Robert Harris

ad2geg@r.postjobfree.com 602-***-****

Executive Summary and Core Strengths

I am an ambitious and optimistic commercial business leader, who has worked as an expat in Latin America for the last 31 -years in educational sales management. During my time spent in the region, which included Honduras, El Salvador, Panama, Ecuador and Peru, I operated schools, led training teams that pitched, presented, negotiated, then developed and implemented customized executive leadership programs for top- tier multi-national companies. Now, upon returning to the United States, I continue moving forward starting my stateside career at the University of Chicago where I bring value and the drive for victory once again relying on core competences below:

Strategic Framework and Execution

Board Governance to Fulfill Objectives

Budget Planning and Execution

Strategic Partnerships and alliances

Transformational and Sustainability Leadership Style

Capable of Igniting Engagement Levels Organizationally

Stakeholder Relationships in Public/Private Sectors

Professional History and Learnings

Senior Field Interviewer, The University of Chicago, NORC 2023 /Current

As a senior field interviewer, I specialize in conducting field interviews and carrying out research surveys for the University of Chicago N.O.R.C clients in greater Orlando. Skills required are the ability to conduct research, be organized, and possess effective communication techniques and methods to generate effective and quality-driven data. The NSECE, which I am currently on, study gathers critical data on the use and availability of early care/ education, allowing for basic but not-otherwise-available information about counts and characteristics of children’s and providers’ participation of early care education. This data is then submitted to federal and state policy-makers. Actions include:

Follow strict protocols and adhere to confidentiality requirements in keeping with University of Chicago

Generate accurate and quality research that can be acted upon by policymakers

Assist in data analysis and maintain all records of interview transaction types

Certified in Security Awareness, Data Governance, Privacy laws and SAP

Managing Director, Harris Communications LatAm 1992-2022

Harris Communications was an executive development company that began operations in Honduras specializing in leadership training with classrooms and offices in each of the country’s three main cities. Once reach was optimized, we migrated into the Americas, from Peru to the USA, as our clients grew into the region. Loyal clients that included Standard Fruit Company, British American Tobaco, Coca Cola, SABMiller, Gildan Activewear, Nestle, Price Waterhouse Coopers, McCann Erickson, Texaco, Kimberly & Clark, AB-Inbev and others trusted us to train 1,000s of associates. Head count was 186. Below are additional achievements in no rank order:

360- monthly payroll periods made successfully, 120- quarters with positive cash flow. Double-digit revenue and EBITDA growth for eleven consecutive years while consistently delivering on targets and business objectives.

25,000 training hours hours accumulated in facilitation as well as certifications from Rosetta Stone, DynEd and SAP Implementation Small Business.

Led the development, preparation, and execution of new business pitch strategies and client presentations, ensuring that our proposals were meaningful and our storytelling / deck engaging throughout.

Designed and executed a comprehensive human resources strategy that included, employee guideline policies /manuals, onboarding procedures, benefit program, tuition assistance/ training and a registered “Internal Reglamiento” registered with the department of labor in countries where we operated.

Establish teaching standards and put in place a fundamental approach to what trainers should know, how they must perform and the necessary disposition for effectiveness. This allowed for greater client satisfaction and consistency across our training portfolio.

Negotiated, bought and held franchising rights to Rosetta Stone USA for Honduras making it the first Computer -Assisted-Language-Learning system in the region. With an initial CapEx investment of $225K, it generated more than $3M in topline revenue.

Key learnings during this time was the realization that building teams and getting the right people on the bus, was pivotal to building a disciplined organization. The headcount grew to 186.

North Coast Warden, United States State Department, USA Embassy, Tegucigalpa, Honduras 2004-2017

Wardens are private citizens who assist the Embassy help U.S. citizens in need overseas. I provided support to visitors in distress, help track down missing U.S. citizens, and, in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency, help locate other American citizens so we can help get them to safety. Most often, however, my role as Warden was to be ‘eyes and ears’ in the community, providing valuable feedback on what life is like for ordinary U.S. citizens in Honduras. The position held a “classified confidential” security clearance. Activities included in no rank order:

Assisting the American Citizens Services section of the embassy in selecting assembly areas and routes for use in the event of an evacuation in my service area.

