Rick Ellis

Experience

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  Linbeck Construction Company

  Jan 1988 - Apr 1992

  Project Engineer

  Performed field office management and administrative activities on commercial construction projects. Prepared daily and monthly activity, time and production schedules and reports. Compiled and published pre-construction and post-construction reports. Performed accounts payable, invoice coding, weekly payroll and monthly billings. Maintained project correspondence, documentation, recording and filing

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  Hines Interests Limited Partnership

  Jun 1992 - Jun 1993

  Assistant Property Manager

  Performed day-to-day operations management of a 1.8 million SF Class A office building in downtown Houston. Maintained tenant relations by effective communications and timely response to tenant concerns. Projected estimated revenue and expense goals and prepared and monitored annual property operating budget. Monitored accounts payable budget compliance, performed purchasing and approved invoice coding. Selected subcontractors and suppliers, prepared vendor contracts and monitored vendor performance Show less

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  Trammell Crow Company

  Jan 1994 - Mar 2000

  Property Manager/Leasing Agent

  Performed brokerage marketing, lease negotiation and deal-closing activities for a portfolio of third-party owned industrial properties. Responsible for property operations management for a portfolio of 35 industrial buildings with over 150 tenants to include property budgeting, rent collection, facility maintenance and tenant relations.

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  Greater Houston Partnership

  Mar 2000 - Aug 2003

  Marketing Executive, Economic Development Division

  Marketed the assets of the Houston region to corporations, business groups, specific target industries, and the general public in an effort to expand business operations, diversify the local economy and enhance job creation. Planned, coordinated, and delivered assistance, information, and services to assigned leads and prospects to encourage out-of-region corporate relocations and local business expansions and retentions. Coordinated press releases, groundbreakings, open houses, and employee briefings for relocating and local expanding businesses. Show less

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  Houston Zoo

  Oct 2006 - May 2014

  Responsible for developing, implementing and managing the Houston Zoo’s overall corporate sponsorship program, including soliciting sponsors, maximizing sponsorship revenue and fulfilling sponsor benefits, including stewardship and recognition. Additional corporate engagement responsibilities focused on cash and in-kind philanthropic donations, corporate employee volunteerism and industry and company private special events. Responsible for developing and implementing a group sales marketing program that focused on generating sales from the tour/travel, corporate, convention/association, and social markets. Developed unique, creative sales strategies, affinity events and programs and pricing structures used in sales programs to incentivize group purchase. Responsible for managing the Houston Zoo, Inc. corporate fundraising and sponsorship program including recruitment and stewardship of corporate donors and sponsors, fulfillment of benefits, reports and recognition. Organized and maintained the corporate activity calendar and specific donor or prospect strategy for new and renewing corporate prospects for general support, events and other promotions.

  • Director of Corporate Partnerships

    Jul 2011 - May 2014

  • Marketing Groups Manager

    Nov 2008 - Jun 2011

  • Manager of Corporate Partnerships

    Oct 2006 - Oct 2008
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  Buckner International

  Aug 2014 - Nov 2016

  Responsible for overseeing all general and specific marketing duties and activities directed to secure sales, increase admissions and maximize occupancy for a premier 300 unit retirement community in West Houston. Liaison with marketing consultants to achieve all mass media and PR activities including advertising with newspapers and other print publications, PR efforts with local media outlets, brochure and collateral creation, market research, and other promotional initiatives.Effectively organize and execute special events for prospects, new residents and community organizations on-site as well as conduct outreach visits to area resources by offering speaking engagements, presentations, seminars, and networking opportunities. Show less Responsible for managing all aspects of organization marketing, business development, and community relations for Buckner Hospice Houston to include maintaining positive relationships with customers, providers and referral sources, responding to customer requests and concerns and negotiating service contracts with managed care organizations, government agencies and other payers. Broad focus on building and monitoring customer, payer, and patient perceptions of Buckner Hospice Houston as a quality provider of services through daily client and customer interactions, targeted group presentations and all other associated relationship-building activities. Show less

  • Director of Marketing

    Aug 2015 - Nov 2016

  • Community Relations Director

    Aug 2014 - Jul 2015
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  Katy Area Economic Development Council

  Dec 2016 - Sept 2019

  Vice President

  Responsible for leading and managing all business recruitment initiatives through relationship building with local commercial real estate brokers, regional economic development allies, and corporate real estate and site selection consultants. Direct proposal and presentation development; make presentations to a variety of audiences in order to promote the Katy area to local, US-based, and international businesses. Coordinate all research activities and marketing initiatives, manage membership leads and prospect management efforts, and preside over selected committees and task forces. Develop and manage existing business assistance programs and champion advocacy and local government relations initiatives. Represent the Katy Area EDC at local, regional, and national meetings and events related to corporate relocations and local business growth. Show less

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  Katy Area Chamber of Commerce

  Oct 2019 - Jan 2023

  Vice President

  Responsible for overseeing, directing, and coordinating all membership activities for 550+ member Chamber. Planned and designed policies and objectives for addressing member inquiries. Developed programs, initiatives, and policies designed to increase membership. Established service quality goals and implemented strategies to meet these goals. Created, updated, and distributed information to current members as well as prospective members. Provided input into strategic planning and budget/policies/procedures development. Oversaw Ambassador Program – Ambassadors promote the Chamber and engage members. Assisted Events Manager with organizing, coordinating, and executing Chamber events. Show less

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  The Association of Water Board Directors-Texas

  Jan 2023 - now

  Executive Director

  AWBD is a non-profit, membership-based industry association that provides educational opportunities and advocacy support for water utility board directors throughout Texas.