(St. Louis, MO, August 15, 2023) KAI Enterprises proudly announces the promotion of Michelle Gray to Marketing Manager and Cristal Barker to Senior Marketing Coordinator at its St. Louis headquarters. KAI has also hired Miguel Zamora III as Senior Marketing Coordinator at its Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas office.
“I am thrilled to announce the remarkable growth and transformation within our marketing department over the past year,” said KAI Marketing Director Daniel Poole. “Our team’s expansion reflects leadership’s unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation and is highlighted by the exceptional talent that defines our team.”
Michelle Gray, Marketing Manager
Gray has been promoted from Senior Marketing Coordinator to a new position as Marketing Manager. In her new role, Gray will serve as the point person for proposals internally and externally and manage all pursuit efforts among other duties, including development of client presentations, strategizing sell points and organizing and coaching presentation teams. Other responsibilities will include establishing company-wide processes and communications and ensuring CRM system input and upkeep; working with Project Managers to gather marketing project information; managing the website; developing industry award submittals and providing marketing group leadership support.
“Michelle has been with KAI for six years, and her progression to Marketing Manager speaks volumes about her exceptional leadership skills and strategic mindset,” said Poole. “Her guidance has been instrumental in propelling our team to new heights, and her innovative approach to marketing strategies continues to shape our efforts. Michelle’s dedication exemplifies the spirit of growth that is central to KAI’s overall goals.”
Gray started with KAI in 2017 as a part-time contract employee assisting the marketing department following a major transition in marketing staff. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration – Mass Communications with a Minor in Spanish from the University of Florida.
She and her husband Nick have two children. Outside of work, Gray enjoys outdoor activities such as cabin and hiking adventures with the family, gardening, baking, and getting lost in a good book.
Cristal Barker, CF APMP, Senior Marketing Coordinator
In her role, Barker will continue to oversee promotional materials, awards and events for the company, as well as communications (social media, content marketing, campaigns, new project announcements), with an expanded role of managing proposal preparation and submissions.
“Cristal’s journey to Senior Marketing Coordinator has been nothing short of inspiring. She’s a dynamic marketer and her relentless pursuit of excellence has earned her this well-deserved promotion. Her creativity and attention to detail continue to shape our brand’s narrative, ensuring that our message resonates with clients, partners, and fellow employees,” said Poole.
Barker joined KAI in 2019 as a Marketing Coordinator. She has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism with an emphasis in Strategic Communications and a minor in Psychology from the University of Kansas. She earned her Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP) certification in 2021. APMP certification is the global standard for developing and demonstrating bid, proposal, and capture competency.
She and her husband have three daughters and reside in the Kansas City metro area. Outside of work, she enjoys graphic design, reading and spending time outdoors.
Miguel Zamora III, Senior Marketing Coordinator
In his role as Senior Marketing Coordinator, Zamora will oversee company events, promotional materials, awards, content marketing, proposal submissions and more in KAI’s Dallas-Fort Worth office. His areas of expertise include interpersonal communication, consumer behavior, brand awareness and omnichannel marketing campaigns.
“Welcoming Miguel to our team has marked a pivotal moment for us as we extend our marketing efforts to the DFW office,” said Poole. “Miguel’s experience and expertise bring an exciting new dimension to our department. His presence will undoubtedly strengthen our outreach in a key market, and his enthusiasm is a perfect match for the office culture.”
Prior to his journey with KAI, Miguel’s professional path led him to serve as the Senior Marketing Coordinator at Teague Nall and Perkins, Inc., and earlier as a Marketing Coordinator at Hoefer Welker, both nestled within vibrant Dallas-Fort Worth.
Zamora’s academic pursuits include a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from The Art Institute of Fort Worth, complemented by a Master of Business Administration specializing in Marketing from The University of Texas at Arlington.
Miguel’s dedication extends to his active involvement in The Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) DFW chapter. Notably, he passionately contributed as the SMPS Fort Worth Membership Director. In his community, Miguel wears multiple hats as a valued member of the Pedestrian and Bicycling Advisory Board and the esteemed Community Development Council.
When not immersed in his professional and community roles, Miguel finds joy in the simple pleasures of life. He treasures moments spent with his cherished wife and children, embraces the warmth of social connections, indulges his love for sports and dance, and remains attuned to the pulse of local politics and community events.
“The evolution of our department signifies not only personal achievements, but the collective strides our team is making as we navigate the ever-changing landscape of AEC marketing. Everyone’s individual contributions are an important factor in our success, and I’m immensely proud of each one of them. I am excited to witness the impact we will create as we harness this momentum and continue to grow,” said Poole.