Rhonda Reese

Since 2013, contractor for the Wisconsin State Journal and run the Madison All-City Spelling Bee and the Badger State Spelling Bee. Work with the 12 CESA Districts and 600 Schools to determine the top three spellers that go to the National Spelling Bee in Washington DC. Madison All-City Bee is held in February & State Bee is held in March.

• Direct and manage the largest 3-day horse fair in the United States with an attendance of 56,000+, 800+ horse athletes, 500+ vendors and 10 venues of demonstrations, seminars and entertainment • Increased attendance 30% from 2007-2014 with record setting attendance in 2008 and third highest attendance in 2014 • Chief executive, overseeing day-to-day operations reporting to the Board of Directors. • Lead and manage the Core Team – consisting of four office staff employees, 55 LTE employees and independent contractors as well as 400+ volunteers • Responsible for sponsorship sales; Increased sponsorship revenue by 355% since 2007 • Built relationships with local, regional and national sponsors such as John Deere, Nutrena, Purina, Preifert and New Holland • Responsible for selling booth space; Increased booth revenue by 10% with consistently sold out space • Orchestrated inaugural special events including PRCA Rodeo, Show Jumping Grand Prix, Extreme Mustang Makeover, Epic Night of the Horse and Working Cow Horse Competition • Negotiate contracts including the rental facility, entertainment acts, clinicians and independent contractors. • Oversee entire media and marketing plan of event both internally and externally • Developed Emergency Preparedness Plan and Disaster Recovery Plan for the event and office • Secured funding for new drag & footing for the rental facility • Manage & assume all responsibility for the financial accountability of the event including processing of invoices and expenses, create budget and reports and responsible for all necessary information required for the year-end audit and reports for the Board of Directors • Successfully prepared & presented business plan to start a second event • Re-designed website & implemented social media campaign along with Mobile App • Provide positive public image through media contact, events & speaking engagements • Provide ideas to the Board of Directors for strategic, organizational and event development

• Chief executive overseeing all operations • Process more than 5,000 families for annual Empty Stocking Club Toy Giveaway • Increased fundraising donations 30% since 2004 • Coordinate more than 450 volunteers during the annual Toy Giveaway • Ensure all families in need of assistance are treated with dignity and respect. • Purchase and handle all logistics of ordering more than 10,000 toys for annual Toy Giveaway