Responsible for distributor's full book portfolio in the Kansas City metropolitan area and all of NW Missouri. Primary point of contact for all suppliers. Lead and manage a team of sales representatives, brand ambassadors and logistics personnel. Execute placements and sales strategies across the entire market. Manage all chain, key-account and regional/national channels for distributor. Plan and execute supplier visits and work with ride alongs. Translate suppliers’ strategic plans on a local level, including but not limited to, new product launches, POS programming, allocations and seasonal plans.

Responsible for the sales, distribution, marketing and development of Suavecito Tequila in a two-state area. Deal directly with owner on matters of brand expansion and awareness. Direct pipeline to distributors executive team including unit sales managers and sales reps. Have day to day contact and communication with both on and off premise accounts to grow brand. Develop market exposure via event scheduling, tastings, charity endeavors and promotions. Increased active, and grew new accounts.

Recruited by startup CPG wine and spirits company to build entire operations and sales sectors. Solicited, vetted and negotiated contracts with vendors, contractors, machine manufacturers and suppliers. Guided company through trademarking, naming search and development. Designed sales effective packaging and displays. Trained ownership in the nuances of the wine, spirits and beer industry. Performed B2B and B2C market research, including establishing distribution contacts. Reviewed, analyzed and edited legal agreements for ownership. Established company’s federal and state licensing procedures, including tax compliance.

Assisted clients in developing sales, marketing, operational and communications needs, market research, licensing and permits. Developing client, distributor and retail networks to foster growth of business. Creating forms and contracts to help facilitate start up agreements. Recruiting and training regional sales brokers.

Led the company’s long-term growth strategy, covering B2B, B2G & B2C. Oversaw all aspects of account management, P & L oversight, pricing strategy, promotional programs, territory planning, budgeting and forecasting, and sales team development. Acted as a liaison to the senior management team, key wine and spirits suppliers, and retailers to coordinate various sales and promotional initiatives. Led a team of sales brokers across the country.SALES & REVENUE GROWTH• Expanded the company from a single-product, single-state distributor to a multi-product, 19-state marketplace with little to no funds in a highly competitive market environment.• Grew sales from $300K to $2.1 million in less than 12 months by aggressively and strategically entering new markets and refining the product mix to maximize revenue potential.• Streamlined business development efforts and increased revenue potential by developing and executing programs that facilitated the exchange of product information and promotional initiatives.• Established and fostered a positive relationship with dozens of state, federal agencies and strictly adhered to their policies.PUBLIC RELATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS• Worked closely with regulatory agencies, distributors, and retailers to stay above board and accelerate entry into new markets.• Increased brand visibility within the market niche, positioning the company as a key new industry player.• Served as a business development, market, and product resource; provided training opportunities and worked closely with the sales team to improve product knowledge and service capabilities. REGULATORY AFFAIRS• Dealt successfully with high-level officials within and outside government, including lobby groups, alcohol boards and other regulatory agencies to represent the organization’s interests.• Kept abreast of changes in multiple states’ laws and regulatory policies to ensure the organization was in compliance with all operational guidelines.

Recruited to help lead the start-up and growth of a CPG wine & spirits company, executing a plan to create a stronger brand presence and expand new products and markets. Performed a diverse range of duties, which included identifying markets, building distribution channels, negotiating terms with distributors, establishing sales quotas and sales margins, establishing relationship with all governmental agencies. Communicated brand strategies and programs to wholesalers and retailers to promote new items and increase gross sales revenue. Successfully pitched to Walmart & Sam's Club as well as other national chains.MARKET DEVELOPMENT• Expanded the company into 11 new states over a three-week period by establishing distribution deals, obtaining all permits, paying all fees, and developing marketing and sales program for each new state.• Developed and maintained business relationships on every level; executive, administrative, sales and retail level to establish growth pipelines, increase sales and build existing brands.BRAND MANAGEMENT• Played an instrumental role in managing the change of the product design and packaging to more accurately reflect the brand while enhancing the user’s interaction the product. • Created written materials such as press releases, news stories, feature stories, fact sheets, articles, and social media content to increase reach across multiple platforms. • Spearheaded the company’s presence across digital, web, and social media channels, developing a successful inbound marketing approach to complement field sales efforts.• Pitched and presented newsworthy items for publication on both local and national outlets.

Internal/External Communications - Communication with all internal and external clients and contacts regarding, but not limited to, sales, recent developments, crisis issues and corrections for the AP's Financial Markets coverage. Coordination amongst various AP stakeholders on complex issues and changes. Compiled, edited and created internal and external advisories and marketing materials.Business Development - Growth and maintenance of a several million dollar revenue stream. Located and cultivated new clients to help reach goals and exceed them. Created many publications and marketed same for business growth. Developed, designed and implemented many AP products for use in print and web related arenas.Client Relations - Primary point of contact for all owners, publishers, from newspapers, websites and various media news groups; developed and cultivated relationships with senior level clients to enhance AP's market share and sales ratio. Represented AP at conferences and meetings.Vendor Relations - Developed and maintain relations with several high profile vendors and source data suppliers. Negotiated contracts that enabled cost savings to the company.Employee Development - Defined roles, interviewed and hired staff, defined department hierarchy and guided staff members in career advancement. Technology Management - Responsible for high profile customer relations, provide level 4 support for escalated situations. Ran several technology-based operations including a 24/7 support call center and a live critical data center. In charge of staffing, customer and service related issues. Primary contact for all AP customers/clients on business news and market related products for both print and online. Complete project management for AP's Financial Markets services. Directly responsible for the creation, development, implementation and marketing for AP's product line - Money & Markets a paginated and online service.

Oversee day-to-day operations of the Associated Press' Financial Markets Department in Kansas City. Responsible for the accurate and timely collection and distribution of Global and US Financial Markets data to 700+ member newspapers and websites. Manage 24/7 support specialists. Act as the resource for AP Bureau Chiefs, Managing/Business Editors of newspapers, Online editors and Market's officials. Complete management of, training, hiring and evaluation of administrative, support, operations staff and consultants. Purchased all hardware and software. Facilitate payroll changes, manage employee records and assisted in the creation of the organization's new employee polices.

Preformed operational duties for the end of AP's real-time Sports Data Service. Managed all issues pertaining to development of staff and service. Account contact on behalf of the Associated Press to all subscribers. Developed relationships with national college and university sports directors. Established working relationships with all professional sports teams. Assisted in the creation of marketing program and brochures for the new service.

Worked with Operations Department in the accessing and obtaining of financial data. Maintained markets information databases. Worked with third-party vendors in special project management.