Rita Y. Allen, M.A

Rita Y. Allen, M.A. 9743 Whitworth Drive Warrior, Alabama 35180 www.linkedIn.com/in/RitaAllen 205-317-3604 [email protected] www.RitaAllen.com

The bigger the challenge…the better! Management Executive Management Executive with 30 years experience in both the public and private sector. Expert in facilitating organizational change. Imaginative and innovative individual with proven management, marketing and new business development skills.Versatile and committed professional with diverse experience in the management of human capital in business, social and educational organizations. Broad-based experience and achievement combining skills in diverse areas of organizational development, group leadership, program development and community relations. Motivated, intuitive and able to manage both time and resources to maximize productivity. Strong skills in collaboration, speaking, teaching, communication, negotiation and public relations. ______Professional Experience______July 2006 to Present Brookdale Senior Living - Galleria Woods Retirement Community in Hoover, AL and Victorian Manor in Hanceville, AL. Division of Brookdale Senior Living, largest retirement corporation in America with over 550 communities nationwide, eleven of which are Entry Fee/Life Care.  Marketing Director at Victorian Manor  Retirement Counselor at GW (Marketing & Sales, Community Outreach, Event Coordinator)  Sales - Sold over $2 million in first year of sales.  Grew organization (marketing and sales) from 62.5% to over 95% occupancy in 2 years.  Plan, manage and evaluate marketing activities and special events.  Design and implement marketing program and sales campaigns. 1985 – 2006 Co-Owner, Urban Lumberjack Tree Service – Alabama and Tennessee  Tree Surgeon business servicing hundreds of both commercial and private accounts, including all sales, customer service and administrative functions.  Hiring, Firing, Marketing, Bids, Training, Budgeting, Scheduling, Supervision,  Large Equipment Purchases, Maintenance, Planning, Evaluations, and Safety. 1982 – 2006 Rainbow City Music School – Gadsden, AL (Etowah County)  Owner/Director of very successful Music/Wellness School for 24 years.  Grew from beginning to full roster of students (ages 5 to 90) for 20 years. Educational classes, vocal development, wellness, music, public speaking, motivation, stage presence, stress and anger management. Multicultural emphasis. Extensive Sales, Marketing and Networking. Student performances at Carnegie Hall.  Positive relationship with all branches of media.  Private Counselor to high school students arranging college auditions. Coach mock interviews. College scholarship advisement for the economically disadvantaged.  Planned and supervised five trips (40+) to Carnegie Hall for Honors Chorales.  Planned and supervised Educational trip (40+) to London, England.  Design and direct large productions managing casts of up to 120.  Keynote Speaker/Performer for audiences of one to thousands. 1995-1998 Big Oak Girl’s & Boy’s Ranches, Etowah County Instructor Working with underprivileged youth, teaching music, wellness and personal development. 1980 – 2005 Music Director, Drama Teacher and Instructor for three private schools (K- 12), one public middle school, one public high school, one college, seven churches. Previously, Cullman Athletic Club , Vice President in charge of Public Relations Large-scale health club, Implemented proposals for Group memberships i.e.Wal-Mart Distribution Center. Implement Joint advertising campaigns with McDonald’s and Coca Cola in the Cullman area. Along with owners, organized Cullman’s first National Health Symposium featuring local and national speakers. Designed and implemented special events to promote sales and good will. (I began my employment with CAC as personal trainer and aerobics instructor.) Canning, Wells & Salzer, Tampa, FL – Administrative Assistant to managing partner of largest CPA firm in Tampa Bay area. Jack Eckerd Corporation, St. Petersburg, FL - Data Processing Secretary to 20 computer programmers, Clearwater, FL. Life of Virginia, Albertville, AL - Administrative Assistant for Life Insurance Co. to 13 agents, Albertville, AL WAVU Radio Station, Albertville, AL Sales, Public Relations and DJ State Farm Insurance, Albertville, AL, Sales

______Community Leadership______ Music and Art director for “ARTS Alive!” (summer camp for the unity of culture).  Member of Selected City Planning Committee, Cooperation and Collaboration group for arts and culture for Gadsden/Etowah County.  Founder and Director of Multicultural Gospel Choir  Opened football games and Band Festivals for Jacksonville State University with the National Anthem (solo).  Planned and implemented city-wide (Gadsden, AL) 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony.  Advisory Board for Rainbow City Wellness Program.  Advisory Board for Gadsden/Etowah Chamber Memberships.  President of Cultural Arts Foundation League.  Jacksonville State University Gospel Choir in performance of multicultural unity for the inauguration of current college President, Dr. Bill Meehan.  TV Commentator/Performer, Newspaper columnist.  Representative to the Metropolitan Arts Council for Gadsden Music Club.  Paid First Soprano, Choral Arts Society, Chattanooga, TN

______Comprehensive Knowledge and Business Vision______ Personnel management and development. Goal setting for individuals and groups.  Event Management, Communications, Marketing, advertising, and Media Relations.  Strategic Planning and Leadership. Theory Y. Conflict/Crisis Management  Recruit volunteers and staff for numerous, varied events. Execution of all branches of media. Manage all divisions of production including: Line-up, Sound, Video, Music, Drama, Recording, and Creative.  Set vision for organization to compliment the vision of Board.  Physiological and Psychosocial aspects of Music for Health. Music Therapy Techniques.  Teach by example to create cooperative, forbearing camaraderie.  Maximize talents of the teams, creating venues for the combined display of that talent.  Write/publish freelance articles, newsletters and brochures.

______Educational Background______Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL ~ Master of Arts in Liberal Studies – 2006 Troy University, Troy, AL ~ Master of Science in Healthcare Management – May, 2009 Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL ~ Bachelor of Science in Sociology(Music Minor) – 2003 Wallace State Community College – Hanceville, AL ~ Associate of Science in Music Education – 1984

Current Affiliations: Network Birmingham, Vice President Alabama Speakers Association Member & National Speakers Association Member National Federation of Music Clubs