RISA R.GARNER

**** ****** ******* ****** #***, Louisville, KY 40241

abhtxy@r.postjobfree.com 850-***-****

SKILLS AND TALENTS

. Excellent project management and client relationship

development/maintenance

. Background includes event management, inside sales, territory

management, account management and marketing

. Experience in multiple industries, including non-profit, consumer

packaged goods, retail, technology and real estate

. Skilled at managing vendor relationships, budgets and project results

reporting and analysis

. Creative, self-starter able to work on teams or on own with minimal

guidance

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2006-2011 Destin Area Chamber of Commerce-Destin, FL

Drive the strategic planning and execution of 46 events annually for the

Destin Chamber of Commerce, including managing budgets, securing$400K in

sponsorship dollars and working closely with outside vendors as well as

managing associated community organizations.

Director of Events

. Responsible for organizing, executing, and managing over 46 Chamber

events annually, driving $400K in revenue through securing sponsorships.

. Lead the planning and management of the Destin Seafood Festival, the

area's largest annual event with an event budget of $230K and over 400

volunteers, overseeing an increase in attendance by an average of 24%

annually during the years managing the event.

. Develop and maintain relationships with the local print and broadcast

media to provide visibility and awareness of the Chamber and its

activities.

. Work closely with outside vendors that provide services for the Chamber

and its organizations, including negotiating pricing and project managing

design and execution of giveaways and promotional merchandise.

. Assisted in the founding and development of the Destin Forward

Leadership Program, a community professional development association, and

currently am responsible for planning each class.

. Drive the facilitation of the Emerald Coast Emerging Leaders

association for young professionals with a membership of over 250.

. Created, organized, managed and executed the Chamber's first 5K/10K

Run/Walk. Destin's Bayou, Bay & Back had over 300 participants and over 30

volunteers.

2006 Jerry Wallace Company-Destin, FL

Through multiple roles within the parent company and its subsidiary, Jerry

Wallace Developments, managed an annual operating budget of $6 million and

led the marketing and advertising for its training services.

Director- Jerry Wallace Developments

. Managed a $6 million annual operating budget and staff of six across

areas of the operations team, including accounting, human resources,

keyless management and advertising.

. Assisted in creating communication materials for potential investors to

fund programs for present and future projects.

. Responsible for regular briefings to corporate leadership on financials

during company planning sessions.

Advertising Director-Jerry Wallace Company

. Worked with outside vendors on graphic design, Website updates,

business card and template refreshes

. Led the planning, coordination and execution of a series of 12 sales

seminars and training programs, reaching over 600 people, targeting

potential investors, real estate agents and potential individual buyers.

. Responsible for developing a quarterly marketing plan and managing an

annual marketing budget.

. Managed forecasting and tracking of advertising revenue and expenses,

documented procedures and policies, managed production requirements and

provided input into personnel decisions.

2004-2006 Independent Contractor- Marketing Support-Atlanta, GA

Provided marketing services, including market and competitive research and

project management as a contract resource for a small/independent marketing

professional.

. Worked in a contract role for providing support for market and

competitive research and project management for direct mail and collateral

development projects

. Clients included an Atlanta-area real estate company and a New York-

based server manufacturer

2001-2004 Black and Decker Corporation -- Atlanta, GA,

Sarasota, Tampa, Orlando, FL

Rose up the ranks from field marketing to territory manager, responsible

for the largest territory on the East Coast, gaining experience in

education and training and merchandising while being responsible for

analyzing and reporting on sales and merchandise trending.

2002-2004 Territory Manager-Home Depot-Black & Decker

. Grew the Sarasota territory by 9% in 2002

. Managed the largest territory on the East Coast totaling $11 million

(Sarasota, FL)

. Increased brand recognition and visual presence on more than 300

products

. Built and developed partnerships with District Managers, Store

Managers, and Associates

. Conducted visual merchandising and educational clinics for store

employees

. Collected and analyzed sales and merchandising information

. Trained and managed two Retail Specialists

. Opened new stores in Georgia and Florida

. Received the Legacy Award, a companywide award for excellence in

performance

2001-2002 District Sales Representative -Home Depot- Kwikset & Price

Pfister

. Managed a $4 million territory, participated in more than 20 store

events

. Participated in the Kwikset Ultra Max test market by analyzing and

tracking sell in and sell through

. Educated more than 250 Home Depot Associates

. Placed highly in numerous regional, statewide and nationwide sales

contests

2001 District Sales Representative-Lowe's-Black & Decker

. Managed an $8 million dollar territory

. Collected and analyzed sales and merchandising information

. Sold over $1 million in incremental orders in six months

. Hosted and assisted in more than 25 store front events

. Hosted product knowledge sessions in-house and district wide totaling

400 associates

2001 Field Marketing Representative-Strike Force-Black & Decker

. Participated in Marketing Research projects

. Developed statewide product contests to drive revenue and increased

unit orders

. Educated more than 1,000 Home Depot and Lowe's Associates on Black &

Decker products

. Assisted in driving more than $200,000 for Home Depot and $50,000 for

Lowe's in incremental orders

. Consistently placed highly in regional, statewide and nationwide sales

contests.

EDUCATION

Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, B.S. Communication Studies

Graduated 2000, G.P.A. 3.63, Dean's List

PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

. Leadership Okaloosa- 2009

. Kiwanis Club of Destin- 2008, Board Member, 2009-2011

. Junior League of the Emerald Coast, Board Member - Chair of New Members

2007, Vice President Elect of Retention 2008, Vice President Membership

and Retention, 2009-2011

. Destin Forward Leadership Program- 2007-2008

. Dale Carnegie Training Program- Effective Communication and Human

Relations-Spring 2007

. Black & Decker University- Sales, Negotiations, Value Selling, and

Recruitment Training - 2001

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