Heather A. Miller 217-369-7238 (mobile)

hmiller1@sbcglobal.net

Education: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois Bachelor of Science, Major: Agricultural Communications, January 1997

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois Master of Science, Major: Crop Sciences, August 2004

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois

Doctor of Philosophy, Major: Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (in progress)

Relevant Employment:

Commercial Claims Agronomist III, Nationwide Insurance—Agribusiness Division, January 2016 to

present

Claims adjuster handling commercial agricultural claims in Illinois and Indiana.

Investigate and finalize commercial agricultural claims on behalf of insured clients

Interact with company CEO’s, safety managers, plant managers, agronomists, and other company

employees as well as other outside parties throughout the claim process.

Program Coordinator, Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning, University of Illinois at Urbana-

Champaign, August 2004 to January 2016

Interact with faculty program director of each degree or certificate program regarding student

communications, requests and plan future course offerings. Interact with Department Heads for

administrative management and fiscal discussions.

Oversee and manage 15 to 20 student/hourly workers each semester. These students aid in

advertising projects, researching competitor programs, and technical support for online courses.

Responsible for daily coordination, project management, and promotion of online/off-campus credit

and non-credit courses, degrees and certificate programs and stand-alone course offerings in an

assigned portfolio of Colleges and departments.

Instrumental in acquiring and securing contracts with the public and private sector for educational

programs and courses.

Advise and consult with graduate, undergraduate and non-credit students taking courses through off-

campus programming to assist them with a plan of study, registration, career opportunities and

degree completion. Review transcripts in specific programs and previous work experience to aid

students in selecting the best course of action or degree options.

Collaborate with Illinois Community Colleges on behalf of the College of ACES as the University

of Illinois liaison to deliver courses through distance education technologies. (ACES ACCESS

Program)

In charge of working with the CITL Marketing director to implement marketing and promotion of

all off-campus courses and degree/certificate programs in portfolio of responsibility. These duties

include print advertising pieces, direct mail pieces, websites, presentations, displays /booths at events,

press releases and networking with industry.

Completed photographic work used in advertising pieces for programs within the CITL portfolio.

Heather Miller, page 2

Adjunct Instructor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Responsible for all course development and course delivery using cutting edge pedagogical techniques:

Instructor for RST 199 Sales and Promotion in RST, Department of Recreation, Sport and

Tourism, College of Applied Health Sciences (summer 2014 and 2015)

Instructor for AGCM 270 Sales Communications, College of Media/ACES (multiple semesters)

Instructor for AGCM 220 Presenting Information , College of Media/ACES (fall 2013)

Instructor for ADV 400 Advanced Sales Techniques, College of Media (fall 2012)

Landscape Design Consultant, Green View Companies—October 2003 to August 2004

(Also additional part-time consulting work from August 2004 to 2010)

Responsible for an annual set sales goal of landscape designs, and installations.

Promote the effective use of landscape design techniques and land management/conservation

through on-site consulting for both residential and commercial properties.

Consult with the landscape architect for professionally drawn plans paid for by clients and act as the

liaison between the client and Landscape Architect for design-build projects. Complete project

management of all installations from beginning to end.

Promote Green View product quality and high customer service standards as a means of setting the

company apart from its competitors in the industry.

Education Business Development Manager, Central States Coca-Cola,

Coca-Cola Enterprises—May 2002 to October 2003

Responsible for maintaining and increasing all volume sales of Coca-Cola product

portfolio for clients such as the University of Illinois, Parkland College, and all primary

and secondary school districts under contract, serviced by the Champaign and Charleston,

Illinois branches--approximately an 18 county territory. Also included cold calling on

potential new clients to promote the Coca-Cola brand.

Developed creative advertising strategies and wrote/designed promotional pieces for use

within the territory.

In charge of all promotions and fundraisers conducted within school districts in the

Central States Coca-Cola district for the Champaign and Charleston, Illinois branches.

Data Analysis Technician, Precision Agronomics, Inc.—September 2001 to April 2002

(seasonal position)

Generate variable rate recommendation spread maps from soil sample data collected

using GPS in SS Toolbox/ArcView GIS software. Relayed data to clients or custom

applicator.

