ROTA L.

KNOTT

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS:

 Broad range of experience serving in administrative positions with nonprofit organizations.

 Skilled in the processes of grantmaking and writing, including monitoring and evaluation.
 Adept at research, development, and outcomes measurement for human services programs.
 Extensive experience serving as liaison to community, business, and government officials.
 Dynamic leadership abilities, yet able to work with enthusiasm as a team member.
 Excellent communication, productivity, and organizational skills.

WORK EXPERIENCE:

2014-present: Executive director, Somerset County Local Management Board, Inc., Westover, Md.
Provide leadership to shape and implement the goals and strategies of the
nonprofit Local Management Board; manage fiscal affairs including budget
preparation, financial reports, grantmaking, and partnerships for more than $1
million in programming; design, implement, and monitor programs for children,
youths, and families to achieve desired outcomes; ensure compliance with fiscal
and programmatic regulations, policies, and accountability standards; develop
requests for proposals and monitor vendors for program and fiscal compliance
with grant award conditions; lead the LMB in a community-wide assessment
and strategic planning to identify priority needs; represent the LMB to the
community and various stakeholder groups; act as a liaison to government,
community, media, and partner agencies; develop public relations, community
events, and outreach materials for the LMB and its programs; serve as an
advocate for human services programs and offer legislative testimony; develop
organizational policies and office procedures to achieve efficient operations;
hire, supervise, and release staff; maintain official LMB records.

1992-present: Writer/editor/art director, Pines Media, Ocean Pines, Md.

Control, plan and coordinate editorial and production operations; manage a team
of contributing writers; issue article and photo assignments; develop, write, and
edit news and feature articles; take photographs; design newspaper layout and
complete pagination.

2016-2017: Director, Local Addictions Authority, Somerset County Health Department, Westover,
Md.
Plan, develop, and manage a full range of prevention, intervention, treatment,
and recovery services for persons who have or are at risk of developing
substance related disorders; manage more than $1 million in grant-funded
programs; develop and implement public health approaches to prevent and
mitigate substance-related trauma affecting the community; create data-driven
programs designed to address gaps in substance use service delivery; develop
and implement measurable outcomes for programmatic strategies and activities;
interact with funding, regulatory, and advisory organizations to enhance
 communication, cooperation, and collaboration; develop public and consumer
education programs; manage public substance use system for the jurisdiction
including quality assurance, compliance, grievance response, and complaint
investigations; develop, submit, and manage grant applications and awards;
recruit, train, and supervise staff.

2012-2014: Executive director, Delmarva Education Foundation, Salisbury, Md.

Manage a college and career access nonprofit organization, working in
conjunction with the board of directors; advocate on education issues and
policies, and proactively represent the organization’s point of view to
government officials, agencies, media, and the general public; write grant
applications and manage grant partnerships with awarding agencies; establish
sound working relationships and cooperative arrangements with educational
institutions, community groups, and human services organizations; publicize the
activities of the organization, its programs and goals, and develop and
implement programmatic, promotional, and financial plans; recruit, employ, and
release paid staff and volunteers; ensure adherence to sound financial and human
resource practices and compliance with applicable regulations; plan and oversee
public relations and marketing initiatives, fund-raising activities, and public
outreach events; cultivate relationships with donors and corporate sponsors;
maintain official administrative records.

2011-2012: Worcester County coordinator, Women Supporting Women, Berlin, Md.

Develop and maintain relationships with donors, corporate sponsors, members,
and volunteers; write grant applications and manage grant-funded programs;
plan and oversee public awareness and fund-raising events; serve as spokesman
to local media, government officials, and community leaders; recruit, oversee
and release staff, volunteers and interns; design and place print and online
marketing and public relations materials; make presentations at community
functions, festivals, and special events; maintain chapter financial records;
advise other offices on public relations and marketing matters; mentor breast
cancer patients; serve as liaison to hospitals and physicians; and maintain and
manage member medical databases.

2009-2011: ReStore manager, Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County, Salisbury, Md.
Develop strategic marketing, volunteer management, and operational plans for a
nonprofit home improvement store; serve as spokesman and liaison to local
media, government officials, and community leaders; recruit, supervise, and
release employees, volunteers and interns; design print and online marketing
materials; make presentations at community functions, festivals, and special
events; cultivate relationships with donors, customers, and volunteers; write
grant applications and manage grant-funded programs; develop annual budget
and maintain department financial records; partner with high schools, colleges,
criminal justice agencies, and social service offices to provide community
service opportunities for their clients.

2002-2004: Managing editor, Ocean City Today newspaper, Ocean City, Md.
 Oversee editorial operations for two weekly newspapers; hire and manage a staff
of reporters and freelance writers; develop story ideas, issue article and photo
assignments, and edit copy and photographs; design newspaper layout and
proofread finished pages; maintain a network of community and government
contacts, and serve as goodwill ambassador to the community; research and
write articles and take photographs.

1999-2002: Public relations and marketing director, Ocean Pines Association, Ocean Pines, Md.
Direct internal and external communication programs for a nonprofit
homeowners association of more than 12,000 year-round residents; serve as
community, media, and government liaison; write and implement public
outreach and strategic marketing plans; design print, online, and broadcast
marketing and public relations materials for amenities, programs, and services;
plan and oversee special events; develop and manage annual departmental
budget.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

2017-present: Member, Somerset County Minority Achievement Committee, Westover, Md.

Develop strategies to improve student achievement and parent engagement
within Somerset County Public Schools.

2014-persent: Board member, Somerset County Committee for the Homeless, Princess Anne, Md.
Oversee development, construction, and operation of a 16-bed homeless shelter
serving individuals and families on the Lower Shore.

2014-present: Member, Somerset Outreach, Access, and Resources (SOAR) Coalition, Westover, Md.
Develop prevention and early intervention initiatives to support the well-being
of children, youths, and families.

2016-2018: Chairman/member, Somerset County Local Drug and Alcohol Council, Westover, Md.
Establish priorities and develop strategies for alcohol and drug abuse evaluation,
prevention, intervention, and treatment.

2015-2016: Chairman, Children of Prisoners Empowered, Salisbury, Md.

Organize and activate services for children with an incarcerated parent, their
caregivers, incarcerated parents, and individuals re-entering the community.

2014-2016: Chairman/member, Prevention Works in Somerset County Coalition, Westover, Md.

Foster collaboration among key stakeholders to support prevention and early
intervention initiatives for children, youths, and families.

2012-2014Member, Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Workforce Development Committee,

Salisbury, Md.
Support workforce development opportunities in the community by connecting
educational institutions to local businesses in need of a skilled workforce.
EDUCATION:
2016-present: Pursuing M.S. degree in Human Services Administration, Wilmington
University, New Castle, Del. Anticipated graduation May 2018.

Graduated 1992: B.A. degree in Communication Arts, Salisbury State University, Salisbury, Md.

Graduated 1990: A.A. degree in Communications, Frederick Community College, Frederick, Md.

2001-2016: Wor-Wic Community College, Salisbury, Md.

Continuing education courses: accounting, Quickbooks, grant writing,
conversational Spanish, website development, Microsoft Office and Access.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & CERTIFICATIONS:

 National Organization for Human Services

 American Grant Writers’ Association
 Maryland Association of Nonprofits
 Maryland Association of Local Management Boards
 Public Relations Society of America
 Public Relations Society of America, Maryland Chapter
 Tau Upsilon Alpha, National Organization for Human Services honor society
 Phi Kappa Phi national honor society
 Phi Theta Kappa national honor society
 Certified Results Scorecard Administrator
 Certified Peer Support Supervisor