Senior Manager/Sales Professional

R. Lance Pearson

Senior Manager/Sales Professional

Energetic and personable senior manager with over 14 years of progressive managerial and hands-on experience in commercial, governmental and residential sectors. Comprehensive experience in all facets of the landscape/construction industries including sales, construction, maintenance, irrigation, customer and employee relations, purchasing, estimating, budgeting. Fluent in Spanish and proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Timberline Estimating.

Verdi, Austin, TX 8/08 – 6/09

General Manager – A privately owned company with a focus on commercial and residential landscape design, installation and maintenance. Responsible for profit and loss management, day to day operations, marketing, sales and equipment procurement and the management of 7 to 10 employees. Report to Founder/Principal Owner.

Accomplishments:

• Hired and trained all team members

• Directly responsible for the sale and contract negotiation for all construction and maintenance customers

• Completed the City of Austin Green Garden program February 2009

Pearson Landscape Services/Aquatic Features, Austin, TX 1/03 – 5/08

General Manager/Owner (1/03 – 6/06) and General Manager (6/06 – 5/08) – A privately owned company with a focus on high-end commercial and residential construction and maintenance contracts. Responsible for profit and loss management, day-to-day operations, sales, materials and equipment procurement and personnel management of 30 - 45 employees. Reported to Founder/Principal Owner. Pearson Landscape was acquired by Aquatic Features in June 2006.

Accomplishments:

• Increased monthly maintenance accounts from $22,000 to $45,000 from June 2006 to May 2008

• Featured on Central Texas Gardener television show

• Successfully secured and completed multiple $100,000+ residential and commercial construction projects

• Successfully built and lead sales and design team

• Secured and serviced major corporate maintenance accounts and estate maintenance accounts

Grounds Control of Texas, Austin, TX 7/01 – 1/03

Director of Operations – A design/build/maintenance landscape company involved in commercial, residential and multi-family markets. Responsible for contract negotiation, billing preparation, and the management of 50+ employees. Reported to General Manager.

Accomplishments:

• Managed a $2.5 million construction project at 20% below budget and 90 days ahead of schedule

• Achieved profitability in irrigation department for the first time in company history

• Improved cost controls and billing procedures in the landscape and irrigation departments that resulted in more accurate estimating and collections

• Established H2B Visa program that provided a legal workforce

Creekside Golf Course, Waco, TX 8/99 – 7/01

General Manager/Course Superintendent - A golf course/practice facility. Oversaw daily operations of pro shop and maintenance activities. Reported to Owner.

Accomplishments:

• Increased annual sales 30%

• Established and implemented daily procedures for course operations and equipment maintenance

• Designed and supervised all course improvement projects

Clean Cut, Austin, TX 4/97 – 8/99

Operations Manager – The largest landscape company in Austin, servicing residential and commercial customers. Directed design, marketing and sales of landscape functions for construction of commercial and residential landscapes. Responsible for architectural and city inspections. Managed two crews and up to 30 employees. Reported to Owner/Equity Partner.

Accomplishments:

• Only Operations Manager in the company to achieve 100% first time approval from City of Austin Environmental Inspectors

• Achieved 80% employee retention rate, compared to company average of 50%

• Consistently completed all projects at a 10% higher profit margin than company norm

Texascapes, Austin, TX 9/96 – 4/97

Landscape Designer – A design/build/maintenance company specializing in large and detailed residential projects. Responsible for design and implementation of residential and commercial landscape projects. Reported to Chief Operating Officer.

Accomplishments:

• Successfully completed training in Native Plant Identification and Water Conservancy at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

• Established and oversaw management of in-house nursery, resulting in annual savings of $30,000

• Managed all aspects of materials purchasing program with an annual budget of $300,000

Leasing Group Incorporated, Austin, TX 9/95 – 9/96

Leasing Specialist – A computer hardware leasing company servicing commercial

accounts. Compiled business information and obtained credit approvals to secure leases of equipment.

Accomplishments:

• Named Employee of the Month three times

• Promoted from Level I to Level II six months ahead of schedule

• Achieved highest customer approval rating for two consecutive months

EDUCATION

Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas: BA in Political Science with History minor, 1995. Financed 100% of college education through part-time jobs. Member of Sigma Chi Fraternity.

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