my Interactive Resume
Raymond Omar Long
Operations Strategist | Dexterous Leader | Program Officer
- Strong leadership footprint in nonprofit organizations to include the following: Business Operations, Program Management, Fund Development, Retention & Expansion Planning, and Customer Service.
- Create an ethos of engagement, cultivating a positive workplace environment underpinned by leadership skills necessary to implement and enforce standard operating procedures and best practices.
- Serves as a true business enabler, harnessing and sharing knowledge organization-wide through internal communications and influencing partners, the media, and public relations to generate volunteers, donors, and other resources.
- Selected as one of Arkansas’ 250 Influential Leaders of 2022.
Key Competencies
Talent Recruitment | Talent Development | Relationship Building | Public Relations
Board Management | Funding Development | Communications
Professional Experience
06/2023 – Present
Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shield | Little Rock, AR
A not-for-profit mutual insurance company offers individuals and families health and dental insurance policies.
06/2021 – 06/2023
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas | Little Rock, AR
A non-profit organization focused on providing children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professional support 1:1 relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.
05/2020 – 05/2021
Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce | Little Rock, AR
The principal business-driven leadership organization is responsible for fostering the economic growth and development of the Little Rock region to ensure that businesses and industries may operate profitably and enhance the earning opportunities and quality of life for every citizen.
07/2016 – 05/2020
Urban League of the State of Arkansas | Little Rock, AR
Structured to advance economic and social prosperity for Arkansans by creating access to opportunity through advocacy, community partnerships, programs, and services.
12/2015 – 06/2018
Better Start Foundation | Little Rock, AR
A personalized youth development model focused on connecting children with everything they need to succeed in school, career, and life.
CORPORATE GIVING PROGRAM OFFICER
Stepped into an inaugural program officer role, providing administrative oversight of Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shields philanthropic activities.
- Developed Corporate Contributions Conversation Guide to facilitate effective discussions with nonprofits about funding and organizational capacity needs.
- Streamlined the corporate contributions request process by implementing an online submission system, significantly reducing processing time and significantly improving stakeholder experience and efficiency in request handling.
- Developed and implemented an interactive analytics dashboard for corporate tracking and reporting, enabling real-time insights and predictive analytics, which enhanced decision-making and resource allocation strategies.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Stepped into executive leadership role, providing visionary + engaging leadership to drive achievement of strategic and operating plans and attracting, retaining, developing, and leveraging staff talent. Expanded staff from 6 to 10 employees.
- Increased the number of children served by 412%, overseeing the development of marketing tactics needed to attract, engage, and mobilize mentors and elevating the organization’s profile with ‘More Than Mentoring’ and “Big Time Results’ campaigns.
- Boosted revenue by 17% (Year 1) and 38% (Year 2), proactively developing strong, long-term relationships with sustainable funding resources and successfully negotiating and receiving local government funding for the first-time in the 53-year history of the organization.
- Steered transformational business initiatives, spearheading organizational business plans aligned with strategic nationwide direction and cultivating a strong Board of Directors willing to lead and contribute to the organization’s fund development and continued success.
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION
Helmed a variety of initiatives focused on enhancing business relationships and providing support to 750+ business partners. Performed outreach calls and conducted surveys to understand challenges better and align solutions with local business needs.
- Directed expansion efforts for seven major employers, bringing 750 new jobs to the Greater Little Rock area.
- Attracted two major employers to the Greater Little Rock area, coordinating roundtable discussions and contributing to economic development efforts that resulted in adding 1,150 jobs.
Created Industry Councils | Responded to business needs of 750+ business partners | Assisted Vice President with special research and development projects.
Welcome to my journey I’m on a mission to give people and organizations the green light to be great.
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS
Deployed a strong commitment to steering economic development programs, partnering with community leaders, and launching services to meet the needs of underserved communities across Arkansas. Recruited, hired, and oversaw training + orientation of program staff members.
- Introduced a K-12 common assessment tool, captaining the development and implementation across 15 afterschool programs.
- Supported growth and enhancement of programs, analyzing technology infrastructure and implementing information technology system solutions.
- Coordinated selection, training, and supervision of volunteer auxiliary groups, facilitating efforts to double employee and volunteer base.
Helped Secure + Manage >$500K in Grant Funds | Directed Rebranding Efforts | Established Signature Program Offerings in 3 Regions
FOUNDING PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Conceived and launched a youth development program, organized and directed a 3-year strategic plan, recruited the Board of Directors, and established a governance infrastructure for the foundation.
- Pioneered a youth fellowship program focused on leadership and workforce development, developing partnerships with public and private entities.
- Championed organizational vision, articulating the message and publicizing foundation efforts through media interviews and speaking engagements.
- Advocated for youth, serving as the organization’s representative on the City of Little Rock Mayor’s Education Committee.
Personally Generated >$250K through Fundraising and Grants | Served More than 1,000 Young People
06/2023 – Present
A not-for-profit mutual insurance company offers individuals and families health and dental insurance policies.
CORPORATE GIVING PROGRAM OFFICER
Stepped into an inaugural program officer role, providing administrative oversight of Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Shields philanthropic activities.
