Personal Assets

You are getting decades of real work experience, enthusiasm and creative ideas that can make your business or company a winner in a tough market. That's the difference between success and failure.

I value a work environment where the importance of professionalism in conduct, genuine enthusiasm, demonstrated creativity, an excellent understanding of relationship building and solid leadership are recognized and appreciated. I passionately believe in goals.

I excel as a creator of successful strategies and marketing materials. I pride myself on being an innovator of solutions to problems and programs that build business. I have been a leader in bringing innovative new ideas to every organization that I have worked for. Peers, media and business leaders seek me out for my extensive knowledge of the technology industry and my real-world business experience particularly in the area of marketing.  Before moving to Tennessee, I had been a regular technology resource for the Northeast Wisconsin television stations and newspapers.

I am competent and experienced in working with Fortune 1000 leaders and decision makers. I have exceptional presentation and relationship building skills while I love to guide, mentor and encourage a staff, peer group, fellow entrepreneurs and small business owners and managers to set and accomplish goals.  I work to build consensus but I am confident enough to step out when real vision is necessary.

Summary of Abilities

· Extensive knowledge of computer, networking, internetworking and Internet technologies.

·  Broad experience with marketing and public relations in technology, retail and manufacturing industries.

· Solid ability to create and design materials using graphic computer-based tools.

· A very competent generalist with the advantage of knowledge and experience cutting across a variety of sectors including construction, manufacturing, wholesale and retail distribution, tourism, real estate, agriculture, community service and technology.

· Solid understanding of accounting principles, financial reports and small business accounting software.

· A passion to work hard and meeting goals.

· A love of leading and communicating ideas.

Accomplishments

· Evaluated, recommended and spearheaded the implementation of a successful reorganization of two sister companies on behalf of the Chairman and Board of Directors.

·  Designed and executed a marketing strategy for an Internet connectivity company which resulted in a 25% increase in business.

· Conceived, developed and marketed a new service program for Office Technology that became the largest service profit center in the company generating over $10 million dollars in revenue each year.

· Created industry-leading programs for the marketing of technical services to business customers.

· Pioneered and implemented the concept of team account management.

· Conceived and implemented the new position of inside sales representative which streamlined the sales process and increased customer response at one of the Midwest’s largest Value Added Resellers of technology products and services.

· Developed a new account territory into one of the top producing territories in a computer technology company earning more than $1.7 million annually.

· Assumed responsibility for a branch of Office Technology and took it from under $3 million to over $6 million in sales in three years.

· Created two new membership programs, reinvigorated two major International Aerobatic Club events, and developed the first International Aerobatic Club convention.

· During 5 months of business process consulting at Waushara County’s largest employer, I identified over $10,000 per month in production savings, researched, wrote and implemented their first marketing plan and lead the update of their information system.

· Past Western Digital Eagle Partner – VAR industry representative.

· Past CMP Publications VIP Internet Technology industry expert at their 2000 Breakaway Xchange.

· Conceived, implemented, managed a successful theme-based retail shopping center in Waupaca, Wisconsin. Phases included design, construction, marketing, property management, and event management.

· Conceived, implemented and managed a successful theme-based chain of gift and gourmet stores in Wisconsin that were then sold.

· Directed the sales and marketing of Strongwood Log Home Company from a start-up company in 1998 to one of the largest log home manufacturers in North America. I am currently recognized as a leader and authority in the log home industry.

EXPERIENCE

Currently - Director of Sales, Marketing & International Business for Strongwood Log Home Company

Partner - International Agro Consulting - Molokai, Hawaii

Athenet Data Exchange and Athena Group Inc.  - Director of Marketing and Senior Manager

Acting Vice President  - Especially for You, Ltd., Waushara county decorative accessory, furniture and gift manufacturer

Executive Director – International Aerobatic Club, Division of the Experimental Aircraft Association, Oshkosh, WI

Director of Marketing and Branch Manager - Office Technology, Inc.

Owner and General Manager – Mainstreet Marketplace chain of gift stores

Owner and General Manager – R&M Associates – Very successful foliage plant brokerage to major chains stores and supermarkets in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Illinois.

COMPETENCIES

· Licensed Single Engine Land Private Pilot

· Member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla in Hawaii

· Certified PADI Open Water Diver

· Public speaking: My involvement in 17 community and statewide organizations has given me extensive experience in giving speeches and leading and conducting business meetings and seminars 

· Freelance writer: technology, travel, sports, antiques and restaurant reviews

· Basic Spanish fluency

EDUCATION

· Participated in many dozens of technology industry-training programs presented by such companies as Microsoft, Lotus, Citrix, 3Com, Novell, Compaq, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Lexmark, Cisco and dozens of other leading companies that focused on sales, marketing and technical subjects

· University of California at Santa Barbara  - Botany Major, Political Science minor (I am one semester, 15 units, short of BA degree)

· University of Wisconsin-Extension: real estate development, sales and marketing, advertising, recreation and tourism promotion and development, business computers and flying

· Completed UW-Extension Marketing Certification Program 

HOBBIES

·  I enjoy many water activities, collecting artwork, cooking, flying, tennis, reading, woodworking, gardening and photography.  I have a life-long interest in travel and food and have kept personal journals on both for many years. I have been a restaurant review column writer.

·   I tend to read a lot about anything I am interested in such as computers, sales and marketing, travel and food