Highly creative marketing/communications professional with a proven ability to achieve critical-success by designing robust, meaningful programs while simultaneously managing a variety of dynamic projects seamlessly.

1. T OM B ALLENTINE 5320 N. S HERIDAN R OAD , #711
C HICAGO , IL 60640
[ C ]: 312.560.3449 [ H ]: 773.856.0123
tomballentine@yahoo.com
Highly creative marketing/communications professional with a proven ability
to achieve critical-success by designing robust, meaningful programs while
simultaneously managing a variety of dynamic projects seamlessly.
Professional Experience
2009 – 2009 (Chicago’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community center)
Director, Cultural and Community Programs
• Conceived, and implemented 140 diverse programs annually, focusing on community, culture,
recreation and family.
• Created and managed $85,000 program budget, successfully generated revenue through low
or no expense partnerships.
• Increased participant attendance 50% within 12 months, averaging 700-1000 people per month.
• Increased volunteer satisfaction across organization. Surpassed goal of 50 new
volunteers/month.
• Raised organization’s local and national profile with events noted in more than 20 featured
articles in Chicago Tribune, Sun Times and a variety of local and national media outlets.
• Created career development programs; “OUTsource” catering to 100+ people new to the job
scene and another for more than 75 professionals seeking “Executive and Professional Career
Training Services”.
• Successfully introduced 30 community programs focusing on legal workshops, financial planning,
adoption, foster care, continuing education and social networking.
• Created and managed new partnerships with Chicago’s premiere cultural institutions including
Goodman, Lookingglass, Steppenwolf, Lyric Opera, Joffrey Ballet, and Hubbard Street Dance.
• Fostered 65% increase in participation within family programming,
• Developed eight popular fitness classes, including Dance, Self-Defense, Yoga, and Pilates.
• Created recreational programs for children aged 2 -5yrs, as well as Seniors.
2007 – 2008 The Laramar Group, LLC (national real estate firm focusing on 50+ properties offering multi-family,
mixed-use and senior housing, enhancing properties through redevelopment/renovation,
management and repositioning)
Marketing, Training and Design Department Coordinator
 Created accounts receivable process to streamline inventory control, purchasing and invoicing,
resulting in 10% cost reduction within 8 months.
 Revised online inventory to 40% “green” products increasing annual sales 15%.
 Coordinated and supervised all branded gifting, travel arrangements, hotel and entertainment
for national convention.
 Managed all vendor relations and design aspects for 75 member vendor tradeshow.
 Successfully led project-management and re-design of national marketing intranet website.
 Produced nationwide marketing and training trade-show.
 Managed inventory control, purchasing and invoicing of nation-wide marketing collateral store.
 Managed shipping/receiving process, creating cost-effective and time saving procedures.

2. 2003 – 2007 Theatre Building Chicago (leading Chicago non-profit theatre serving as an incubator to develop
original musical works and support both acclaimed and emerging theatre companies and artists.)
Director, Marketing and Communications
• Created multiple initiatives to improve patron experience such as the popular value-added
flexible scheduling, exclusive post-show “talk-backs” with artists and subscriber benefit discounts.
• Responsible for project-management and design of new website, increasing online unique visitor
traffic by 40%.
• Developed and maintained database from initial 2,300 (general) online members to over 25,000
(targeted) members within a 2-year period.
• Produced successful marketing campaigns, expanding company profile locally and nationally.
• Raised Theatre Building Chicago brand identity by successfully producing several benefits,
opening nights and recruiting campaigns for award-winning writers’ workshop.
• Partnered with Board of Directors on development, long-range planning and budgets.
• Served in leadership positions on several marketing committees with Chicago Association of
Direct Marketing (CADM) and the League of Chicago Theatres, further developing arts within the
city.
2001- 2003 Roosevelt University, Chicago College of Performing Arts (nationally recognized music and
theatre conservatories, producing critically acclaimed actors and musicians for the world stage)
Performance Activities Manager
• Created Office of Performance Activities; interviewed, supervised and managed staff of 15 +
• Developed and implemented guidelines and processes to manage all performance schedules.
• Project manager for Conservatory intranet from inception to roll-out; facilitating better
communication between Music and Theatre Conservatory faculty, staff and students.
• Managed Master Class Series and negotiated appearances of world-renowned guest artists.
• Negotiated and coordinated travel and tour arrangements for 70+-member symphony
orchestra.
• Managed partnerships with external performance venues and presenting organizations.
• Established new system of budget accountability for all performance activities.
• Coordinated with Dean, Director, and department chairs, the creation of yearly ensemble
performance calendar (number of performances more than doubled during my tenure).
1989 - 2001 Washington National Opera, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Tenor, Professional Opera Singer
• Performed 50+ productions including three televised on PBS with Placido Domingo.
• Private concert at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II.
Education
Ohio State University
Business/Marketing 1983 - 1985
Catholic University of America 1987 – 1991
BA/BM; double major in Vocal Performance & Business/Marketing
Professional Affiliations
African American Arts Alliance Chicago Association of Direct Lakeview Citizens
of Chicago Marketing (CADM) Council
A.R.T. League, Inc Illinois Arts Alliance League of Chicago
Theatres
Central Lake View Merchants Lakeview Chamber of Commerce National Alliance for
Association (CLMA) Musical Theatre
Computer Experience
WINDOWS 2000 & MAC OSX MS OFFICE 2000 OUTLOOK ADOBE ACROBAT 8.0
MS EXCEL FILEMAKER PRO 8.2 ADOBE INDESIGN 2.0
POWERPOINT CONCUR (EXPENSE REPORTING CONTRIBUTE (WEB-DESIGN)

3. PROGRAM)