MELINDA E. GARDT
**** ****** ***** *********: 859-***-****
Union, KY 41091 Mobile: 859-***-****
******@****.***
http://www.linkedin.com/in/melindagardt
MARKETING AND SALES EXECUTIVE
Inspired and innovative marketing and sales executive routinely thinking of
new approaches exceeding goals. Decisive and energetic with a gift for
being eloquently direct and open. Exceptional leader and mentor, experience
in financial investments, consumer products, and educational industries.
Naturally competitive "corporate athlete" seeking an opportunity to
collaboratively build your business through unparalleled marketing and
business development. Specific areas of Expertise:
Customer Relationship Management Business Development
Strategic Planning Trade Show Management
Annual Sales Projections Training/Development
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Great American Financial Resources, Cincinnati, OH 2008-2010
Client Relations and Sales Manager
Challenged with the opportunity to grow client groups and foster customer
retention through strategic sales and marketing efforts. Responsible for
building relationships with independent agents and key customer groups in
an effort to increase sales for support division(s).
. Increased sales by 236%, quadrupling client groups in 18 months by
aligning plan administration resources with group client needs.
. Grew the independent agent sales force by 30% through influential
presentations of information and parleyed with administration
training.
. Negotiated and tailored Service Level Agreements, in collaboration
with the legal department, resulting in the increase of semi-exclusive
managing firm's partnerships by 47%.
. Increased client groups for 2009 by 19% through the approval to
acquire competitor TPA groups.
. Reduced travel budget by $73,000 for 2009 by strategically aligning
existing and prospective client meetings.
. Collaborated with IT to design collective reporting that resulted in
33% fewer reports while increasing management's understanding of how
business units can better partner together.
Meridian Global Marketing & Business Solutions, Inc., Union, KY 1997-
2008
Senior Consultant/Owner
Innovative entrepreneur motivated by the opportunity to provide marketing
and business solutions through consultative efforts on projects acquired
through networking and client recommendations.
. Procter & Gamble - teamed with R & D in the "Pamper division"
resulting in improved fitting diapers and "ThermaCare" products.
Advanced 3-D design achieved through the application of engineering
specifications utilizing Asame CAD software. Represented the chassis
design team at the I2000 trade show through the creation of large
scale collateral and computer animations. The exposure greatly
increased awareness across all R & D global business units with regard
to the capabilities of the chassis design team and the Asame software.
. YourEncore - designed marketing presentation to the Wright Patterson
Air Force base displaying the Small Business Innovation Research grant
proposals. Generated market research that determined the feasibility
and viability of specific anti- defense mechanisms. Created the
commercialization pieces embedded within the SBIR grant proposals.
. A2T2 - partnered with the scientific research team to write
commercialization pieces incorporated with the Small Business
Innovation Research grant proposals targeted for the Department of
Defense and the National Institute of Health. Commercialization pieces
were created for the promotion of anti-defense mechanisms in addition
to medical devices for those suffering from post traumatic stress, and
brain injuries.
. The City of Union Kentucky - appointed the marketing executive for the
Union Town Plan Committee with key responsibilities in strategic
marketing planning and designing collaboratively with the KZF
architectural firm. The resulting marketing brochure was presented to
more than 200 key commercial developers across the US as outlined in
the newly marketing plan.
. Nor-Com - management and design of a large scale design project for
yearly trade show in Chicago resulting in the increase of booth foot
traffic by 56%.
BP Chemicals, Florence, KY, Accounts Payable Supervisor 1991 - 1993
Krauss Maffei, Florence, KY, Accounts Payable Specialist 1990 - 1991
Mazak Corporation, Florence, KY, Accounts Payable Clerk 1988 - 1990
SUPPORTIVE PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Energetic mentor endowed with the opportunity to touch the lives of
business and design students through presenting the latest concepts
relative to marketing, management and design trends.
. Based upon course objectives, develop syllabi and course materials,
motivating students into subject specific thought provocation and peer
interaction.
. Incorporated new age teaching tools including virtual black board
allowing interactive "e-learning".
. Created testing materials and/or rubric as a means for course
evaluation and student understanding of materials.
. Utilized hands-on teaching through project assignment requiring the
output to be a group presentation and when appropriate, an individual
progressive portfolio piece.
Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY 2006 - Present
College of Marketing and Management
Adjunct Part-time Professor
EDUCATION
MBA, Thomas More College, Edgewood, KY, 2005
Concentration: Marketing and Management
BA, Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, KY, 1997
Major: Graphic Design and Marketing
AFFILIATIONS
Florence/Union Small Business People Working Cooperatively
Organization
Honorary Kentucky Colonel Northern Kentucky Habitat for
Humanity
Covington Partners in Prevention Delta Epsilon Sigma (Academic
(Mentoring at risk children) Honorary)