Resume

*10 year work history

Cherri Flinn

flinn.cherri@gmail.com | 618.925.2311 | linkedin.com/in/cherriflinn

www.cherriflinn.com

Marketing and Communications Strategist with 23 years of experience, continuously gaining new skills. Successfully built marketing departments, cocreated a soft skills training program, and introduced innovative marketing concepts on corporate-wide presentations. Results-driven and excels in a team environment working with diverse groups to achieve mutual goals.

 Top Skills

  • Digital Marketing Tools: mass texting (SMS / MMS), QR code, SEO, SEM, sales funnel, A/B testing, clickthrough rate (CTR), open rate, conversion, landing pages, QR Codes

  • Graphic Tools: Adobe Creative Cloud, Photoshop, Canva, Figma, Microsoft Publisher

  • Google Business Profile and Workspace: Maps, Profile, Updates, Analytics, Ads, AdWords

  • Professional Writing: Business, Corporate, Grants (Analysis, Application, Management)

  • Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, One Drive

  • Communication Tools: Webex, Skype, Zoom, Meet, Teams, SharePoint

Related Work Experience

NCWorks Career Center (dba ResCare - Equus Workforce Solutions), Charlotte, NC

Brand and Media Communications Coordinator                                       11/2021 – 04/2023

  • Designed and launched new Marketing Department for NCWorks Career Center

  • Created all marketing collateral to meet government and corporate compliance

  • Expanded reach via 7 social media channels, 21 online job boards, and 5 landing pages for outreach and to collect client data and platform analytics

  • Restructured the hiring event process resulting in a 98 Net Promoter Score (NPS)

  • Built out a new Google Business Platform in 01/2022 and in first year data showed increases in phone calls (169%), site interaction (228%), and search results (45%)

  • Generated 20,000+ client outreach touches monthly using mass email and text message (SMS/MMS) tools and QR Codes to drive clients to job fairs and events

 

SCWorks Catawba (ResCare/Equus Workforce Solutions), Rock Hill, SC                           

Regional Business Solutions Consultant and Marketing Specialist        02/2017 – 11/2022

  • Recruited and prepared job seekers through resume development, interviewing skills, and soft skills training – then connected them to staffing and employers

  • Organized, promoted and worked more than 36 hiring events, and assisted with 125+ in-house recruiting events for employers    

  • Structured customized recruiting and hiring solutions for employer needs

  • Developed and facilitated in-person and virtual career readiness workshops

  • Set up and facilitated monthly and quarterly workforce partnership meetings with workplace education, community resources and business tours

  • Achieved a 96% employer satisfaction rate for those who used hiring event services

 

AmerisourceBergen (Talent Bridge – contract position), Fort Mill, SC

Benefits Verification Reimbursement Specialist                                       09/2016 – 01/2017

  • Contacted insurance companies on behalf of physician’s office to verify patient benefits

  • Verified patient eligibility for payer plans, coverage, cost share, and pharmacy coverage

  • Initiated Prior Authorization process, claims, and appeals

  • Reviewed work and adherence to PI, PII, HIPAA, Medicaid, Medicare and private payer

Sunshine Gardens Assisted Living & Memory Care, Marion, IL       

Director of Operations, Community Manager, Marketing Director        02/2015 – 07/2016

  • Project management: facility startup license, budget, staff, scheduling, payroll, leases

  • Hired, onboarded, trained, disciplined, coached and led a staff of 28

  • Drafted the facility’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), policies, company handbook, training manuals, formal agreements, and leases 

  • Managed apartment inventory, market rates, turns (make-ready), tours, sales, demo unit, maintenance work orders, tenant screenings, evictions

  • Crafted a large-scale marketing plan for southern Illinois’ largest assisted living community using media buys, community events, trade shows, facility tours and relationship-building with potential customers and third-party providers

 

Willow Park Independent Living Community, Evansville, IN

Community and Operations Manager                                                            06/2014 – 02/2015          

  • Oversaw a 113-unit senior retirement community as a live-in, on-site manager

  • Managed team of 18 staff for 3 shifts for 24-hour coverage, and third-party providers

  • Performed functions of Human Resources and Operations – budgeting, maintenance work orders, emergency calls, scheduling, payroll, posting job orders, interviewing, background checks, hiring, onboarding, training, disciplinary actions, terminations

 

Jerkins Creative Consulting, Benton, IL

Marketing Manager                                                                                      01/2014 – 07/2014

  • Promoted farm dealership training in a global network of US, Canada, and Europe

  • Utilized a Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) of 57,000 interested clients, segmentation, A/B Testing, and drip campaigns to gain class registrations

  • Implemented a mass email program to gain high click-to-open rate (CTOR) (12%) and high clickthrough rate (CTR) (8%)

  • Produced articles for trade publications, training materials, and trade show booths

  • Prepared and owned all marketing content, editorial calendars, and workflow

 

SNAP (Social Networking, Advertising & Promotion) , Herrin, IL

Marketing Company Owner/Operator                                                        06/2009 – 07/2014

  • Contracted with 52 businesses for SWOT analysis and overview of marketing needs

  • Delivered both print and digital services, and events to meet business goals of increased sales, recognizable branding, and philanthropic and community efforts

 

Williamson County Tourism Bureau & Williamson County Pavilion, Marion, IL

Facility Manager and Events Coordinator                              03/2007 – 08/2008

  • Planned and organized more than 350 bookings working with Director of Tourism

  • Increased facility foot traffic 223% within 1 year by developing multi-day events with up to 10,000 attendees

