John B. Combs Email & Phone Number

Dallas, Texas, United States

Lead development and implementation of growth strategies and expansion to increase sales in five-state region for a super-premium natural spring water from Iceland and the world’s first certified carbon neutral natural spring bottled water.• Provide leadership and direction to a team of four Territory Managers to grow the sales of Icelandic Glacial in the states of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arkansas.• Cultivate and strengthen relationships with distributors and retailers throughout the territory to gain new distribution segments and channels, market visibility, and display space.• Develop and implement targeted monthly volume and distribution plans and oversee programs in guiding more than 50 distributor organizations to achieve all market goals and objectives.• Conduct face-to-face meetings to coach, train and motivate distributor personnel to achieve monthly and annual sales, distribution through scheduled and unscheduled meetings, route rides, trade surveys and monthly reports.• Utilize data systems and sales tools to analyze trends and competitive activity within the region.• Manage an annual budget to effectively execute sales and marketing initiatives in the region.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Recruited to manage relationships and grow sales volume in state of Oklahoma, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Austin, Texas for the 7th-largest craft brewer in the US, brewing, branding. and marketing some of the world’s best-loved American craft beers.• Managed key pricing, sales, marketing and distribution of the distinctive CBA portfolio working closely with nine Anheuser-Busch wholesalers to sell 100,000 cases annually of brands including Kona and Omission.• Maintained a strong focus on partnerships, local community, and sustainability, while representing the brands in local markets, regularly communicating with corporate, field sales, and wholesaler team members.• Developed and managed the territory budget, provided sales forecasts, and worked closely with CBA distributors.• Performed market visits to coach and motivate wholesaler sales teams, strengthen retailer relationships, develop annual business plans, and establish targets to consistently achieve monthly sales objectives and focus.• Managed new product and package introductions, distribution, displays, shelf space, and draught placements.• Led and directed a Brewery Representative in Austin to market the CBA brands, and to build and maintain professional sales relationships with wholesalers and end-users within the highly-competitive college market.• Assisted in preparation for sales and marketing meetings, and coordinated events, festivals, and beer shows.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Led and directed channel marketing initiatives to grow sales, distribution, and market share in off-premise accounts.• Developed, communicated, and executed national, regional, and local sales strategies, retail programming, and trade marketing plans to build brand awareness and drive sales at independent convenience stores in Dallas, Denton, and Commerce markets, collectively selling 2.5 million cases annually; ensured effective retail execution.• Coached trained and motivated a team of 14 contract Trade Activation Managers, supplementing the sales force at independent distributor Ben E. Keith to sell-in new products, displays, shelf sets, points of connection, and samplings.• Improved market position and sales results through facilitation of strong-cross-functional communication, utilizing data and consumer insights to identify category opportunities and performing analyses to uncover and address trade gaps.• Facilitated communications and seamlessly expanded business strategies between ABI, wholesalers, and key retailers.

Dallas, Texas

Promoted to fully support region efforts to deliver targeted objectives for volume, revenue, and market share growth.• Directed H.R., Zero-Based Budgeting, Planning, and Logistics for a 100-person Region that generated annual revenues of $5.0 billion in TX, LA, OK, AR and NM working with 86 wholesale operations. • As trusted advisor to the Region V.P., assisted in the development of the annual Region Business Plan and monthly Sales Performance Reviews, directly handled sales and wholesaler issues, and facilitated H.R. functions for region personnel.• Recruited, hired, built and managed an engaged, focused, and proactive support region office staff of 6 Administrative Assistants, IT, and Sales Development Associates that anticipated needs and worked in a self-directed manner.• Ensured effective communication and on-time completion of region business with accuracy, insight and professionalism.

Dallas, Texas

Promoted to develop and execute marketing strategy to support the ABI portfolio of High-End and Import brands.• Managed strategic planning, development, communication, execution, and alignment of National and Regional brand marketing and sales programs for Stella Artois, Goose Island, Shock Top, Kirin, Spaten, and Franziskaner.• Administered a $1.1 million regional brand marketing budget and participated in monthly sales performance reviews for a region which included the states of TX, LA, OK, AR, and NM. • Successfully built and supported new High-End product market and retail rollout plans within sales area; consistently increased sales; communicated, monitored, and tracked Field Sales and Wholesaler plans and retail execution.

Dallas, Texas

Relocated to grow distribution, sales, and market share at on-premise accounts in the TX, LA, OK, AR and NM markets.• Built and cultivated effective relationships and developed sales promotion, marketing, and distribution programs to increase sales, sell-in new packages and pricing, and introduce new products to on-premise accounts.• Managed business with accounts including Delaware North (Rangers Ballpark), Levy (American Airlines Center), Hooters, Twin Peaks, Chili’s, TGI Fridays, Lone Star Park, Clicks Billiards, Bone Daddy’s, Boomer Jacks and Cowboys Stadium.• Developed account plans and budgets, prepared and presented account business reviews, sold-in national and channel-specific programs and brand promotions, and communicated activities to wholesalers and field personnel.

Houston, Texas

Promoted to improve wholesaler efficiency and lead profitability enhancement initiatives.• Served as trusted advisor to the Region V.P., and continuously improved operational efficiencies by working with wholesalers in states of Texas and New Mexico to strengthen relationships and implement strategic plans.• Administered the annual region budget ensuring targets and KPIs were achieved, with responsibilities for all office functions including operating expense control, region meeting set-up, and facilitating presentation development.

Houston, Texas

Promoted to provide analytical support and ad-hoc analysis to Region leadership team. • Provided support to the Region Vice President and General Manager on data analysis, special projects, and creation/development of presentations to communicate key sales and marketing strategies to wholesaler partners.• Assisted in the development of the 5-state region strategic business and marketing plan laying the foundation to meet & exceed sales, revenue and profitability targets; monitored region P&L, and offered recommendations to Region V.P.

Houston, Texas

Promoted and relocated to region office to develop and execute regional marketing plans, sponsorships, and special events.• Led ABI brand marketing in TX, LA, OK, AR, and NM with a $18 million budget, by communicating with, planning, and coaching field sales personnel and 78 wholesalers to execute promotional plans that drive sales and share performance.• Built comprehensive retail programs that drove displays, ads, and price features in key retailers.• Developed and implemented a million border program in conjunction with team from Mexico.• Negotiated, planned, and activated sponsorships and local marketing properties including Houston Astros, Texans, and Rockets; Texas Rangers; Dallas Stars and Mavericks; San Antonio Spurs, and events in college and resort markets.

St. Louis, Missouri

Relocated to Corporate HQ to manage price strategy, promotional calendars and annual revenue plans for two states.• Developed the revenue price plan for the two largest states - Texas and California - working with the Region V.P., Sales Directors, and Region Pricing Coordinators to balance volume and profitability in alignment with corporate goals.

Memphis, Tennessee

Promoted and relocate to facilitate, and manage annual Price Plan to hit margin targets and grow revenue and market share.• Served as liaison between region, field sales, wholesalers, and St. Louis Revenue Management to plan, prepare, and implement pricing strategy, evaluate pricing actions for sales & profit opportunities, and monitor competitive pricing..

Little Rock, Arkansas

Promoted and relocated to increase profitable sales and market share by strengthening wholesaler performance. • Provided direction and leadership to 7 wholesalers selling 10.5 million cases in 5,000 accounts in North Arkansas to maximize brand awareness, distribution, sales, and market share growth, and cultivate retail relationships.

Dallas, Texas / Chicago, Illinoiis

Recruited and promoted to build retailer relationships and work directly with local wholesalers on retail execution activities.