KENNETH N. ASH

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Elm Grove, LA 71051

318-***-****

OVERVIEW

Proven leader with over 25 years of experience in sales and marketing, building/coaching teams, building brands, building relationships. Passionate about customers (internal and external) and finding solutions for needs. A positive DOER, driven to provide clients and partners with an amazing customer experience. Energetic and creative, I excel at critical thinking, problem-solving and listening.

EXPERIENCE

Vice President of Sales/Area Sales Manager/Account Executive HiTouch Education HiTouch Business Services

Unity Education Resources

(These company names were evolutions of a single organization, through merger and acquisition, from privately held to ownership by Staples, Inc. and the associated changes in job titles under new structure)

January, 2011 – September, 2023

In these roles, I managed teams from 2 -10 direct reports, developing a

business plan to go to market in the Education arena. I conducted all facets of our bid and RFP Strategy and Preparation for National Purchasing Cooperatives as well as local entity contracts. I recruited and hired for roles within the education team, finding individuals based on character, attitude, enthusiasm, and energy. I trained those people for the role, taking advantage of their individual characteristics, to help them excel in the activities necessary to succeed in growing their sales within the framework of a CRM while preserving the uniqueness of their talents.

Through several organizational changes, I found ways to use the capabilities of each new iteration of the company, to best serve the needs of the clients. From managing to selling in my own account base, I kept in touch with the market, and grew my own accounts as I helped others open new accounts nationwide.

I successfully partnered with our logistics team to overcome challenges in our southwest Louisiana market, improving delivery time, accuracy, and customer interactions, to allow sales growth to go from about $500K to over $1Million annually.

EXPERIENCE(CONTINUED)

Division Manager Unity School Supplies, LLC

November, 2006 – January 2011

As the Division Manager for this start-up company, I was able to win and manage the Louisiana State Contract for Instructional Materials, starting with zero sales and reaching over $6 million in just over 3 years. With 2 direct reports, we worked together to achieve this revenue growth, as I also built our comprehensive business plan, with P/L Accountability as well as sales budgeting and forecasts. I provided marketing strategy and marketing materials for the sales reps, including catalog creation, strategy, and delivery.

Territory Sales Manager School Specialty, Inc.

September, 1998 - November, 2006

During these years I was instrumental maintaining the Louisiana State Contract for Instructional Materials, and marketing that contract to more than 30 school districts. Building relationships statewide, I was able to grow the smallest territory in the state from about $135,000 to $1.25 million over a 3 year period.

Territory Sales Manager Beckley-Cardy Group

(Beckley Cardy Group was acquired by School Specialty, Inc. in September, 1998)

January, 1998 - September, 1998

Engaged in territory business planning, customer care, prospect development, sales presentations and closing sales. My key activities included marketing strategy and catalog placement and promotion to grow an underserved territory. I was able to grow sales by over 200% in just 9 months, prior to acquisition by a larger company.

Account Representative Horace Mann Educators Insurance Co.

May, 1994 - January, 1998

Covering a large, rural territory in North Louisiana, I built relationships with key decision-makers at the district level in local school districts, to earn the opportunity to introduce the products and services of Horace Mann Insurance Company to these new accounts in Education Markets. I routinely conducted large group meetings, for hundreds of school employees, and followed up with individual sales presentations for Life, Auto, Homeowners, and Annuity Products. I followed a plan for prospecting within multiple districts for individual leads, and prospecting within School District offices for group leads. I opened 2 new payroll slots for the company, which are still in use by clients in those areas to this day.

EDUCATION

Harding University

1987-1991

BBA in Business Management

Graduated Magna Cum Laude

Perennial Dean’s List Honoree

Member of Kappa Tau Omega, Knights, and King’s Men service clubs

Participated in multiple intramural sports, as both player and coach

SKILLS

Team Building and Leadership

Active Listening

Critical Thinking

Recruiting

Sales Training

Relationship Building

Prospecting

Sales Data Analysis

Sales Management

Market Assessment

Merchandising

Bid Analysis and Preparation

RFP Analysis and Proposal Creation

Networking

Direct Selling

Needs Assessment

Profitability Analysis

Contract Negotiation

Coalition Building

Salesforce

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