Les Wilson

Les Wilson Email and Phone Number

Fishgeek and marketing guru for the pet industry. @
Les Wilson's Location
Blacksburg, Virginia, United States, United States
Les Wilson's Contact Details
About Les Wilson

Entrepreneur and Marketing executive with extensive experience in pet industry, and consumer packaged goods. Expertise in leading change, managing key customer accounts, new Product Development and creating value for customers in a highly competitive environment. Recognized for developing people and building high performance teams.

Les Wilson's Current Company Details
Cobalt International Inc

Cobalt International Inc

Fishgeek and marketing guru for the pet industry.
Les Wilson Work Experience Details
  • Cobalt International Inc
    President And Founding Partner
    Cobalt International Inc Apr 2011 - Present
    Blacksburg, Va
    • One of 3 Founding partners of Cobalt International • 3 divisionso Cobalt Aquatics- Brand for aquarium products o Cobalt Pond- Brand for pond products o Cobalt International- side brand for opportunistic projects- bearing rework for Schaeffler Technologies• Responsible for all Product Development, Sourcing, and Marketing.• Launched over 100 SKU’s from concept to in stock in 4 months, with ocean shipments from the EU at company startup.
  • Marine Aquarium Societies Of North America (Masna)
    Member Board Of Directors
    Marine Aquarium Societies Of North America (Masna) Aug 2017 - Aug 2022
    At Large Director
  • World Pet Association (Wpa)
    Member Of The Board Of Directors
    World Pet Association (Wpa) Sep 2010 - Aug 2016
    Member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Aquatic Experience show committee
  • United Pet Group- Aquatics
    Director Of Marketing- Equipment And Consumables
    United Pet Group- Aquatics Feb 2011 - Apr 2011
    Blacksburg, Va
    • Director of the UPG Aquatics Equipment and Consumables Marketing team. • 8 direct reports, from Marketing associate to Sr. Brand manager. • Responsible for teams execution of legacy item marketing and maintenance, new item development and launch execution, lead all brand strategy and direction for any product in UPG aquatics with a plug, as well as any item deemed consumable, ie. Fish Food, Salt, water care, etc. including active brands Marineland, Tetra, and Instant Ocean, and legacy products branded under Aquarium Systems, Perfecto and Jungle.• Managed all developmental, marketing and A&P budgets.
  • United Pet Group- Aquatics
    Director Of Marketing- Equipment Group
    United Pet Group- Aquatics Jan 2010 - Feb 2011
    Blacksburg, Va
    • Director of the UPG Aquatics Equipment Marketing team. • Three direct reports, from Marketing associate to Sr. Brand manager. • Responsible for teams execution of legacy item marketing and maintenance, new item development and launch execution, lead all brand strategy and direction for any product in UPG aquatics with a plug, including active brands Marineland, Tetra, and Instant Ocean, and legacy products branded under Aquarium Systems, Perfecto and Jungle.• Managed all developmental, marketing and A&P budgets.
  • United Pet Group- Aquatics
    Director Of Marketing - Marineland And Instant Ocean Brands
    United Pet Group- Aquatics Dec 2008 - Jan 2010
    Blacksburg, Va
    • Director of the Marineland and Instant Ocean Brand Marketing teams. • Three direct reports, from Marketing associate to Sr. Brand manager. • Responsible for teams execution of legacy item marketing and maintenance, new item development and launch execution, lead all brand strategy and direction. • Managed all developmental, marketing and A&P budgets.
  • United Pet Group Aquatics
    Senior Product Manager- Marineland And Instant Ocean Brands
    United Pet Group Aquatics Dec 2007 - Dec 2008
    Blacksburg, Va
