Varris Holmes is a results-driven marketing leader and theater artist who builds audience-centered brands through disciplined operations and authentic storytelling. With 15+ years spanning food and coffee manufacturing, e‑commerce, and arts/nonprofits, he’s led cross-functional packaging operations for 100+ SKUs, scaled digital marketplaces to deliver $125K in incremental revenue, and produced national trade shows and public-facing events that deepen engagement and drive growth. Grounded in data and collaboration, Varris develops integrated campaigns across email, web, and on-site channels, aligning message, timing, and creative to business objectives. Previously at Intelligentsia Coffee, he created educational tours that blended operations, hospitality, and narrative to connect audiences with craft and process. In Chicago’s theater community, Varris serves on the Board of City Lit Theater (Co‑Chair, Fundraising) and has been a performer, playwright, and teaching artist. He also managed grants at Bailiwick Chicago, cultivating funder relationships and producing compelling, award-ready proposals. Across sectors, Varris unites marketing discipline with a passion for the arts—advancing inclusion, community impact, and measurable results. Varris is also an accomplished singer, actor, voiceover artist, teaching artist, and writer with many years of experience in the Chicago theater scene.

Varris Holmes

Varris Holmes is a results-driven marketing leader and theater artist who builds audience-centered brands through disciplined operations and authentic storytelling. With 15+ years spanning food and coffee manufacturing, e‑commerce, and arts/nonprofits, he’s led cross-functional packaging operations for 100+ SKUs, scaled digital marketplaces to deliver $125K in incremental revenue, and produced national trade shows and public-facing events that deepen engagement and drive growth. Grounded in data and collaboration, Varris develops integrated campaigns across email, web, and on-site channels, aligning message, timing, and creative to business objectives. Previously at Intelligentsia Coffee, he created educational tours that blended operations, hospitality, and narrative to connect audiences with craft and process. In Chicago’s theater community, Varris serves on the Board of City Lit Theater (Co‑Chair, Fundraising) and has been a performer, playwright, and teaching artist. He also managed grants at Bailiwick Chicago, cultivating funder relationships and producing compelling, award-ready proposals. Across sectors, Varris unites marketing discipline with a passion for the arts—advancing inclusion, community impact, and measurable results. Varris is also an accomplished singer, actor, voiceover artist, teaching artist, and writer with many years of experience in the Chicago theater scene.

Available to hire

Varris Holmes is a results-driven marketing leader and theater artist who builds audience-centered brands through disciplined operations and authentic storytelling. With 15+ years spanning food and coffee manufacturing, e‑commerce, and arts/nonprofits, he’s led cross-functional packaging operations for 100+ SKUs, scaled digital marketplaces to deliver $125K in incremental revenue, and produced national trade shows and public-facing events that deepen engagement and drive growth.

Grounded in data and collaboration, Varris develops integrated campaigns across email, web, and on-site channels, aligning message, timing, and creative to business objectives. Previously at Intelligentsia Coffee, he created educational tours that blended operations, hospitality, and narrative to connect audiences with craft and process.

In Chicago’s theater community, Varris serves on the Board of City Lit Theater (Co‑Chair, Fundraising) and has been a performer, playwright, and teaching artist. He also managed grants at Bailiwick Chicago, cultivating funder relationships and producing compelling, award-ready proposals. Across sectors, Varris unites marketing discipline with a passion for the arts—advancing inclusion, community impact, and measurable results.
Varris is also an accomplished singer, actor, voiceover artist, teaching artist, and writer with many years of experience in the Chicago theater scene.

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Work Experience

Marketing Manager at Leahy-IFP
January 1, 2018 - May 22, 2025
Developed and executed targeted email campaigns for long-term care food service market; created B2B content and product storytelling; coordinated cross-functional packaging and POS material to streamline approvals and align assets with sales objectives; led e-commerce optimization on Amazon and Walmart with analytics to boost listings and multichannel revenue; planned national trade events and internal meetings; authored strategic reports and collateral to support pricing decisions and communicate product value.
Key Account Manager – Sales at Leahy-IFP
January 1, 2016 - December 30, 2017
Managed key customer accounts; liaised between internal teams and sales to ensure on-time delivery and high customer satisfaction; executed inside sales initiatives; enabled outside sales teams with tools and insights; planned regional sales meetings and trade events; streamlined processes for customer management and RFP/RFI submissions to boost planning efficiency.
Key Account Manager at Leahy-IFP
December 1, 2015 - September 22, 2025
Analyzed ordering patterns to uncover growth opportunities; increased product visibility and contributed to a 15% boost in sales across key accounts; provided high-quality customer support with 90% first-contact resolution; executed inside sales strategies and introduced 10+ offerings to targeted customers; coordinated regional sales meetings and supported field teams; improved cross-department collaboration and planning efficiency by 20%.
Order Management Specialist at Leahy-IFP
August 1, 2013 - September 22, 2025
Streamlined order and billing operations within the accounting system, improving order accuracy and turnaround time; enhanced overall customer satisfaction through efficient processing and error reduction.
Account Executive at Intelligentsia Coffee, Inc
January 3, 2011 - January 10, 2013
Managed and supported key partner accounts, resolved order discrepancies, and delivered exceptional customer service to drive retention; developed and implemented new ordering processes and upselling strategies to increase average order value and improve the overall customer experience.
Delivery Dispatch Manager at Chicagoland
December 1, 2010 - September 22, 2025
Optimized delivery dispatch operations and route planning, improving on-time delivery rates by 20% and boosting customer satisfaction; streamlined order processing workflows, invoicing, and credit memo creation; advised wholesale partners on tailored sales strategies; led public tours and contributed to marketing materials.
Barista – Shift Lead at Intelligentsia Coffee, Inc
February 4, 1997 - April 24, 2002
Oversaw daily operations for high-volume shifts, supervised baristas, and optimized workflows to ensure efficient service and peak-hour productivity; managed vendor relationships and inventory to support uninterrupted cafe operations.

Education

Coursework Completed, Theater & Radio/Television/Film at Northwestern University
September 11, 1989 - December 31, 1992

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Professional Services, Retail, Software & Internet