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Copyright © 2007–2008.Donna K. Thornton
Web Design:
Deanna Grant
Donna K. Thornton, A Vision for Success
Donna is a goal oriented, mission driven, mature executive who has more than 25 years of experience leading people, programs and organizations with a solid record of accomplishments.
She has been an entrepreneur for over 30 years and knows how owning your own business can be a very rewarding and sometimes frustrating experience! How well business owners understand the plight of vacillating from 'feast to famine.' Donna took a small child care company from one location to eleven in 10 short years. She has made many mistakes and learned many painful lessons. Her experience and expertise are invaluable both to new business and seasoned owners alike.
Donna has worked with business owners and mangers to increase effectiveness, profitability, and satisfaction. For the last 10 years, she has been consulting in various markets other than early education - including churches, non-profit organizations, retail, finance, and the service industries.
If you are looking for a seasoned, integrious, professional who understand business and how to 'fix problems or move it to the next level' Donna may be the person to help you.
After you have perused our website - please email or call with any questions you might want answered.
Donna K. Thornton
Senior Executive, Financial Officer, Business Development
622 Portside Drive, Davidson, NC 28036
Phone: 703-994-1597, Email Donna through the Contact form.
Donna is an honored Mother, Grandmother and Mother-in-law, with four grandchildren: Zachary, Alexander and Abigail, and Lucas Butler. She was married to Michael for 31 years before he died suddenly in 2003.
Specific Accomplishments
- Managed an annual operating budget of 4.1 million
- Increased a national organization's membership from 400 to 3,000 in six years
- Secured 12.5 million private financing for private and non-profit organizations
- Solicited over 1.5 M in unrestricted educational grants
- Wrote, Coordinated and Executed national publications
- Implemented a National Training Program for executives
- Coached a staff of 125 with less than 20% annual turnover
- Conducted over 150 advanced management-training seminars across the country
- Designed an HR Administration Curriculum
- Consulted with business and non-profit agencies to increase efficiency
Career Experience
- 10/2005- 08/2006
Calvary Assembly Church, Decatur, AL
Contractor/ Interim CFO and Organizational Consultant
Secured 5M for Phase One Building Project. Managed 4.1 M budget, 10 pastors, and 25 support personnel in a church of 2,000 members. Secured permits with various state Departments. Developed a business plan, and organizational policies and procedures. Reorganized the church's structure, developed fiscal and operational policies to achieve objectives. Designed a Living Legacy Capital Campaign for potential donors.
Managed the close-out phase of Finishing Strong the capital campaign for the Highway 20 project - 2.9 million received of the 4.1 pledged. Communicated with donors and networked with Injoy to complete the campaign.
- Nyack College, Washington DC Campus
Director of Adult Degree Completion Program/ Adjunct Professor
Managed an accelerated adult degree completion program for a Christian Liberal Arts College. Build enrolment from 76 to 145; hired faculty, issued employment contracts. Held Student/Faculty Orientation. Managed school when the Dean was off campus. Developed policies and training programs for new hires. Setup a career and counseling service for students. Revised faculty recruitment strategies. Updated marketing materials, and hired/trained staff. Taught Business, Finance, Business Writing Courses.
- 8/2000 - 8/2001
Associates in Human Development, Inc., Christiansburg, VA
Contractor
Provided executive trainings and consultation for child care administrators. Evaluated and designed operational and personnel policies, and procedure manuals. Prepared aggregate reports for administrative review. Offered technical assistance and practical methods for implementing organizational change. Designed and published Administrative Training Curriculum for Early Care Administrators Practice. Developed and issued requests for training grant proposals, developed criteria for grant review process. Traveled 60% of time. Managed team of six.
- 8/1994-8/2000
The National Association of Child Care Professionals, Austin, TX
Executive Director
Executive Director for a 3,000 member national organization. Responsible for the day-to-day operation of national office, supervision of staff /volunteers with less than a 20% annual turnover rate. Responsible to a board of directors. Initiated national survey to assess administrative deficiencies. Analyzed data, developed, implemented comprehensive training program for early childhood providers. Implemented strategic planning developed five year growth projection and organizational goals. Membership increased from 400 to over 3,000 in four years. Executed annual national conferences and multiple statewide trainings seminars.
National conference attendance grew from 200 to 850 within six years. Established the State Liaison Program that gave child care directors professional growth and leadership opportunities. Prepared annual budget for Board of Directors. Managed 1.2M budget annually. Solicited corporate contributions, issued grants and prepared RFPs. Increased Grant contributions from $10,000 annually to $550,000 respectively. Hired and trained paraprofessionals, revising personnel policies, and writing position descriptions. Led website team and technicians. Wrote press releases, and held media interviews. Published Professional Connections. Media Contact. Traveled 60% Membership increased 800% Grants increased by 1,200%. Training attendance increased by 450%. Traveled 70% of the time.
- 5/1989-1994
Child Care Consultant Services, Inc., Christiansburg, VA
President/Owner
Responsible for a large network of child care centers, 850 children daily in 13 locations. Managed 125 staff with less than an annual 20% turnover rate. Developed child care programs for public school, churches and private individuals. Collectively producing 30 programs. Provided training for Head Start, Resource and Referral Agencies, national chains, franchisees, private owners and administrators. Traveled 50% of the time.
- 4/1976- 1989
Tiny Tots Day Care Center, Christiansburg, VA
Owner/Administrator
Opened county's first state licensed child care center. 60 children, 10 staff. Opened six locations serving 550 children by 1985.