Attorney Bio
Conley Salyer
Legal Advice and Consulting: available as a lawyer and consultant in the following areas regarding nonprofit organizations: organizing the nonprofit, grant laws-rules-procedures,management and governance, for-profit subsidiaries and joint ventures, federal/state tax and compliance matters, and management system improvement.
Management Experience: CEO of two nonprofit [501(c)(3)] organizations providing government procurement assistance to for-profit industries; national president, treasurer, and director of federal relations for trade [501(c)(6)] association; state director of government small business development efforts; area grant manager for videoconferencing manufacturer, board member of numerous nonprofit organizations; business and tax attorney; president and manager of for-profit businesses; business trainer; and manufacturing consultant.
Particular Competencies Regarding Nonprofit Organizations: Combines vision with planning, workforce engagement, and knowledge of financial-legal requirements to produce a quality driven approach to organizational development and change. I work well with board members, stakeholders, and staff to develop and implement the strategic plan by increasing the organization’s measurable capacity to deliver services. I also work well in turnaround situations. I have fundraising experience and the presence to present a welcoming “face” to funders and the public; I work well with legislative and executive officials within government and executives within the private sector.
Competencies in Grant Management and Procurement Processes: Currently, I am a lecturer across the U.S. to federal agencies and nonprofit organizations concerning the managerial and legal requirements of federal assistance (grants and cooperative agreements). I formerly provided management assistance to large nonprofits in seven Midwestern and Southern States to enable them to become “grant ready” (organizationally capable of managing grants), as well as helping them draft funding proposals. I also formerly managed the grant-making process for three state programs: micro-business loan fund, research and commercialization program, and small business workforce training; managed the grant application and administration process for a state agency and nonprofit organizations receiving funding from the Defense Logistics Agency, Small Business Administration, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and U.S. Department of Commerce; and taught for-profit companies the procedures and requirements to successfully engage in government contracting at the federal, state, and local levels.
Communications Experience: Point person for all communications from state agency and nonprofit organizations internally and to the media (1996-2006); developed three-part public television series showcasing West Virginia small businesses, Home Grown; managed Congressional relations for national nonprofit organization (Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers) from 1999-2003 and for West Virginia small business division from 2001-2006; developed and delivered monthly newsletter to members and small business community both statewide and nationally (2001-2006); implemented online training programs (2001-2006); developed robust national relationship with Intuit; and conducted numerous contracting action to obtain various communications services.
Academic and Legal Credentials: B.S. – business administration and economics, Valdosta State University; J.D., Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Northern Kentucky University; LL.M. (Masters of Law - taxation), Marshall-Wythe School of Law, College of William and Mary; licensed to practice law in Kentucky and Maine, U.S. Tax Court, various federal jurisdictions; member American Bar Association Section on Business Law, Committee on Nonprofit Organizations.
Recent Employment History:
2007-Current - Attorney, Lexington, KY whose practice is limited to nonprofit organizations.
2007-Current - Organization improvement consultant. In July 2009, completed the development and implementation of a new federally-funded program for the City of Washington, D.C.
Current - Lecturer to federal agencies and nonprofit organizations on the requirements of federal assistance agreements (grants and cooperative agreements).
2009-2011 - Area Grant Manager, Polycom, Inc. I provided grant management services to large nonprofits in seven states to enable the organizations to implement videoconferencing solutions in telemedicine, distance learning, and organizational communications.
2001-2006 – State Director, West Virginia Small Business Development Programs. Developed and managed five programs across 14 locations.
1996-2001 – President & CEO, Regional Contracting Assistance Center, Inc. (Charleston, West Virginia; statewide organization assisting private companies market to government agencies).
1993-1996 – Economic Development Professional, State of Maine; Director, Market Development Center (Bangor, Maine; statewide program assisting private companies market to government agencies and to develop new markets outside the Department of Defense).
1984-1993 – Business and Tax Attorney, Northeast Harbor, Maine.
Quality Efforts: Examiner, Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA); implemented ISO 9001:2000 quality management system in West Virginia small business programs (only comparable statewide government ISO effort in the United States); Vice Chair, Accreditation Committee, Association of Small Business Development Centers.
Teaching Experience: Adjunct faculty, University of Kentucky College of Law (2009); Northern Kentucky University, Masters of Public Administration Program (2008-2009); Midway College (2009); Brushy Fork Institute, Berea College (2008-2009) University of Maine Community College (1991-1992) and New Hampshire College (1994).
Fundraising Experience: Experienced in raising funds from foundations, state and federal agencies, for-profit companies, and through Internet affiliate marketing relationships.
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