Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
organizations
Timeline
Generic

S. Renee Hornsby

Germantown,TN

Summary

Results-driven and forward-thinking professional with a wealth of experience ready to take on the challenges of an Executive Director role. Demonstrated success in spearheading strategic growth and executing impactful marketing initiatives, educational programs, and networking events. Proven expertise in positioning organizations as premier sources for information, education, advocacy, and networking within their respective industries. Acknowledged for adeptly managing day-to-day operations, engaging with volunteer boards, overseeing budgets, and orchestrating high-impact events, including annual conventions.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Chief Operating Officer

National Hardwood Lumber Association
01.2023 - Current
  • Serves as the primary liaison for board committees on matters related to education, marketing, convention, promotion, and advocacy.
  • Orchestrates the planning and execution of the Marketing and Communication team and programs, ensuring alignment with the organization's strategic plan and annual budget.
  • Partners with the Executive Director (ED), Board of Directors, and committees to implement effective budget strategies, fostering collaborative financial decision-making within the organization.
  • Leads the collaborative effort to build engagement and deliver value to members, employees, and allied partners.
  • Conceives, executes, and supervises the development of a new website, funded by a USDA Grant, aimed at educating architects, designers, and specifiers on the distinctive attributes of utilizing American Hardwood.
  • Plannes and executes the annual convention to create positive and valuable experiences for attendees while meeting and exceeding revenue objectives.
  • Manages day-to-day relationships with NHLA staff, partners, and vendors.
  • Establishes policies that promote NHLA's company culture, vision, mission, and goals.
  • A driver of innovation and collaboration within NHLA and allied associations to catalyze growth.
  • Serves as the key liaison for communicating with NHLA membership, industry stakeholders, and affiliated groups, ensuring the delivery of a cohesive message in support of hardwood promotion and advocacy efforts.

Director of Marketing & Communications

National Hardwood Lumber Association
01.2013 - 12.2023
  • Responsible for planning, development and implementation of all the Association’s marketing strategies, communications, and public relations activities (both internal and external)
  • Manage the editorial direction, design, production, and distribution of all printed publications and digital products of the Association and the Annual Convention
  • Plan and actively manage the advertising expense budget
  • Conceptualize and execute all trade show events, industry meetings attended by the Association, developing strategic objectives for each audience
  • Redesigned the NHLA website and social media platforms into lead-generating vehicles
  • Increased social media followers and engagement year over year
  • Work collaboratively with other Directors to develop short- and long-term marketing plans to assist in meeting operational goals
  • Initiated an evaluation system for goals and objectives and communicate progress to department directors and executive director
  • Orchestrate a financially successful Annual Convention, while providing enhanced value to attendees
  • Designed and executed marketing communication strategy for 180-degree business pivot during COVID-19 including the production of a virtual convention and launch of our first webinar series
  • Inspire the marketing team to produce communication that is not only creative and collaborative but also sharply centered on meeting the needs and preferences of our members.
  • Act as staff liaison to the Communications Committee and Convention Committee as part of the overall board of managers.

Communications Manager

National Hardwood Lumber Association
05.2008 - 12.2012
  • Oversaw the comprehensive rebranding process, aligning the association's historical legacy with contemporary market demands.
  • Drove a transformative evolution by transitioning the Association newsletter into a lucrative and award-winning monthly magazine. Crafted a strategic vision that not only elevated the publication's content and design but also positioned it as a profitable venture.
  • Led the comprehensive development of a new website, overseeing all aspects from conceptualization to execution

Public Relations Director

Blue August
02.2006 - 05.2008
  • Fostered and maintained media relationships for clients, to enhance their image and position, within the marketplace and the public.
  • Arranged interviews, product testing and reviews, and organized public relations events for clients
  • Developed a robust reporting system on all PR efforts.

Online Advertising Manager

The Jackson Sun, Gannet Co.
08.2004 - 02.2006
  • Spearheaded the development and execution of sales strategies, successfully marketing and selling online products and services, consistently meeting or exceeding a revenue budget of $1.1 million.
  • Demonstrated a keen understanding of website advertising trends and technologies, leveraging this knowledge to create impactful online advertising banners for clients.
  • Designed and implemented comprehensive online training programs and sales materials, conducting weekly training sessions for both retail and classified sales executives.
  • Achieved remarkable year-over-year online revenue growth since 2002, with a 50.8% increase in 2005 over 2004, a 57.8% increase in 2004 over 2003, and a 65.9% increase in 2003 over 2002.

Online Advertising Coordinator

The Jackson Sun, Gannett Co.
03.2002 - 08.2004
  • Consistently surpassed revenue goals, achieving 100% or higher in 7 out of 10 months in 2003 and 2004.
  • Significantly expanded the customer base for cars.com.
  • Spearheaded the development, coordination, and implementation of successful online sales strategies, fostering a collaborative teamwork atmosphere with retail and classified sales executives.
  • Took charge of creating and maintaining all online banner ads for jacksonsun.com, ensuring visually compelling and effective digital advertising.

Editor/Owner

Southern Bride Magazine/Romantic Destinations
01.1999 - 02.2002
  • Founded and operated a successful startup bridal magazine, overseeing all aspects of business development, content creation, marketing, and financial management.
  • Orchestrated photo shoots, managing theme and design, location selection, model choice, and hands-on execution.
  • Conducted extensive promotional tours, involving travel and public speaking at industry markets, bridal shows, and travel-related events.
  • Fostered and maintained effective relationships among clients, contract labor, and in-house sales staff, contributing to sustained growth and heightened popularity of the magazine.

Education

Bachelor of Arts - Southern Studies

University of Mississippi
Oxford, MS

Skills

  • Strong Communication Skills
  • Team Leadership
  • Project Management
  • Budgeting and Forecasting
  • Marketing Strategy
  • Brand Management
  • Operations Management
  • Process Improvement
  • Planning and Execution
  • Time-Management
  • Adaptability
  • Continuous Learner

Certification

Certificate Program in Association Management by ASAE

organizations

  • Member, American Society of Association Executives – ASAE
  • Member, Professional Convention Management Association – PCMA
  • Member, National Trust for Historic Preservation
  • Board Member of the Real American Hardwood Coalition, Chair of the Architect/Design Task Force

Timeline

Chief Operating Officer

National Hardwood Lumber Association
01.2023 - Current

Director of Marketing & Communications

National Hardwood Lumber Association
01.2013 - 12.2023

Communications Manager

National Hardwood Lumber Association
05.2008 - 12.2012

Public Relations Director

Blue August
02.2006 - 05.2008

Online Advertising Manager

The Jackson Sun, Gannet Co.
08.2004 - 02.2006

Online Advertising Coordinator

The Jackson Sun, Gannett Co.
03.2002 - 08.2004

Editor/Owner

Southern Bride Magazine/Romantic Destinations
01.1999 - 02.2002

Bachelor of Arts - Southern Studies

University of Mississippi
Certificate Program in Association Management by ASAE
S. Renee Hornsby