Darren Beck Email & Phone Number

Leavenworth, Ks, Us

Building the ecosystem for a vibrant circular economy in Kansas City. Achieving this by creating a vision of what the region can gain by adopting a regenerative, climate-smart model that keeps products and their materials perpetually in play – economic development, job growth, and a competitive edge. Cultivated and lead a community of government officials, business professionals, world-class experts, solution providers and funders that is collaborating to make this vision a reality. A key initial project is conducting the region’s first material flow analysis to assess local waste streams, their value, and prime economic development opportunities for their next life.

Consultancy that generates health, wealth and harmony for communities in the Heartland of America. Help clients to spur placed-based, economic growth in ways that value people and the world around us. Additionally, created Opportunity Abounds! – a monthly session at the Keystone Innovation District. The session focuses on the biggest social and environmental challenges facing the Kansas City region, shows how entrepreneurs are solving them, and identifies gaps that remain for innovators and entrepreneurs to fill. Recent topics included transportation, the built environment, the circular economy, and regenerative agriculture.

San Francisco, California, Us

Led a collaborative, peer-to-peer network that equipped global brands to use environmental and social innovation to build new business value, increase brand affinity, and drive good growth. Was responsible for P&L and managing a smart, nimble, and passionate team dedicated to member success. Doubled membership size and expanded revenue through new service offerings. Toward the end of my tenure, also led the international division by managing and growing our global network of licensed affiliates.

Sebastopol, Ca, Us

Write e-books that help businesses and consumers to navigate the Internet of Things (IoT) and find smart solutions for operating and living more sustainably.

San Francisco, Ca, Us

Provided connections, insights and strategic advice to StartupNectar, an incubator and accelerator that enables early-stage, biomimicry-based ventures to access resources and gain traction in the marketplace.

Overland Park, Kansas, Us

Director, Environmental Initiatives: Drove initiatives at Sprint that helped reduce environmental impact while enhancing the company’s reputation and bottom line. Achieved this by advising operational working teams at Sprint focused on areas such as device recycling, sustainable packaging, waste reduction, water conservation, responsible procurement, and “winning with CSR” in business sales. Also developed a CSR innovation pipeline that identified opportunities to generate new streams of revenue for Sprint while helping to create a better world.Manager, Corporate Responsibility: Responsible for sustainability, charitable recycling, in-kind giving and national CSR partnerships. Key accomplishments: 1) Lead development of industry-first Electronics Stewardship Policy, 2) Initiated relationship with Underwriters Laboratories to develop UL110, world’s first design standard for more sustainable mobile phones, 3) Lead development of the Green ID Pack which enabled customers to live a greener lifestyle, 4) Nearly tripled net proceeds of Sprint Project Connect in three years while growing program's phone recycling collections 40% annually, and 5) Built Sprint's internet safety for kids program.Senior Program Manager: Developed and managed programs that promoted executive engagement with Sprint’s high-end business customers and prospects. Took most from concept to fully-structured programs. Annual results included a 68% close rate on sales opportunities and contributions toward $275 million in wins (41% was new business).Project Manager IV: Led superb team responsible for rapid development of relationships, processes, tools and information to support solutioning of sales opportunities for E|Solutions, a start-up division within Sprint. Succeeded in cultivating and managing liaison relationships between groups. Established processes ranging from contract administration to collaboration with Sprint International Sales.

La Cygne, Ks, Us

Served with a phenomenal team of board members and staff dedicated to developing youth in Kansas City, especially those "at-risk" in the urban core. Excited about the innovative program strategies we built to ensure Wildwood's long-term financial success and the continuation its work – engaging kids through nature to ignite their personal passion and potential.

Responsible for acquiring new accounts for this multimedia design firm. D3 specialized in helping clients to market new technologies and launch online ventures. In two years with the firm, helped D3 to nearly double in size and to reach an unprecedented level of sales. Added premiere clients to the roster including General Electric, Sprint, and DST.

Lawrence, Ks, Us

Hired by KU and the Heart of America Family Focus Center to consult with individuals who were running or seeking to start a microenterprise (e.g., child care, delivery service, catering, etc.). These were entrepreneurs with small-scale operations who could benefit from seed money or funding in the form of a modest, no-interest business loan. My services included helping/teaching them to analyze their operations, target desired clientele, and develop business plans with the requisite financial statements needed to apply for the loan.

Overland Park , Ks, Us

Responsible for marketing, advertising and selling the firm’s training and consulting services. Duties included working closely with President and CEO to develop and execute strategy. Instrumental in acquiring several high-profile accounts. Also, helped Tercon to launch a new products division. Evaluated market feasibility, researched pricing strategies, developed distributor relationships, and created and executed marketing push for products including videos, CDs, text-based modules, and “train-the-trainer” certification.

Us

Sprint: Responsible for managing, analyzing and relaying customer data cultivated by direct marketing. Primary goal for this business-to-business account was to develop sales leads for the client’s new products: FONMAGICSM (which added an interactive dimension to promotions) and SprintFAXSM (which provided “broadcast fax” and “fax on demand” services).Hallmark Cards: Developed advertising designed to increase product sales and market presence for client’s “non-card shop” retail channels (e.g., department stores, chain drug stores, college bookstores, etc.). Increased agency revenue for this account two-fold in a year by working with the client to present strategies to retailers and guiding projects through demanding production schedules.

Masters Of Business Administration, International Business

Bachelor Of Science, Mass Communications & Business