Work with growers and farm managers on specific mapping needs such as cleaning yield

maps for proper data analysis and helped in analyzing yield in response to crop inputs

with co-workers. Consulted with clients for accuracy of input data set.

Wrote promotional and advertising print publications and letters to potential customers

about the products available and future events sponsored by the company.

Sales Representative, Monsanto Company—December 1999, to March 2001.

Photographed crops, wrote content, and designed the layout for three Illinois regional 30-

page publications containing research information compiled from many research

locations.

Presented information at product field days through booths and radio interviews.

Conducted sales calls with retailers, dealers, and other customers to relay information

regarding Monsanto products, programs and technical information.

Managed several research initiatives and regional projects.

Conducted field scouting, and provided detailed recommendations of potential treatment

options to Monsanto clients or potential clients within the region.

Heather Miller, page 3

Worked with all team members (14) on sales calls, research plots, and setup and

implementation of meetings for both chemical and seed businesses of Monsanto.

Worked with local community colleges to conduct research with Monsanto on land

laboratories.

Research Manager, Champaign/Bloomington, IL, January 1997 to December 1999.

Monsanto Company—Farm Optimization Research Program.

In charge of all daily operations and management of a research territory, including

expense reports, maintaining a budget, determining daily schedules for interns,

conducting intern training, research project management/reporting, and payroll for

seasonal workers in the Spring and Fall periods. In charge of interviewing and hiring of

all employees each season.

Interacted daily with ten growers involved in precision farming initiative. Helped conduct

all regional meetings with growers and interns by working as a team member with other

research program employees

Managed 18 interns over three years, and an additional 15 fall seasonal workers. Trained

employees to follow detailed scouting procedures as outlined by protocols and standard

operating procedures.

Other Qualifications and Skills:

Management and Communications Skills: Experienced in management of employees, payroll

approval/oversight, and employee training. Highly experienced in sales, contract negotiations and promotional

situations. Managed highly sensitive information for clientele including financial information. Highly

experienced in coordinating large and small projects and events (public, private, University). Public relations,

marketing and advertising background. Skilled in creating, promotional materials, press releases, training

materials and general or other specialized communications. Experienced with social media platforms such as

Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. Pro-level photographer and a good understanding of Photoshop and other

image altering software and publication design software.

Teaching and Training Expertise: Significant face-to-face and online teaching, training and presenting experience

in both formal education and informal settings. Completed full course curriculum development and instruction in

multiple topic areas. Significant work on collaborative educational projects with other institutions and private

industry. Developed and delivered faculty training for online course technologies and best practices. Implemented

program and course planning with faculty instructors and faculty program directors of online degree and certificate

programs.

Computer and Equipment Skills: Experienced with the use of global positioning systems, yield monitors, and mapping

software programs; worked with many different types of farm machinery and implements. Ability to learn proprietary

software quickly used by companies for internal processes. Highly experienced with the Microsoft Office Suite, Internet

browsers, and social media platforms. Highly skilled with pro-level photographic equipment and photo editing software such

as Photoshop. Highly trained in the use of distance education computer technologies.

Heather Miller, page 4

Certifications, Activities and Honors:

Certified Crop Advisor (certification #23961), American Society of Agronomy.

Licensed Claims Adjuster

University of Illinois Extension Certified Master Gardener (2002 to present)

Appointed to the State of Illinois Leadership Council for Agriculture Education (ILCAE), Illinois

Board of Education, fall 2006 to present.

Gamma Sigma Delta Member (Illinois Chapter), Honor Society of Agriculture Sciences.

University of Illinois Round Barn Honorary Society, College of ACES--inducted in August 2013.

University of Illinois Extension All School 4-H Club co-leader, Champaign County, 2009 to present.

University of Illinois Extension 4-H Archery Instructor, 2012 to present.

Champaign Centennial High School Archery Team Coach, December 2013 to present

Champaign County Farm Bureau Member and former 15 year member of the Young Ag Leaders

Committee.

Kiwanis Little League Baseball Coach, 2008 to 2014