David L. Priest

**** ****** *****

Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701

Email: gm58lw@r.postjobfree.com

Phone: 479-***-****

Fax: 479-***-****

OBJECTIVE I want to obtain a challenging position in the CPG industry which I can utilize my knowledge, experience, and skills that I have gained throughout my career. I have experience selling to Walmart and managing the necessary sales support teams. I also have experience in international business, specifically in the areas of sales, Hispanic specific marketing, procurement, and logistics. Knowledgeable and proficient with Retail Link, MS office applications, and am at a conversational level of Spanish.

EMPLOYMENT Vistaflor Corporation Bentonville, Arkansas

National Account Manager - Walmart October 2006 to present

I am responsible for all aspects of the sales, marketing, and the management sales support staff for the Walmart account. Vistaflor supplies fresh floral products to Walmart’s produce department. Knowledgeable in international logistics involved with high value perishables.

Accomplishments:

• Increased sales 32% during my tenure to Walmart while increasing Walmart’s margin and internal margin.

• Developed new products, targeting different retail price points that increased sales.

• Increased the sources of floral product sold to Walmart by Vistaflor by creating logistical efficiencies. Prior to my tenure, Vistaflor sold product predominantly from Colombia.

o Mexico - Developed suppliers now shipping regular weekly orders.

o California – Developed suppliers in California, selling product directly to Wal-Mart in several areas of the country by creating logistical efficiencies.

o Africa – Working with the Kenyan Flower Council to increase Kenyan product in stores in the US.

o Holland – Successfully implemented a seasonal program to Walmart.

• Served as the Chairman of Fresh Look Committee. This committee was comprised of the Walmart buyers and strategic suppliers in the floral category.

• Increased margins both internally for Vistaflor and for Walmart.

• Successfully combined a marketing program with procurement, creating a unique floral brand that is exclusive to Walmart. Vistaflor’s “Hispanic Line” specifically targets Mexican consumers, Walmart’s largest and fastest growing demographic group.

• The “Hispanic Line” satisfied Walmart’s “store of the community” initiative and has gained Vistaflor significant additional sales, $7million+. This branding strategy of a commodity item increased sales 7% to 10% in select stores in the US.

• Reduced packaging to meet Walmart’s sustainability initiative which also lowered cost.

The USA Bouquet Company Bentonville, Arkansas

Director of Sales and Marketing March 2003 to October 2006

I created a company from conception to profitability that marketed and distributed fresh flowers to retail florists throughout the United States and Canada. I managed two sales offices, 8 employees, operations, and international product procurement. This company was a vendor-managed third party sales and distribution entity for FTD.

Accomplishments:

• Attained the financial “break-even” point in twelve months from the beginning of operations.

• Successfully attained the business from FTD Fresh Flowers, becoming the sales and distribution agent for FTD. This generated annual sales of $5.7 million.

• Instrumental in product development and marketing strategies for both the Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club accounts.

• Consistently attained target margin percentages.

• Exceeded expectations for year two and was awarded a budget of $7.8 million.

FTD, Inc. Fayetteville, Arkansas

Retail Business Consultant July 2000 to March 2003

Direct sales of all the products and services that FTD offered to retail florists and grocery chains within a specific geographic region. Additional responsibilities included consulting, promoting, and marketing the benefits of co-branding strategies to the client.

Accomplishments:

• Cultivated symbiotic client relationships, which are mutually beneficial to the client and the company.

• Successfully increased customer base within the region.

• Increased technology sales in the region 28% in the first year.

• Ranked in the top 15 in overall sales for the year 2001-2002.

• Assisted the Latin American Sales Manager with logistics and sales opportunities.

Flora Source International / Vans Floral Products

Arlington, Texas / Chicago, Illinois

Sales Manager February 1998 to July 2000

I helped to create and start a company that imported and marketed fresh flowers to wholesale and retail florists and supermarkets. Forecasted sales and monitored inventory levels of perishable products, and served as the official Spanish translator for the company.

Accomplishments:

• Established an international vendor network of fresh flower producers, and successfully marketed their products domestically.

• Successfully created a fresh floral products sales and distribution division from conception to turnkey.

• Implemented an efficient communication system between domestic sales and operations with international production increasing sales velocity.

• Increased sales by proliferating the existing product line through production

• Established “Gateway concept” of fresh flower importation and distribution through Dallas, Texas which increased the customer base.

• Developed and implemented the logistical sales concept.

American Software and Hardware Distributors

Champaign/Urbana, Illinois

International Sales Representative January 1996 to February 1998

I sold computer software and hardware to wholesale distributors and retail stores outside of the United States. The key to sales success was working to find efficient logistical solutions in each country. The clients that I was successful developing and selling to were in the following countries: Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Iceland, Spain, Argentina, Mexico, and Venezuela,

Accomplishments:

• Successfully increased the sales to Latin America by increasing the client base by using my ability to speak Spanish to clients.

• Started the sales of DVDs internationally for the company.

• Consistently increased sales and margin for my accounts.

• Developed new logistical methods that created efficiencies for the company, making sales more successful.

EDUCATION University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas Graduation: May 1994

Degree: Bachelor of Science

Double Major: International Economics and Marketing / Transportation and Logistics

Minor: Spanish (conversational fluency level)

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