GARY J. PRATO

**** **** ***** 630-***-****

Wheaton, Illinois 60189 ad1kar@r.postjobfree.com

SENIOR MANAGEMENT PROFILE

Results-driven sales, operations, business development and key account management professional with 30+ years of industry knowledge including laminating film, plastic advertisement boards and food grade plastic wrap. Extensive experience in staff leadership, increasing profitability, account maintenance/client retention, forecasting/budgetary compliance and driving sales teams to exceed sales quotas. Possess expertise in implementing solution sales strategies while successfully networking and translating new business into loyal, long-term professional relationships. Proven track record of streamlining daily sales and overall business operations while providing creative and insightful vision for future growth. Strong proven leadership, communication, analytical, presentation, negotiation, and closing skills at the highest level. Proven ability to develop and manage sales and marketing teams, instilling in them the confidence to attain and surpass company strategic goals. LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Strategic Planning & Leadership • Staff/Customer Training & Development

• Revenue/Market Growth & Profit Improvement • Value-Added Products & Client Service

• Sales, Marketing & Business Development • Organizational Leadership

• Budget/P&L Management • Manage Sales & Marketing Teams PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

COSMO FILMS LTD., Delhi, India 4/2016 to Present

Vice President of Sales (5/2017 to Present)

Vice President of Business Development (4/2016 to 5/2017) Accountable for business development, key account management and strategic sales and marketing steering with daily operational oversight. Plan, direct and execute all facets of sales, account management and program development and implementation with a focus on driving account revenue and volume through the development of strategic product lines and programs. Accomplishments:

• Maintain growth of 10% in a compressed market.

• Continue Year-Over-Year growth of 8% by reducing margins and exiting unprofitable markets..

• Created market for company’s product, growing sales from 0 to over $2 million in two years. OPTIMUM PLASTICS, Bloomer, Wisconsin 2014 to 2/2016 Business Development Manager

Manage all aspects of new business development for this manufacturer of cast film Olefin products for various markets including medical products, health care, graphics, sports, office products, fitness, automotive and packaging. Responsible for driving territory sales as well as the acquisition and development of new clients throughout United States territory. Accomplishments:

• Increased sales from 4% to 11.5% of $80 million total business platform.

• Personally responsible for 75% of new business revenue or $8 million. TRANSILWRAP, Chicago, Illinois 1973 to 2/2013

Director of Business Development (2010 to 2013)

Responsible for sales, marketing and promotion of product lines. Analyzed current market/competitor trends to cultivate new business and maintain current clientele. Designed and implemented strategic plans to increase market share with existing accounts and expand new client base. Facilitated all sales activities interfacing with current sales professionals, manufacturers representatives and other key decision makers, both internal and external.

Accomplishments:

• Increased annual sales from $5 million in 2010 to $25 million in 2012 with projected sales of $40 million by 2014.

• Provided direction to three sales and development representatives.

• Managed profitable sales growth through retention and further penetration of current clients and by the acquisition of new accounts.

• Effectively trained, supervised and evaluated operation of employees, mentor sales personnel to achieve professional goals through successful integration of strategic selling plans/approaches.

• Worked in conjunction with national sales and development managers to develop long-range, strategic planning initiatives to increase operational efficiency and profits. Continued on Page Two

GARY J. PRATO Page Two

National Sales/Product Manager - Laminating Film Division Chicago, Illinois (2000 to 2010) Actively researched United States market and competitor trends to define/establish laminating film customer base. Planned, directed and executed all facets of sales, account management and program development and implementation with a focus on driving account revenue and volume through the development of strategic product lines and programs. Liaised with clientele, established trust and rapport, solidifying loyalty and ensuring retention. Served as driver/idea generator of innovative programs that provided a competitive edge and resulted in process improvement and successful sales. Accomplishments:

• Trained, supervised and evaluated operation of seven outside sales representatives and ten customer service representatives; mentored staff to achieve professional goals.

• Grew division from $34 million to $89 million annual sales. Sales Manager Chicago, Illinois/Melbourne, Australia (1998 to 2000) Managed key account sales and service operations to increase retention. Interfaced with international clients to determine specific needs and provide products/product training, systems and customized services designed to meet the designated requirements. Supervised crew of 4 international sales and development representatives.

Accomplishments:

• Utilized sales and marketing strategies to revitalize under performing sales; revived division from a deficit of $1.8 million in 1997 to a profit of $320,000 in one year.

• Traveled to Australia two to three times each year. National Sales & Marketing Manager - Business Development Chicago, Illinois (1997 to 1998) Responsible for creating, developing and introducing new products within the United States and abroad. Managed staff of seven sales and marketing employees. Accomplishments:

• Responsible for introducing five new products to market with total sales of $4 million and a gross margin of 40%.

Western Division Sales Manager Los Angeles, California (1990 to 1997) Served as territory sales manager for (CA, WA, AZ, NM, UT, ID, CO). Responsible for hiring and training regional team of four customer service and seven sales representatives. Accomplishments:

• Increased sales revenue from $8.6 million in 1990 to $17.8 in 1996.

• Assumed added responsibility as national outside and inside sales training manager. Sales Manager Chicago, Illinois (1987 to 1990)

Responsible for sales within Midwest territory including (WI, IL, IN, KY). Accomplishments:

• Increased sales from $6 million to $15 Million over three year period.

• Managed team of six regional sales representatives. Outside Sales Representative Chicago, Illinois (1982 to 1987) Customer Service Manager Chicago, Illinois (1980 to 1982) Production Associate Chicago, Illinois (1973 to 1979) PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

International Organization of Packaging Professionals (IOPP) Tag and Label Marketing Associates (TLMA)

California Flexo Association

Book Cover Manufacturing Association (BCMA)

Screen Printing Association (SPA)

EDUCATION:

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, Madison, Wisconsin

Completed Masters Level Product Development Course. UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, Chicago, Illinois

Attended Masters Level Business and Product Development Classes. DEPAUL UNIVERSITY, Chicago, Illinois

Bachelor of Science in Management and Marketing

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