    • Sr. Product Manager for Marineland Branded Equipment and Environments and the Instant Ocean consumables categories. Product ranges from Filters, Heaters, Power heads and Pumps, Protein Skimmers, Lighting, Aquariums, Aquarium furniture, Kits, and Sea salt, and consumables representing approximately 800 SKU’s and $80 million in sales across divisions based and distributed from Blacksburg, VA , Mentor, OH, Noblesville, IN, and distribution only from Edwardsville MI.• Primary responsibility for New Product Definition and Development of all product lines within the above categories as well as health and organic growth of legacy product lines. As well as brand positioning strategy for 2 unique brands now marketed as sister companies.• Process involved: Costing, Budgeting, Pricing, Forecasting, ROI, Design and Development, Product Life Cycle Management, Project Management of all associated cross functional activities involved with category projects (new product launch, repacks, promotions, etc).• Concept and Approve all Marketing and Sales Support, Collateral Materials, and POP pieces.• Work with trade marketing liaisons to ensure support for UPG sales teams representing Petsmart, Petco, Wal-Mart, and Aquatics Group Independent Field Sales Group representing Central Garden and Pet and dozens of Independent Pet distributors.• Monitor and analyze competitive activities.
  • United Pet Group
    Sr. Brand Manager- Upg Aquatics, Marineland Brand
    United Pet Group Jul 2006 - Dec 2007
    Blaclsburg, Va
    • Brand manager for Marineland Branded Equipment during corporate transition from a primary domestic manufacturing location in Moorpark Ca, to a marketing headquarters in Blacksburg, VA with supply chain and distribution moving to multiple locations both domestic and offshore including multiple locations in Europe and Asia. Product ranges from Filters, Heaters, Power heads and Pumps, Protein Skimmers, High-End Lighting- representing approximately 280 SKU’s and $60 million in sales across divisions based and distributed from Blacksburg, Va , Mentor, OH, Noblesville, IN, and distribution only from Edwardsville MI.• Primary responsibility for New Product Definition and Development of all product lines within the above categories as well as health and organic growth of legacy product lines.• Corporate Transition duties include validation and approval of all new manufacturing facilities and product approvals for all SKU’s for form, fit, function and heritage integrity.• Process involved: Costing, Budgeting, Pricing, Forecasting, ROI, Design and Development, Product Life Cycle Management, Project Management of all associated cross functional activities involved with category projects (new product launch, repacks, promotions, etc).• Concept and Approve all Marketing and Sales Support, Collateral Materials, and POP pieces.• Work with trade marketing liaisons to ensure support for UPG sales teams representing Petsmart, Petco, Wal-Mart, and Aquatics Group Independent Field Sales Group representing Central Garden and Pet and dozens of Independent Pet distributors.• Monitor and analyze competitive activities.
  • United Pet Group
    Product Manager, Marineland And Instant Ocean Brands
    United Pet Group Feb 2003 - Jul 2006
    Moorpark, Ca
    • Brand manager for Synthetic Sea Salts, Marineland Labs Line (Bio-spira Bacteria, Fish Feed, Water Conditioners), Heaters, Power heads and Pumps, Protein Skimmers, Testing Products, Water’s Edge Habitats, Corner-Flo Aquariums, and OEM High-End Lighting- representing approximately 280 SKU’s and $20 million in sales across divisions based in Moorpark, CA, Mentor, OH, and Noblesville, IN. • Develop all Marketing and Sales Support and Collateral Materials, and POP pieces.• Work with United Pet Group National Sales Teams representing Petsmart, Petco, Wal-Mart, and Aquatics Group Independent Field Sales Group representing Central Garden and Pet and dozens of Independent Pet distributors.• Manage All Trade Show Activities for the United Pet Group, including Pre-show Creative Development, Budgeting, Planning, Sourcing, Booth Design, Show Site Logistics, Lead for On-site hired labor and UPG Personnel for Install and Dismantle Crews, Lead Aquarist for Live Fish Displays, Show Signage and Print• Material Development and Implementation, and other Marketing Activities.
  • United Pet Group
    Product Development Manager- Marineland
    United Pet Group Feb 2002 - Feb 2003
    Moorpark, Ca
    • Responsible for Development and Launch of approximately 150 SKU’s across all UPG Aquatic Companies: Marineland, Perfecto, and Aquarium Systems.• Direct Responsibility for Costing, Pricing, Forecasting, ROI, Design and Development, Management of all aspects of Product Launch.• Develop all Marketing and Sales Support and Collateral Materials, and POP pieces.• Work with Aquatics Group Independent Field Sales Group representing Central Garden and Pet and dozens of Independent Pet distributors to help bring product to market.• Trade Show Coordinator for all New Item activity, Lead Aquarist for Fish Displays, Asst. Booth Manager.
