KARI COOKSEY

Melbourne, FL • 912-***-**** • ad1psp@r.postjobfree.com • linkedin.com/in/kari-cooksey-50725843 AEROSPACE INTERIOR SALES CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE SPECIALIST Consultative Sales Customer Retention Design Implementation Investigative, socially conscious, and intuitive customer experience specialist leveraging award-winning international expertise with an emphasis on aviation and design, including consultative sales, quality-focused project and account management, and world-class customer service. A personable and accomplishment-driven senior leader with a deep understanding of providing technical resources and product support, and a proven capacity to cultivate lasting relationships and customer loyalty while effectively identifying opportunities for improvement and change. Passionate learner and champion of uncompromising quality, usability and longevity, noted for keen ability to capture competitive edge through minimizing churn, empowering teams, and cross-functional collaboration, ensuring a professional and successful work environment. Areas of Strength:

ü Contracts & Negotiating

ü Elite Client Service Delivery

ü Customer Service, Satisfaction & Retention

ü Client Engagement Strategies

ü Program & Project Management

ü Sales Leadership

ü Conflict-Resolution Skills

ü Luxury Brand Building & Market Knowledge

ü Private Aviation Interior Design

ü Fleet Management

ü Regional Business Development & Research

ü Regional Business Management

ü Cross-Cultural Experience

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

PRIMADONNA – LUXURY IN FLIGHT, Melbourne, FL

A maker and outfitter of custom interiors of private aircraft, specializing in handcrafted luxury linens, sleep solutions, and cabin amenities. Regional Sales Manager Sales Director – Eastern Division 2019 to 2023 Initially hired to cover the East Coast Region, transitioned towards the creation of new programs providing superior personal concierge service for luxury items, enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty, and achieving desired customer retention. Leveraging extensive manufacturing and custom aviation interior design expertise, including leading project management lifecycle, identifying new opportunities, and making necessary changes to maintain the company’s performance goals. Effectively collaborate across various departments such as manufacturing, design, production, and flight to deliver uncompromising quality on time and within customer- provided specifications.

• Led a $5M linen Program proposal - the company’s biggest to date; recommended and designed mission-specific upgrades.

• Manage several hundred of clients across the East Coast after the company’s buyout.

• Doubled sales each year through efficient consultative sales and liaison with aircraft owners, in-flight crews, and clients.

• Brought in the second largest fleet operator as a Program, along with other management companies through established relationships and rapport.

• Managed and consulted the largest OEM customer during the buyout and trained 2 colleagues consecutively. EMBRAER EXECUTIVE JETS, INC., Melbourne, FL

$14B Brazilian multinational aerospace corporation designing, manufacturing, and selling commercial, military, executive, and agricultural aircraft. Senior Interior Designer 2012 to 2019

During the award-winning tenure, managed accounts and fulfilled project requirements for small and large cabin jets for private aviation and high-net worth individuals, including meeting, consulting, and selling. Led international projects and R&D while applying superior conflict-resolution, negotiation, and problem-solving skills to ensure adherence to and delivery of the customer’s exact specifications and priorities. Successfully collaborated with external vendors, examined raw materials at foreign manufacturers, and

“Kari is incredibly knowledgeable across the board, in so many different layers. She has brought credibility to our company as a professional designer. She is considerate of colleagues and is a team player who loves to share knowledge, experience, and work-life balance; Kari cares how work can affect people when it gets stressful, so she offers helpful resources. Last but not least, she has a strong work ethic. Working smarter, not harder is the key.“

– Mindy E., Director of Marketing, Primadonna and Gulfstream alumni KARI COOKSEY Page 2

identified methods to build strong relationships with clients. Continuously improved efficiency and functionality while overseeing lean and streamlined projects.

• Managed $4M to $60M aircraft interiors from specification to delivery on unwavering schedules.

• Completed over 1,000 projects, including designing aircraft interiors for Legacy 450/500/650/Praetor 500/600/Lineage 1000E/Phenom 100/300.

• Sole subject matter expert on many after-market airframes.

• Advised in team collaboration on the new interior design showroom in Brazil and the Phenom showroom in Florida.

• Established a live log program for domestic and international feature manufacturers to empower the customer at the forefront of decision-making, optimizing the process for selecting species, quality, mapping, and implementation. GULFSTREAM AEROSPACE CORPORATION Savannah, GA

$9B American aircraft company designing, developing, manufacturing, and marketing business jet aircraft, employing 13,000 people. Product Support Senior Interior Designer (2006 to 2012) 2000 to 2012 Promoted to spearhead design, manufacturing, and launch of the high-end division in the world’s largest service center, managing 20 repeat client accounts while assisting over 2,000 customers with various interior design projects. Attentively led discovery process and structured presentations to effectively influence buying decisions while showcasing innovative creative design strategies. Developed luxury interiors with uncompromised quality, and attention to detail. Cultivated a network of domestic and international vendors and partners while facilitating commitment to uncompromising project standards.

• Delivered multimillion-dollar projects for high net individuals and corporations.

• Trained designers and interns while leading the largest service center design in private aviation.

• Simplified ways for clients to clarify their vision by developing a robust portfolio of display collateral by desired themes and outcomes including exotic materials, custom coverings, and hand-made luxury items.

• Bolstered customer engagement and retention through client events, effectively observing behavior, analyzing engagement, and predicting market trends.

• Confidentially worked on international and US government special projects involving reconnaissance and medivac aircraft. Completions Interior Designer (2000 to 2006) 2000 to 2006 As subject matter expert on the redesign process, provided key guidance and hands-on support to sales teams, mentoring them on presentations, interior proposals, and sales consultation while continuously increasing client engagement and enhancing marketing efforts.

• Centralized processes by conceptualizing and implementing a design library to provide insights into product and thematic availability.

• Led interior design assignments across 6 facilities in the US and Europe. EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

GEORGIA SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY • Bachelor of Science, Interior Design Pivot Point International 1:1 coaching with Sarah Kalmeta • Business Trifecta Bootcamp

(Merc Enterprises) • Sales, Lean & Product Trainings on all Embraer products (Adobe Photoshop private class) • Moore Life Leadership 1:1 Coaching • Leadership Training

(Gulfstream University) • High Net Worth Individual Negotiation Training Class • Mentor Program with Charles Celli, Vice-President of Savannah Operations • Business Etiquette and Cultural Sensitivity Training (Gulfstream University) • Communispond Training (From corporate VPs on Sales/Interior Designers) • NBAA & EBACE OEM representation, attendance • Fred Pryor Leadership Training

AWARDS

Interior Design/International Yacht & Aviation Award • Pinnacle Professional of the Year (Continental’s Who’s Who Registry of National Business Leaders) • Woman of the Year (National Association of Professional Women) TOOLS & TECHNOLOGY

MS Office • CRM systems (Salesforce, PipeDrive) • Google Suite • Quoting/Contract Software

“Kari is passionate, is happy to

share expertise with those with

less experience, and always sees

the big picture. Even in the

depths of change and adopting

to new circumstances, she finds

humor.”

– Team feedback

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