Free, creative and honest sales and marketing professional with 39 years of multi-faceted and successful business experiences as a manufacturer representative, distribution sales manager, purchasing manager, and retail manager in primarily the Lawn & Garden / Horticulture industry. Communication, sales, relationship-building skills acquired, practiced and honed:• In developing programs and selling to regional chains, farm stores, hardware co-operatives, buying groups, discount chains, horticultural distribution, growers, independent retailers, grocery and industrial distributors• In recognizing and maximizing profitable, growth opportunities and trends in sales and product development within the same customer base for manufacturers • In being adaptable to learning and selling a broad product selection from annuals, perennials, fruits, vegetables and ornamentals, to ceramic, concrete, roto-spun and vacuum-formed planters to Algaway 5.4, Sludge Away, and Nite-Out II to GeekyBeeks, NerdyBirds and WindyWings to safety airguns and kitchen gadgetry• In being a consummate team member and leader, mentoring younger and older, newer and seasoned sales associates, guiding customer service to independent problem resolution, working with manufacturers, suggesting cost-saving or money-making ideas to the companyExperiences:Presentation Building ◦ Program Development ◦ Planogramming ◦ Merchandising Trade Show Booth Design for distributor shows and for Ace, DIB and True Value marketsExperienced with National Brands and Regional Suppliers ◦ Resourceful ◦ Knowledgeable in IndustryVast Product Knowledge ◦ Customer-oriented while sensitive to Manufacturing Capabilities ◦Water GardeningFamiliar with Organic Pest Control ◦ Extensive Birding Sector Sales ◦ Gift Sales ExperienceHousewares and Industrial Sales Experience Distributor Sales Training