  • Marineland Aquarium Products
    Research Associate- Manager Of Aquatic Operations
    Marineland Aquarium Products Dec 1998 - Feb 2002
    Moorpark, Ca
    • Management of Aquatic Functional Test Wet Lab and staff of 3 technicians.• Responsible for all Function Test Design, Set Up and Husbandry• Head Aquarist responsible for all Live Stock in Lab (over 200 tanks), Office Display (over 50 tanks), and 40’ feet of Retail Merchandiser Tanks• Analytical Lab Researcher responsible for operation of Dionex HPLC-IC DX500 and DX320 for Anion and Cation analysis, Single and Dual Channel Foss Fia-Star Flow Injection Analyzers, TOC and IOC Analyzer, pH, ORP, Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, and Turbidity meters, Wet Chemistry using Spectrophotometer.
  • Marineland Aquarium Products
    Research Assistant
    Marineland Aquarium Products Sep 1994 - Dec 1998
    Moorpark, Ca
    • Supervisor of Aquatic Functional Test Wet Lab with staff of 1 technician.• Responsible for Functional Test Set Up, and Husbandry• Aquarist responsible for all Livestock in lab and office displays.• Analytical Lab Assistant responsible for operation of, Foss Fia-Star Flow Injection Analyzer, pH, ORP, Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, Turbidity meters, and Wet Chemistry Analysis using Spectrophotometer.• Trade Show support for Livestock; purchased, conditioned, packaged and shipped all livestock to show.
  • Isla Vista Tropical Fish
    Manager- Buyer
    Isla Vista Tropical Fish Jun 1993 - Sep 1994
    Santa Barbara, California Area
    • Store Manager and Buyer for Tropical Fish and Reptile Store specializing in Exotic South American Catfish, Dwarf cichlids and Reef tanks. Staff of 6 employees.
  • Ucsb Marine Science Center
    Coral Propagation System Designer
    Ucsb Marine Science Center Jun 1993 - Jun 1994
    Santa Barbara, California Area
    Designed, Constructed, Created Husbandry SOP manual, and Maintained the Holding, Propagation, and Larval Collection System for Atlantic Coral Agaricia humilis
  • The Fish Place
    Manager- Buyer
    The Fish Place Mar 1991 - Jun 1993
    Santa Barbara, California
    Store Manager and Buyer for Tropical Fish Store specializing in African Cichlids, Marine Fish and Reef tanks. Staff of 14 employees.
  • The Fish Place
    Sales Associate
    The Fish Place Oct 1989 - Mar 1991
    Santa Barbara, California
    Marine fish and invertebrate Buyer, Sales specialist for Marine fish, reef tanks, and African cichlids.

Les Wilson Skills

Product Development Product Marketing Marketing Strategy Consumer Products New Business Development Marketing Sales Management Merchandising Retail Strategic Planning Cross Functional Team Leadership Key Account Management Forecasting P&l Management Pricing Competitive Analysis Team Building Sales Operations Brand Development Customer Insight Brand Management Trade Marketing Product Management Business Planning Manufacturing Iri Business Development Packaging Key Account Development

Les Wilson Education Details

Frequently Asked Questions about Les Wilson

What company does Les Wilson work for?

Les Wilson works for Cobalt International Inc

What is Les Wilson's role at the current company?

Les Wilson's current role is Fishgeek and marketing guru for the pet industry..

What is Les Wilson's email address?

Les Wilson's email address is lw****@****and.com

What is Les Wilson's direct phone number?

Les Wilson's direct phone number is +173229*****

What schools did Les Wilson attend?

Les Wilson attended University Of California, Santa Barbara, El Camino High School, Sacramento, Ca.

What skills is Les Wilson known for?

Les Wilson has skills like Product Development, Product Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Consumer Products, New Business Development, Marketing, Sales Management, Merchandising, Retail, Strategic Planning, Cross Functional Team Leadership, Key Account Management.

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