Valarie Blaes

Experience

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  Riverside Psychiatric Institute

  Dec 1991 - Jan 1992

  Marketing Department Intern (Volunteer)

  Worked with Director of Marketing and assisted in a variety of tasks including:• Interviewing key hospital personnel• Writing articles for employee newsletter• Developing brochures/flyers• Coordinating special functions.

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  United Way of the VA Peninsula

  Jun 1992 - Sept 1992

  Communications Department Intern (Volunteer)

  Worked with Director of Communications on projects including: • Writing and developing articles, press releases and advertisements about United Way and its member agencies for publication in varied media.• Assisting in the development and production of a bi-monthly newsletter.• Assisting in the development, production and writing of brochures and promotional materials.• Photographing clients and writing copy for United Way advertisements and other promotional materials.• Assisting in development of print and broadcast advertising materials, including working closely with an advertising agency.• Establishing and maintaining relations with members of the media.• Assisting with preparation of and participating in annual "Day of Caring" event.• Editing and proofreading.• Booking speakers for United Way events. Show less

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  Acquisition Planning Corporation (now "DDL OMNI Engineering")

  Jan 1993 - Jan 1996

  Technical Writer/Desktop Publisher/Newsletter Editor

  • Edited Total Combat System Information Newsletter, a quarterly newsletter providing technical data support to the Navy submarine fleet. Solicited, wrote and edited articles from the submarine community. Produced newsletter drafts for electronic, technical review cycles. Developed newsletter production schedules using Microsoft Project scheduling software. Coordinated newsletter printing and distribution. Managed newsletter subscription database.• Designed and managed two databases, used by employees and government clients, to track technical manual illustrations.• Proofread technical manuals, converted from various media into Interleaf desktop publishing software, to ensure consistency in content and format.• Held Secret security clearance. Show less

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  Delon Hampton & Associates, Chartered

  Jan 1997 - Jan 1998

  Business Development Coordinator

  Business Development Coordinator for a professional engineering consulting firm specializing in civil and structural design and program/construction management services. • Assisted in the production of proposals for federal government contracts.• Developed and managed four databases which tracked proposals, project descriptions, resumes and client descriptions.• Designed advertisements, project descriptions and firm overview sheets.• Produced DHA Dateline, internal company newsletter.• Developed presentations for American Society of Civil Engineers events and client interviews.• Coordinated and produced weekly business development report and presided over weekly marketing meetings. Show less

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  HDR Architecture

  Jan 1998 - Jan 1999

  Marketing Coordinator

  • Communicated capabilities to existing and prospective federal government, justice, health care, university and science and technology clients via proposals and qualifications booklets.• Created Power Point presentations, boards and handouts for client interviews.• Developed and maintained project histories, resumes, databases, spreadsheets, client files, brochures and photography.• Collaborated with key staff to develop materials for design award submissions, periodicals and speaking engagements. Show less

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  HVC-CHENAULT

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2006

  Marketing Coordinator

  Managed marketing department for architecture, planning and interior design company. • Coordinated proposals for state and local government clients. Researched and tracked prospective leads. Organized teaming arrangements. Developed all marketing materials for client interviews. Coached principals. Successful proposals included, among others:• City of Richmond Fourth Police Precinct, Richmond, VA• Annual Contract for Architectural Services, James City County, VA.• Space Needs Study, Town of West Point, VA.• Professional Architectural and Engineering Services for Stafford County, VA.Developed reports for government clients including:• Virginia Department of Transportation Culpeper District Office Addition Basis of Design Document• Stafford County Space Needs Assessment and Strategy Report• Town of West Point Space Needs Study• Prince George County New Office Building Program, Building Design and Cost Estimate Report• Developed concept for and produced Wavelengths, a quarterly newsletter to keep pertinent City of Richmond and design team personnel updated on the construction of the E911 Communications Center.• Wrote copy for press releases and designed advertisements.• Designed new company letterhead and business cards when company merger occurred.• Produced architectural space programming documents, planning studies and construction specifications. Show less

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  Hankins and Anderson Consulting Engineers

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2007

  Senior Marketing Coordinator

  • Assisted in production of design/build proposal submissions and rewrote project profiles for various market segments.• Coordinated award submission for American Council of Engineering Companies VA Engineering Excellence Award. Firm won 2007 Virginia Honor Award.• Designed advertisements for newspapers and trade publications.• Wrote and edited copy for Life Safety Department’s direct-mail marketing piece.

