Richmond, Virginia, United States
Kimberly Loehr (Kim) is a national lightning protection and communications consultant in Richmond, VA. With years of experience in communications and the lightning protection system (LPS) industry, Kim has a demonstrated track record of building partnership relations, spurring business growth and elevating visibility for safety standard compliant LPS in the global construction marketplace. Kim’s background in communications and journalism includes: press releases, newspaper/trade articles and public service campaigns. She frequently represents the "Building Lightning Safe Communities" initiative as a spokesperson at national mitigation conferences and partnership events. Kim is a past president and board member of the United Lightning Protection Association (ULPA), a board member for the Lightning Safety Alliance (LSA) and a registered provider for LSA’s Continuing Education Service (CES). Kim is a member of the National Federation of Press Women, the Virginia Professional Communicators and president of the Virginia Press Women Foundation. Her work in communications has won numerous awards on state and national levels. Kim is a Building Fire Safety Systems Section member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and has been a “Forum” contributor for the NFPA Journal. She also serves on the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes-FLASH Technical Advisory Council (TAC) and the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) Communications Committee. As a partnership member of the early NOAA/NWS Lightning Safety Awareness Team and founding member of the National Lightning Safety Council, Kim assists with the “National Lightning Safety Awareness Week” campaign and team initiatives. Kim was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation by NOAA in August 2009 for “Personal dedication and outstanding contributions to the National Weather Service’s Lightning Safety Awareness efforts.” Kim's volunteer experience includes: a board member for the African Centers for Lightning and Electromagnetics Network (ACLENet), a three term board director for the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Central Virginia, a two-term board member for the Richmond Catholic Diocesan Advisory School Board, and service on the Alumnae School Board for St. Gertrude High School. Follow Kim on Twitter: Kimberly Loehr @lightningkim.
The Virginia Press Women Foundation is a 501(c)3 corporation formed in 1992 to raise and administer funds for college scholarships. VPW Foundation is affiliated with Virginia Professional Communicators, which was founded in 1958 as Virginia Press Women and is an affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women. The annual scholarship is named in honor of Agnes Cooke of Kinsale, Va., who was a charter member of VPW and served as president from 1964 to 1966. Named VPW’s first presswoman of the year in 1966, Cooke was considered one of the “savviest journalistic observers of Virginia politics.” She was well known in the Northern Neck for columns she wrote for 25 years that chronicled everyday events in her community.
Owner/Officer 2014 - 2024, Communications Manager/Vice President, 2000 – 2014 (in-house) and 1997-2000 (freelance) Manages business development activities for family-owned and operated lightning protection design, consultation and installation firm (construction market). Developed award-winning PR strategies including, co-op advertising program and Ounce of Prevention company newsletter. Elevated company’s customer service profile and marketplace presence as the state’s leader in lightning protection. Provided AIA-registered “Lunch and Learn” CES presentations for architects and engineers to grow local specification of lightning protection. Represented company on local level as a three-term board director with the Better Business Bureau of Central Virginia from 2001 to 2009. Represented company on national level, serving as elected president of the United Lightning Protection Association and board director for the Lightning Safety Alliance. Implemented new bid procurement system to increase sales by 79%. Awarded East Coast Lightning Equipment “Sales Award” at industry conference. Obtained SWaM and WBE certification and designation for the company to increase bid procurement opportunities. Achieved “Torch Award for Marketplace Integrity” recognition with the Better Business Bureau of Central Virginia two years in a row. Miscellaneous office duties included management of company account receivables, construction bid operations and schedules, LPI-IP, UL and in-house quality assurance inspection services, customer job management/tracking and management of company social media and employee communications.
We help all kinds of companies reach their full potential. Wherever you are on your journey to success, we can help identify what you’re about and create strategy that speaks to customers in the best possible way. You want better sales, higher profits, happy repeat customers, and success on an entirely new level. Great branding and thoughtful marketing are two major components in reaching those goals. Visit our website to learn more about our wide range of branding, marketing and PR services.
Director of marketing and public relations activities for lightning protection industry and nonprofit organization. Activities include: creation, management and direction of PR activities, national initiatives, marketing materials and social media campaigns for LPI and industry trade associations. Serves as liaison for partnership groups and trade associations in conjunction with lightning risk reduction and mitigation efforts. Media relations contact and national spokesperson for industry campaigns, news and special events. Manages and directs industry PSA's, video news releases and industry, member and public PR resources. Industry copywriter, authoring monthly blog, news releases, feature articles for trade publications, video scripts, and content for brochures, catalog sheets and newsletters. Directs and manages website design, content and copy for www.lightning.org. http://spjva.com/2015/10/15/virginia-journalists-take-home-national-honors/ Board member, National Lightning Safety Council: www.lightningsafetycouncil.org and the Lightning Safety Alliance (LSA) https://www.lightningsafetyalliance.org/