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EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP
EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP
Mission-driven executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience developing strategic partnerships, engaging diverse stakeholders, leading community initiatives, and advancing organizational priorities across government, nonprofit, advocacy, and business sectors.
JOHN R. MORROW
East Liverpool, Ohio
330.708.4004
JohnRichardMorrow@gmail.com
Mission-driven executive with more than 20 years of leadership experience developing strategic partnerships, engaging diverse stakeholders, leading community initiatives, and advancing organizational priorities across government, nonprofit, advocacy, and business sectors. Recognized for building trusted relationships with elected officials, business leaders, nonprofit organizations, volunteers, and community members while developing collaborative solutions that produce measurable results.
Experienced in strategic planning, public engagement, executive communications, organizational leadership, relationship management, business development, and cross-functional collaboration. Currently completing a Master of Public Administration with advanced graduate study in nonprofit management, organizational leadership, strategic planning, and evidence-based decision-making.
EXECUTIVE QUALIFICATIONS
Fundraising & Relationship Development
External Affairs & Community Engagement
Strategic Planning & Organizational Leadership
Executive Communications & Public Speaking
Stakeholder & Donor Relations
Business Development
Partnership Development
Board & Executive Leadership
Volunteer Recruitment & Leadership
Public Policy & Government Relations
Strategic Communications
Community Outreach
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Data-Informed Decision Making
Program Evaluation
CRM & Constituent Relationship Management
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
GRASSROOTS ASSOCIATE
Ravenite Consulting | 2020–Present
Serve as a strategic advisor supporting public affairs initiatives through relationship building, coalition development, and community engagement. Lead communications strategies that strengthen organizational visibility while cultivating productive relationships with community leaders, government officials, and advocacy organizations.
Accomplishments
Developed and executed grassroots engagement strategies supporting statewide and local initiatives.
Built productive relationships with elected officials, community organizations, advocacy groups, and key stakeholders.
Produced persuasive communications through digital media, public forums, opinion pieces, and community outreach.
Represented organizational interests at public meetings and stakeholder events.
Identified emerging public policy opportunities and recommended strategic engagement initiatives.
Increased organizational visibility through coordinated communications and community engagement.
Strengthened partnerships by building credibility and trust across diverse stakeholder groups.
COUNCILMAN
Village of Wellsville | January 2012 – January 2023
Provided executive-level leadership during one of the most significant periods of organizational change in the Village's history. Worked collaboratively with elected officials, business leaders, nonprofit organizations, employees, and residents to restore financial stability, strengthen public trust, and improve municipal operations through strategic planning and collaborative leadership.
Accomplishments
Served more than ten years in elected leadership overseeing municipal operations, budgeting, strategic planning, and organizational governance.
Chaired the Finance Committee while leading fiscal planning, financial oversight, and long-term budget development.
Helped guide the Village out of fiscal emergency through responsible financial management and strategic decision making.
Developed collaborative relationships with county, state, federal, business, nonprofit, and community partners.
Frequently served as the public spokesperson during major community initiatives, policy discussions, and media interviews.
Coordinated community events and public engagement initiatives that strengthened citizen participation and organizational visibility.
Improved collaboration among municipal departments by implementing strategic planning and shared organizational goals.
Built consensus among diverse stakeholders to solve complex financial, operational, and community challenges.
BOARD MEMBER
Wellsville Local School District | January 2012 – January 2023
Provided strategic governance and fiduciary oversight for a public school district while supporting educational excellence and student success. Worked collaboratively with administrators, educators, parents, and community leaders to establish long-range priorities and promote responsible stewardship of public resources.
Accomplishments
Participated in strategic planning and policy development supporting district-wide initiatives.
Evaluated organizational performance using financial information, operational data, and community feedback.
Collaborated with school leadership to improve educational outcomes and organizational effectiveness.
Represented the Board during public meetings and community engagement activities.
Strengthened partnerships among educators, parents, civic organizations, and local stakeholders.
Helped balance educational priorities with responsible financial stewardship and long-term sustainability.
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS CONSULTANT
Aflac | August 2012 – July 2017
Developed trusted relationships with business owners and organizational leaders by providing consultative employee benefit solutions. Built a successful client portfolio through strategic networking, relationship management, and exceptional customer service while consistently exceeding performance expectations.
Accomplishments
Built and maintained long-term relationships with business owners, executives, and organizational decision-makers.
Conducted consultative presentations tailored to each client's workforce and organizational objectives.
Generated new business through networking, referrals, and strategic relationship development.
Managed an ongoing portfolio of clients through proactive communication and responsive service.
Earned Rookie of the Year recognition for outstanding first-year performance.
Received Aflac's prestigious Triple Crown Award for exceptional sales achievement.
