Russell S. "Russ" Torbett Email & Phone Number

Tennessee, United States

Responsible for driving sales performance by managing sales, retail execution, operations and key relationships at wholesalers in Tennessee for Constellation Brands Beer Division. Sets priorities and executes the business plan for a high priority sales territory.

Tennessee

Oversee, implement, execute all things Sierra Nevada in 61 counties of East and Middle Tennessee. Manage and work with local distributors Cherokee and Tennessee Crown to ensure quality, a solid plan, and sell-through of products and programming. Call on all classes of trades, including local, regional, and national chains that are based in East Tennessee. Averaged +12.4% annual growth in my tenure and am continuously in top 25-50% of regional sales goals and bonus competitions. Have overseen a 46% volume growth in my territory in first 3.5 years. Recognized as the 2018 Sales Impact Award winner for the country after my first year with the company. Received the 2019 Sufferfest Liquid to Lips Award for market activation and execution. Developed the nationally recognized “Get Off Your Glass” glass recycling education and outreach program. Executed and recognized nationally for product launch/kick-off events for SierraVeza in 2019 and Wild Little Thing in 2020. Due to our ongoing successes and proximity to Mills River, my territory was chosen as a test market for new product innovation/research and launches for both Sufferfest 2019 and Strainge Beast in 2020, as well as a “local media market” in 2020. I was the Southeast Marketing Team liaison and coordinator for the development and relaying of ideas, programming, POS, needs, and more, up and down to the respective teams since 2018. Member of the inaugural Diversity, Equality, & Inclusion council team as we actively continue to focus on bettering our company and community through ourselves and through others.

Knoxville, Tennessee Area

Designed, planned, and implemented the sales and delivery routing for Wine In Grocery Stores for Knoxville Beverage before the July 2016 launch. Oversaw five salespersons and approximately 225 grocery and convenience stores in 25 East Tennessee counties with nearly 300 different wine SKUs. Called on store level decision makers for day-to-day sales, as well as corporate buyers to sell in new SKUs at the corporate level; adjusted pricing, problem-solved, built rapport and cultivated relationships. Designed sets for smaller independent retailers.

Knoxville, Tennessee Area

Call on 100+ on-premise accounts in two separate territories including restaurants and bars in the Farragut/West Knoxville area and more recently the high-profile areas of downtown Knoxville. Work with accounts to introduce and promote new and ever-changing products from a portfolio of beer ranging from large suppliers to local craft breweries. Involved in new product roll-outs, distribution, inventory management and maintaining great relationships with decision makers in many large volume accounts.

Call on 50 package liquor, convenience and grocery stores in West Knoxville and Farragut territory. Responsible for introduction of, sales and implementation of new brands into account list, as well as the merchandising, marketing and sell-through of existing brands from entire portfolio over 40+ suppliers and 1,000+ SKUs. Before company-wide re-route in March, I oversaw and handled all beer (high and low gravity) sales to the top 40 liquor stores in Knox and Blount County. Since re-route, I now call on seven liquor stores and 43 off premise accounts in which I am responsible for all beer and and N/A products.

Knoxville, Tennessee Area

Call on 50 package liquor, convenience and grocery stores in West Knoxville and Farragut territory. Responsible for introduction of, sales and implementation of new brands into account list, as well as the merchandising, marketing and sell-through of existing brands from entire portfolio over 40+ suppliers and 1,000+ SKUs. Before company-wide re-route in March, I oversaw and handled all beer (high and low gravity) sales to the top 40 liquor stores in Knox and Blount County. Since re-route, I now call on seven liquor stores and 43 off premise accounts in which I am responsible for all beer and and N/A products.

• Wine & Spirits Sales Consultant• Conducts Sales Calls as outlined by Field Sales Manager.• Develops and maintains a good working relationship with all accounts, by presenting authorized decision makers with factual sales data and periodic business reviews, and by prospecting for new business.• Creates solid, professional relationships with clients and good communications.• Follow-up on all customer complaints in assigned area to ensure problems are resolved to prevent reoccurrence.• Physically call on all accounts, utilize fact-based selling, category management, business plans and displays.• Effectively plans and executes promotions • Monitors distributor performance and makes recommendations to increase focus, distribution and volume.• Responsible for account rapport, case sales replenishment and growth, quality assurance of products, and the follow up communication.• Perform other duties as assigned.• Work together as a team to execute short and long term growth goals.

Off Premise Sales Representative to six grocery stores in the West Knoxville area, including Sam's, Walmart, Kroger, Ingles and two Food Citys. Responsible for the daily sales, inventory management, new product placement, promotion and sell-through to retailer on through to consumers. Accountable for up to date POS and signage, guaranteed freshness of an average of 150 SKUs/products per location and being in stock at all times, displays and relationship building with retailers.

