Richard W. Merritt
***** ***** ****, ********** *****, CA 92647 . 714-***-**** home office .
714-***-**** cell . *************@***.***
Sales Representative
Dedicated and tenacious sales professional with a reputation for proven
results and exemplary ethics. Comprehensive knowledge of trends in
financial and insurance products, services and best practices.
Account acquisition & retention . Powerful presentations . B-to-B & B-to-C
sales . Territory management & customer support . Team leadership . Key
account development . Needs assessment . Product launch
Professional Experience
Independent Insurance Agent
2013 - present Insurance Services, Huntington Beach, CA
Represented multiple life, health and annuity insurance organizations,
including, Anthem Blue Cross, Minnesota Life, American Equity, Allianz,
Athene, Industrial Alliance Pacific. Currently managing a large group named
Pacific Aerospace with enrollment of 350 employees.
Account Manager
2009 - 2013 American Fidelity Assurance Company, Ontario, CA
Manage campaigns within unified school districts for the sale of
disability, life, annuities, cancer, long term care and accident insurance
throughout California; conduct staff and district planning meetings to
promote products.
. Received a persistency bonus for sales over and above quota in 2009
and 2010.
. Earned Series-63 license, a requirement to sell variable annuity
products.
. Exceeded sales quota in 2011 and promoted to Account Manager in 2012.
Internal Sales Consultant
2006 - 2009 Phoenix Life Insurance Company, Newport Beach, CA
Supplied independent and State Farm agents with client illustrations for
fixed and variable products. Provided case consultation and design,
marketing, training and website assistance.
. Supported wealth management consultant (WMC) in Orange and San Diego
counties, helping team build annual sales of $2.1 million.
. Conducted meetings for State Farm, provided product and website
training to agents.
. Earned Series-6 license, a requirement to sell mutual funds and
variable annuities.
Independent Insurance Agent
1996 - 2006 Insurance Services, Huntington Beach, CA
Represented multiple life, health and annuity insurance organizations,
including Chase, Blue Cross, GE, Nationwide, PacifiCare Allianz, Aviva,
Industrial Alliance Pacific. Maintained book of business in excess of 300
clients.
. Negotiated and closed a $500,000 annuity sale by establishing trust in
product with client.
Area Manager
2002 - 2004 S.E.R. Programs, Fresno, CA
Specialized in pre-tax annuities and tax qualified life insurance provided
by Industrial Alliance Pacific Life Insurance Company specifically
targeting teachers and school employees across LA and Orange County school
districts. Built and maintained book of business in excess of 150 clients.
. Conducted retirement planning seminars for teachers in the LA and
Orange County Unified school districts.
. Earned S.E.R.'s Getaway Golf Expo for outstanding sales achievement in
2003.
Account Manager
2000 - 2002 Keystone Financial, Anaheim Hills, CA
Managed company's lead generation program and built book of business in
excess of 240 clients for independent sales rep for health insurance firm.
Additional Sales Experience
Field sales experience with industrial products companies, including seven
years within the packaging industry selling rigid vinyl (both industrial
and food grade) and shrink wrap, including high speed inline equipment, for
the following employers: Belco Engineering, Rochaux International, Taverner
& Brown, and American Mirrex.
Education
B.S., Economics, B.A., Sociology, Cal State University Long Beach
. Post-graduate work in international trade and finance, CSULB