Sales Customer Service
Resume:
Richard Gzesh
Euclid, OH ***23
Email: ******@***.***
OBJECTIVE
To obtain a part time position to subsidize my fixed income that will utilize my 30 years of sales and
management experience to our best advantage and mutual success.
QUALIFICATIONS
I have 30 years of sales and sales management experience as an outside sales representative in
the clothing and gift industries, the past 11 years owning and managing a small independent sales
agency within the fast moving gift industry. I am a self starter and a quick learner, knowing what it
takes to be a successful. I believe in providing excellent customer service and am experienced in
solving customer complaints and issues to the satisfaction of all involved parties. I am competent
with a computer and familiar with Microsoft Word, Publisher and Excel.
EDUCATION
1968-1972 High School Diploma, Peabody High School, Pittsburgh, PA
1972-1976 BS Community Development, Penn State University, State College, PA
EMPLOYMENT
1995-2006 Owner, The Gift Dept.
I created The Gift Dept., a small independent manufacturer’s representative agency in
1995 after working as a sub rep for seven years for another similar agency. I was able
to secure some of the top lines in the industry to represent. We were very successful
introducing new products to the market as well as growing existing business. At the
time I sold the agency I had 2 sub reps working with me but have had as many as 4.
Our primary responsibilities were marketing, sales and merchandising of our
manufacturers’ product lines to Hallmark Stores, Gift Shops, Florists and Garden
Centers in Western PA and WV.
I actively participated in the Pittsburgh Gift Show, displaying twice a year our product
lines in 12 booths. I have extensive knowledge of trade shows, including ordering of
product, set up, display, selling, tear down, training of temp help, promotions etc. I
have also attended and assisted at other national and regional trade shows with in
the gift industry as well as the clothing industry earlier in my career.
I am experienced in computer usage, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher and
other basic programs. I was responsible for my agency’s order entry, commission
statements, newsletter and all other clerical needs.
Our Sales exceed $1,000,000 per year.
Company sold to my long time associate, Janet Marzell in August 2006
1988-1996 Independent Sales Rep, GZA, Richmond, VA
I pioneered the Pittsburgh based territory for GZA, a Manufacturer’s Representative
Agency within the gift industry. I was responsible for their new Pittsburgh based
territory selling to gift shops, florists, drug stores etc. The territory had less than
$100,000 in sales when I started in 1988 and exceeded $600,000 when I left in
1995 to start The Gift Dept.
1977-1988 Territory Manager, Standard Knitting Mills, Knoxville, TN
Hired soon after college, I was responsible for the Pittsburgh based territory for the ir
Healthknit brand of clothing to retailers in Western PA and WV. The territory was
producing $300,000 when hired and produced just over $1,000,000 when the
company was sold to a competitor and dismantled, leaving me with out a job.
ADDITIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE
1987-1998 Ski Safety Ranger at Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Champion, PA.
I was a member of the original Safety Rangers at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. As
a part time Ski Safety Ranger I was responsible for identifying and correcting safety
issues on the ski slopes, enforcing on slope ski policies to guests, giving ski safety
talks to arriving school groups, helping with crowd control and assisting the ski patrol
with on slope injuries.
AFILLIATIONS Charter member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
2005 President of the Four Winds BMW Riders of WPA, member since 1999
American Motorcycle Association member since 1995
BMW MOA member since 1999
Riders Association of Triumph member since 2003
Salary history and references provided upon request.
Contact this candidate