Reduced in my area total response time to assist Americans in need by 50% and was ranked #1 warden in survey data three consecutive years.

First responded extracting U.S. citizens and participate in re-patriation for family members involved in death overseas situations.

In some special cases provide food and shelter to American citizens in need, upon my discretion.

Report and brief to the American Citizens Service unit when an American has been detained or arrested and assist in obtaining legal counsel as needed.

Provide US-Passport emergency replacement in the event of loss, theft, etc.

Key learnings during the role were good leaders need to adjust and be good followers when asked. Also, unexpected events can happen to good people and always be aware of the dangers in any new environment. Team coordination is essential.

Public Relations Writer, GreyCom, New York 1988-1990

GreyCom is the public relations arm of the advertising agency of Grey Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of WPP, the world's largest communications company. My role was to inform the public, prospective customers, investors, partners, employees, and other stakeholders, and ultimately persuade them to maintain a positive or favorable view about our clients, its leadership, products, or political decisions. I was assigned to the country of Greece. Activities included in no rank order.

Wrote press releases for events and product releases per category

Planned and attended press junkets and visits to industry specific events.

Monitored the publication of written articles, reviews with client as needed.

Account Executive, American Broadcasting Companies, WPLJ, New York 1982-1987

The role as Account Executive is for selling radio advertising spots and maintaining relations with advertising clients/ agencies in the greater New York area.

Developed new sponsorship/advertising accounts and managed a book of clients, agencies and record companies.

Serviced existing accounts, keeping them fresh, effective and buying.

Coordinated with production and participated in creating spots, assist with production as necessary. Ensured accounts were paid.

Organized and participating in publicity events on-site

Obtained the highest per spot rate for “American Top 40, Casey Kasem“ at the time.

Account Executive, East Shore Broadcasting, WRCN, Riverhead, New York 1979-1981

Maintained relationships and favorable contacts on a regular basis with current and potential advertising accounts.

Prospected potential advertisers and cold called to acquire new business.

Services and maintains existing accounts regional agencies were included

Familiar with standard sales concepts, practices, and procedures within the sales field.

Non-Executive Board Positions and Community Activism

2005-2009 Maersk Shipping CA Cluster Non-Executive Board Member Performance Management Head

2005-2009 Campestre Golf Club: Treasurer, Board Member, Legal Representative

2004-2010 Polytechnic Institute Honduras: Non-Executive Board Member, Operations

2009-2018 Habitat for Humanity Honduras: HR Consultant Training and Development

2007-2018 The Cancer League of Honduras: HR Consultant Training and Development

US Department of State, Security Warden, 2004-2017

Honors and Awards

Individual Achievement - C&J Publishing, Surpassing 250,000 sold textbooks, Jun 2018.

Company Recognition - Diario La Prensa, Great companies to work for, Educational Category, May 2001.

Company Recognition - U.S. Department of State, Awarded by The Commercial Attaché for providing exemplary service, Apr. 2007.

Company Recognition - Habitat for Humanity International Awarded to companies and individuals who have provided unique resources and support for ongoing community service, May 2016.

Individual Achievement - Highest Spot Rate, Casey Kasem, American Top Forty, American Broadcasting Companies, 1983

Education

The New School University, Bachelor’s of Science Mass Media and Communications, New York

The Fieldston School, High Graduate, Bronx, New York

The Ethical Culture School of New York

Certifications / Technology

SAP Certified, One Business, University of Chicago

ITUIT QuickBooks Certified, University of Chicago

Certified Rosetta Stone Enterprise Administrator and Computer Assisted Language Learning, Train the Trainers

Certified by DynEd International in C.A.L.L.

Certified Teaching English for Special Purposes, ( T.E.S.P.) C&J Associates Publishing

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