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  INGENCO

  Jan 2007 - Jan 2010

  Senior Marketing Coordinator

  • Managed winning proposals for Henrico County Landfill Gas to Energy Project and for Development of Landfill Gas Utilization Systems for North Dade and South Dade Landfills, Miami, FL• Provided support to company staff for all marketing and public relations needs. Researched and tracked prospective leads. Developed and designed marketing collateral, wrote articles for and maintained company website. Served as company photographer. • Produced Current Developments, monthly internal company newsletter. Published and distributed copies to internal and external customers.• Coordinated special events such as open houses and INGENCO trade shows. • Represented INGENCO at industry trade shows. • Provided marketing communications support for company's sponsorships of local schools' sports teams and the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.• Ensured vendors’ deliverables were on time, within budget and met quality standards. Show less

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  Richmond, Virginia

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2011

  Freelance Marketing Communications Consultant

  Prior to Blaes Communications Consulting, LLC:• For Byrd Theatre Foundation, utilized social media (Facebook, Twitter and Linked In) to promote 2011 signature fund-raising event, "A Night with the Mighty Wurlitzer"​ featuring world renowned, Grammy-award nominated organist Cameron Carpenter. As a result, client saw 25% increase in traffic to Byrd Theatre Foundation's Facebook page in one week.• Instructor/workshop leader for “Linked In: Making the Most of Your Online Presence!” for small business owners and people in career transition.• Updated Facebook business page for marketing consulting firm. As a result, client saw 30% increase in traffic to company website.• Created “outside the box” flyer design for Another Touch Massage, mobile massage therapy business, to promote Lay-Away subscription program. Design evoked sense of nostalgia and levity and played on the words “lay-away” where you can “lay-away” money each month while you “lay away” during massage. Feedback upon completing contract: “I hired Valarie Blaes to conceptualize a flyer for the Another Touch Massage annual subscriptions...I was totally impressed with the layout and text of the '​"lay-away"​ flyer she developed. I actually wanted to purchase one of the annual subscriptions myself. The colors, design, and concept were beyond what I imagined when the project began. The design sells itself. I will certainly contract her again.”• Designed 5x7 direct-mail postcard for Another Touch Massage to promote “Spring Spa Rejuvenation.” Project completed 6 days ahead of schedule (10 day schedule). Feedback upon completing contract: "Valarie, this looks great! I love it! I love it! I love it! I like how you framed the information...that pops! You let your artistry and creativity shine again. Much KUDOS to you!"• For marketing consulting firm, provided proposal coordination services for state agency term contract. Feedback upon completing contract: “Looks great! Thanks so much! You did a fabulous job!” Show less

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  Blaes Communications Consulting, LLC

  Jan 2011 - Jan 2021

  Owner

  Blaes Communications Consulting, LLC,. a SWaM-certified micro-business. specializes in proposal writing and marketing for A/E/C firms. With over 25 years of experience working within marketing departments of A/E/C other professional services companies, we know the in's and out's of the industry as well as how to WIN government contracts.We have helped A/E/C firms win proposals totaling more than $114 million in contract value.Why Hire Blaes Communications Consulting, LLC?Fast Turn-Around with Quality Assured25+ Years of Marketing, BD and Communications ExperienceIn-Depth Knowledge of the A/E/C Industry Value-Added ServiceEagle-Eyed Proofreader, Creative Content Writer, Strategist and Copywriter 1-on-1 Contact Superior to "Conventional" Marketing Firms Show less

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  Federal Engineering, Inc

  Dec 2021 - now

  Proposal Writer