CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER

Van Carpenter
is the owner and creative director for Innovative Solutions. He is a dynamic, innovative presenter, trainer , consultant and certified business coach with over 25 years of diverse creative, technical, management and leadership experience in communications, public relations, marketing and training. Armed with a diversity of global corporate, governmental, agency and entrepreneurial experience, Van brings a unique business perspective on how to effectively communicate, innovate, market and thrive in today's competitive business environment. His philosophy of business coaching is that the process should be "simple and fun" and designed to achieve results based on your company's vision and mission.

Whether educating business owners one-on-one or "edu-taining" in corporate seminars and workshops, Van is an experienced, animated and entertaining speaker who communicates complex business issues in a clear, results-driven fashion. From start-ups to Fortune 100 companies, Van enjoys advising, training and presenting on the topics of business innovation, leadership development, communications, and marketing for companies and individuals.

EDUCATION

  • Master of Media Arts,  University of South Carolina,
  • BA. Political Science,  University of South Carolina,
  • Certified Business Coach
  • Acredited Public Relations Counselor
  • Ongoing Professional Development Courses in Sales, Sales Management, Marketing, Marketing Management, Financial and Channel Enablement

Corporate and Entrepreneurial Experience

  • 1973- 1977  - US. Navy Active Duty – 1977-1997 Naval Reserve Officer / Retired as a Commander (O5)  with 26 years of service
  • Graduate work University of South Carolina – Graduate Assistant/ MA in Mass Communication
  • The Cooper Group – Sales Promotion Manger for 150 sales reps coordinating advertising and all print and event materials design and production
  • Real to Reel Communications, Inc. Founder /Creative Director/ Communications consulting and audio visual production company for agencies, and large corporate accounts.
  • Epley Associates Public Relations – Creative Director/Account Manager/ APR Accreditation/ Largest PR firm in NC/ Major corporate and governmental accounts
  • Spectrum Communications – Founder/ Creative Director/ Communication and public relations consulting firm
  • US Navy /National Coordinator of 75th Anniversary of the Naval Reserve/ Media Coordinator for Commander, Naval Reserve
  • Fujitsu Network Switching – Manager of Marketing Communications, Manager of PR and Community Relations/ Received Governor of NC “Order of the Long Leaf Pine”  Award for promotion of the NC Information Highway
  • CorporateCom, Inc. – Founder/President/Corporate communications services serving variety of mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies
  •  IBM Corporation – Positions in Marketing Communications & Global Market Management and ISV management
  • June 1998 – Present – Innovative Solutions, Inc. – President , Creative Director/ Coaching, consulting and training company stressing the use of innovation. Bought ActionCOACH Business Coaching Franchise to extend services to small and mid-sized companies.

Teaching and Training Experience

ActionCOACH Business Coaching

  • Actively present and train on topics of business management, strategic planning, goal setting, marketing & sales and systems development for small business.

American Research Institute

  • Wrote and developed “Communications Essentials” Course and “Leadership Development” course.  Instructor in areas of communication, sales, marketing, leadership, and organizational development topics

GN Consulting, LLC

  • Developed and instructed an ongoing course/seminar entitled “Professional Selling in a Competitive Environment designed to provide advanced skill training for sales professional. Director of Training on contract.

Adjunct Professor – Wake Technical Community College

  • Instructed Courses in Marketing Basics, Small Business Management and Business Planning

Adjunct Professor – Campbell University Communications Department

  • Instructed courses in Advertising, Advertising copy writing, Creativity in Advertising, Campaign Production and Promotion, Media Buying, and Public Relations.

Global Knowledge Industries – Course Director & Instructor

  • Developed course as SME entitled “Communication Skills for IT Professionals.” Also taught course and managed other instructors on a national basis

Corporate & Entrepreneurial Experience

  • Have written and presented 300+ seminars, workshops and keynotes on the subjects of small business management, marketing management, marketing communications, sales development, sales promotion and management, channel enablement, strategic partnering, public relations planning and account management, event planning and execution, change management, personal development, time management, audio-visual production, video production, creativity and innovation. 

Electronic Experience

  • Conceived, wrote and produced a cable TV show entitled “Building Your Business” where we interviewed community leaders and developed tips and techniques to assist the small business owner.  Developed a character “The Front Porch Philosopher” to deliver humorous and thoughtful keynotes and seminars on marketing, sales, leadership, innovation and personal development.

Adjunct Professor – Peace College Communications Department

  • Instructed courses in Intro to Advertising curriculum

Adjunct Professor – NC State University Communications Department

  • Instructed courses in Audio Visual Scripting and Video Production for three years.

University of South Carolina Graduate Student – Media Arts Department

  • Taught courses in scripting, “Teaching as a Performing Art”, Audio Production, Multi-media production, and managed MBA Television studio in Business School.

US Naval Reserve

  • Taught courses on leadership, peer management, public affairs, senior officer media training, technical warfare subjects and Command excellence training for prospective Commanding Officers

Community, Church and Board Involvement

  • Wake County Keep America Beautiful – Member, Chair of Publicity Committee, Chair of Board
  • Cary NC Greenway Commission – Chair and member
  • Wake Education Partnership – Chair of Marketing committee, member
  • Community Learning Centers – Volunteer of the Year Award
  • Raleigh Housing Authority Scholarship Fund – Chair of Marketing Committee
  • Planning & Zoning Board of Cary - Member
  • NC Information Highway Public Relations Committee Member, member of Southeast US Trade delegation to Japan
  • Friends of the Page Walker Hotel Restoration Project – Fund raising and promotion committee
  • Swift Creek Navy Advocacy Group – Public Relations Committee
  • Cary Chamber of Commerce – Chair of the Mayor’s Award of Excellence
  • Raleigh Chamber of Commerce – Small business Advisory Board, Future 30 Event coordinator, Chair of Opportunity Raleigh Program, marketing committee,
  • Public Relations Society of America – NC chapter Board Member, University Advisor
  • Greenwood Forest Baptist Church – Deacon, Long-range staffing committee, Communications & PR committees, Pastoral transition committee.
  • Macedonia Baptist Church – Sunday School Teacher, Chair Strategic Planning Committee, PR Committee and The Children’s Place Advisory Board
  • St. Francis Brass Band – Member and Advisor
  • NIFac (National Institute of Facilitation) Board Member
  • Hope Community Church – Small Group leader and Drama Team 



 © 2006 Innovative Solutions