Davis Appoints New Vice President of Marketing: Todd Valeria
Maranatha welcomes Todd Valeria as the incoming Vice President of Marketing. With over thirty years in the world of marketing, project management, and corporate identity, Valeria brings a wealth of experience to this vital role within the university’s executive leadership team.
Valeria is a proven leader in the workplace and his local church. He is transitioning into ministry at MBU from his position as Vice President of Creative Marketing for Colony Brands, Inc. of Monroe, Wisconsin. At Colony Brands, he provided strategic administrative creative marketing oversight of branding, budget, organization, and operations for all 16 multi-channel retail brands and mentored a team of more than 90 creative marketing professionals. In his extensive career, he has excelled in nearly every possible marketing position, from art & photography direction to web design, creative direction, and ultimately to senior executive leadership.
Throughout his career, Valeria has balanced his work with a priority commitment to serving the Lord in his local church. Todd and his wife, Brenda, were instrumental in planting a church in their hometown in 2009, even offering their home for that church to meet in during the early years. As a part of local ministries, he has served as a member of church leadership teams, church treasurer, adult Sunday School teacher, prayer time leader, member of the choir, security team member, and board administrator.
A New Era for Marketing
Valeria’s appointment as Vice President of Marketing is a pivotal part of the restructuring of Maranatha’s marketing efforts. The former Communications Department has evolved into the new Marketing Division, which will now lead the institution’s marketing efforts across various operational departments and academic units. In addition to this expanded role, Valeria will also manage Maranatha’s relationships with marketing partners such as Fierce Strategy + Creative, Social Compass, and FuZion Videos, highlighting the strategic importance of these collaborations.
Maranatha’s CEO, Dr. Matt Davis, commented, “Todd Valeria is truly an answer to prayer. His love for Maranatha, passion to serve the Lord faithfully, and sensitivity to God’s leading are quite inspiring to witness. His creativity and devotion to the pursuit of excellence will benefit the university in so many ways. But more than his expertise, his heart for the students and dedication to the mission reflects so clearly his fitness for this crucial role within the executive leadership team at MBU.”
Passing the Torch
Valeria will succeed Jonathan Sheeley (MBU ’16, ‘19), Maranatha’s Director of Communications since 2021, who is stepping down to pursue a new venture for which God has opened the door. “It has been a tremendous joy to work with Jonathan for the last eight years since he graduated from Maranatha,” says Dr. Davis. “He has served in leadership in Student Recruitment and Communications, advancing Maranatha’s capabilities in both units. I will miss him greatly as a co-laborer in the ministry and as my partner in the On Mission podcast.”
A Heart for Ministry
Reflecting on the Lord’s leading into ministry at Maranatha, Valeria offered the following:
For nearly three years, I have felt a calling, more specifically into some form of ministry where I can use my God-given talents and experience to serve the Lord. God has laid it upon my heart to make a change by leaving the retail industry as a corporate executive and to serve Him full-time. Simply put, I believe Maranatha is where God wants me to be. I want to follow His will with my profession which will echo eternally by faithfully serving and providing directly and indirectly in the guiding, leading, and mentoring of young Christians as they prepare to enter the world to live for and preach the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ through their actions, words, and daily testimony.
Maranatha’s Vice President of Advancement, Tim McPhillips, says, “Todd brings a passion for ministry that reflects the heartbeat and mission of Maranatha. I look forward to ministering alongside Todd as we reach the next generation of students.”
The Valerias’ connection to Maranatha goes beyond his professional role. Two of their children, Jake (‘24) and Megan (‘26), are current students at the university, making them a part of the Maranatha family. Although collaboration and planning will start in the weeks ahead, Todd will begin to serve on-campus full-time on July 1st.
Photo above: The Valeria Family: Megan, Brenda, Morris Austin (future son-in-law), Katie, Todd & Jacob.