WORK EXPERIENCE

1995 – 1997

ROADRUNNER VIDEO [LOUISVILLE, KY]

PRESIDENT/COO

Led Roadrunner through all aspects of an Initial Public Offering, and prepared the company for merger and acquisition with other publicly traded video rental companies. Directed all activity with legal counsel and external accounting firms during this period to prepare all filings and documentation as required of public companies under federal guidelines. Directed the corporation through a rapid expansion phase that included the acquisition of two video rental chain operations, and the opening of 8 stores. Expanded operations into Ramsey (NJ), Washington (DC), Indianapolis (IN), and points between Louisville and those locations. Increased market share in Louisville to an all-time high of better than 63% in the face of increasingly stiffer competition leading to an all-time high of better than $18-million in total annual revenue. Developed and maintained all seller/buyer relations with vendor and distribution representatives. Guided company through the legal complexities of defending against a federal adult video indictment, and a sexual harassment lawsuit. Negotiated leases, coordinated construction and purchased all key items for new store startup. Hired, fired, trained and motivated all store management, staff and corporate personnel totaling more than 350 associates. Maintained all marketing, advertising, promotional and public relations activities for the company as outlined below.

1993 – 1995

ROADRUNNER VIDEO [LOUISVILLE, KY]

VICE PRESIDENT OF MARKETING

Coordinated all advertising, marketing, and promotions for a 40-store chain of video specialty stores. Utilized advertising budget in excess of 300-thousand-dollars. Acquired cooperative advertising dollars from both distribution and studio sources to augment company budget. Created non-typical promotional events that generated a vastly improved public awareness, and increased sales in all markets. Worked very closely with major charitable concerns throughout the region including The Leukemia Society, Kidney Foundation, Home for the Innocents, MERF, Operation Brightside, and the St. Jude Hospital. Created relationships with important Louisville-area third party concerns such as The Louisville Ballet, The Kentucky Center for the Arts, The Museum of Science and History, Churchill Downs, The University of Louisville, and The Kentucky Derby Festival. Impacted the day-to-day business of an eleven-million-dollar operation through purchasing, design work, training, motivation, budgeting, and development of programs and store policy.

1990 – 1993

sight and sound distributors [Louisville, ky]

Branch manager

Opened new sales, warehouse, and distribution facility in Louisville, Kentucky. Hired, trained, and motivated complete inside and outside sales staff, warehouse management and staff, and data support staff members. Coordinated the purchase of all office furnishings, warehouse fixtures, security, and phone systems. Supervised all construction and renovation after assisting in site selection. Developed billing levels in excess of one-million-dollars per month in the company's most competitive region. Personally acquired total business commitment from Kroger - Nashville, becoming the first salesperson in company history to achieve the distinction of acquiring business from a Kroger division.

1989 – 1990

sight and sound distributors [little rock, ar]

Branch manager

Re-energized and organized the total sales efforts in a slumping sales and distribution facility that had spiraled from 14% to 9% of company business during the previous two years. Responded to challenge by redeveloping sense of purpose within existing sales staff, redirecting focus towards proper sales initiatives, and recreating a team framework between inside and outside sales that lead the Little Rock branch back to a 16% share of company business within 14 months after assuming position.

1988 – 1989

sight and sound distributors [Minneapolis, mn]

branch manager

Opened new sales, warehouse, and distribution facility in Minneapolis after developing significant sales and business interests in that market. Hired, trained, and motivated complete staff to include sales management, inside and outside sales, warehouse management, warehouse, data support, and front office staff. Coordinated construction and build-out, and purchased all furnishings and finishing elements for branch opening. Developed sales and billing from zero-dollars to one-million-dollars within eight months after opening the doors.

1987 – 1988

sight and sound distributors [Kansas city, ks]

NATIONAL GROCERY ACCOUNTS MANAGER (Western Region)

Acquired and maintained key grocery store accounts from the Western half of the United States, including the key cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Boise, Denver, Dallas, Kansas City, Salt Lake City, Fargo, LaCrosse, and Phoenix. Developed corporate relationships with grocery store and grocery wholesale/distributor operations. Produced complete proposals detailing terms of business. Conducted sales seminars for management and key staff members. Coordinated management and employee training sessions at both the store and corporate level. Skilled in the areas of cooperative advertising, trade show participation, business negotiation, program preparation, and overall communications. Secured the total business of a 30-plus grocery store chain within one month of taking position. Achieved a success rate of over 40% by generating new business from the "dead accounts" file. Maintained a schedule that required in excess of 60% of my schedule spent in travel.

1984 – 1987

bloomer amusement company [belleville, il]

assistant director of video operations

Established network of video specialty stores more than tripling chain size within two years of taking position. Maintained all communications with individual store managers through weekly and monthly sales meetings. Purchased all hardware products. Provided sales training for 75 plus employees. Increased equipment sales by 185% from previous year by instituting new purchasing, sales training, and marketing techniques. Assisted in software purchasing decisions. Coordinated all promotions and advertising programs. Developed and maintained all ancillary video markets. Managed company's video business interests in related markets. Opened video departments in 25 Schnucks grocery stores, 18 Moto-Mart stores, and 108 Huck's convenience stores throughout Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. Purchased all hardware and software for said departments. Trained store personnel, managed inventory, and acted as communication link between company and video interests.

1982 – 1984

bloomer amusement company [belleville, il]

director of advertising and public relations

1981 – 1982

continental cablevision [st. louis, mo]

director of advertising sales

Guided a staff of ten full-time and part-time sales persons. Established the concept of selling advertising for local origination programming, with the personal distinction of being the first salesperson in St. Louis television history to write a contract for advertising time during a local cable broadcast.

1980 – 1981

continental cablevision [st. louis, mo]

production coordinator

Produced and appeared in local origination programming, ranging from talk shows to live sporting events, and from public affairs programs to full-length features.full-length features.