Rodney Ankney, M.B.A.

2617 Timber Trail NE, Kalkaska, MI 49646 – (231)640-4210 rodneyankney1@gmail.com

Professional Highlights

Leadership & Marketing Expertise: Over 20 years of results-driven marketing strategies, leading cross-functional teams, 15+ years in project management, solution selling, and consulting.

Brand Development: Guided numerous companies through successful brand-building strategies, driving market success and strong brand presence.

Event Marketing: Developed and managed event marketing strategies for several in-seat symposiums, boosting attendee engagement, brand visibility, and stakeholder connections through targeted outreach and promotional campaigns.

Website Development: Directed 75+ new website builds, enhancing experiences and driving engagement.

Data-Driven Marketing: Implemented solutions (Salesforce, Datorama, Google Data Studio, Looker Studio), boosting transparency and speeding up decision-making.

Efficiency & Profitability: Completed BPM for two organizations, increasing efficiency and profitability through streamlined operations.

eCommerce Growth: Doubled eCommerce sales to $200,000/month by executing customer-focused, results-oriented strategies.

Budget Management: Managed several accounts with $1M+ annual budgets, consistently delivering high ROI and optimizing spending.

Sales Channel Management: Managed regional and national sales channels, exceeding expectations through tailored business strategies.

Consistent Growth: Achieved 100%+ sales growth quarter-over-quarter using solution-selling methods.

Proven Success: Consistently recognized for exceeding goals, driving profitability, and leveraging industry trends.

Professional Experience

Director of Operations / Special Project Coordinator                            2016– Present
Knorr Marketing | Traverse City

• Integrate data from numerous sources to maintain database consistency/integrity, and ensure seamless operations.
• Optimize organizational processes and workflows, to drive efficiency and boost profitability.
• Uphold data accuracy and alignment with marketing strategies, to ensure accountability (Data Administrator).
• Manage new and existing client accounts, and develop tailored Marketing Communications Plans.
• Lead the development of competitive pricing models and introduce new services to the evolving marketing landscape.
• Provide comprehensive end-user training and tech support for new websites to enhance user engagement.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Sales, and Customer Success teams to address challenges and drive company growth.

Marketing Executive / Account Executive / Project Manger                  2013 – 2016
Salamander Technologies | Traverse City

• Spearhead the creation and execution of all direct and channel marketing strategies, to drive sales growth and brand awareness.
• Lead large-scale enterprise project management initiatives, to ensure timely and on-budget delivery.
• Craft and distribute press releases and marketing newsletters to enhance visibility and engage key stakeholders.
• Develop and nurture relationships with national, international, government, technical, and sales partners, to drive customer retention and strengthen partnerships.
• Direct and administer comprehensive sales training programs, to empower teams to drive success
• Engineer customer-focused solutions to align business goals and market demands.
• Provide strategic support to reseller channels and direct sales teams during trade shows and marketing exercises, to increase visibility and improve lead generation.
• Lead marketing initiatives for first responders and emergency services, aligning with HSPD-5, HSPD-12, FIPS-201, FRAC/PIV, and other national credentials.
• Utilize corporate strategies to ensure that solutions to drive operations and compliance meet federal credentialing and response mandates.
• Offer expert guidance to state and local officials, helping them adopt accountability and credentialing initiatives that align with operational, technical, and budgetary goals.

Account Representative / Marketing Liaison                                    2009 – 2013
Hagerty Insurance Agency

• Represent Hagerty at automotive and agent events to establish relationships and promote Hagerty products.
• Manage and execute marketing requests for National Accounts and urgent agent needs, to enhance brand visibility and support.
• Build agency awareness and understanding of Hagerty products/services through targeted communication and training.
• Lead and oversee multiple projects on the Project Coordination Team to ensure quick and effective delivery.
• Communicate new product offerings and training to agents, to foster knowledge and engagement.
• Direct department projects, streamline processes, and improve efficiency.
• Create, analyze, and present reports on team performance and analytics to drive data-informed decisions.
• Process agency changes, buy/sell agreements, etc., to maintain accuracy and manage compliance.
• Monitor market trends, and agency activity, and review agent reports to guide informed strategies.
• Coordinate a major enterprise project to enhance operational capabilities by implementing a new web-based quoting interface in Canada.

Education                                                           

Davenport University | Grand Rapids, MI 2012
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Specialty: Executive Strategic Management
GPA: 4.00 – Summa Cum Laude

Davenport University | Grand Rapids, MI 2009
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Specialty: Marketing/Advertising/Promotion
GPA: 3.91 – Summa Cum Laude

Current Volunteer Positions

K-Town Showdown Board Member | Kalkaska 2018 – Current
Charity Drag Race Organization & Implementation

Deacon at LifePoint Bible Church | Traverse City 2020 – Current
Deacon of Benevolence

TCAPS Business Advisory Board | Traverse City 2022 – Current
Advise & Review Business Course Curriculum

Little League Coach | Kalkaska                                                         2023 – Current
T-Ball & Coach Pitch Program Coach