Ray I Leake

*** **** ****** ****, ******, Florida 32713

386-***-**** - acokli@r.postjobfree.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/rayleake

Dear Sir/Madam:

Today's business environment requires knowledgeable management that possess

a unique blend of leadership, vision, broad based experience, and the

ability to lead, train and deliver exceptional sales and results.

My career reflects a record of proven leadership with over twenty years of

creative business development, operations and sales management, marketing,

business management, training, expertise in start-ups and turnarounds,

developing and coordinating diverse businesses, brands, retail operations,

competence in product development, managing products from design conception

through mass production and delivery.

A Visionary leader with outstanding record of success and consistently

creating sales growth, delivering positive bottom-line impact, process

improvement, and building strong teams that stay focused on delivering

world-class performance and customer service.

. In my last position VP of Sales position I was able to lead a sales,

marketing and product team to unprecedented increase in revenues that

began at just under $20 million dollars in year one to over $70

million in year three.

. I successfully coached a sales, marketing, and product development

team to a level of unprecedented success in a market of very

experienced competitors. We were able to capture and maintain number

one market share for our core product for, four consecutive years.

. Proven track record for delivering products and sales results with

most major US retailers/distributors.

. Managed national training, marketing campaigns and promotions at Voxx

International and Circuit City Stores.

. Multi National expertise. I have traveled extensively abroad, managed

sales, sales managers and representatives, distributors, contract

manufacturers as well as coordinated projects and production through

company offices located in Asia, Europe and Mexico. Over a four year

period we improved sales and reduced product cost by over 50% on our

key product line.

Key Competencies & Skills encompass:

. Innovation & Creativity

. Operations & Organizational Leadership

. Strategic & Tactical Process Planning

. Brand & Business Development Leadership

. Revitalization & Turn-around

. Sales Negotiation & Contract Management

. Team Leadership & Relationship Building

Please consider me for a position with your company which will utilize my

extensive experience and success in sales, marketing, training, business

development, operations management, leadership development, process

improvement, brand development, communications, product development, and

retail merchandising and operations. I would appreciate the opportunity to

discuss with you how I might contribute to your organization and look

forward to hearing from you soon.

I can be reached at 386-***-****.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Ray

Ray I. Leake

Enclosure

Ray I Leake

515 Soft Shadow Lane, Debary, Florida 32713

386-***-**** - acokli@r.postjobfree.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/rayleake

PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY

Ray Leake is a Sr. Sales, Operations & Business Development Professional

who has more than 27 years of broad based experience in retail, product &

brand development, merchandising, sales, marketing, business development,

and operations management. He specializes in Innovation and Implementation

Leadership. Ray has expertise in product management, marketing, and

business and brand development. He has developed a proficiency in

strategic planning, product development, as well as merchandising and sales

operations. Ray's primary focus is on organizational development and

operational improvement. Increased sales revenue, increased profits, an

increased market share, and enhanced customer satisfaction were

consistently realized as the products of Ray's investments in the area of

operations, sales and enterprise turnaround. Ray founded LX4 Inc and

currently works with companies to focus on developing brands, consumer

products and teams that are focused on delivering Operational and

Organizational excellence. Most recently, he served as a consultant for

business, product and brand development. In that capacity, Ray was

intricately involved in the development and marketing of several new

brands, and received a patent for a product he helped develop. He was a

Vice President (Sales, Marketing, and Brand & Product Development) for the

Voxx International, a global leader in consumer electronics with $700M in

annual revenue. Ray's leadership was evident at Voxx, where in less than

three years he led his team from $20 million to $70 million in sales. The

leadership potential that Ray possesses is a unique blend of vision and

broad based experience, coupled with the ability to deliver exceptional

sales and results. Under Ray's leadership, he and his team captured and

held the number one market share in a key consumer product category in the

mobile electronics field for four consecutive years.

Previously, Ray's leadership potential was recognized by Circuit City

Stores, Inc., who recruited him as a District Manager in training to

oversee what would eventually be 21 store locations and 200 employees.