 

Professional Achievements, Recognitions, and Awards

Job Endurance Training (JET) – An SC Works Catawba soft skills training program for Time Management, Communications, Problem Solving, Conflict Resolution, Teamwork, and Integrity

  • National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) 2019 Impact Award

  • SC Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services: 2019 Partners Award

Community of Practice (CoP): Presented 3 times on national training call for hiring events, strategic marketing and young adult outreach services

LEGACY Employee Recognitions: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 (3), 2021 (3), 2022 (2), 2023

Certificate: Presented by Mecklenburg County Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (08/2023): In recognition of volunteer efforts as an Analyst/Evaluator of 31 submissions for nonprofit grants under the Community Health & Wellness Grant Program

Education

Vincennes University, Vincennes, IN

  • A.S., Mid-Management Marketing

John A. Logan College, Carterville, IL

  • Journalism (Public Relations Internship)

 

Author

 

Published Work

Books

  • A Cup of Comfort for Friends:

    Stories That Celebrate the Special People in Our Lives

    ISBN: 158062622X June 1, 2002

    Published by: Adams Media Corporation (Avon, Massachusetts)

Newspapers

Herrin Spokesman (Herrin, Illinois) July 1999 – February 2004

  • Position: Columnist

Carbondale Times (Carbondale, IL) 2001 – 2005

  • Position: Correspondent

Southern Business Journal (Carbondale, Illinois) February 2001 – January 2005

  • Position: Correspondent

  • Editor: Steve Binder

Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, Illinois) 2003 – 2005

  • Position: Business Correspondent

  • Editor: Travis DeNeal

Marion Daily Republican and Herrin Spokesman (sister publications) January 2005 – April 2007

  • Position: Full-Time Reporter

Trade Publications and Magazines

  • CPA Software News: A Cygnus Publication (Ft. Atkinson, Wisconsin) June 2000 – June 2001

  • Adventure Sports Outdoors October 2011 Article: Unlikely Hunter and His Duck Calls Break Stereotypes

Web Sites

  • Genealogy.com www.genealogy.com August 2000

  • Streetmail www.streetmail.com August 2000 – March 2001 (no longer in business)

Internship Work

  • John A. Logan College August 1999 – December 1999

  • College Brochures and Catalog; Press Releases; Radio, Television and Newspaper Advertisements

Volunteer Work

  • Southern Illinois Genealogy Society Newsletter (regular contributor in 2000 and 2001)

  • Herrin First United Methodist Church ( Herrin, IL) 100-year history book (volunteer project)

    Scanned, digitally enhanced, and preserved pictures for publication. Edited book and formatted book for camera-ready production

Freelance

  • Herrin Spokesman Herrin, Illinois April 2009 – April 2010

  • Daily Republican News Marion, Illinois April 2007 – April 2014

  • Herrin Independent Herrin, Illinois; Carterville Courier Carterville, Illinois April 2007 – 2014

Business Writing and Marketing Projects

Marketing and Creative

  • Newsletters

  • Press Releases

  • Digital Media Kits

  • Brochures, Flyers, Handbills, Postcards

  • Logos and Branding

  • Website, Blogs and Social Media copy

  • Menus

  • Signage and Billboards

  • Auto Wraps

 Business Office

  • Employee Manual

  • Office Manual for Equipment and Software

  • Office Policy Manual

  • Emergency/Disaster Manual

  • 23-page lease for Assisted Living

  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

  • Work Orders

  • Facility Manual

 Grants

  • Completed two successful grants for the Village of Crainville, Illinois Police Department

  • Major Contribution to ResCare Grant for workforce services for the Catawba region of South Carolina (Chester, Lancaster and York Counties)

  • Grant Analyst/Evaluator for Mecklenburg County ABC Board reviewed 31 grants for non-profit entities

 Blogs

  • Coverage of 2019 Miss Illinois Ariel Beverly (press junket)

  • Planned tour of Illinois on her way to Miss America pageant

  • 14-day tour, stops for events with daily coverage for blog and local media outlets

Graphic Design Marketing

  • Window Clings (designed for 4' x 8')

  • Job Fair 

  • Yard Signage with Keyword CTA

  • Teardrop Flags

  • Rack Cards

  • Pull Up Banners

  • Swag (pens, penlights, tote bags, tablecloth overlays, notepads, matchbook style notepads, business cards)

  • Tents

  • Vehicle Wraps

  • Billboards

  • Television

  • Electronic Signage

 Social Media Marketing

  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • LinkedIn

  • Google Business Platform

  • Eventbrite

Marketing Experience by Categories

  • Political

  • Religious

  • Non-Profit Agency

  • Healthcare

  • Floral Shop

  • Insurance

  • Investment

  • Medical Spa

  • Financial Planning (global)

  • Cleaning Company (national)

  • Celebrity

  • Sports Arena

  • Trade Shows

  • Builder/Construction

  • Disc Jockey

  • Flooring Company

  • Food Company

  • Wholesale Company

  • Senior Citizens Service

  • Home Health Agency

  • Bowling Center

  • Wedding Consultant

  • Event Center

  • Children’s Clothing Designer

  • Beautician

  • Orthodontist

  • Optometrist

  • Chiropractor

  • Electrician

  • Accountant

  • Physical Therapy Center

  • Auto Dealership

  • Plumber

  • Auto Rental Facility

  • Photographer

  • Attorney

  • Networking Association

  • Hypnotist

  • City/Village

  • Singer/Entertainer/Emcee

  • Tourism

  • Workforce Services