MARIA ALO-VILLAREAL
Bergenfield,NJ
Summary
Innovative Marketing leader with 20+ years of experience delivering exceptional marketing campaigns, content and collateral based on established and innovative strategies. Results-oriented and collaborative professional bringing expertise in brand management and social media engagement. Detail-oriented, attentive and decisive leader.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
Work History
Export Marketing Manager
South African Consulate
05.2002 - Current
- Actively promote South African exports into the US market
- Contribute to strategic marketing and planning of trade and investment activities of the office
- Create visit programs for visiting government officials, portfolio/sector managers and SA businessmen and advise on the content and direction of the program
- Identify export opportunities for South African products and match these with South African suppliers
- Initiate and organize trade promotion activities and events while overseeing funding, logistical arrangements, and marketing (eg. group exhibitions, trade missions, in-store promotions, networking receptions, product launches, food & wine tastings etc.)
- Liaise with Government departments and trade associations and other institutions on trade matters on behalf of SA exporters to maintain and improve trade relations and identify areas for collaboration
- Actively seek potential investors by canvassing local companies and presenting seminars
- Visit potential clients and present customized presentations on key value propositions / information on SA as an investment location and/or as a sourcing destination
- Manage ongoing projects with existing clients which includes facilitating site visits, coordinating responses from SA agencies and vendors
- Attend and participate in relevant seminars, conferences, industry events and trade shows to gather market intelligence, identify trade and investment opportunities, latest market trends and product innovation
- Conduct market research on specific/general trade topics on targeted sectors and compile market survey reports on specific products for export councils and country sector managers
- Provide information on US tariff structure, import regulations, non-tariff barriers and other trade matters on specific products, also host virtual webinars for export development
- Provide detailed written reports for high level government officials on a range of economic and industry topics and trends when required
- Capture and maintain product and client information in CPM system
- Prepare and manage the departments’ annual budget, midterm review and expenditure control
- Update office information systems, in particular the databases of potential importers and investors
- Report on progress on routine work and projects as per various reporting processes implemented over time
- Attend to a variety of trade enquiries by local business people
- Generate sponsorships with related and partnering entities to enhance marketing objectives.
- Develop creative presentations, trend reports, and product data sheets.
- Managed budget allocation and resource utilization to maximize marketing ROI.
- Executed comprehensive marketing plans that consistently achieved export targets f
- Coordinated with design and media teams to develop high-quality creative assets.
- Established, initiated and optimized business development strategies based on company targets, product specifications, market data, and budget factors.
- Conducted market research to identify new opportunities and target markets.
- Oversaw preparation of marketing copy, images, videos, emails, and other collateral.
- Developed reports detailing consumer metrics, campaign profitability and shifts in consumer behaviors.
Executive Secretary of Foreign Economic Representative
South African Consulate
11.1995 - 05.2002
- Maintained the department’s budget and expenditure spreadsheets, monthly expense report for Head Office
- Maintained and updated the Economic Office’ contacts lists and databases
- Assisted in office’ marketing efforts to promote trade and investment into South Africa by handling logistical arrangements for visiting trade and investment delegations, booked venues and service providers for seminars, conferences and networking events hosted by the department
- Maintained registry of all incoming trade and investment correspondence and forwarded them to the assigned officers
- Responded to basic trade and investment inquiries
- Handled travel arrangements, appointments and prepared visit programs/itineraries for trade and investment promotion state visits of officials and marketing managers
- Responsible for researching and booking training courses for advancement of computer/IT skills of department staff
- Handled scheduling for executive's calendar and prepared meeting agenda and materials.
- Coordinated travel arrangements and bookings for executive staff.
- Organized and updated schedules for executives.
- Assisted in preparation of financial reports, budgeting and forecasting for executive office.
- Produced accurate office files, updated spreadsheets, and crafted presentations to support executives and boost team productivity.
- Handled incoming and outgoing mail, email and faxes.
- Updated and maintained confidential databases and records.
- Filed paperwork and organized computer-based information.