After just three years, he was promoted to the corporate offices as a

Corporate Operations Marketing/Merchandising manager. In that position, Ray

exercised his invaluable field of knowledge to manage multiple projects, to

promote new ideas and best practices, to write weekly sales and operating

guides, and to remodel existing guides (including grand opening guides and

"operational playbooks") for his division. Ray was then promoted to the

position of Buyer where he helped the company realize increased year to

year sales and exceed industry sales growth by 10% in 2002. In 2004, Ray

was promoted to Sr. Buyer overseeing $500 million in annual sales.

Ray's creative and results oriented leadership, coupled with his vigorous

and passionate commitment to success in business have consistently enabled

him and his teams to exceed industry standards. His visionary leadership

has established a record of success in creating sales growth, in delivering

positive bottom-line impact, in generating process improvement, and in

building strong teams that deliver world-class performance and customer

service. In his career, Ray has demonstrated the ability to develop and

coordinate diverse businesses. He has also realized success in marketing,

brand and sales management, retail operations, orchestrating successful

turnarounds, product development, and managing products from design

conception through mass production and delivery. Ray has the ability to

identify and address organizational gaps and shortfalls in a manner that

will deliver process improvement and sustainable growth, high

profitability, a competitive market position, and ensure top-level

performance. A few of Ray's accomplishments are reflected below:

> Championed a sales, marketing and product team to an unprecedented

increase in revenues that began at just under $20M in year one to over

$70M in year three.

> Successfully coached a sales, marketing, and product development team

to a level of unparalleled success of #1 market share for three

consecutive years in a market of very experienced competitors.

> Multi-National expertise which included traveling extensively to Asia

to work with managed contract manufacturers as well as coordinating

projects and production through the company international offices.

> Negotiated/Managed multi-million dollar contracts involving

production, sales, warranty repair, and product marketing.

> Development of yearly strategic sales forecasts, marketing plans,

budgets, and operational plans.

Ray has completed 121/125 credit hours in Business Administration from East

Carolina University and is working toward degree completion, with plans to

start in the Executive MBA program. He has attended Six Sigma Champion

training, and various personal development programs throughout his career

to enhance his abilities in team and situational leadership, negotiating,

creative and critical thinking, meeting objectives and deadlines, and

multiple project management. Ray has most recently been working as a

business and product development consultant. Ray lives in greater Orlando,

Florida, with his family. His wife of 26 years, Carla, is Dental Hygienist,

and they are raising two daughters. Ray leads an active lifestyle,

participating in golf, running, collecting wine, and cooking. In the

community, Ray serves as Ministry Leader of Youth Programs Faith Community

Church.

Ray I Leake

515 Soft Shadow Lane, Debary, Florida 32713

386-***-**** - acokli@r.postjobfree.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/rayleake

Sr. Sales Operations & Business Development Professional

Visionary operations and business development leader with extensive added

experience in creating budgets and overseeing P&L's, sales, product

development, contract negations, brand development, communications,

retail operations and customer support. Creative, with the ability to

leverage market trends into strategic directions and processes for sales

improvements.

> 20 years of expertise in developing and leading winning sales and

operations teams that consistently achieve budgets

> 10 years of expertise in brand management focusing on brand strategies

and new product development

> Excellent managerial, organizational and communication skills.

> Excellent negotiating skills in selecting and dealing with Asian

manufacturers.

> Experience in managing design departments in both the mechanical and

electrical fields.

> Accomplished in reducing product cost through design and manufacturing

> Conceptual product mapping to include initial design through mass

production to delivery

> Well-versed in overseeing product marketing, management, product road

mapping, and product life cycles

> Conceptual product road mapping to include initial design through mass

production to product launch

> Skilled in contract management, vendor negotiations and relationship

management.

> Ability to identify key product and marketing opportunities while

developing long-term strategic plans

> Experienced Senior Category Manager Oversaw a $400M category at

Circuit City Stores Inc

> Corporate retail operations expertise oversaw group communications

merchandising and operations for 600 store chain

> 10+ years of proficiency in retail marketing, merchandising, product

planning and brand management

> Expertise in problem solving, strategic and tactical planning, sales

development, vendor and relationship management.

> Proficiency in sales forecasting and inventory management, space

planning and business process management.

