Provide creative design solutions for residential and commercial projects. Support product innovation and development aligned with industry trends.PRODUCT INNOVATION AND DEVELOPMENT• Use expertise in flooring materials and color theory to make recommendations for new and remodeled facilities.• Conduct monthly vendor meetings with up to 50 vendors to source new products.• Research products and trends to identify new options and advise flooring vendors on product development.• Invited to be on the Congoleum Design Advisory Council for two consecutive years. Presented design preferences, customer needs, and product trends for Midwest region.

Design Manager, Manufacturing Vendor Manager, provided professional design, vendor management and product expertise for Centex homeowners and staff for thousands of clients in the Twin Cities.COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP• Managed five interior designers providing customer interior solutions to builder customers.• Trained, supervised, and evaluated 60 sales consultants. Provided training in sales and customer service.• Directed recruitment and retention of employees and administrative support.• Developed product literature and implemented training for sales/field staff.PRODUCT INNOVATION GREW SALES• Identified opportunities to increase margins and generated profitability of $4.7M. • Organized option packages to streamline design process.DEVELOPED RETAIL SHOWROOMS TO INCREASE SALES• Designed layout and displays for three showrooms and 10 neighborhood studios.AWARD WINNING DESIGN BUILD COMPANY• Ranked #1 builder’s design center by J.D. Power and Associates 2008 New-Home Builder Customer Satisfaction Study for the Minneapolis, MN market.

Administered all aspects of government funded housing renovation projects including purchase, specifications, construction, marketing, and sale of homes to income-qualified families. Coordinated communication and public relations activities for City Council and residents. Assisted with planning, redevelopment, and business retention programs.