Knoxville, Tennessee Area

Managed a sales team of four and a promotions coordinator, oversaw 350 of the top bars, restaurants and liquor stores in the greater Knoxville metro area covering seven counties. Oversaw sales, programs, promotions and events. Involved in the bringing in of new products and their successful roll-outs after the acquisition of an outside beverage distributor and addition and the transition into the distribution of high gravity beer, wine and spirits as well as energy drinks and water sales for Knoxville. Responsible for the sales of over 600,000+ cases of beer and other beverages in 2012 and 2013. Advised graphics and digital team on company website re-boot and digital/online marketing strategies through social media outlets.

On Premise Sales Representative for 100 bars, restaurants and liquor stores in two counties in the Knoxville. Territory included downtown Knoxville, campus, West Knoxville business districts and neighboring Anderson County. Responsible for sales of Eagle products, placement of new products, signage and POS, promotion and event coordination, and day to day maintenance within the accounts.

Knoxville, Tennessee Area

Account rep for the top 40 key bars and restaurants in the metro, downtown and campus areas of Knoxville. Called on owners and managers daily to coordinate the placement of new products, promotions, sales and event coordination within these accounts.

Www.Saintsdontbother.Com

Music and entertainment blog based in Knoxville, Tennessee but covering everything and everywhere that matters. Check it out: www.SaintsDontBother.comPretty much defunct now as a website, but lots and lots of content on there for several years.Mostly twitter-based now: http://www.twitter.com/SaintsDontBothr (no 'e' in 'bother')Give me a "foller" and a "holler"!

Knoxville, Tennessee Area

Hired to sell print advertising, online marketing/ads and establish new accounts for Metro Pulse, Knoxville Magazine and Handle Bars Magazine. Grew weekly Metro Pulse account list by 400% in first four months. Started in the position with no contracted accounts and was held to complete accountability for new account development and growth. Responsible for online advertising as well as digital marketing and branding campaigns at MetroPulse.com with its redesign, launch and the addition of digital services in Spring 2008. Sales Results:• Grew weekly Metro Pulse business by 400% in first four months• Hold record for 3rd largest week in Metro Pulse history with $11,000+ in April 2008• Member of the $10,000 Club for sales exceeding $10,000 in one issue of Metro Pulse • Recipient of the “Push, Pull or Drag Award” for the most auto dealer advertising revenue in Fall 2007• Added new accounts and/or locked in long term contracts for West Side Honda, Scion Group, Ray’s ESG, Sushi Spot, Mama Blues, Paul’s Oasis, Salon Mira Mira, Back Door Tavern, Premier Martial Arts, 4620 Jazz Bar, Earth Traverse Outfitters, Saint Tattoo and Planet Xchangewww.MetroPulse.com

Knoxville, Tennessee Area

Hired to sell advertising and establish new accounts for 103.5 WIMZ and WNFZ 94.3 The X in the Knoxville market, as well as generate new business and dollars through the new medium of digital media sales with addition of customer website generation and “splash page” creation and upkeep services. Started in the position with no existing accounts and accountable for new business development. Made approximately 10 business-to-business cold calls each day to generate new accounts. Secured appointments with key decision makers, developed advertising proposals, and lead presentations to sell the benefits of advertising with the station. Completed a comprehensive 5-week Customer Focused Selling training and received certification.

Knoxville, Tennessee Area

Hired into this radio broadcasting group as Marketing and Promotions Coordinator for WNFZ 94.3 The X and WQJK 95.7 JACK-FM (at its inception in October 2005) in the Knoxville market. Hired to position directly after graduating from college and having interned for two semesters (Summer 03/Fall 03, as well as sales internship in Spring 04), as well as serving as part-time Promotions Assistant from 2003-2004. Developed, planned, and implemented marketing campaigns and everyday promotions for the two stations. Served as a liaison between sales and programming departments, as well as clients and listeners. Designed, maintained and updated station websites daily. Helped managed promotions team on a daily basis.

Knoxville, Tennessee Area

WUTK is the University of Tennessee's non-commercial, non-funded, student learning lab radio station on the campus of UT-Knoxville. Supervised all on-air programming facets: content, talent, show. Trained nearly one hundred students to run all departments at station over three year span: Programming, Sales, Promotions, Sales, Production, News/Sports, etc. Successfully campaigned to bring the station to higher campus prominence after a few undesirable years with lower listenership, interest and activity level. Hosted weekly radio show “Full Moon Fever”, which focused mostly on rock n roll with historical features, this week in rock segment and weekly tribute to music in the news. Raised music interest level by breaking new, up and coming artists to Knoxville: Kings of Leon, Maroon 5, JET, Modest, Mouse, Drive-By Truckers, Jurassic 5, and The Black Keys to name a few.

Bs, Journalism And Electronic Media, Communications, Broadcast Sales And Mgmt, Business Administration

Activities and Societies: WUTK FM, Student Alumni Associates, Senior Gift Committee, Student Government Association, National Broadcasting.

Education record