Experience

Snowy Trees

Bird feeder at dusk. photo ©2014 Ross Willits

Clients/Employers & Projects

Ross WillitsSteppingStone 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