Russ Allison Email & Phone Number

Orange County, California, United States

OptiCann is a premium, CPG OTC focused CBD & Supplement Brand, delivering best in class Bioavailability benefits (4 x more absorption & speed) via an exclusive IP licensed partnership.Strategic Evaluation & Development of Sales Broker Network, DTC & Retail Logistics, EDI, Finance & Legal resources for US start-up CPG subsidiary of Canadian Publicly Traded Parent Corporation. Extensive vetting of outsourced resource options & contract negotiations prior to multi-channel 1H23 product introductions.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Biota Botanicals: Privately held Turkish CPG Natural/Organic Beauty-focused Company with annual corporate sales exceeding $200 million. Primary hero products are Herbal Hair Strengthening/Growth regiment line with proven FDA efficacy claims (natural alternative to Rogaine).Responsible for Management of all N & S America cross-functional resources including Sales Management (Brokers), Marketing & Logistics. Initiated U.S. product restructure and relaunch of 19 sku line. Daily strategic planning with Istanbul home office.• Drove top-line Sales Growth of +13% in 2019; leveraging revised Amazon strategy + execution)• Initiated multiple P & L based strategies to reduce expenses by 21%, including new supply chain partner • Established 7-channel Sales initiative (FDM, Natural, Beauty, E-comm, Professional) with cross-functional teams within project management matrix.

Greater Los Angeles Area

Sato: Privately held Japanese CPG and Pharmaceutical Company with annual corporate sales exceeding $500 million.Increased overall U.S. Division Top-line revenue by 43% and Profit by 38% from 2013-17. Lead P & L and management responsibility for U.S. and Asian retailer results at Sato’s largest oversea subsidiary. Responsibilities include management of Sales Brokers, Finance, Logistics, Legal and Marketing functions. • Developed 2 Private Label products for CVS & Walgreens utilizing Sato’s overseas innovation. Sold under “better than national brand” concept. Sold PL strategy to Corporate HQ in lieu of Sato HQ’s original plan of launching national branded items in U.S.• Annual incremental Private Label volume exceeded $4 million for company at 80% GM and low trade/mkt. expense.• Managed import of 45 Sato HBC sku’s for resale in Asian Retail channels in U.S. Hired new importer and warehouse distributor, implemented new forecasting & accounting system and reduced sku count by 25%

Irvine, Ca

Responsible for growing $65 million Quota covering 65% of Johnson & Johnson Consumer product line, including entire J & J Corporate Skin Care Franchise. Directed full Account Management responsibilities with 17 key contacts at 4 Kroger West divisions.• Achieved Sales Quota 4 consecutive years. Territory Market Share development exceeded 66% of benchmarks due to innovative assortment and promotional initiatives.Johnson & Johnson Consumer Sales Drug Wholesaler/Regional Drug Team Responsible for $38 million Quota at 2 Fortune 50 Drug Wholesaler accounts and multiple national regional drug chains.• Achieved Sales Quota 3 of 4 years. Developed and gained approval by Management and Retailers of updated channel OGSM business strategy. Tactics included executing optimal assortment by warehouse, reduced and redistributed promotional funding to support limited brands at focused retailers and new account cross-functional coverage program.

Irvine, Ca

Managed Region consisting of $175 million annual sales and 14 individuals, including 8 direct report and 4 consumer teams. Direct management of and executive level interaction with Target, Albertsons, Safeway, Drug Wholesaler and HEB teams. Reported to VP of Sales.• Achieved Sales Quota 2 of 3 years by implementing new fact-based business planning process and increased cross-functional solutions with key accounts.• Selected to participate in Johnson & Johnson Corporate Sales Leadership Development Program in recognition of professional developmental potential.

Skillman, N.J.

Developed all Management and Sales personnel Training & Development strategy and content. Responsible for strategic departmental projects as assigned by VP of Sales. Managed 4 direct reports. Reported to Vice-President of Sales.• Bi-weekly presentation to J & J Mgmt. Board on initiative status and strategies.• Served as Sales Department Lead in corporate acquisition of Aveeno Brand. Solely accountable for due diligence, transition and sales execution. First J & J Corporate acquisition to meet P & L goal in 3 years.• Sales Department Lead on Nizoral Hair Care Rx to OTC • Full accountability as Lead Sales Department contact on RoC Skin Care Western State lead market test. I drove the strategy and top-level sell-in that led to RoC successfully established a new price point level at FDM

Skillman, N.J.

Lead for Marketing, Field Sales and Retailer Strategy on 5 J & J Skin Care brands• Direct J & J Skin Care Franchise leader for multiple cross-functional departments on forecasting, strategy and trade insights.• Executed Sales Department Skin Care strategy development and Top 10 retailer business plan presentations.