April West Email and Phone Number

SKIKOS is committed to seeing our communities recover after the recent California wildfires. These fires deeply impacted our families, friends, and neighbors. We are working to hold the responsible parties accountable while returning all fair and reasonable money damages to our clients and to our local communities. As Case Manager, my goal is to provide meaningful assistance and communication to hundreds of survivors here in Northern California, as well to our attorneys and other firm management.

Hired by this officially licensed merchandise company to launch an internal wholesale division, with first year sales of over $500K. Establish brand awareness, and open new direct trading relationships with key retailers. Represent and solicit over 700 exclusive designs to independent and major retail, as well as to international distribution partners. Manage teams of regional sales reps for national coverage. Analyze sales and profitability of customers and create action plans to boost revenues. Develop successful designs and product lines relevant to consumer trends, retail programs and artist preferences. Produce yearly wholesale catalogs and manage on-line wholesale site. Coordinate sales, operations and purchasing to maximize productivity and efficiency. Represent company by coordinating and managing Hi Fidetlity booth at twice-yearly fashion industry trade show M.A.G.I.C.; as well as travel to on-site client meetings at various national retailer headquarters and stores.Key Accomplishments:Increased revenue 70% within the first year by establishing relationships with major retailers and working closely with national sales reps - continued to grow revenue to $1.4M, over 280%, within five years. Successfully landed product placement in major retailers, including Spencer Gifts, Hot Topic, Urban Outfitters, Walmart, Art.com, the Gap, and Nordstrom. Grew and maintained business with key independent retailers including Rockabilia.com, Star 500 and Amoeba.

Nearly ten years' experience from 2002 - 2011. Beginning as a volunteer in the animal department, working with hoof stock, birds and reptiles on cleaning, feeding, capture and knock-down procedures, and docent duties. Promoted to keeper / handler and trainer in the carnivore department, working primarily with cheetahs and servals. These animals were educational ambassadors which I would regularly present to guests, develop enrichment activities, and perform basic husbandry techniques. Worked with Suzanne Merner (Santa Ana Zoo) to learn training best practice. Became a walking and driving guide for safari tours for guests and school groups. Learned over 200 different species of mammals and birds to identify and speak about. Assisted regularly with fund raising events and community outreach regarding conservation of African animals, particularly cheetahs.

(Formerly FIRST LOOK STUDIOS INC., VENTURA DISTRIBUTION INC.) Recruited to this DVD manufacturing and distributing company to manage and grow an existing account base of $6 million, increase brand awareness, and open new direct trading relationships with key retailers. Represent and solicit over 70 independent product lines into twenty-five large national retail and distributing Fortune 500 firms. Progressed to oversee all national DVD retail and rental customers on the West Coast. Analyze profitability of customers and create company-wide action plans to boost revenues across distribution channels, matching demographics with customers to ensure that products are being sold in the most effective locations. Coordinate with sales, operations, advertising, purchasing and finance to facilitate customer initiatives. Mentor other sales team members on expanding business within grocery and drug retailers and represent company at trade shows, customer conventions, exhibitions, and presentations.Key Accomplishments:Increased territory revenue 74% within the first year by utilizing marketing strategies to draw consumer awareness and drive sell-thru - continued to grow territory to $19 million, over 300%, within five years.Grew sales to Virgin Megastores by 2500%, Netflix.com by 2000%, and Amazon.com by 50%.Expanded sales of Spanish programming to a national level by creating a "Latino Starter Kit" with DVD product and point-of-purchase marketing materials.Improved profitability by negotiating with customers and cutting back on ineffective marketing expenses - saved $21K in marketing costs for one customer alone within one year while providing seamless service.Streamlined product data flow, thereby reducing costs, by analyzing inefficiencies, developing profitability reports to project bottom line results, and reassigning tasks accordingly.

Hired as a Sales Representative for this full-service music and movie media product distributor and promoted within eight months to Production Supervisor to manage and improve efficiency of the order taking and entry process for over $80 million in annual gross sales, and supervise a staff of 23. Promoted to National Sales Account Manager to manage account base of major national music retailers and manage profitability for $50 million in annual revenue including developing and maintaining relationships with client organizations, coordinating and delivering sales presentations and business reviews, facilitating contract negotiations, and designing business strategies. Advanced again to Senior Account Executive to manage the largest national account, Amazon.com, including the development, management and profitability of over $100 million in annual music, video, and international sales. Acted as point person and developed new business with all international units of Amazon throughout the UK, France, Germany, Japan, and Canada. Directed support staff at company headquarters in California while onsite at client's Seattle location. Key Accomplishments:Increased company's market share by relocating on-site to $100 million key client, edging out all other competitors.Improved customer scorecard by improving order confirmation times to within the hour through working with internal buying team to improve fill rates and order processing time.Grew Borders Books & Music business by 51% within one year by developing a "rush order" program that analyzed inventory levels at the store level. Ensured orders met shipping cut-off times, while reducing errors, by splitting up production responsibilities, developing a priority system for orders requiring manual order entry, and creating an Access database for managing customer deals.

Started this record production company with two partners to record, produce, manufacture and sell CD recordings of up-and-coming bands. Key Accomplishments:Created national exposure by signing contract with a national distribution company to make the company catalog available nationwide. Gained placement of eight records at national retailers including Amazon.com, Fry's Electronics, Borders, Tower Records, and Virgin Megastores.

Hired as a Sales Representative of this retail music store to assist in set up of customized software for inventory and point-of-sale systems. Promoted to Manager within one year to oversee product assortment of independent, import and used SKUs, including buying, merchandising, returns, distribution terms, and budgeting. Managed, scheduled, and supervised a staff of ten, and handled bookkeeping and payroll.Key Accomplishments:Increased sales by 20% by creating a national mail order department for rare and import CDs, including overseeing marketing budget, handling trade publication advertising, processing orders, and managing order fulfillment.