Katherine Conrad

Experience

• 

  Burges & Burges Strategists

  Jan 2001 - Jul 2011

  Vice President

  • Worked with Community Colleges and YSU on research and marketing programs to better position them for student retention and attraction.• Worked on the creation and development of the first community college in the Mahoning Valley – Eastern Gateway Community College in partnership with Youngstown State University and Jefferson Community College. • Wrote and developed effective, research-based print, web and social media, radio and television marketing campaigns for public sector clients. • Developed and instituted qualitative and quantitative research including telephone surveys, focus groups, in-depth interviews and online surveys aimed at developing strategic planning.• Led or participated in over one hundred campaigns for schools, community colleges, libraries, transit, children’s services, human services, zoning issues and candidates that ensured success and secured billions in operating and building funds across Ohio. • Lobbied all levels of government through grassroots and grasstops efforts on significant social issues such as healthcare, tobacco prevention, environmental and other key initiatives. • Led or participated in fundraising drives across the state raising millions of dollars for client initiatives.• Client Sample: Akron Public Schools, Hudson City Schools, Youngstown State University, Eastern Gateway Community College, Lorain County Community College, Portage County Transit Authority (PARTA), Summit County Children’s Services, Summit County ADM Board, Western Reserve Transit Authority (WRTA), Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic, Former Congressman Tom Sawyer, Former State Senator Leigh Herington, Cincinnati-Hamilton County Public Library. Show less

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  SARTA

  Jun 2011 - Apr 2015

  Director of Planning/Marketing

  • Handled and oversaw all marketing campaigns including the development of radio, television, print/direct mail, website and social media. • Managed all press and community relations including developing large-scale press events, press releases and day-to-day media relations. • Developed new Medicaid contracted services that expanded the agencies door-to-door service 6-800 rides per month while increasing revenue and jobs. • Redesigned and continue regular updates to SARTA website (www.sartaonline.com) in 2011. Upgrades included allowing for online bus ticket sales, employment applications, video and integrating social media to make it more user friendly and a more effective marketing tool. • Developed a social media campaign including Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram that has linked us to over 3,000 individuals in Stark County in just under 3 years.• As a result of marketing efforts and new programs, SARTA reach record ridership for the third year in a row – a 40% increase since 2010!• Led a department of 5 employees and managed an operating budget of almost $1 million.• Led SARTA’s regionally and nationally known travel training program. • Applied for and received almost $1 million in federal grant funding for Veterans and disadvantaged populations.• Member of the successful management negotiating team for SARTA’s 2013 union contract. • Led government relations and lobbying efforts for the agency for the state and federal budget. • Implemented and negotiated a contract with the Veteran Services Commission to provide new service to the Wade Park VA Hospital, Parma VA Clinic and service to downtown Cleveland. • Created an Employment Program with multiple Stark County employment agencies to provide free bus passes for individuals seeking employment. Show less

• 

  Trillium Family Solutions

  Jan 2012 - Mar 2013

  Board Member
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  PARTA

  Apr 2015 - Nov 2018

  Director of Planning

  • Oversaw the Transit Development Plan that is set to update all routes and schedules in January 2017. This is the first major overall of the PARTA route system since its creation. • Successfully redeveloped schedules and route numbering system to create a more customer friendly system. • Conducted a successful community engagement outreach campaign including writing and conducting community surveys, community meetings and garnering staff feedback to discuss potential changes moving forward. • Developed the successful SPOT PARTA campaign for PARTA’s new AVL system, including new bus stop signs and communications materials. • Developed a new travel training program for PARTA that now is training hundreds of residents every year and attending community events across the county. • Successfully oversaw new grant development for PARTA including State and Federal Grants including CMAQ, DERG, OPT3, LGIF, Bus and Bus Facilities and 5310 Funding garnering millions in new funding.• Appointed as an Alternate to the NEORide Board, AMATS Board, a past Alternate to the OTRP Board and attend regular meetings for OPTA. • Led OPTA to develop the first successfully legislative day in the history of the organization and was a key player in moving the OPTA conference downtown where we were able to raise over $50,000. • OPTA Marketing Chair, leading the first successful statewide coordinated marketing campaign - "Ohio Loves Transit", redesigning their website and co-managing their social media. Show less

• 

  Ohio Transit Risk Pool

  Dec 2018 - Nov 2023

  Director Of Client Services
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  NEORide

  Dec 2018 - now

  - Manages day-to-day activities for NEORide 29 member transit agencies including executing special projects, grant writing and management and marketing. - Spearheaded the effort to launch EZfare, the first multi-county mobile ticketing app in Ohio, Kentucky and Michigan (15 transit agencies). - Received $3.3 million in 2019 and $800,000 in 2020 of ODOT funding to bolster the EZfare system.- Managing grant award of $1.9 Million in FTA IMI Grant funding to develop an innovative alternative payment system for low-income and under served populations.- Received over $5 million in grants funds in 2022 to develop a regional mobility/call-center center, EZConnect.- Increased NEORide membership in 2019 from seven (7) to twenty three(29) members across Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Arkansas.- 2020 APTA Adwheel Grand Award Winner for Best Marketing and Communications to Increase Ridership and Sales. - 2021 APTA First Place Award Winner for “Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19”- 2021 Best Smart Ticketing App, Transport Ticketing Digital International Award.- Intelligent Transport Advisory Board Member Show less

  • Executive Director

    Nov 2023 - now

  • Director of NEORide

    Dec 2018 - Nov 2023