EXPERIENCE:

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER                                                                  RI TEXTILE/WESTMINSTER PET
November 2006 to January 2008                                                             Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Opened several distributor and retail accounts including CVS, Tractor Supply, Imperial Distributors, Liberty Mountain, Sahalie Catalog, and other independent retailers.  Also managed existing accounts including Variety Wholesalers and Royal Pet.
Managed and directed outside sales rep groups.
Created, designed and developed the company web site - WestminsterPet.com.
Managed and directed company attendance at industry trade shows, including Outdoor Retailer, SuperZoo and Global Pet Expo. Appeared as the company spokesman on national television.
Designed and developed sell sheets and collateral pieces to use as sales tools for key accounts.
Assisted in the development of key pet product lines, including travel items and environmentally friendly, organic cotton, recycled polyester and biodegradable pet items.
 

NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER                                     JARDEN/THE HOLMES GROUP
August 2004 to November 2006                                                               Milford, Massachusetts

Managed and directed new business and new category development for 250-million-dollar home environment division in a 3.4-billion dollar corporation.
Reviewed, analyzed and assessed new market opportunities via retail analysis, orient sourcing and discussions with key sales manager in order to make recommendations to upper management.
Oversaw market research studies to determine viability of new products, sell features and technologies.
Identified, recommended and forecasted short term and long term new market opportunities and presented proposals for these categories to upper management. These categories included wireless climate monitors, electric fireplaces, propane heaters, portable air conditioners and deodorizing appliances for pets.
Supervised internal and outside legal council in order to determine potential IP (patent) issues and their impact on market entry.
Oversaw interactions with outside inventors and businesses in order to evaluate the market potential and viability of new technologies and new product ideas.
Managed and directed the design, development and merchandising of a new line of licensed pet-friendly air purifiers under the Arm & Hammer Pet Fresh and Fresh 'n Clean brands, including company web site, www.odorgrabber.com.
 

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT             AQUA LEISURE
November 2003 to July 2004                                                                      Avon, Massachusetts

Directed all aspects of product development and marketing for a 100 million dollar pool products company.
Directed outside designers, inventors, patent attorneys, engineers, model makers and illustrators in the design, engineering, and prototyping of a variety of products, including inflatable pool toys, water pumps, filters, foam products, air blowing appliances, bounce zones, swim trainers and holiday inflatables.
Managed oversees merchandisers and factory managers, providing product direction, determining factory capabilities and reviewing product sample submissions.
Coordinated with sales to ensure new product samples were available for key presentations to major accounts such as Wal-Mart, Target, Toys R Us, Kmart and Sports Authority.
Analyzed sales and marketing trends in order to make recommendations regarding new product creation and new category development.
 

MARKETING DIRECTOR                                                                         THE COLIBRI GROUP
November 2001 to October 2003                                                           Providence, Rhode Island

Managed and directed design, development, marketing strategy and product development for 15-million dollar lighter and smoking accessories division.
Managed product development team, quality control, production and distribution for all products to ensure all items were produced and shipped in a timely manner.
Developed marketing positioning and strategy outlines and implemented these strategies within all segments of product development.
Conducted product line presentations and sales training to sales force and major accounts.
Directed and developed advertising, press releases, mailers, sell sheets, catalogs and price lists with in-house and outside advertising departments.
Supervised line presentations at major trade shows, including OR (Outdoor Retailer) Show, SHOT (Shooting & Hunting Outdoor Trade) Show, RTDA (Retail Tobacco Dealers Association), TAA (Tobacconists Association of America), Big Smoke Events, ITE (Internatioonal Tobacco Expo) and NATO (National Association of Tobacco Outlets.)
Oversaw and directed product development at overseas factories in Korea, Hong Kong and China and met with management and design teams at these factories.
Developed product and merchandising for outdoor camping lighters and accessories which sold to retail accounts such as Target, Cabela’s, Garts/Oshmans/Sportsmart/Sports Authority, REI and Big 5.
Successfully landed the Eddie Bauer license and Target stores resulting in over $1,000,000 in incremental business.
Restructured display program for on-counter, floor and in-counter displays, resulting in a $50,000 decrease in annual expenditures.
 