> Team Leadership, competent in recruiting, hiring, building,

motivating, training, developing and retaining winning teams.

> Utilized information and reports to identify opportunity, needs or

potential issues that may impact current or midterm goals.

> Embraces new technology and the connected world. Understands how to

educate, communicate, market and sell technology.

> Skilled at product sourcing and expert at international travel and

research

> Heavy and solid experience in Merchandising and Supply Chain

Management

> Expertise in staff development, succession and manpower planning

> 10+ years experience in vendor negotiations, relationship and contract

management.

> Negotiated vendor agreements with Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy,

AutoZone, and many other retailers and distributors

> 10 years experience in contract manufacturing and product development

management in Asia

> Willing to travel up to 50% and maintains active passport

> Collaborates with "C" level professionals and all key decision makers

Key Competencies & Expertise Encompasses

Operations Brand Management Category Development & Staff

Management Development

Vendor Relations Consumer Strategic Thinking & Procurement

Insights Tactical Planning

Creative "Problem P&L Management Forecasting & Inventory Project

Solver" Management Management

Relationship Product Life Domestic and International Sales &

Management Cycle Sourcing Budgets

Corporate Negotiations Product Development & Team

Communications Marketing Leadership

Cost Containment Merchandising Building & Implementing Pricing

Growth Strategies Strategies

Professional Experience

Business Development Consultant

Jan 2010 - Present

LX4 INC - Debary, Florida

Working under contract with smaller companies on Operations, Business and

Product Development projects

Business Coach & Co-Owner

Jan 2014 - Present

Equipping Solutions - Debary, Florida

Working with organizations and companies to develop organizational health.

Certified Everything DiSC partner.

Business & Product Development Consultant (Contract Employment)

Feb 2013 - Present

Executive Vice President (Contract Employment)

Protective Enclosures Company - Altamonte Springs Florida

. Consulting with PEC, in a contract position managing operations, brand

and product development, sales and marketing

. Overseeing US vendor management, product manufacturing, business

operations, inventory planning and forecasting

. Development and management of the P&L, budgets, sales planning,

product pricing, distribution and account management

. Responsible for implementation of a new Websites, ERP and CRM software

systems

. Since joining PEC sales have improved over 200% in the past 24 months

. Developed of all HR programs, employee job descriptions and

development of employee handbook

Group Director (Contract Employment)