Demonstrated donor cultivation, relationship management, and stewardship skills directly transferable to nonprofit fundraising.
DEPUTY CLERK
Summit County Courts | September 2002 – April 2007
Supported judicial and administrative operations within a high-volume public-sector environment while maintaining exceptional standards of professionalism, accuracy, and customer service. Worked closely with judges, attorneys, government officials, and members of the public to ensure efficient court operations.
Accomplishments
Managed sensitive legal records while ensuring confidentiality and compliance.
Coordinated administrative processes supporting efficient judicial operations.
Provided exceptional customer service to attorneys, government agencies, and the public.
Developed strong working relationships across multiple governmental departments.
Earned a reputation for professionalism, organizational excellence, and attention to detail.
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP & PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
Founded Moving Wellsville Forward, organizing community events and initiatives that strengthened civic engagement and local partnerships.
Planned and coordinated numerous public festivals, community events, and volunteer initiatives.
Authored opinion editorials and public policy articles published throughout Ohio.
Appeared in television, newspaper, radio, podcast, and online interviews representing public initiatives and community organizations.
Presented testimony before the United States Senate Banking Committee and the United States House Financial Services Committee.
Submitted testimony to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Surface Transportation Board, and the House Public Safety Committee regarding federal legislative and regulatory matters.
Built collaborative partnerships among government agencies, businesses, nonprofit organizations, civic leaders, and volunteers to advance community priorities.
EDUCATION
Master of Public Administration (Expected August 2026)
Kent State University
Relevant Graduate Coursework
Strategic Planning
Organizational Leadership
Public & Nonprofit Management
Program Evaluation
Public Financial Management
Human Resource Management
Information Technology Management
Public Policy Analysis
Bachelor of Integrative Studies
Political Science | International Relations
Kent State University
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am excited to apply for the Director of Development & External Affairs position with Bottom Line Ohio. Your mission of helping first-generation and low-income students earn college degrees and launch meaningful careers resonates deeply with me because it mirrors my own educational journey. I began college as a non-traditional student at Kent State University at the age of 22 and became the first person in my family to attend college. I understand firsthand the obstacles many students face, as well as the life-changing opportunities that higher education can create. That personal connection, combined with my professional background in public service, fundraising, advocacy, communications, and relationship-building, motivates me to help Bottom Line expand its impact across Ohio.
Throughout more than a decade as a member of the Village of Wellsville Council and the Wellsville Local School District Board of Education, I gained extensive experience making policy, personnel, and budgeting decisions that directly affected my community. I participated in hiring decisions, personnel discipline, strategic planning, and fiscal oversight while helping lead the Village of Wellsville out of fiscal emergency. I also worked to ensure transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship of public resources because I believe public trust is built through open and ethical leadership. These experiences strengthened my ability to evaluate complex issues, build consensus among diverse stakeholders, and make evidence-informed decisions under challenging circumstances.
Fundraising and community engagement have also been central themes throughout my career. As an elected official and community organizer, I helped secure support for initiatives requiring fundraising, coalition-building, and public outreach. I organized community events that depended upon sponsorships, volunteer engagement, and donor support while building lasting relationships with businesses, civic organizations, elected officials, and community leaders. My professional experience with Aflac further strengthened my ability to cultivate relationships, communicate value, conduct presentations, and earn the trust of decision-makers through consultative conversations and long-term relationship management.
In my current work with Ravenite Consulting, I continue to strengthen my communications, public affairs, and stakeholder engagement skills by developing grassroots advocacy campaigns, coordinating digital communications, engaging community leaders, and representing clients before public officials. I have also prepared testimony and public comments for federal legislative and regulatory agencies, giving me additional experience communicating complex issues to diverse audiences and building support around important public policy initiatives.
One of the qualities I would bring to Bottom Line is adaptability. I genuinely enjoy environments where responsibilities evolve, and new challenges emerge. Rather than viewing changing priorities as obstacles, I see them as opportunities to learn, improve processes, build new relationships, and contribute wherever I am needed. I thrive in dynamic organizations where collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement are valued.
I believe my personal story also allows me to connect authentically with Bottom Line's students, donors, and community partners. As someone who was the first in my family to attend college and who returned to higher education as a non-traditional student, I understand both the uncertainty and the hope that accompany that journey. I can speak from experience about the transformative power of education while also helping donors and community partners understand the lasting impact their investments have on students, families, and entire communities.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience in fundraising, public service, government relations, communications, stakeholder engagement, and community leadership can help Bottom Line Ohio strengthen its donor base, expand its partnerships, and continue transforming lives through higher education.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you about how I can contribute to Bottom Line's mission and continued growth.
Sincerely,
John R. Morrow
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