MARK BALLARD
CEO, Visionary, Leader
Mark is the Owner and President of Marxan Records, and he is the Managing Director of WNZN Power 89.1 FM, Northeast Ohio’s first and only Urban Inspiration Radio Station. WNZN is owned by P.A.C.E. Foundation, a 501 (c)3 that was organized to address 3 key areas in the community that include youth development, job training/workforce development and economic development.
WNZN POWER 89.1 FM
Northeast ohio's only urban inspiration station.
MARXAN RECORDS
gOSPEL RECORD LABEL
PACE FOUNDATION
PERFORMING ARTS AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION
BLACKBERRY RECORDS
GOSPEL RECORD LABEL
Experience
a brief overview of what makes mark ballard who he is today
PACE FOUNDATION
January 2005- Present
Performing Arts & Community Education
Managing Director for WNZN Power 89.1 FM
July 2014 - Present
Northeast Ohio’s first and only Urban Inspiration Radio Station
President
Commerce Group America
2011 - Present
Commerce Group America is a full service administrator capable of servicing the diverse needs of today’s employer groups
President
Blackberry Records/Marxan Records
January 1998 - Present (17+ years)
Blackberry Records was launched on December 1, 1991. Marxan Records (founded in 1998) with marketing/promotion and A&R consultation.
This innovative joint venture has resulted in a label that is committed to the development of artists who have world-class talent and a passion to use that talent to spread the Gospel through music. Blackberry/Marxan Music Group reaches the Urban Gospel and mainstream audience with traditional and contemporary music.
Blackberry/Marxan Music Group is the home of some of the most influential artists in the Gospel music world.
Director of Public Service
City of Lorain
January 2010 – January 2011 (1 year)
Service Director of the 10th largest City in Ohio, responsible for all functions of public service including budgeting, human resources and short and long-term planning. Fixed asset and risk manager for $200M in property and plant assets; successfully negotiated annual employee medical cost savings of 23% as Plan Administrator for the employee health & medical insurance plan. Responsible for RFQ, RFP, competitive bidding of all municipal contracts, including building projects and street construction. Directed purchasing, capital budgeting, lease versus buy, forecasting, operating of a water plant and 2 wastewater treatment plants.
District Director
U.S. House of Representatives Congresswoman Betty Sutton
March 2007 – February 2010 (3 years)
•Oversaw the successful operation of the Congresswoman’s District office. This included developing and implementing policy objectives, strategies and operating plans for the Congressman's district offices, managing all casework and constituent needs, as well as supervising eleven employees.
•Communicated with local business and community leaders to advocate for the Congresswoman’s message and create opportunities for partnership, cooperation, and assistance.
•Composed, approved and issued all correspondence from Congresswoman Sutton’s District Office to constituents and community organizations.
•Advised the Congresswoman and Washington, D.C. staff of issues in the District and communicate important Congressional information and funding opportunities to community leaders in the District.
•Responsible for tracking and researching the following legislative topics in the District Office: Energy, Transportation, Infrastructure, Environment, Health Care, Small Business, Grants and Economic Development.
•Planned, assigned and evaluated work of employees in district office.
•Interviewed and trained district office staff ensuring that complied with office policies, practices, and procedures.
Production Supervisor
Chrysler
January 2005 – October 2007 (2 years 10 months)Toledo, Ohio Area
• Maintain a safe & productive workplace while leading a team of approximately one to three high volume production and/or supplier departments and approximately forty hourly associates.
• Troubleshoot daily equipment issues by identifying and resolving process, system and/or mechanical failures.
• Provide clear expectations and hold team members accountable while providing continual feedback.
• Provide associates with inspiration, direction & coaching to achieve work objectives.
• Develop team members to become self sufficient with regard to completing their work responsibilities effectively.
• Lead process improvement activities by coordinating cross functional teams comprised of production, materials, maintenance, quality and engineering.
• Promote, maintain and develop lean manufacturing practices.
• Monitor and address output & productivity issues within assigned departments inclusive of meeting production targets, cycle time and product & process quality standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
President/CEO
Papa Johns
President and CEO - 1993-2001
August 1993 – April 2002 (8 years 9 months)Northeast Ohio
Opened and launched numerous Papa John locations throughout Ohio.
Directed and managed 8 locations with a $7 million annual budget and over 250 employees. Hired, trained and managed employees. Oversaw and resolved both employee and customer issues.
General Supervisor
Ford Motor Company
January 1992 – August 1996 (4 years 8 months)
• Plant Operations Experience in all facets of manufacturing including Safety and Human Resource management, Quality disciplines and Customer Management, Engineering Systems and Process Development, Material Systems including supply chain management, Cost Reduction and Continuous Improvement. Experience managing established plants as well as with new line startups in both union and non-union environments.
• Leadership and Coaching Excellence gained through professional experiences and training in a wide array of plant operations and program launch turn around projects. I am driven by new challenges. I love to coach and take pride in team development.
• Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma Skills acquired during plant implementations and training. Trained in leadership of plant continuous improvement programs including Ford’s TQS.
Specialties:general management, assembly, automotive, coaching, continuous improvement, contract management, conversion, cost analysis, cost control, delivery, financial, hiring, human resources, inventory management, leadership, management, materials management, process engineering, quality, quality control, safety, six sigma, strategic, supervisory skills.