
Bird feeder at dusk. photo ©2014 Ross Willits
Clients/Employers & Projects
SteppingStone Theatre for Youth Development
Employee 2002–2014, Consultant 1998–2002
As Managing Director
- Budgeting
- Day-to-day financial management
- Staff supervision
- Project development & management
- Long-term strategic planning
Ross is a hard working and dedicated individual with a great work ethic and a good sense of self.
He maintains high standards for himself and for those around him. He is creative and detailed in his work and is never afraid of a challenge. Ross meets expectations and delivers results.
—Richard Hitchler, Artistic Director of SteppingStone Theatre
As Marketing Director
- Annual marketing plans
- Brochure & print ad design
- Photography & Photoshop
- Account management
- Radio ad copy-writing & voicing
- Playbill design & production
- Website development & maintenance
As Development Director
- Individual fundraising planning & execution
- Government, corporate & foundation fundraising planning & execution
- Capital campaign planning & execution
- Grant-writing & reporting
- Records management
- Donor relations
Other Major Projects
- Designed and developed company’s operations database (MS Access)
- Converted ticketing systems (to Access in 2004 & from Access to SQL-based cloud service in 2014)
- Project manager for major construction
- Worked with outside designers on website redesign & implementation
- Special event planning & management
Triple Espresso Company
1997–2002
As Communications Director
- Advertising plans for the show in markets around the country
- Graphic design
- Advertising account management for Minneapolis, San Diego, Seattle, Milwaukee, etc.
- Supervision & coordination of PR consultants
- Website design & development
Consultant
1996-1998
Performing work for Illusion Theater, Penumbra Theatre Company, Troupe America
- Set up computerized ticketing systems (Illusion & Penumbra)
- Consult with leadership and staff on box office workflow, policies and procedures (Illusion & Penumbra)
- Website, logo and print advertising design (Troupe America)
Education
- Ph.D. University of Minnesota
- M.A. University of Minnesota
- B.A. St. Olaf College