Katherine R. Pett
Orlando,Florida
Summary
Growth-focused marketing executive with extensive leadership experience in building high-performing teams and driving digital transformation. Expertise in implementing AI-driven marketing strategies that enhance customer acquisition and retention, while optimizing marketing operations to align investment with measurable growth and long-term customer value.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Chief Marketing Officer
AUTOPAYPLUS
Orlando, Florida
05.2020 - Current
- Lead enterprise marketing strategy for a national financial technology company, overseeing customer acquisition, lifecycle marketing, digital experience, communications, AI adoption, marketing operations, brand strategy, and organizational growth.
- Rebuilt the marketing function from one part-time employee into a full multidisciplinary team supporting performance marketing, lifecycle marketing, communications, creative services, and marketing technology.
- Reduced outsourced marketing services by ~85%, strengthening internal capabilities and improving execution speed, efficiency, and brand consistency.
- Directed enterprise digital transformation initiatives, including launch of the company's mobile app, member portal redesign, website modernization, and broader digital customer experience improvements.
- Built the organization's first lifecycle marketing strategy spanning CRM, onboarding, email, SMS, engagement, retention, and renewal programs.
- Introduced AI-powered marketing workflows that accelerated campaign development and expanded team capacity.
- Developed executive dashboards and KPI reporting to strengthen visibility into marketing effectiveness, customer engagement, and retention performance.
- Led go-to-market strategy for new initiatives including insurance services, financial wellness solutions, mobile technology, and customer engagement programs.
- Managed agency, PR, technology, consultant, and vendor relationships with accountability for measurable business outcomes.
- Collaborated across Product, Technology, Operations, Finance, Compliance, Customer Experience, and Sales to drive scalable growth strategies.
- Served on the executive leadership team for strategic planning, budgeting, and long-term growth initiatives.
Director of Marketing
LAFAYETTE DISCOVERY
Winter Park, Florida
05.2015 - 05.2020
- Directed strategic marketing, product management, market research, and commercialization initiatives supporting growth.
- Identified emerging market opportunities that contributed to successful launches of new consulting services.
- Developed integrated marketing strategies that strengthened lead generation, brand awareness, and client acquisition.
- Partnered with executive leadership to establish long-term business strategy, operational priorities, and growth objectives.
- Led cross-functional initiatives spanning marketing, product development, communications, and business operations.
- Provided executive marketing leadership for an international consulting organization focused on business growth, product commercialization, customer acquisition, and market expansion.
Director of Business Development
AIRCRAFT INTERIOR PRODUCTS / WHITE OAK RESIDENTIAL
08.2012 - 05.2015
- Led business development, sales strategy, and market expansion initiatives throughout Florida while managing approximately $9M in annual revenue.
- Developed growth strategies that expanded market presence and revenue opportunities.
- Built strategic relationships with customers, partners, and industry stakeholders.
- Created and delivered sales training programs that improved performance and consistency.
- Led and developed a team of eight professionals across multiple functions.
- Contributed customer insights and market intelligence to long-term business planning.
Brand Manager - Citation Aircraft
CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY
03.2007 - 08.2012
- Directed branding, integrated marketing communications, product positioning, and competitive strategy for Citation Aircraft.
- Developed product marketing strategies supporting sales growth and market expansion.
- Led competitive analysis, market research, and positioning initiatives influencing executive decisions.
- Collaborated with engineering, finance, manufacturing, and sales teams to align product strategy with business objectives.
- Supported product launches and integrated marketing campaigns across multiple customer segments.
Squadron Flight Leader | Instructor | Evaluator
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
01.1989 - 01.2009
- Completed a 20-year military leadership career developing high-performing teams in demanding operational environments.
- Logged more than 7,500 flight hours in leadership, instructor, and evaluator roles.
- Recognized for leadership excellence, mission execution, and personnel development.
Six Sigma Black Belt
CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY
01.2005 - 03.2007
- Led enterprise process improvement initiatives focused on operational excellence, quality, and customer experience.
- Managed multiple cross-functional improvement projects supporting company-wide performance objectives.
Customer Account Manager
CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY
02.2001 - 01.2005
- Managed aircraft acquisition projects from proposal to delivery, ensuring alignment with customer needs and specifications.
- Cultivated executive-level customer relationships, coordinating engineering, finance, production, and regulatory teams to facilitate project success.
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration (Honors) - Marketing, Management
Wichita State University
Wichita, KSSkills
- Growth Strategy
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Product Marketing
- Performance Marketing
- Customer Acquisition
- Customer Retention
- Lifecycle Marketing
- Customer Journey Optimization
- CRM Strategy
- Marketing Automation
- Marketing Analytics
- AI-Powered Marketing
- Digital Transformation
- KPI Development
- Marketing Operations
- Strategic Planning
- Executive Leadership
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Team Development
- Vendor Management
Certification
Certified Six Sigma Black Belt
Personal Information
Title: Chief Marketing Officer | Growth & Performance Marketing Executive
Accomplishments
- Wichita Business Journal - 40 Under 40
- Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
- Air Medal
Core Expertise
- Growth Strategy
- Performance Marketing
- Customer Acquisition
- Lifecycle Marketing
- CRM Strategy
- Marketing Analytics
- Customer Retention
- Customer Journey Optimization
- Marketing Automation
- AI-Powered Marketing
- Digital Transformation
- Go-to-Market Strategy
- Product Marketing
- Marketing Operations
- KPI Development
- Strategic Planning
- Team Development
- Executive Leadership
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Agency Management
Professional Highlights
- Built the marketing organization from one part-time employee to a 10-person multidisciplinary team spanning digital marketing, communications, creative services, operations, and customer engagement.
- Reduced outsourced marketing support by approximately 85%, improving speed, efficiency, and brand consistency.
- Led major digital transformation initiatives, including mobile app launch, member portal redesign, website modernization, and AI-enabled marketing workflows.
- Designed and implemented the company's first lifecycle marketing strategy, integrating CRM, onboarding, email, SMS, engagement, retention, and renewal communications.
- Created executive dashboards and KPI frameworks to improve visibility into acquisition, engagement, retention, and organizational performance.
Timeline
Chief Marketing Officer
AUTOPAYPLUS
05.2020 - Current
Director of Marketing
LAFAYETTE DISCOVERY
05.2015 - 05.2020
Director of Business Development
AIRCRAFT INTERIOR PRODUCTS / WHITE OAK RESIDENTIAL
08.2012 - 05.2015
Brand Manager - Citation Aircraft
CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY
03.2007 - 08.2012
Six Sigma Black Belt
CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY
01.2005 - 03.2007
Customer Account Manager
CESSNA AIRCRAFT COMPANY
02.2001 - 01.2005
Squadron Flight Leader | Instructor | Evaluator
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
01.1989 - 01.2009
Bachelor of Business Administration (Honors) - Marketing, Management
Wichita State University