Steve Pickman

Atchison, Kansas 66002

(home) 913-367-7451 (cell) 913-426-3070 sjpickman@gmail.com LinkedIn Profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/stevepickman Website Address: https://sites.google.com/site/stevepickmancareerprofile

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SUMMARY Experienced communications and public relations professional with expertise in strategic planning and counsel, writing and editing, creative concept development, corporate and product branding, marketing communications, internal communications, media, community and investor relations, executive coaching and crisis management. Possess strong relationship-building skills and perform exceedingly well in cross-functional team settings. Highly effective in developing and executing publicity and promotional campaign strategies. DELIVERABLES AND CORE COMPETENCIES Strong focus on adding value to bottom line performance; fiscally responsible (prepare budgets and manage projects within set monetary parameters); goal- and results-oriented; proven team-building and leadership capabilities; effective organizational and relationship development skills; strategist and tactician; creative, innovative and resourceful; adept at multi-tasking; personable and outgoing; persuasive; possess messaging flexibility and versatility, as well as ability to adapt skills to variety of roles and responsibilities requiring professional interaction with designated entities and public-at-large. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE PICKMAN PUBLIC RELATIONS, LLCIndependent communications consulting firm, Atchison, KS 2011 - Present Founder and Principal Established and manage public relations advisory firm initiated through consulting arrangement with former full-time employer. Serve clients requiring professional expertise in achieving their communications and marketing objectives. Strengthen client image and brand awareness through strategic counseling and tactical communications initiatives. Generate external and internal publicity by utilizing writing and editing expertise to compose articles covering wide range of subject categories, including news, marketing, feature, human interest, technical and financial topics. Increase media coverage by strengthening news media/client relationships in mainstream and industry trade sectors. MGP INGREDIENTS, INC. (MGPI)Producer of food, beverage and bio-based ingredients, Atchison, KS 1989 - 2011 Vice President of Corporate Relations (2000 2011) Led creation and execution of all corporate publicity and branding campaigns, externally and internally, in line with evolving business growth strategies. Drove communications efforts supporting increased sales of high margin value-added products. Reduced annual promotional costs by securing increased editorial coverage and audience awareness through development of strategic publicity campaigns. Effectively conveyed key points and messages for Board Chairman, CEO and other senior executives to a variety of constituencies through composition of special correspondence, memorandums, speeches and presentations. Strengthened companys relationships with targeted industry trade and news organizations, civic groups and long-term stockholders through performance as chief company spokesperson and representative. Bolstered companys image as good corporate citizen by managing highly active community relations program. Directed corporate-wide internal communications program, sustaining a well-informed, knowledgeable and collaborative workforce through multiple venues, including newsletters, forums, presentations and intranet postings. Minimized and/or reversed potential impact of unfavorable events, including major distillery explosion, warehouse fire, union strike and public health scare by effectively organizing and directing all crisis management communications. Ensured compliance with federal regulations regarding public disclosure of material news and events through direct oversight and management of investor relations functions, including quarterly and annual reports to stockholders. Reinforced in-house communications capabilities by directing responsibilities of external agencies. Enhanced companys online visibility by overseeing development of new, multi-phase digital communications strategy. Executive Director of Corporate Relations and Marketing Services (1999 2000) Developed strengthened company- and product-oriented branding initiatives to promote awareness of increased product and market diversification, while also raising the companys stature across multiple industry sectors. Generated awareness and sales opportunities for expanded product offerings by directing development of new corporate positioning concepts and materials, including news articles, literature, advertising and enhanced website. Increased customer attention to unique product qualities through successful execution of creative branding campaigns. Effectively promoted companys business evolvement and subsequent name change (from Midwest Grain Products, Inc.) through development and implementation of comprehensive corporate re-branding campaign.

STEVE PICKMAN

(home) 913-367-7451

(cell) 913-426-3070

sjpickman@gmail.com PAGE 2

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Corporate Director of Public and Investor Relations (1989 1999) Created corporate-wide public relations department for both external and internal communications programs encompassing three separate company facilities and locations. Also established in-house investor relations program, incorporating it as a principal component of departmental responsibilities. Increased news media relationships and coverage, both geographically and across industry trade sectors, through oversight and execution of all publicity initiatives. Built strategically-focused stockholder outreach program, composed CEOs and Board Chairmans stockholder reports and presentations, arranged investor roadshows and assumed responsibility as companys principal contact for financial analysts and financial media. Supported achievement of sales goals through development and management of all product promotional activities. Contributed to the successful resolution of a significant international trade dispute by leading the formation and implementation of major alliances and publicity campaigns with domestic industry partners and federal agencies. ADDITIONAL RELEVANT EXPERIENCE McCORMICK DISTILLING COMPANY, Weston, MO Director of Public Relations and Marketing Services Composed all publicity and promotional materials, increasing brand awareness and market penetration. Oversaw development and implementation of publicity campaigns, including special events, successfully promoting existing product lines and new product launches. Worked closely with art director in creating brand labels and extensive point-of-sale and collateral support materials to promote branded product sales at retail and wholesale levels. BENEDICTINE COLLEGE, Atchison, KS Director of Public Relations and Sports Information Led all publicity functions related to promoting the colleges academic programs, supporting enrollment of high quality students and strengthening alumni and other donor support. Also created communications materials promoting the institutions intercollegiate athletic offerings and achievements . ATCHISON DAILY GLOBE, Atchison, KS Feature Writer, Head Photographer and Area Editor Wrote feature and human interest stories, managed photo assignments and selections, published weekly editorial column, and composed news articles and edited stories from correspondents over multi-county region. EDUCATION Bachelor of Arts degree in English with minor in Communications, Benedictine College, Atchison, KS PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) CIVIC/COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Have and continue to serve on numerous civic and not-for-profit boards, councils and committees, including the following: --NASDAQ Stock Market Midwest Regional Advisory Council (1991-1994) --Northeast Kansas Healthcare Resource Executive Committee and Publicity Sub-Committee (2010Present) --Atchison Tourism Council (1990 1997) (2004 Present) (Chairman, 1993 1996 and 2007-2008) --Amelia Earhart Festival Executive Council and Publicity Sub-Committee, (1998Present) (Co-Chair, 1999) --Santa Fe Depot Board of Trustees (1993 Present) --Evah C. Cray Historical Home Museum Board of Directors, Atchison (1990Present) --Atchison Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (20002006) (Chairman, 20012002) --Atchison Heritage Conference Center Board of Directors (19992005) --Maur Hill-Mount Academy High School Board of Directors (20052008) --Regional Sports Complex Campaign Publicity Advisor (200 2006) --Mount Community Center Board of Directors (1993-1999) (Vice Chairman, 1993-1996) --Regional Salvation Army Advisory Board (1991 1996) (Vice Chairman, 1994-1995) --Atchison Area Economic Development Marketing Committee (1992-1995)