-weekly payroll to handle financial needs.

Legislative Affairs & Grants Coordinator

Highlands County
11.2020 - 04.2023
  • Managed day to day relationships with elected representatives of the state and federal government to represent Highlands County
  • Developed close working relationships with partner community organizations
  • Managed standing meetings with company partners, including scheduling, county Board agendas items, and capturing and completing action items
  • Manage monthly and quarterly activity reports for partner granting agencies
  • Managed appropriation requests through the state and federal government, including identifying county needs; made initial outreach to elected officials; developed presentations; and followed through with requests, resulting in over $3.2M in state appropriations to the county on year one
  • Identified opportunities for new projects and developed funding request proposals for grant funding sources
  • Established and maintained electronic files for grant-funded projects for tracking and reporting
  • Worked with directors and grant program staff to implement established grant compliance policies and procedures

President & CEO

Greater Sebring Chamber Of Commerce
02.2014 - 11.2020
  • Upon policy set by the Board of Directors, planed, organized, coordinated, and directed the organization
  • Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
  • Developed and implemented new strategies and policies to establish long-term business objectives and provide strong and sustainable organizational leadership.
  • Monitored financial performance and implemented measures to enforce compliance with budgetary standards.
  • During second year at the organization, held a membership drive campaign, which resulted in a 20% increase in membership year-over-year
  • Cultivated strong relationships with external partners to foster collaboration and maximize resources.
  • Managed, motivated, and provided all HR functions for staff and volunteers
  • Managed internal project management database, as well as membership and lead databases
  • Prepared financial reports, agenda packet, and status reports for monthly board meetings
  • Created, implemented, organized, and generated funding for successful and well-attended events to benefit the organization, serving as the keynote speaker at many events
  • Manage all aspects of Chamber membership, including the onboarding process, membership publications, renewal process, and website directory.
  • Developed and implemented new strategies and policies in collaboration with executive partners to establish and achieve long-term business objectives, providing company with strong and sustainable organizational leadership.

Learning Site Coordinator

Hodges University
07.2008 - 02.2014
  • Provided an option for students earn their bachelor’s or master’s degree while being able to take classes locally from an accredited institution at the South Florida State College University Center
  • Developed and implemented new student orientations to help prepare the students for success
  • Educated individuals about their opportunities at the university, including choice or major and future career prospects
  • Managed the student’s transfer credits to determine eligibility into various programs, helping the students make educated decisions about their future
  • Marketed the organization by attending community events and maintain board of directors’ positions with numerous civic organizations to help spread the word about the programs that are offered
  • Liaised between the student and the main campus for assistance with their student account, financial aid, registration, counseling, etc
  • Collaborated with the partner institution, South Florida State College, to provide class space, facilities, testing proctors, etc

Advertising Sales Account Executive

Highlands News Sun
07.2006 - 07.2008
  • Provided customer service to local business owners and their office managers by managing their account with the newspaper
  • Built quality, one-on-one relationships with local business owners, which resulted in measurable revenue growth
  • Helped create a marketing plan for the clients by matching their needs to our products by listening to their overall goals, objectives, and budgets
  • Worked as a liaison between the client and the creative team (design department) to ensure the client's needs and goals are being met on every project
  • Submitted proposed programs and estimated budget to client for approval.
  • Used consultative sales techniques to pinpoint customers' advertising needs and close on short-term and long-term sales contracts.
  • Developed strong relationships with advertisers and negotiated pricing following established procedures.
  • Helped customers in determining design and layout of sold and spec ads.
  • Remained well organized and multi-tasked to fill many of the various job tasks efficiently and resourcefully with little direction

Education

Master of Science - Executive Leadership

Hodges University
Naples, FL
05.2010

Bachelor of Arts - Major: Sociology, Minors: Marketing & Management

Stetson University
Deland, FL
05.2006

High School Diploma -

Avon Park High School
Avon Park, FL
05.2002

Skills

  • Strategic Planning
  • Executive Leadership
  • Process Improvement
  • Project Management
  • Performance Monitoring
  • Public Speaking
  • Networking
  • Excellent Communicator
  • Detail-Oriented
  • Computer Skills
  • Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
  • Highly Organized
  • Motivated by Challenges
  • Business Management and Development
  • Staff Leadership

Timeline

Economic Development Manager

Stafford County
05.2023 - Current

Legislative Affairs & Grants Coordinator

Highlands County
11.2020 - 04.2023

Co-Owner

Sebring Soda & Ice Cream Works
07.2018 - Current

President & CEO

Greater Sebring Chamber Of Commerce
02.2014 - 11.2020

Learning Site Coordinator

Hodges University
07.2008 - 02.2014

Advertising Sales Account Executive

Highlands News Sun
07.2006 - 07.2008

Master of Science - Executive Leadership

Hodges University

Bachelor of Arts - Major: Sociology, Minors: Marketing & Management

Stetson University

High School Diploma -

Avon Park High School

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Elizabeth Barber