Michael Arter Email & Phone Number

Plano, Texas, Us

Key contact for all National Account customers regarding scheduling, maintenance, and customer service.

Saint Louis, Mo, Us

Responsible for the operating functions of 15 branch locations in the Eastern US. Improved operational and financial performance through continuous process improvement and standardization of practices.• Managed all aspects of repair, maintenance, and disposal of regional assets worth over $245M.• Identified operational efficiencies that reduced annual operating expenses by over $3.1M (27%).• Led development of a comprehensive financial review to pinpoint operational deficiencies, which assists with developing specific action plans.• Audited branch operating procedures to ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.• Worked to develop corporate safety policies as a founding member of XTRA Lease’s Safety Council.• Responsible for recruiting and training of new employees, including bi-annual New Employee Orientation held at the corporate training center.

Dearborn, Michigan, Us

Managed all franchising activities for the Upper Midwest Regional Offices. Executed market representation business plans including dealer replacement actions and future retail distribution strategy. • Focused on identifying qualified dealer candidates with proven profitability, customer satisfaction, and market penetration performance.• Implemented Ford’s market consolidation strategy through targeted dealer initiatives and planned market reconfiguration of retail outlets, thereby improving dealer sales throughput and profitability.• Supported Regions in executing Business Plans including replacement actions, facility improvements, and relocations.

Dearborn, Michigan, Us

Served as the lead marketing professional for a $3 billion platform development team identifying new product opportunities for the Large Utility Segment. Recognized by platform team to be the product expert for Expedition and Navigator.• Developed forward model cycle plan content, features, and business cases with over $90M in improved profitability.• Completed a thorough analysis of the Large Utility segments ascertaining customer and segment behavior in light of rising fuel prices and shifting consumer demand thereby refocusing product plan on core customers.• Streamlined Navigator product offering by reducing consumer complexity and increasing standard equipment while improving net profit by over $2M.• Managed summer intern activities, including development of key customer features and verification of those features through four customer research events. Results were presented to Product Development Executive Directors.

Dearborn, Michigan, Us

Cross-functional assignment in the Finance Department responsible for breaking down corporate budget to Regional, District, and Sales Manager levels by vehicle line and series. • Developed alternative target setting process to align corporate and regional business plans.• Strengthened Regional Profit website security improving Sarbanes-Oxley compliance.• Coordinated weekly Money-Against-the-Market report that compared incentive spending for over 300 variations of Ford, Lincoln-Mercury, and competitive models to improve variable marketing effectiveness.• Revised Money-Against-the-Market report to include regional incentives. Previous process was a labor-intensive, manual process created only upon request.• Created comprehensive Regional Controller Training, obtained subject matter experts as presenters, and managed all training facility logistics.

Dearborn, Michigan, Us

Managed sales team responsible for overall profitability and vehicle sales operations for 42 dealerships in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Developed marketing talent by managing the career and skills development of team employees.• Exceeded corporate profitability targets by an average of 45% each year.• Implemented a Sales Consulting Approach methodology, which included interviewing dealership employees, observing behavior, and analyzing processes improving dealership sales, customer satisfaction, and profits. Final recommendations were presented to dealership management and action plans were established.• Designed Customer Satisfaction processes which raised ratings from 61% to 73% (100 pt. scale) over 2 years. • Launched six E-Commerce Workshops educating dealers on emerging E-Business trends, consumer buying habits, recommended system requirements, and corporate web-based dealer tools.

Dearborn, Michigan, Us

Developed Regional Business Plans and strategies to deliver projected sales, market share and profit improvements. Prepared in-depth business management documents including Profit and Loss forecasts and operating investment requirements.• Managed all aspects of dealership Buy/Sells, Ownership Assignments, and Amendments• Prospected for, qualified, and interviewed potential dealer candidates.• Worked extensively with dealer principals and architects on facility design and function ensuring corporate compliance.• Acted as lead financial statement and franchising trainer for new Sales Managers improving their business acumen.