PPB May 2021

of directors with Weisbach, will be responsible for integrating newly-acquired businesses into Overture Promotions’ operations. “I was so fortunate to inherit a crazy-smart and capable management team,” says Gilley. “Much of my early focus was on making ways for them to concentrate on high-value things, moving people around to take things off their plates, and investing in operations and training. We also invested more in marketing and tested some new ways to generate leads. Together, we created strategic planning and collaborative problem-solving processes, and improved internal communications. I picture my role as the lead on a curling team, who sweeps for her team members, clearing the path of the stone as it travels down the ice, making a way for them to succeed.” Gilley also led her team through the unforeseeable past year, and faced the challenges of the pandemic head-on. In 2020, the company grew 54 percent, which was done by focusing on sourcing personal protective equipment (PPE), a diverse customer base and adhering to strict safety precautions for workers. “Our sales team was quick to pivot to sourcing PPE, leveraging our relationships in Asia for sourcing, with a second pivot to employee and customer engagement kits.” She adds, “We also were fortunate to have several customers who are in essential services and/or pandemic-proof, so our distribution center staff stayed busy; in fact, in the first couple months, we had front-of-house staff come in and work shifts in the distribution center to help keep up. We took extensive safety precautions early and had full participation by staff reporting exposure and symptoms, and quarantining as required, so we were able to prevent COVID-19 spread with a fully staffed distribution center.” Above: Overture Promotions' new facility includes 150,000 square feet of warehouse space. Right: Overture Promotions employees give back to the community by volunteering as meal-packers for Feed My Starving Children, a nonprofit that packages and ships food to people in developing countries. Gilley is pictured in the third row, third seat from the right. "I picturemy role as the lead on a curling team, who sweeps for her teammembers, clearing the path of the stone as it travels down the ice, making away for them to succeed.” | MAY 2021 | 75 THINK