Sales Customer Service

STEVEN GEHLE

( *** McCarthy Ct., El Segundo, CA *0245

( Cell: 310-***-**** or Phone: 310-***-****

( *******@*****.***

MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Solutions-focused, MBA-credentialed leader with broad management experience

ranging from product development to market development, international to

domestic markets, and national chains to small independent customers.

Effectively defines, develops and implements targeted action plans to

maximize productivity, efficiency and profitability. Highly versatile;

quickly masters new roles, responsibilities, technologies and environments.

Reputation for integrity, problem solving abilities, work ethic and

analytical skills. Willing and able to relocate.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Cross-Functional Team Leadership . Relationship Building . Performance

Evaluations . Process Improvement

International Marketing . Profit Growth . Product Development .

Presentations/Negotiations . Business Development

Budgeting . Banking & Finance . Personnel Management . Channel Development

. Market Penetration

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

. Developed the rep system from generating less than $600,000 in sales to

almost $2 million in just 2 years at Danu USA.

. Managed, mentored and motivated the independent sales rep base throughout

the United States for Fiesta Toy/Mahar Mfg., integral to optimizing

bottom-line profits.

. Named to the Marketing Committee as part of a U.S. Department of Commerce

program in 2001.

. Successfully grew the international department in Pioneer Balloon/CAC

from under $1 million to over $15 million in 10 years, by applying sales,

business development, and international operations management skills.

. Played a key role in Pioneer/CAC receiving honor as Kansas Exporter of

the Year, due to exceptional personal efforts in Asia.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Product Pathways, IPA, ABS and GPS

President (2006-Present)

Apply extensive business development background toward overseeing

independent sales management services for importers and manufacturers in

the gift, home d cor and home accessories segment. Exhibit advanced

communication skills in developing, mentoring and motivating sales teams

and collaborating with them to optimize profits by organizing trade show

efforts and developing innovative sales strategies. Design performance

evaluation systems and support company organization. As a general

consultant, develop sharp business acumen by working closely with diverse

businesses to improve profits, create organizational improvements and

design targeted employee policies and procedures. Analyzed financial

statements and procedures to identify profit growth plans and resolve cost

inefficiencies. Supported business owners in creating predictive metrics

to improve business performance.

Danu USA d/b/a Cuddle Factory, Azusa, CA

National Sales Manager (2004-2006)

Effectively led and evaluated a diverse team of more than 120 Sales

Representatives and account representatives in setting goals, establishing

priorities, managing resources, and developing targeted sales strategies

for a key manufacturer of branded and private label plush toys.

Identified, developed and executed action plans to boost productivity,

efficiency and performance.

Continued...

STEVEN GEHLE ( Page 2 ( *******@*****.***

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE - Continued

Danu USA d/b/a Cuddle Factory, Azusa, CA

National Sales Manager (2004-2006)

-Continued-

. Applied sharp business acumen toward increasing annual sales from

$600,000 to $2 million in two years.

. Maximized sales by conducting meetings to review performance,

troubleshoot problems, and promote proactive team collaboration.

Mahar Manufacturing d/b/a Fiesta Toy, Vernon, CA

Vice President - Sales (2003-2004)

Contributed dynamic leadership skills toward successfully managing a

diverse team of Sales Representatives and Customer Service Representatives.

Steered daily strategy meetings with staff to update them on inventory and

replenishment, as well as identify and resolve issues. Resolved internal

and external conflicts, prepared performance evaluations, conducted ongoing

competitor analyses, and implemented key strategies to reflect market

conditions.

. Increased national coverage to 100% from less than 70% within the

first year.

. Trained and mentored staff in designing and delivering innovative

sales presentations and providing superior customer service.

Gravitas International, Dubai, UAE

General Manager (2002-2003)

Designed, developed, and executed innovative sales and marketing programs

and promotions to cultivate new business ventures, for a distribution

facility for a party products importer. Project cut short by the second

Gulf war in 2003.

Continental American Corporation d/b/a/ Pioneer Balloon Company, Wichita,

Kansas

General Manager - International Markets (1992-2002)

Strategically planned and administered P&L plan to control costs, boost

revenue and optimize bottom-line profits for two foreign subsidiaries.

Launched, developed and managed international distribution centers in

Mexico and Australia, as well as a sales office in Japan. Applied strong

interpersonal relation skills toward building key relationships with the

international independent distributor network and internal customer

service.

. Expanded international independent distribution system, increasing

sales from $900,000 to over $5 million in a 7-year period.

. Boosted sales in Japan from $300,000 to over $2 million in 4 years,

and maximized sales in Australia from less than $200,000 to over $1

million in 4 years.

Career Note: Additional experience as a Manager New Product Development for

Continental American Corporation.

EDUCATION

MBA, Finance and Marketing - University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska

BS, Architecture - University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska

Select Courses - Colorado Graduate School of Banking

AFFILIATIONS

Marketing Committee, U.S. Department of Commerce, Wichita, KS 2001 and 2002

World Trade Council, Wichita, 1993-2002

Kansas Exporter of the Year, Pioneer Balloon Co., 1997

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