Jan 2010 - Oct 2012

Metra Electronics - Holly Hill, Florida

. Hired for new product and business development

. Consulted on consumer product research, product development and

manufacturing, business development, brand management, product

marketing campaigns and sales management

. Oversaw sales forecast and market data for product forecasting and

production and price elasticity

. Created and presented product and brand marketing presentations to

owners, customers and financial analyst

. Developed the Audio Solutions product which we were awarded a patent

for as well as developed the brand marketing

. Developed and presented presentations for Venture Capitalist and

investors

. Developed and managed oversees manufacturing for new product lines

Director of Merchandising / Sr. Buyer

2010

Sodexo - Gaithersburg, Maryland

. Member of the new retail concept team to develop a new specialty

retail concept and brand

. Developed the brand attributes, store concept and operational plans

for a new healthcare retail brand

. Created and implemented strategic and tactical retail merchandising,

marketing, sales planning

. Management of research and evaluations of industry trends,

manufacturers and product selection

. Position was hired as a virtual office. However after we defined the

retail concept and responsibilities, it was determined that position

needed to be located in the corporate offices in Gaithersburg and I

could not relocate at that time

Vice President

2004 - 2009

Voxx International - Lake Mary, Florida

. Brand Ambassador for groups brands of products as well as spokesperson

to the industry

. Created and delivered brands product roadmap, marketing and sales

presentations

. Presented monthly, quarterly and yearly sales budgets and inventory

forecasting plans

. Developed strategic and tactical product marketing, sales and business

plans

. Managed Product Development: products from design conception through

mass production to delivery

. Traveled extensively in Asia visiting factories and oversaw production

contract manufacturing and vendor relations

. Presented all key sales presentations to national and regional

electronics and automotive retailers

. Oversaw satellite office, product development teams and off site

nationwide sales team

. Utilized analytics and reports to identify opportunity, needs or

potential issues that may impact goals

. Developed brand strategies, standards, positioning and management for

all brands of products and private label programs

. Managed pricing parameters and elasticity for all products and brands

. Understanding of key stakeholders needs including external partners

and internal x-functional teams

. Researched consumer, competitor and markets to determine product

development needs

. Budget and P&L responsibility in directing all aspects of brand sales

and product development

. Managed forecasting and purchasing; responsible for inventory

management and product life cycle

. Oversaw the creation of marketing and sales training programs,

packaging and consumer material for all brands

. Negotiated contract and vendor agreements with retailers oversaw all

pricing, and programs

. Identified and connected technology advancements with customer needs

to create new products and solutions

. Managed group worldwide sales and distribution for US, Canada, Mexico,

Russia and Australia

. Brand marketing expertise encompasses brand, product and promotional

retail in traditional and digital formats, web site development,

public relations, tradeshow, product sales and training materials,

presentations, catalogs and packaging.

. Responsible for new company business by focusing and anticipating

market trends

. Successfully managed product categories with revenue of over $70

million

. Maintained budgets, product forecasting, tooling, packaging, and time

markers for on time mass production and launch

. Traveled extensively throughout China and Korea developing programs

with vendors

. Directed all aspects of Groups Mobile Electronic product line,

including strategic and business planning, overseas product sourcing,

vendor management, pricing, channeling, marketing, training, product

support and profit and loss

. Established and managed manufacturing channels in China, Taiwan, Hong

Kong, Singapore and Korea for mass production and cost reduction

resulting in higher profit margins.

. Managed engineering department as well as responsible for selecting

outsourced engineering for specialized new projects

. Accomplished in managing projects from design conception through mass

production to delivery while constantly interfacing closely with the

customer and meeting and exceeding their expectations.

. Successively brought over 100 products to market utilizing 3D design,

rapid prototyping, and lower cost production in Asia.

Circuit City Stores, Inc., Richmond, Virginia 1994 - 2004

Senior Buyer

2001-2004

. Managed a $400M budget Oversaw vendor negotiations, contracts,

agreements and relationships

. Responsible for the launch of Satellite Radio in 2001

. Responsible for marketing and funding: Sold a front cover ad on the CC

weekly circular for $1 million

. Oversaw sales, product planning, purchasing, forecasting, and

marketing plans including all promotional strategies

. Managed category research of industry trends, consumer insights, and

new product launches, launch Satellite Radio

. Negotiated vendor funding and pricing, product plans and sold

advertising and marketing programs to vendors.

. Improved market share, top line sales; products turns, lowered cost,

and improved margins & bottom line profits.

. Hired, trained, coached, and managed a buying team of up to six

personnel

. Worked on team that oversaw private label brand management, product

development and sourcing

Corporate Merchandise Operations / Communication Manager

1997-2001

. Oversaw process improvements projects, developed strategic and

tactical operations plans with cross functional teams

. Developed Staff Development programs as well as manpower and

succession planning initiatives

. Wrote merchandise, sales, marketing, operational guides and training

articles for weekly communication to stores

. Visited stores with Senior Field Management on monthly basis to ensure

operational consistency and to develop efficiencies

. Managed merchandising planograms, category store layout, design and

site plans working with the merchandising team

. Developed and taught monthly Management Advancement Program (MAP)

classes

Prior to 1997:

. District Manager - (Circuit City) "Opened 21 Locations in 2 years"

. Store Manager - (Circuit City)

. Market Manager - (Montgomery Ward)

. Sales Manager, Assistant Store - (Montgomery Ward)

. Probation and Parole Officer - (State Of North Carolina)

Education and Certifications

Bachelor of Science Business Administration (121of 125 hours completed)

Focus in Human Resource Management, East Carolina University, Greenville,

North Carolina

Certified Coach Practitioner from Certified Coaches Federation March 2010

Volunteer Work

Board of Governors Debary Golf and Country Club Jan 2010

to Dec 2014

Ministry Leader of Youth Programs Faith Community Church 2009 to

Present

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