Sales Manager

James Gassen

*** * ********* *** ( Park Ridge, IL 60068 815-***-****

*****.******@*******.***

Career Summary

Creative, energetic executive with an excellent track record of success in

both mid-sized and large corporations. Highly positive, strategically

oriented thinker with a proven ability to lead and motivate under a broad

set of conditions. Motivated by the challenge of successfully driving

change to meet identified objectives through self and others.

Market Research and Analysis / New Market Development

New Product Development / Intellectual Property Portfolio Management

Marketing Communications / Global Brand Identity Program

International Business / Acquisitions & Strategic Partnerships

Continuous Improvement / Product Lifecycle Management

Technical and Sales Training Program Development

Professional Experience

In-House Marketing, Princeton, IL

Current

Owner

Define and execute marketing strategies for industrial B2B clients.

Projects include; Market research and analysis, Strategic market

development, Brand and trademark development, Multi-media communications

development, manufacturer's representative selection and evaluation, sales

training, and sales incentive programs.

Spiroflow Systems, Inc., Monroe, NC

2010

Regional Sales Manager

Managed manufacturer's representatives and direct sales in the Central

Region for a $6MM industrial process equipment manufacturer of conveyor

systems and bulk material handling equipment. Customers included food &

beverage manufacturers, chemical manufacturers, engineering firms, and

general manufacturing firms.

Martin Engineering, Neponset, IL

2003 - 2009

Vice President Product Marketing & New Product Development

Responsible for Product Line Management, Marketing Communications, and New

Product Development for a $150 million global bulk material handling

company. Martin Engineering manufactures and sells conveyor products,

flow aids, and engineered systems.

. Implemented vitality program to target 30% of sales from products aged

five years or less, and an annual gross profit margin increase of one

percent per year.

. Designed and deployed a global new product development process, reducing

time to market by 50%, and implemented a professional project management

program.

. Completed two domestic intellectual property purchase agreements and one

international acquisition together with executive committee.

. Managed product line and guided operations for business units in North

America, Europe, South Africa, China, and Brazil.

. Developed global market intelligence / market share / competitive

intelligence process.

. Implemented global corporate identity program.

. Staffed, equipped, and started-up a $5MM state-of-the-art bulk material

handling research facility (Center For Bulk Material Handling

Innovation).

. Identified and developed new market opportunities in conjunction with

direct sales, distributors, and OEMs.

USFilter Corporation / Stranco Products, Bradley, IL

1995 - 2002

Director Of Marketing

Led a professional staff in target marketing functions, as well as

advertising, new product launches and customer service for the $50 million

Stranco Products Business Unit (marketed industrial and municipal water &

wastewater chemical feed and control systems). Managed product

rationalization, distribution channel activity, overall e-business

strategy, tradeshow participation, and extensive staff training. Gained

exposure to international markets in Mexico, Canada and Europe; greatly

improved morale and overall productivity. Analyzed market trends, and

instituted comprehensive product training programs for technical sales and

service manufacturer's representatives.

. Managed marketing integration of Wallace & Tiernan's European assets to

form USFilter's Chemical Feed & Disinfection group.

. As Regional Sales Manager, expanded accounts totaling $10MM in revenue in

the West Coast territory, while continuing to increase profitability for

Stranco following its acquisition by USFilter in 1996.

. As Training / Marketing Communications Manager, conceptualized and

staffed both departments while greatly improving professionalism and

overall productivity for USFilter Stranco Products.

Nalco Chemical Company - Naperville, IL

1983 - 1995

Senior Product Manager (1987 - 1995)

Led branding initiatives, pricing, structuring and national promotions for

automated equipment product lines for $2.4B industrial water treatment

chemical company.

. Twice recognized as "Marketer of the Year" in 1995 and 1987; greatly

assisted in increasing group sales revenue by 100% from $30 million to

$60 million.

. Launched TRASAR technology, in-field fluorometric measurement of chemical

levels.

. Developed & introduced SHADOWMASTER, state-of-the-art cooling water

control system.

. Created a comprehensive financial Five-Year equipment plan for the Pulp &

Paper Group.

. Rolled out various remote data acquisition and control systems for

boilers, cooling water, and municipal water and wastewater applications.

. Operated the Mobile Engineering Center, conducted heat transfer

efficiency, corrosion, and fouling studies in refineries and

petrochemical plants.

Technical Sales Representative - Los Angeles, CA / Beaumont, TX (1983 -

1987)

Developed new business, maintained key accounts, and provided technical

support for refining, petrochemical, primary metal, and pulp & paper

customers. Worked with key clients including Mobil Oil, Texaco, Monsanto,

U.S. Steel, and International Paper at various facilities nationwide.

Consistently met or exceeded $1MM quota goals in a highly competitive

market. Completed extensive corporate training programs in Consultative

Selling Skills, Situational Leadership, Effective Presentation Skills,

Statistical Process Control and Business Communications. Instructor and

on development team for salesman's plant safety program.

Education Personal Information

MBA in Marketing

DePaul University Private Pilot

BS Degree in Chemistry Illinois Theater Conservatory

Committee Member

North Carolina State University Emergency Medical Technician

BS Degree in Zoology Hobbies include guitar,

basketball, and photography

North Carolina State University

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