Customer Service Management
Resume:
RICK E. GAUGER
Waseca, MN *****
Portfolio*
********@**.***
PROFILE
Versatile leader possessing high levels of creativity and innovation with an extensive background in agriculture. Lifelong learner with a passion for fostering personal growth and by delivering excellent and engaging solutions. Proven record of designing new programs to engage client participation and build successful relationships. Persuasive and adaptable communicator with ability to empower others. Recognized for achieving results through exceptional customer service. Track record for driving growth; flexible in working with people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. Committed to lifelong learning, incorporating educational technology and creating satisfying online learning outcomes for individuals and teams to attain desired goals.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ANYTIME FITNESS/LARAMIE Current
Owner/Franchisee, Fitness Trainer
• Own and manage a startup fitness franchise.
CONSERVIS, INC. August-October 2010
Consultant
• Contract consultation to field test handheld supply chain inventory control for large farms.
• Engaged owners, farmers and employees in education and implementation of new farm technology.
LAND TRUST, INC 1999- August 2010
Executive Director
• Led LT in client-centered, service-oriented strategies that resulted in record growth in acres protected and transactions completed for more than 10 years.
• Negotiated with over 200 clients to close deals that leveraged over 30 million dollars in real estate donations.
• Implemented 2 five-year Strategic Plans to provide continuous improvement in all program areas by fostering professional growth and effectiveness among the staff and volunteers.
• Supervised and provided leadership to a staff of up to 13 employees.
• Built successful relationships with over 2,000 members by designing and delivering materials that engaged and encouraged passionate membership support.
• Assisted with the design and delivery of education programming for the general public, children and parents, including website material, family-centered outings and games.
• Trained over 550 volunteers in outdoor education activities that included prairie planting, birdhouse building, trail maintenance, and stream monitoring.
ORGANIC DAIRY FARMER 1990 – 1999
Partner/Owner
• Founded one of the first grass-based, certified organic dairy farms in Wisconsin by implementing holistic resource management techniques.
• Organized and led other farmers and local business professionals to establish and maintain a successful organic milk marketing cooperative, resulting in higher commodity prices for local farms.
• Acted as an educational resource by providing pasture walks for persons desiring to learn more about grass-based farming systems.
• Worked closely with the inaugural national organic milk cooperative marketing products by providing access to live baby calves for educational events hosted by Twin Cities grocery stores.
CHIPPEWA VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE 1995 – 1996
Professor/Instructor
• Designed student-centered, hands-on curriculum to teach adult learners and business professionals enrolled in vocational night classes.
• Produced materials designed to engage students and provide an exceptional educational experience in environmental studies and soil science.
MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 1987 – 1991
Program Founder/Director
• Envisioned and created the Sustainable Agriculture Program for the state of Minnesota.
• Planned, designed and implemented an innovative statewide program to promote education and research in alternative farming techniques.
• Reversed the historically negative perspective associated with alternative agriculture and organic farming techniques within the State and the University by providing high quality client-centered information.
• Created and pioneered the production of educational tools to document and publicize alternative farming research and programs. This ‘Green Book’ is now circulated worldwide as a resource for colleges and research agencies.
• Managed a staff of four, with a one million dollar loan program and a quarter-million/year grant program.
• Lobbied State representatives for program funding to provide institutional support for long-term assimilation of the program objectives.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY 1985 – 1987
Graduate Research/Teaching Assistant
• Carried out research in low-input alternative crop production systems.
• Taught introductory soil science classes at the college level.
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA 1982 – 1985
Extension Agent
• Coordinated a 37-county Integrated Pest Management education and management program for western Minnesota farmers and businesses.
• Conceived and implemented the first of its kind, computerized early warning network for monitoring insect flights and hatches.
• Delivered seminars to adult learners, school groups and service clubs on the theory and practice of integrated pest management and reduced pesticide usage.
CENTROL, INC. 1980 - 1982
Crop Consultant
• Advised farmers and professionals in all aspects of farm management, while building successful relationships.
• Saved farmer clientele thousands of dollars in chemical use by practically educating them on the threshold levels associated with pest control.
EDUCATION
Doctorate of Education
Certification in On-Line Education Current
University of Wisconsin Stout
Menomonie, Wisconsin
Certificate: Certified Personal Trainer 2011
National Federation of Professional Trainers
Doctorate of Education (Incomplete) 2007
University of St. Thomas
St. Paul, Minnesota
Certificate: Institute for Executive Director Leadership 2002
University of St. Thomas
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Master of Science: Soil Science; Minor: Counselor Education 1987
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina
Bachelor of Science: Agronomy 1980
University of Minnesota
St. Paul, Minnesota
AWARDS & HONORS
Competed in 65 Triathlons
Volunteer Nature Valley Grand Prix Bicycle Race 2009
Transcontinental Cyclist with PAC Tour 2008
Bureau of Wildlife Management Special Services Award 2003
West Central Wisconsin Natural Resources Award, Wisconsin DNR 2002
State Publication of the Year Award, Minnesota Department of Agriculture 1990
Outstanding Graduate Teacher Award 1987
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