MERRELL JOHNSON
Loan Officer NMLS # 2188462
Columbia,SC
Summary
Accomplished Marketing Director with experience in branding, marketing, public relations, crisis management, and communications strategies proven to align the organizational vision and meet expectations while remaining within budget demonstrated ability to develop marketing strategies, plan & coordinate marketing efforts, communicate marketing plans, and build awareness & positioning for company brands
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Mortgage Loan Officer
Assurance Financial Group
01.2022 - Current
- Enhanced client retention by providing outstanding service throughout the mortgage process, from pre-approval to closing.
- Streamlined the loan application process for improved customer satisfaction and a higher volume of closed loans.
- Communicated with clients, processing teams and other third parties to achieve prompt loan closings.
- Assessed borrowers'' financial situations to determine appropriate mortgage products and loan structure.
- Developed strong partnerships with local real estate agents to generate consistent referral sources for mortgages.
- Developed and implemented marketing campaigns to generate new business opportunities.
- Analyzed loan applications and credit reports to determine loan eligibility and risk level.
- Worked with underwriters to fix application problems and resolve issues.
- Managed risk effectively by adhering closely to compliance guidelines during all stages of the loan origination process.
- Developed extensive network of referral partners to source new mortgage loan opportunities.
- Negotiated favorable terms on behalf of clients, ensuring their long-term financial success with their mortgage loans.
Community Relations Officer
MIRCI - Mental Illness Recovery Center Inc.
11.2021 - Current
- Engaged in professional networking to maintain strong relationships with constituents, communications, and media professionals to drive partnerships and effective revenue increases.
- Prepared for public relations presentations and plans by gathering information on business objectives, vision, brand strategy, competition and industry trends.
- Studied objectives, promotional policies or needs of organizations to develop public relations strategies influencing public opinion or promoting ideas.
Marketing and Development Officer
MIRCI - Mental Illness Recovery Center Inc.
07.2018 - 11.2021
- Identify potential funding opportunities through individual donors, grants, and fundraisers.
- Monitor social media data and made adjustments to marketing and business development campaigns, resulting in 5% increase in financial donations.
- Exceed sales goals 20% by effectively building relationships with donors, and applying analyzed data to marketing campaigns.
- Steward1,500 donors by creating and implementing innovative marketing and communication strategies.
- Draft and publish marketing communications materials including press releases, media alerts, e-Newsletters, and e-mail pitches.
- Ensure marketing collateral including proposal content, project sheets, brochures, public relations pieces, and interview/presentations is comprehensive, competitive, project-specific, and in accordance with brand standards.
- Manage, monitor, and create social media content on various platforms, newsletter and e-blast; update website.
- Collaborate with firm's Principals and Department Directors on marketing collateral design.
- Design and create marketing and advertising templates and boilerplates.
- Coordinated fundraising events with attendance exceeding 400.
- Oversee Marketing Committee meetings; discuss current marketing and PR activities.
- Manage project and client databases using Bloomerang and MailChimp Client Relationship Management (CRMs).
- Evaluate analytics to forecast Return on Marketing Investment (ROMI) and reach.
- Inform supervisors and company leaders on markets and regional sales needs to best meet customer needs and maximize revenue.
Human Resources Coordinator
South Carolina Judicial Department
06.2015 - 05.2018
- Activated appropriate building security access levels for all SCJD employees, internal/external clients, and visitors.
- Led administrative duties in Finance and Personnel including orientations, reviewing and answering questions regarding organization policy and procedures, assisting with recruitment, and separation action.
- Implemented and managed corporate partnerships throughout state as added benefits for employees.
Administrative Liaison
South Carolina Court Of Appeals
07.2011 - 06.2015
- Drove public relations and communications of the Court.
- Served as policy & procedure advisor to the public; managed and orchestrated oral arguments in courtrooms.
- Oversaw general administration for the Court and Clerk of Court's Office.
- Led special projects including charitable events, holiday celebrations, court anniversaries, and judges' investitures.
- Conducted audits on court's caseload and prepared reports to the National Center for Appellate Courts.
- Supervised front desk personnel to ensure excellent customer service.
Administrative Assistant
South Carolina Court Of Appeals
08.2010 - 06.2011
- Served as face for the chambers of the Chief Judge; managed court conferences and handled public interest.
- Organized material for Judge and Law Clerks for conference and Oral Arguments.
- Prepared calendars for Judge and Law Clerks.
Project Coordinator/Marketing & Finance Strategist
Tom Sawyer Company
11.2008 - 08.2010
- Managed multi-million dollar federal and commercial client accounts; developed budgets for federal contracts.
- Created offer letters, established new personnel files, assigned employee numbers, and recorded all status changes.
- Managed and maintained employee schedules and conducted e-Verify background checks.
- Worked closely with all product development departments to create and maintain marketing materials for sales presentations and client meetings.
- Developed and implemented favorable pricing structures balancing firm objectives against customer targets.
- Wrote copy that maintained compliance with corporate and legal guidelines.
Education
Master of Business Administration - Marketing
Louisiana State University At Shreveport
Columbia, SC 08.2004 - 2020.04
Master of Business Administration - Marketing
Louisiana State University At Shreveport
Shreveport, LA 05.2019 - 2020.04
Skills
Written Communication
Community Relations
Event Planning
Content Creation
Social Media Marketing
Government Relations
Marketing and Promotions
Marketing and advertising strategies
Advertising and marketing
Business Administration
Networking
Budgeting
Accomplishments
- "Dorthy K. Nelson Trailblazer Award", 2021, Sally R. Brasely Foundation
- "Distinguished Service Award", 2021, Columbia Urban League Young Professionals
- "20 under 40", 2019, The State
- "20 under 40", 2019, SC Black Pages
- "Public Citizen of the Year", 2019, National Association of Social Workers - South Carolina
- "Best and Brightest 35 and Under", 2018, Columbia Business Monthly
Affiliations
Richland County Board of Zoning Appeals Member
Mental Illness Recovery Center Inc. (Mirci) - Board Member
Columbia Museum of Art - Columbia Design League - President
United Way of the Midlands - Education and Resiliency Council Member
Cola Rosé Shower, Board Member
Mortgage Banker Association Carolinas
Community Involvement
- Experience Columbia City Ambassador - Current
- Board Treasurer: American Advertising Federation, 2020- Current.
- Board Member: Columbia Design League, 2019- Current.
- Board Member: Communities in Schools of the Midlands, 2018- Current.
- Board Member: Association for Fundraising Professionals, 2018-Current.
- Board Member: BeginningsSC, 2018-Current.
- Board Member: Turning Pages, 2016 – 2018.
- Educations Council for United Way of the Midlands, 2018 – Current.
- Graduate: Columbia Chamber of Commerce- Leadership Columbia Class of 2018.
Timeline
Mortgage Loan Officer
Assurance Financial Group
01.2022 - Current
Community Relations Officer
MIRCI - Mental Illness Recovery Center Inc.
11.2021 - Current
Master of Business Administration - Marketing
Louisiana State University At Shreveport
05.2019 - 2020.04
Marketing and Development Officer
MIRCI - Mental Illness Recovery Center Inc.
07.2018 - 11.2021
Human Resources Coordinator
South Carolina Judicial Department
06.2015 - 05.2018
Administrative Liaison
South Carolina Court Of Appeals
07.2011 - 06.2015
Administrative Assistant
South Carolina Court Of Appeals
08.2010 - 06.2011
Project Coordinator/Marketing & Finance Strategist
Tom Sawyer Company
11.2008 - 08.2010
Master of Business Administration - Marketing
Louisiana State University At Shreveport
08.2004 - 2020.04
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