Selected as the first President to run every aspect of the company‘s day to day operation. Implemented strategic initiatives across Operations, Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, Finance, and New product development. Highlights include channel diversification to various customer segments, new customer development, sales force focus, new product strategy, operational cost saving items, pricing, and Brand positioning. Resulting in significant sales and profit improvement.

Selected to lead Kichler's number one strategic initiative by growing the electrical distribution and Hospitality channels for all of North America and Canada. I also have full responsibility for leading all National Builder sales for all of North America.This initiative is to diversify Kichler’s portfolio and position us for sustained long term growth. Revenue responsibilities over $100mm. Sales leadership of three regional sales managers, three National builder sales managers, dedicated project team, dedicated builder administration team, 151 independent sales agencies and leadership of alignment with all internal functional departments. This includes daily collaboration with Marketing, Operations, Product management and Finance. Exceeded Sales goals with four consecutive years of double digit growth.

Responsible for all North American and Canadian Sales.Leadership of three regional sales managers, two directors of business development, two National home builders Sales managers, and 145 independent sales reps. Developing and setting strategic direction for the lighting showroom and electrical distributor channels. Focus on growing Residential, wholesale contractors, builders, and multifamily segments. Responsibilities also include leading and collaborating with Marketing and product development teams. Engaging the alignment of sales,marketing and new product development. Ensuring execution of programs, Sales growth opportunities, new product support and marketing initiatives.

Selected to lead a newly created Northern Plains Area, with P&L responsibility of $250 MM consisting of 151 retail/wholesale stores and 60 sales reps. Across 6 states with a team of 6 district managers and 975 sales professionals. Established strategy focused on growing market share, improving store operations, and developing talent.Accomplishments for Market Share Growth / Profit Improvement:• Led the entire Midwest Division in both sales and profits for 3 consecutive years, resulting in revenue increase of 35% ($65MM gain) and profit increase of 65% ($21MM gain) during an economic downturn.  Set strategic direction and goals, opened new stores, hired top sales representatives, increased existing account activity, secured new accounts, increased training, raised accountability, and executed all marketing programs.  Traveled extensively with sales teams building strong relationships with customers while providing coaching and development to sales professionals.• Increased profit as a percent of sales from 18.7% to 21.4%, leading Area to highest in division. • Realigned sales territories to target specific market segments and competitors resulting in a $53MM sales increase, or 57% improvement, best in the Midwest Division for 3 consecutive years. • Increased gallons sold 20% (1.4MM increase), leading the Midwest Division for 3 consecutive years. Focused on product upgrades, Demo’s and pricing. Selling complete project.Accomplishments for Operations and Talent Development:• Strategically realigned the 6 districts in the area, resulting in significant market share growth against a regional competitor. Four of the six districts won the company’s “Circle of Excellence” sales award. • Managed expenses, reduced slow moving SKU’s, improved customer service levels, and implemented add on sales program.• Executed a detailed succession plan, championed training programs, and led division in minority hiring for past 3 years.

Set strategic direction for marketing programs, new product development, commercialization, and positioning of entire product line for North American Stores Group; 3,500 retail sites. Responsible for product development including positioning, pricing, quality control, technical review, launch and marketing including programs, promotions, customer tools, and tradeshows. Managed 6 market segment professionals and reported to Senior VP of Marketing.• Led change to centralization of all Marketing Functions and Technical resources within Paint Stores group.• Grew new products sales in excess of $278MM, a 76% increase above plan, through the development and launch of 32 products over 3 years.  Developed and implemented a new light industrial product line generating sales of $26.5MM, which exceeded performance expectations by 129% in its first year.  Launched a new exterior product line resulting in first year sales of $15MM, a 40% increase over projected revenue.• Led initiative of improving existing product lines. Created an annual product line review to enhance or improve product quality and performance against competitive set.  Generated incremental growth of 22% within the primer line by relabeling and rebranding.  Generated sales of $72MM through the inside sales representative team, an improvement of 35% above prior year and 20% over plan.• Developed comprehensive strategy for a “Green” initiative for all new and existing coatings products. Strategy led to the introduction of the flagship product line, an interior/exterior zero VOC (volatile organic compounds) coating which included zero VOC colorants. Utilized stage-gate process.• Chaired a cross-functional team “Speed to Success” that bridged the gap between R&D and Marketing.• Directed National Tradeshows and collaborated with Technical and Marketing teams ensuring coverage. • Led annual National Sales Meeting Paint Expo for 6000+ associates.

P&L responsibility for this $54MM district with 42 stores including sales & marketing, employee training, and store operations. Reported to VP of Sales, managed 4 direct reports and 240 sales and store professionals.• Led turnaround of underperforming district for 3 consecutive years and generated $1MM of additional profit, a 63% improvement over plan.• Selected by management to build Sales Training Program that is currently used today.

P&L responsibility for this $27MM district with 27 stores including sales & marketing, employee training & development, and store operations. Reported to the VP of Sales and managed 162 sales and store professionals.• Implemented a strategic competitive analysis against a regional competitor improving market share.• Achieved all key performance goals for the district.

Sherwin Williams Management Trainee Program 1988-2003Career progression through managing various stores and achieving excellent results. Recognized as a top performer winning top sales awards. Built strong relationships, developed and trained sales staff and ran effective operations that led to outstanding profit improvement.