Sales Manager

JOHN A. RECCA

**** ********* ***** *., ******, CO 80401

ONLINE BIO:

www.brandwerksgroup.com/John_Recca.html

303-***-**** *********@*******.***

BRAND AND BUSINESS DEVELOPER

Sales, marketing and business executive with the proven ability to create and manage a

diversity of brands, ventures, people and situations. Will inspire strategic, out-of-the-box

thinking, vision, teamwork and results for a company committed to growth.

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

Experienced. Created, introduced, reintroduced, and managed many ventures ranging from small,

niche products to $100M+ global brands.

Branding expert with classical consumer packaged goods skills who can ensure that your brand is

unique and meaningful, and marketed profitably.

Strong sales and distribution background. Eight years with the E. & J. Gallo Winery, a top CPG sales

organization. Broad experience, including field sales, chain/key account sales, distributor sales, and

sales management in all trade channels.

Executive management with financial and operations skills. Have run businesses and operations for

large and small companies, with both large and shoestring budgets.

Entrepreneurial passion. Enjoy rolling-up-sleeves and creating new ideas and launching businesses.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Executive Leadership Sales & Distribution

Business Strategy Communications/PR

New Ventures Advertising, Creative Development

Branding Operations Management

Marketing Finance

Brand Management Budgeting

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

BrandWerks Group, Golden, CO, Managing Director, 2000 present

The BrandWerks Group www.brandwerksgroup.com is a privately held brand development company that

provides strategy and sales/marketing solutions. Specialized services include business creation, finance

(planning and funding), brand strategy/development, and design. Focus on growth stage clients,

including: Mulay s Sausage, Wystone s Tea, Diamond Tail Ranch, Rocky Mountain Natural Meats,

Washington Group International, Canadian Trade Commission, Colorado Department of Agriculture,

Pappardelle s Pasta, Zep Commercial Products, Aquamantra Water, Solterra Foods, Scrambled Oats Inc.

Responsible for sales, account planning and management

Temporary CEO role for some clients

Lead/supervise team of (currently 15) consultants with diverse skills (legal, finance, research,

graphic design, etc.)

Year-over-year increases in client base and consulting revenues

The Rocky Mountain Soda Brew Company, Golden, CO, President, 1995 2000

Owner of premium soft drink company. Brands included Rawhide root beer, cola and lemonade. Named

one of most innovative products by The Denver Business Journal; rated A+ by BevNet. Responsible for

all management functions including board and shareholder relations.

Created brand and product concept and capitalized company

Developed and managed 10 state distribution network and direct sales

Year-over-year revenue growth; sold brand to another beverage company in 2000

Hinckley & Schmitt Bottled Water Group, Inc. (CGE, France), Englewood, CO, Director of Brand

Development, Regional Sales & Marketing 1994-1995

Responsible for leading the Company s regional sales, retail marketing and new product development

until (early 1995) sale to Suntory Bottled Water Group.

Directed planning and marketing for the Group s ($10M) retail sales division

Led the re-launch of Colorado Crystal and Hinckley & Schmitt Premium Waters

Hiram Walker & Sons, Inc. (Allied Domecq, UK), Detroit, MI, Group Marketing Director, 1991 1994

Responsible for five brands, including Canadian Club the company s flagship brand. Group revenues

exceeded $140M. Profit contribution over $20M.

Guided global creative direction and advertising campaign for Canadian Club

Directed all national and regional marketing. $20M annual budget

Member of HW Global Acquisition Team. Finalist in $300M Absolut Vodka purchase

Category Development Manager, 1990 1991

Managed four spirits categories (vodka, gin, rum, and tequila) and ten new and existing brands.

Successfully reintroduced Beefeater Gin, a $870M investment for the company

Managed Beefeater Gin, increasing U.S. market share from 32% to 40%

Created successful national promotions, Summer Gin and Art of Good Taste .

Directed the U.S. launch of Fr s Vodka Skandia, a joint venture with Danish Distillers

Coors Brewing Company, Golden, CO, Brand Development Manager, 1986 1990

Managed the startup and on-going operations for an entrepreneurial, new products operations group

creating the blueprint for what is now Coors new ventures division.

Responsible for an operating team of 5 department heads and 80 members

Introduced the Company s first non-alcohol brand, Coors Rocky Mountain Water

Assisted in the management of Coors and Coors Extra Gold brands

E. & J. Gallo Winery, Modesto, CA, Associate Marketing Manager, 1978 1986; Sales Management,

Hotel/Restaurant & Retail Sales Divisions

Introduced, managed and assisted in the development of three new products including

category leaders Bartles & Jaymes Wine Coolers and E&J Brandy

Assisted in the creation and management of national foodservice sales division

Regional sales and buyer contact for grocery chains and foodservice accounts

EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE/PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

University of California, Berkeley A.B., Economics, graduate business studies: Claremont Graduate

School, University of California, Los Angeles; University of Colorado

University of California, Berkeley Executive Management Program, Marketing

Hiram Walker/Allied Domecq International Executive Development Centre

Advisory Board, Colorado Proud, Colorado Department of Agriculture, Markets Division

Marketing Committee, Colorado Wine Industry Development Board

Board of Directors, Genesee Foundation

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