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How does virtual assistance work?
A virtual assistant is exactly the same as having an in person assistant: just as if you travelled a lot and communicated from the road. The work flow, communications, organization, expectations and deliverables are all the same.
Ed Windels, founder and principal
I bring 25+ years as a top tier C-Suite level Executive Assistant in both domestic and international capacities, principally in the advertising / marketing arena, to my clients in the virtual assistant and administrator sphere. I also offer the rare expertise of working in simultaneous corporate and personal capacities at the highest levels.
Corporate history
My talent for organization, management and problem solving were recognized by the corporate world early on when, at the age of 20, I was offered the position of full time manager for the oversight of moving all employee investment accounts inhouse at First Boston Bank, a role I created within three months starting as a humble file organizer. I chose instead to pursue my passion for classical music composition, completing both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the Mannes College of Music in New York City in just three years. Having no illusions regarding the challenges of earning a living in classical composing and little to no ability as a musical performer of any kind, I joined the ranks of "5 to 9" artists - some of them quite eminent - creating in their spare time while making their principle living in non-artistic forums.
Funding my conservatory tuition via a multitude of temporary positions, I worked in every facet of the corporate world from tiny stationary companies to the top echelons of the finance and legal worlds. In 1991 I accepted a full time position as Business Development Assistant in the New York office of global advertising agency Lowe Worldwide, and two years later migrated to their global management division, working in partnership with the Global Managing Director as Executive Assistant, Worldwide Event Coordinator, and Regional Liaison for Lowe’s 50+ agency Latin America region. Between 2011 and 2018 at global advertising powerhouse Young & Rubicam, I filled six different roles from Chief Administrative Officer / EA to the NY President to Global Strategic Manager in charge of ensuring the smooth operation of the entire global strategy team across 90+ countries.
Flying solo
In 2018, I parlayed my corporate expertise into launching Primetime Virtual Assistance and Administration. My elevator pitch: if it's mostly legal and doesn't require disrobing, I either have done it or can learn.
My portfolio has grown to include operations manager to a private high net worth family based in San Francisco, brand coordinator for Ipsos, and virtual executive assistant to business coaches and financial advisors.
And more
I'm still active as a composer in the classical/new music world, an orchestrator and arranger in the musical theatre world. Philanthropically I'm proud to be a co-founder and co-producer of Broadway Belts for PFF! (a fund raising and advocacy organization on behalf of the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation), a co-founder of the NY chapter of the American Society of Music Composer and Arrangers, and an advocate for artists making their living outside of their vocation.
I'm also a passionate cook, oenophile, and supporter of the performing arts.
The creativity and turn-on-a-dime problem solving these facets of my life bring to my business pursuits are key to the success I have brought my clients.