Don Johnston Email & Phone Number

Phoenix, AZ, US

Arizona, United States

Arizona, United States

Greater Seattle Area

- Director of Event Technology overseeing 250,000 square feet of meeting space in three locations in Seattle to include Bell Harbor International Conference Center, World Trade Center, and Smith Cove.- Project manager and liaison for $11M 3rd floor renovation to include new amphitheater. touch screen control interfaces for audio, video and.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Operations Leader for PSAV, a $2B privately held event production company engaged in branch operations, hotel contracts, and global live events for more than 1000 events annually. Responsible for managing 28 hotel.
• Increased top-line revenue 10% each year while reducing labor costs through cross-functional training and development.
• Led the fastest growing market at PSAV with three new hotel contracts and installations every year.DROVE CULTURE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE LED TOP PERFORMING TEAM
• Focused on achieving customer service scores that exceeded company expectations.
• Developed team toward continued growth with 20+ exempt and 10 non-exempt promotions each year.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Served as Area Manager in Minnesota Region with Swank Audio Visuals; In 2013, Swank merged with PSAV, combining 16 hotels in the Minnesota Region. Integrated the two teams effortlessly with labor and equipment.
• As Area Manager with Swank Audio Visuals, I developed labor and equipment sharing protocols for merging companies.
• Integrated branch operations as secondary source for equipment and labor resources allowing team members to cross train in different roles.CREATED AND IMPLEMENTED FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
• Facilitated capital and revenue budget creation for a combined team in the region.
• Aligned hotel venues and branch operations in capital improvement to maximize resources and reduce costs of outsourcing equipment or labor.

Minneapolis

• First Minnesota-based team member with Swank Audio Visuals. Began with a team of two and increased to 10 in one year. Developed new sales techniques and operational methods and met customer service metrics by end of.
• Designed and implemented sales and operational initiatives that greatly improved revenue during first year of business in Minnesota.
• Increased revenue and profit by 50%, leading to additional hotel contracts in subsequent years.TEAM DEVELOPMENT AND ENGAGEMENT
• Developed a team of two and increased to 10 by first year with additional hotel contracts and complexity of events.
• Coached and mentored team to meet team members career aspirations and set-up training plans and one-one-one coaching to meet their goals.

Plymouth, Minnesota

• Responsible for all AV and IT-related systems, including audio, video, lighting, projection, internet systems, call accounting, networks, software implementation, hardware, onsite graphics studio, and print.
• Sold, project-managed, and serviced all live event production for Fortune 500 companies in facility with revenues exceeding $2M.
• Researched, designed, and bid out complete conference center technology renovation to include new projection systems, audio systems, electric screens, black-out shades, AMX touch screen systems, and HSIA systems.
• Worked in partnership with over 30 vendors for all AV and IT related networks and integrated upgrades on call accounting, micros, front office, and catering software.CREATIVITY AND COST MANAGEMENT
• Created all graphics to include signage, menus, vehicle graphics, within custom print shop in the facility.
• Photographed, recorded, edited and developed all film, video, audio and slides for clientele and facility within our custom studio. Producing client graphics and audio & video projects increased revenue by 10% each year.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

• Created a new rental service offering, providing state-of-the-art technologies to law firms and court houses in the seven county metro areas, hands-on training to attorneys, clerks, and judges, along with dedicated.
• Sold and project-managed technologies for courtroom trials in County and Federal Courtrooms in all seven counties of the Twin Cities.
• At peak, service 11-15 courtroom cases a month with revenue exceeding $300KCOACHING AND EDUCATION
• Mentored and coached 10 team members to work within courtrooms and interact with judges, attorneys, and federal marshals.
• Provided continual education on latest technology trends to develop strategies on evidence presentation, mock trials for continuing education and what technology can bring to the table.Supported installations at United.

• EPA Audio Visual is a small family-owned audio visual company focusing on direct client sales and installation of classroom technologies to K-12 schools in the Midwest.CREATION OF NEW DEPARTMENT
• Created a Rental Department defining what is needed in the market today.
• Created new hotel relationships and business clients to secure daily/weekly/monthly rentals.
• Created capital budget model and daily delivery schedule.SALES AND IMPLEMENTATION
• Sold, implemented, serviced, and delivered all live events for clients.
• Built long-lasting client relationships through proven customer service and communication.