Peter A. Russell235 Tyler Creek • Gilberts, IL 60136 • 773-504-5515 •

www.linkedin.com/in/peterarussellpeterarussell@yahoo.com

SUMMARY

Successful veteran B2B & Retail sales professional that delivers increased sales volume and profits. Accomplished business relationship builder with key decision makers resulting in higher margins and increased client loyalty/retention. Highly skilled at prospecting and new customer development providing improved market penetration. Adroit at reversing negative sales trends in neglected and under-performing territories.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Client DevelopmentMarket AnalysisCoaching &

MentoringNetworking

Leadership High Volume SalesCustomer ServiceProject Manager

Sales NegotiationsTeam BuildingValue Based SellingCommunication

Skills

EXPERIENCE

Lowes Home Improvement Store 2012 & 2013

Sales Associate, 5/12 – 8/12 & 4/13 – currentSales Representative for gas grills, patio furniture, residential power tools and equipment Leads all department sales associates in grill and mower sales averaging between $30,000 to $40,000 in sales per month

Home Depot 2012 – 2013Sales Consultant, 2012 – 2013Straight commission representative selling replacement vinyl windows and attic insulation Increased employee involvement in sales techniques, sales philosophy, and

connection to profit sharing Delivered product presentations of product features as related to competition Designed progressive awards system for employees based on performance

Sabin Robbins Paper Company, LLC. Itasca, Illinois 2005 – 2011

Sales Representative, 2007 – 2011 Reversed a negative trend and achieved increase in paper sales in previously under-performing territories that had declining sales the previous 4 quarters. Increased sales by an average of 15% each year by prospecting printers, telemarketing, identifying decision makers, overcoming objection in face to face meetings and closing sales.

Identified inventory problem, concentrating on the sale of LTL lots of aged inventory to develop 1-2 new customers per month, reduced aged inventory, lowered carrying costs and improved profits. Recognized as a top performer with a 23% average profit margin compared to an industry average 17%.

Customer Service Representative, 2005 – 2007 Managed day-to-day operations, as well as focused on improving customer relations and expanding the role of the CSR Opened 2 new accounts per month by streamlining and updating the “House Accounts” database. Championed a revision of CSR hours to match our customer’s needs, which led to an increase in customer satisfaction contributing to the Chicago Division being the company sales leader. The staggered hours for CSR’s were implemented company wide the following quarter.

PETER A. RUSSELL 773-504-5515 PAGE TWO

Roosevelt Paper, Forest Park, Illinois 2005 - 2005Inside Sales Representative Led company with 22 new accounts for the quarter Pioneered an active customer base and generated nine truckload accounts

worth $175,000 and 20 LTL accounts (worth approximately $70,000 in sales).

Garwood Paperboard Garwood, New Jersey 2000 – 2004 Manufacturer’s Representative

Forged a 15 state territory that included the Midwest and Southeast, opening over 20 new accounts with a sales volume of over $400,000 in the first year.

Targeted three segments of the packaging industry (Partitions, Fast Food and the Tube & Core)resulting in elimination of a side trim problem, diversified customer base, and increased sales price by 25%.

Wisconsin Paperboard (Division of Newark Group) Milwaukee, Wisconsin 1997 – 2000Account Manager Achieved 10% increase in sales volume from (37,608 tons) over previous year

(33,176 tons) Generated 5% increase in sales dollars this ($15,338,637) over previous year

($13,950,259)

LaBoiteaux, INC. (Subsidiary of International Paper) Cleveland, Ohio 1995 - 1997 Regional Manager

First in company to implement program to sell obsolete inventory that reduced carrying costs by 20%.

Developed matrix that categorized customers based on Gross Sales, Gross Profits, Net Profits and Payment History that resulted in improved DSO to 55 days from 98 days which increased profits 5%.

Sheffield Partners Chicago, Illinois 1991 – 1995Purchased a failing neighborhood tavern with a poor reputation that I turned into a profitable operation with an excellent reputation

Reduced cost of goods sold by 25% by negotiating better pricing with suppliers.

Introduced new beverage products to expand customer base and profit margins, which increased sales by 15%.

Improved profitability by 20% thru training all employees on “Value-based Selling” or how to up-sell from well brands and domestic tap beer to “Call & Premium” brands and imported / micro-brew tap or bottled beer

EDUCATIONSouthern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL Bachelor of Science Marketing

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONSPresident, JSC Toastmasters

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