Professional Resume/Bio
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Objective:

Work with Senior Management to help them systematically expand their business footprint and increase the number of tangible opportunities (for driving incremental revenue), by employing strategic marketing, technology and event campaigns.

Background:

Bachelors Degree in Marketing from University of Illinois at Chicago, and over 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, sponsorship, promotion, licensing, merchandising, and advertising. Also co-founder of Paw Island Entertainment Company (www.pawisland.com), a children’s entertainment company that is currently working with strategic partners through GMI to present children’s entertainment opportunities in the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries.

Consulting Talents:

• Management - Relationship building; Strategic Alliance development; Overall P&L management; Employee/Human Resources Management; Relationship Management (Customers, Associations, Partnerships, Vendors, etc.).
• Technology - Web development; E-Commerce Development; CRM and other database related business development tools; Custom software development; Managed Services (corporate/e-commerce hosting, internet access, application hosting); Online training/marketing - program creation/facilitation; Wi-Fi wireless LAN, Point-to-point, Point-to-multipoint.
• Marketing - Brand launch, PR program development/implementation, target audience identification and subsequent campaign development; National and Local media campaign strategy and management (print, TV, radio, Outdoor); National/Local Sponsorship acquisition and management; Channel training for fulfillment of marketing programs/initiatives; Management of large scale PR initiatives (ie. Phonak Lunch-and-Learn); Direct Response campaign development/management; and Web Marketing.
• Business Development - New sales “pipeline” development; Lead management; Strategic Alliance Development and Canvassing; Strategic target marketing audience identification and program development; Contract Negotiation; Relationship Management.
• Event Management - Major event production/promotion; Front of house/Back of house venue negotiation and management; Domestic/Global - television licensing, merchandising, advertising;

Experience:

GMI – 2/02 to Present
President/Founder
For the past 3+ years GMI has been a growing professional business services network for Marketing and Technology, by creating synergies among companies that mirror my background and excel in their categories. These talented and creative companies include:

• Torque - B-C/B-B branding and product launch - www.torquelaunch.com
• Randal Birkey - custom web and software development - formerly at birkey.com, now at Headstand Media
• Chicago Scenic Studios - a large scale corporate/festival events group - www.chicagoscenic.com
• CTCreative/VALCORT - Business Development Strategy and Implementation – www.ctcreative.com
• Centrax - (an online training and e-learning company - www.centrax.com

By creating synergies among these high quality service organizations, GMI offers best of breed solutions for marketing and operational challenges. Past and current customers include:

• Petersen Automotive Museum
• Amsted Industries
• Phonak Hearing Systems
• Frings America
• Northwestern University Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
• Trans Union
• Schiff/Hardin/Waite, Deloitte/Touche
• FTD.com
• Primedia Communications (HotRod Magazine)
• Killerspin
• JABRA
• National Academy for Local Schools
• Other small, medium and large agencies and corporations

Morelli Systems, Inc. – 5/98 to 2/02
Executive Vice President – Business Development and Marketing
Responsible for positioning Morelli as the optimal choice for mid to large cap companies needing interactive and web driven “e-business” solutions including database driven custom software development, and managed services. Managed the development of marketing communications; spearheaded the new business canvassing process; built numerous relationships with potential customers and strategic partners; engineered the placement of advertising and PR exposure; and managed new business development with existing customers and new potential customers. Executive team member responsible for helping to increase the company’s sales by over 600% in three years. During my tenure, I was directly responsible for generating over $3 million in sales which helped drive the company’s size from 8 people to 33 people. Customer relationships included National Starch and Chemical, Amsted Industries, Wendy’s International, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Brookfield Zoo, Dade Behring, Motient, Attorneys Title Guaranty Fund, and Baxter International.

Maxwell Partners/Synaptx - 2/95-5/98
Vice President/General Manager
VP/GM of an 18 person “Telco Industry” marketing company that produced approx. $3.5MM of annual service revenue. Responsibilities included overall P&L management, business development, relationship management, media placement management and strategic direction. Personally helped drive the introduction of Ameritech Pre-Paid Phone cards to the premium/incentive industry, and helped introduce new products to telco industry companies through strategic marketing initiatives. Clients included USWest, BellSouth, JABRA, SBC Communications, CenturyTel, Lucent Technologies, Microsoft, Tandy/Radio Shack, Plantronics, and Ameritech.

SRO/Pace Promotions - 7/89-11/94 (owned by Madison Square Garden, now owned by Clear Channel Communications, Inc.)
Vice President of Business Operations
Responsible for production, marketing, promotion and post-production of motorsport events owned and run by the largest stadium/arena motorsport producer in North America. Managed budgets for over 350 events; oversaw the placement of over $7MM/year in cash advertising; secured several key revenue producing sponsorship relationships; created multiple 3rd party sponsorship relationships with consumer manufacturers, and major TV/Radio/Print media outlets and single/multi-location retail establishments; helped manage the licensing and merchandising of the motorsports brand domestically and internationally on ESPN and JSB Television; managed several valuable company relationships; and helped drive the increased profitability of company owned Supercross events over 300% in two years. Client experience includes Ford Motor Company, American Isuzu Motors, RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, Coors Brewing Company, Anheuser Busch, American Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, KTM, American Motorcyclist Association, Coca Cola USA, and many others.

Promotion Company/Special Events - 8/87-7/89
National Sales Manager
Created over $750,000 in revenue from sale of exhibit space and sponsorships at company owned enthusiast events; assisted in the production, promotion and sales for ancillary company owned events; and managed off-premise events for major clients such as Phillip Morris, General Tire, Petersen Publishing, Monroe Automotive, and Ford Motor Company.

Young & Rubicam, Inc. - 8/85-8/87
Local Marketing Manager
Personally developed over 1,500 marketing partnerships, in 35 cities throughout the U.S. for AT&T Opportunity Calling by selling ads in a program that was designed to help the Telco maintain relationships with its best “long distance customers”.