Ben Alquist

About Ben Alquist

Leading strategic communications at a $6.5B financial institution while directing corporate communications and enterprise strategy for a global venture incubator. Transforming complex narratives into measurable business impact through data-driven communication strategies.Impact & Accomplishments: Leading communications strategy for $600M acquisition, maintaining stakeholder trust through critical transition Built and scaled communications division, achieving 34% increased engagement across 940+ workforce Oversaw corporate reputation strategy, generating 465M annual impressions and $138M in paid/earned/organic PR value Direct strategic assessment of 90+ ventures, establishing 22 key partnerships, with upside zero to $4.2m revenue in 9 monthsFormer State Trooper turned Strategic Communications Leader, bringing tested crisis management and stakeholder engagement expertise to complex organizational challenges.Currently:Senior Communications Leader @Gesa Credit UnionDirector of Strategic Communications @NeoLaunchFocus Areas: Strategic Communications • Executive Communications • Corporate Strategy • Organizational Development • Crisis Management • Stakeholder Relations

Experience

1. AVP of Strategic Communications

   Gesa Credit Union

   May 2023 — Present · Richland, WA, US

   Serving as communications advisor to the Executive Leadership Team and Board of Directors at a $6.5B financial institution with members — architecting strategy, protecting brand, and driving measurable enterprise value across PR, internal communications, executive thought leadership, and multimedia content. Led full-scope M&A communications for Gesa\'s acquisition of Security State Bank — personally directing executive stakeholder engagement, regulatory correspondence, change management, and member-facing transition infrastructure across impacted members Advises Executive Leadership and Board of Directors on communications strategy, crisis response, reputation management, and public affairs — including government relations and legislative advocacy in a regulated financial services environment Built strategic communications from a zero-person function to a four-person business unit generating 1.05B+ annual impressions and $80.6M in PR value Achieved 38% share of voice in pilot market vs. 18% for nearest competitor; internal communications engagement running 56% above goal with an 8.23/10 workforce satisfaction rating Drove workforce turnover reduction from 23% to 14% through internal communications strategy — connecting communications investment directly to measurable business outcomes Leads enterprise content strategy anchored by a 4:1 content multiplication model — producing 59 pieces annually at 8.26% video engagement (2-3x industry benchmark) with 56% average retention past the halfway point Manages consolidated P&L across multiple business units while integrating AI and emerging technology to multiply team capabilities and sustain enterprise-scale output with a four-person team

Education

• National University

  Master of Arts - MA , Strategic Communications

• University of Washington

  Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Business Administration and Management, General

  2015 — 2017

Skills

• Perseverant
• Corporate Trust
• Goal-Oriented Individual with Strong Leadership Capabilities
• Consistency
• Reliable
• Management
• Staff Development
• Relationship Management
• People Skills
• Physical Modeling
• Outdoor Recreation
• Time Management
• Strategy
• Sales
• Leadership
• Customer Satisfaction
• Positive Personality
• Staff Retention
• Personal Training
• Microsoft Excel
• Strategic Partnerships
• Customer Service