MARKETING DIRECTOR                                                                         SENECA SPORTS, INC.
July 1998 to October 2001                                                                       Milford, Massachusetts

Managed licensing liaisons, product development, public relations, advertising, promotions, web site and trade shows for 20-million dollar sporting goods company, to bring new products to market and build new product awareness.
Directed product development teams in order to compile and present marketing proposals and product plans to licensors and obtain licensing contracts.
Licenses included Star Wars, Harley-Davidson, Mattel (Barbie, Hot Wheels & Fisher-Price), Disney (Classic Characters & Nightmare Before Christmas) and Warner Brothers (Looney Tunes & Scooby Doo) .
Directed and developed marketing proposals and product plans to produce licensed and non-licensed products for Wal-Mart, Target, Toys R Us, K-Mart, Kay Bee, MVP Sports, Modells, JC Penney, Sears, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Costco, CVS & Rite Aid.
Managed all trade and consumer advertising planning, budgeting, layout, design and media placement in order to build product awareness with retailers and consumers.
Created company web site, designing and updating all web pages. Developed on-line sales program and coordinated with on-line retailers and in-house staff in order to increase sales.
Developed competitive analysis reports in order to determine key price points and key selling features for future product introductions.
Directed company trade shows, including the SGMA (Sporting Goods Manufacturer’s Association) Super Show and International Toy Fair
 

PRODUCT MANAGER                                                                             HAGEN CORPORATION
November 1996 to June 1998                                                               Mansfield, Massachusetts

Product Manager for 50-million dollar pet supply company, managing and directing all aspects of marketing launch and sales for Laguna brand of pond pumps, filters, liners, fish food and accessories, resulting in over 2 million dollars in sales in its first year on the market.
Responsible for budgeting and management of all advertising, promotions, inventory management, industry related trade shows and open houses in order to drive new product awareness.
Created and conducted sales training seminars to in-house sales force, distributors, retail accounts and consumers nationwide in order to increase sales.
Supervised product development and sales materials for several key items in the line.
 

MARKETING MANAGER                                                                         SENECA SPORTS, INC.
January 1994 to October 1996                                                               Milford, Massachusetts

Negotiated tie-in and prize pack sponsorship programs with Nickelodeon, CBS, Veryfine Juices, and Children's Better Health Institute in order to build brand equity and new product awareness.
Full responsibility for all trade shows, including planning, budgeting, booth design, live demonstrations, receptions, and promotional giveaways.
Developed full-scale marketing presentations and sales support materials for product presentations and company sales meetings, detailing marketing plans and overall industry trends.
Served as company spokesman for the media, coordinating production and distribution of all press releases, record photography, and product samples to increase product awareness.
Initiated company's internet web site in order to increase worldwide new product awareness.
Doubled direct marketing and tele-marketing sales through creation of in-pack direct response pieces.
 

PRODUCT MANAGER                                                                             HASBRO, INC.
October 1990-December 1993                                                               Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Product Manager for 2 billion dollar toy manufacturer and wholesaler.
Managed product development teams on over 25 SKU's annually to ensure timely, profitable product introductions.
Developed marketing and merchandising plans for major brand categories to ensure strong product mix and profitable product roll-out.
Presented product lines and media support programs to retail buyers, sales and upper management to ensure sell-in and sell-through at retail.
Trained sales force regarding the features, roll-out plan and licensing support materials for several product lines.
Reviewed, critiqued and approved all commercial advertising and attended shoots to ensure all product features were highlighted and consistent with brand positioning.
Served as licensing liaison for Hasbro product development teams with Disney, Acclaim, WWE Titan Sports and New Line Cinema to ensure product aesthetics were acceptable to both parties.
 

SENIOR WRITER                                                                                       HASBRO, INC.
April 1985- October 1990                                                                         Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Wrote hundreds of packages, inserts and collateral pieces in order to meet product ship schedules
Wrote and edited catalogs and promotional pieces for nationally televised media events and trade shows.
Converted entire Hasbro word processing library from Wang to IBM VAX/VMS.
Achieved highest direct marketing response rate in company history and saved the company over $100,000 in production costs.
 

EDUCATION: ECONOMICS DEGREE/UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

REFERENCES: Available upon request.