- Handled logistics, catering, agendas and travel arrangements for meeting and event planning for board of directors, president and executive vice president.
- Greeted arriving visitors, determined nature and purpose of visit and directed individuals to appropriate destinations.
- Coordinated events and worked on ad hoc projects.
Administrative Director
Club of American Collectors of Fine Arts
12.1994 - 03.2002
- Handled administrative and management tasks
- Organized the company’s participation at international and local trade shows and exhibitions
- Overseen the office’ financial standing and coordinates the activities of the sales and accounting departments
- Reported directly and made business decisions in the absence of the President
- Involved in marketing and purchasing decisions for the company
- Assisted with research and compiling of background information and archives on artwork, artists and suppliers
- Assisted in establishing business relations and facilitated with business transactions on procurement matters with service providers, suppliers and other art dealers
- Managed daily office operations, negotiated contracts, managed vendor relations and acted as primary liaison with outside organizations.
- Updated reports, managed accounts, and generated reports for company database.
- Analyzed data related to administrative costs and spending trends to prepare budgets for personnel.
- Assigned tasks and directed team of office clerks.
- Organized and supervised office event planning and building renovations.
- Oversaw office inventory activities by ordering and requisitions and stocking and shipment receiving.
- Created and updated records and files to maintain document compliance.
- Conducted research to assist with routine tasks and special projects.
- Produced letters and memoranda to inform stakeholders of business decisions.
- Led, directed, managed and mentored [Number] administrative staff members.
Consul General’s Executive Secretary
Consulate General of Arab Republic of Egypt
01.1991 - 01.1994
- Handled social and official engagements of the Consul General
- Responsible for protocol and diplomatic correspondence between the US State Department and the consulate
- Received and handled all correspondence received in the English for the Consul General
- Performed administrative tasks for the Consul General’s office
- Maintained and updated important contacts lists of the consulate and the Consul General’s Office
- Responded to emails and other correspondence to facilitate communication and enhance business processes.
- Coordinated travel arrangements and bookings for executive staff.
- Organized and updated schedules for executives.
- Interacted with vendors, contractors and professional services personnel to receive orders, direct activities, and communicate instructions.
- Handled incoming and outgoing mail, email and faxes.
- Filed paperwork and organized computer-based information.
- Greeted arriving visitors, determined nature and purpose of visit and directed individuals to appropriate destinations.
- Screened personal and business calls and directed to appropriate party.
Import Clerk
Intermodal Systems Incorporated
01.1989 - 01.1990
- Handled freight and customs clearance documents for in-bound ocean shipments
- Facilitated release of shipments to clients with US Customs and warehouses through close coordination with consignees, customs brokers, steamship lines/NVOCCs and trucking companies.
- Liaised with sales department to develop customer-specific import handling procedures to enhance delivery methods and improve customer satisfaction.
- Oversaw timely and accurate US Customs filings and related documents to facilitate communications flow.
- Coordinated company product shipments and international transactions to eliminate freight delays.
- Tracked shipments processing through customs and other agencies and obtained clearances.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customs brokers, freight forwarders and customers.
Education
Masters - Business Administration
University of Bridgeport
Bachelor Science - Psychology
University of the Philippines
Skills
- Strategic Marketing & Partnerships
- Market Trend Analysis
- Brand Development
- Marketing Communications
- Budgeting and Allocation
- Microsoft Office: MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Publisher
- Adobe Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator
- Accounting Software: Quickbooks/Intuit,
Timeline
Export Marketing Manager
South African Consulate
05.2002 - Current
Executive Secretary of Foreign Economic Representative
South African Consulate
11.1995 - 05.2002
Administrative Director
Club of American Collectors of Fine Arts
12.1994 - 03.2002
Consul General’s Executive Secretary
Consulate General of Arab Republic of Egypt
01.1991 - 01.1994
Import Clerk
Intermodal Systems Incorporated
01.1989 - 01.1990
Masters - Business Administration
University of Bridgeport
Bachelor Science - Psychology
University of the Philippines
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