Michael Higgs Email & Phone Number

Saint Paul, Mn, Us

Reynoldsburg, Oh

$1.25 billion dollar Taiwanese automotive and speciality tire manufacturer founded in 1962. Kenda Tire is based in Taiwan with manufacturing facilities in Taiwan, China, and Vietnam with U.S. offices in Reynoldsburg, OH. Kenda is the 27th largest tire maker in the world.Responsible for the management and sales of Kenda products in 16 central U.S. states & 4 Canadian Provinces. ■ Tasked with new account development, branding and strategic territory division analysis. ■ Manage all Kenda light truck motorsports sponsorships, race tire development and marketing.■ Work side by side with marketing and engineering to develop and test new specialty light truck tire sizes and patterns for U.S. market.■ Manage all Kenda light truck product and behind the wheel training for wholesale and retail customers.

Montreal, Canada

$21 million dollar branded solutions provider of grand format printed, ridged printed POS and display/trade show fixtures.Responsible for motorsports and general automotive branded sales in the U.S. ■ Tasked with new market penetration into the motorsports and automotive markets.■ Responsible for new account development, sales forecasting, budgeting. ■ Developed new graphics marketing programs and materials.■ Developed established co-op dealer programs for large wholesalers and manufacturers.■ Worked extensively with motorsports event sponsors and organizers of the TORC short course off-road racing series to provide branded materials for venues and race teams.■ Worked side by side with DirtSport/Off Road Industry publishers on branding for numerous events and promotions.

Greater Los Angeles Area

$38 million dollar international manufacturer/wholesaler of instant shelters for commercial and retail.Responsible for all custom graphic sales as well as managing key corporate national accounts. ■ Manage inside sales force of 5 that handle all Caravan Canopy custom graphic sales in United States, Canada and Mexico.■ Responsible for existing and new account development, sales forecasting, budgeting and participation in trade shows and motorsports events■ Developed new graphics marketing program and materials.■ Working on establishing new warehouse and offices in Canada. Responsible for sourcing and negotiating space as well as hiring work force.

Greater Los Angeles Area

$1.8-billion Korean full line tire manufacturer. Currently the worlds 10th largest tire manufacturer.Drove $20-million in regional sales of premium brand tires in five states. Assisted engineering department with motorsports effort and development of specialty light truck tire products.■ Managed sales of Kumho products in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska■ Responsible for existing and new account development, product training, sales forecasting and participation in trade shows, open houses and CORR racing events■ Developed over $7.4 million dollars of new sales for a total of $20 million in 2008■ Worked side by side with distributor’s outside sales force to promote Kumho brand and Kumho FUEL associate dealer program, signing over 50 retailers in 2008■ Work side by side with marketing and engineering to develop new specialty light truck tire sizes and patterns for U.S. market.■ Participated in all Kumho CORE and TORC racing events as support and development.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

$2-million automotive performance and re-styling facility serving the automotive dealer and retail markets.Responsible for creating marketing strategy and printed/multi-media materials. Managed sales force of 8. Recruited and trained 22 aftermarket sales specialists for large automotive dealer group.■ Co-founded Velocity Motorsports Inc.■ Developed strategic specialty equipment sales, marketing and training programs for large automotive dealer groups■ Responsible for choosing wholesale distribution partners, stocking product lines and negotiating the purchase terms of said lines■ Manage day-to-day operations including sales, budgets, payroll and shop ■ Worked side by side with sales department to increase first year sales from $750,000 to $2.1Million in three years ■ Created and produced all in-house marketing materials such as web site, catalogs, brochures and business materials

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

$25-million Tier 2 manufacturer of van, truck & auto conversions with retail facilities serving the performance aftermarket.Identified sales growth Created in-house marketing department. Managed operations of 2 retail locations with team of 14. Negotiated purchase agreements with major automotive aftermarket manufactures.■ Implemented retail re-merchandising plan, establish retail-marketing analysis for budgeting and planning and created in-house marketing department■ Manage day-to-day operations including sales, budgets, payroll and shop■ Assist in special events marketing, set-up/layout and staffing■ Worked with Purchasing on choosing and negotiating with manufacturers for new products

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Multi-media marketing, desktop publishing company who also produced specialty automotive software.Managed marketing, sales force and software programmers. Responsible for producing all printed and online marketing materials.■ Co-founded interactive multi-media marketing and software company■ Developed all copy and graphics for all ISI products and marketing materials for software promotion■ Developed visual retail wheel sales software Digital Showroom & Digital Database Pro■ Managed all desktop publishing, software programming and creative forces

Baja California Mexico, South Western U.S., Mid-West U.S.

SCORE racer support, CORR racer supportI was lucky enough to have the privilege of working with some of the true unsung heroes of off-road racing Jack Cummings, Jeff Cummings, Bob Bower and Frank DeAngelo. helping to provide tire and pit related support services from the Baja peninsula and the deserts of the South West U.S. to the off-road short courses of the Mid-West.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

$400-million national tire and general repair retailer with specialized performance centers.Tasked with sales and installation training of performance products for team of 30. Managed sales and training for custom wheels at 124 retail locations. Managed all motor sports events.■ Established aftermarket accessories department that generated over $10 million in revenue■ Managed and trained sales and installation force of 30 individuals at 12 locations in 5 states■ Trained sales associates in the finer points of over 300 aftermarket product lines■ Implemented training for mechanics in proper suspension and accessories installation■ Responsible for all selection and buying of accessory lines■ Formed strategic partnerships with aftermarket wholesalers and manufacturers

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Concurrent with Special Programs responsibilities.• Created, developed and implemented all direct mail marketing, brand marketing and desktop marketing materials for Business Development and Special Programs. • Assisted and produced complete campaigns for Development, Human Resources and group marketing departments in graphic design and layout.• Participated and sponsored over 10 automotive and special events a year, which included the Minneapolis Auto Show, Tires Plus Off-Road Rally, & BIR Porsche club racing events.

Sociology /Criminal Justice

Sociology and criminal justice

Education record