- Developed Corporate Contributions Conversation Guide to facilitate effective discussions with nonprofits about funding and organizational capacity needs.
- Streamlined the corporate contributions request process by implementing an online submission system, significantly reducing processing time and significantly improving stakeholder experience and efficiency in request handling.
- Developed and implemented an advanced analytics dashboard for corporate tracking and reporting, enabling real-time insights and predictive analytics, which significantly enhanced decision-making and resource allocation strategies
06/2021 – 06/2023
A non-profit organization focused on providing children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professional support 1:1 relationships that change their lives for the better, forever.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Stepped into executive leadership role, providing visionary + engaging leadership to drive achievement of strategic and operating plans and attracting, retaining, developing, and leveraging staff talent. Expanded staff from 6 to 10 employees.
- Increased the number of children served by 412%, overseeing the development of marketing tactics needed to attract, engage, and mobilize mentors and elevating the organization’s profile with ‘More Than Mentoring’ and “Big Time Results’ campaigns.
- Boosted revenue by 17% (Year 1) and 38% (Year 2), proactively developing strong, long-term relationships with sustainable funding resources and successfully negotiating and receiving local government funding for the first-time in the 53-year history of the organization.
- Steered transformational business initiatives, spearheading organizational business plans aligned with strategic nationwide direction and cultivating a strong Board of Directors willing to lead and contribute to the organization’s fund development and continued success.
05/2020 – 05/2021
The principal business-driven leadership organization is responsible for fostering the economic growth and development of the Little Rock region to ensure that businesses and industries may operate profitably and enhance the earning opportunities and quality of life for every citizen.
DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION
Helmed a variety of initiatives focused on enhancing business relationships and providing support to 750+ business partners. Performed outreach calls and conducted surveys to understand challenges better and align solutions with local business needs.
- Directed expansion efforts for seven major employers, bringing 750 new jobs to Greater Little Rock.
- Attracted two major employers to the Greater Little Rock area, coordinating roundtable discussions and contributing to economic development efforts that resulted in adding 1,150 jobs
Created Industry Councils | Assisted Clients with Economic Development | Built Partnerships at Local, Regional, and State Levels
07/2016 – 05/2020
Structured to advance economic and social prosperity for Arkansans by creating access to opportunity through advocacy, community partnerships, programs, and services.
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS
Deployed a strong commitment to steering economic development programs, partnering with community leaders, and launching services to meet the needs of underserved communities across Arkansas. Recruited, hired, and oversaw training + orientation of program staff members.
- Introduced a K-12 common assessment tool, captaining the development and implementation across 15 afterschool programs.
- Supported growth and enhancement of programs, analyzing technology infrastructure and implementing information technology system solutions.
- Coordinated selection, training, and supervision of volunteer auxiliary groups, facilitating efforts to double employee and volunteer base.
Secured + Managed >$300K in Grant Funds | Directed Rebranding Efforts | Established Signature Program Offerings in 3 Regions
12/2015 – 06/2018
A personalized youth development model focused on connecting children with everything they need to succeed in school, career, and life.
FOUNDING PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Conceived and launched a youth development program, organized and directed a 3-year strategic plan, recruited the Board of Directors, and established a governance infrastructure for the foundation.
- Pioneered a youth fellowship program focused on leadership and workforce development, developing partnerships with public and private entities.
- Championed organizational vision, articulating the message and publicizing foundation efforts through media interviews and speaking engagements.
- Advocated for youth, serving as the organization’s representative on the City of Little Rock Mayor’s Education Committee.
Personally Generated >$250K through Fundraising and Grants | Served More than 1,000 Young People
FOUNDATIONAL ROLES
08/2013 – 08/2015
11/2010 – 10/2013
10/2010 – 10/2013
Customer Service Operations Manager, Verizon
Program Coordinator-Tool Control, Arkansas Department of Corrections
Medical Logistics NCO, United States Army Reserve
08/2013 – 08/2015
Customer Service Operations Manager, Verizon
11/2010 – 10/2013
Program Coordinator-Tool Control, Arkansas Department of Corrections
10/2010 – 10/2013
Medical Logistics NCO, United States Army Reserve
Education
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Philander Smith College
Professional Development + Recognition
- Honoree, Arkansas Business 40 under 40 (2022)
- Named, Arkansas 250 Most Influential Leaders (2022)
- Course Completed, Association of Chamber of Commerce Executive (ACCEE), Mid-South Basic Economic Development Course (2020)
- Graduate, Little Rock Regional Chamber, Leadership Greater Little Rock XXXV (2020)
- Graduate, The Allstate Foundation, Kellogg School Center for Nonprofit Management (2019)
Civic Contributions
- Member, Associate of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) 2020 – Present
- Member, Mayor’s Transition Education Subcommittee (City of Little Rock) 2018 – 2019
- Member, Little Rock Rotary Club, 2019 – Present
- Board of Directors, Habitat for Humanity of Central Arkansas, 2020 – 2021
- Board of Directors, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arkansas, 2019 – 2021
- Member, State of Arkansas Juvenile Justice Coalition, 2020 – Present
- Board of Visitors, University of Arkansas Pulaski Tech, 2022 – Present