JAMES R.

POTTS, III
2743C NE 103 Street
Seattle, Washington 98125
Mobile: 770.329.6348
Email: jp5aa408@westpost.net

SALES MANAGEMENT / MARKETING / BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Strategic Market Planning / Competitive Market Positioning
Sales Training & Team Leadership / New Product & Market Development
Dynamic sales and marketing career in small, medium and large corporate environm
ents. Record of defining, delivering, and marketing timely, profitable, leading-
edge products. Consummate sales executive recognized for ability to build, guid
e, and sustain successful sales teams. Comfortable with full or collaborative r
esponsibility for providing strategic direction of the organization's public ima
ge and product-service lines. Particularly strong presentation, negotiation, an
d communication skills; expert in building top-producing relationships with cust
omers and business partners worldwide.

HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS:
* Problem solving, consultative guidance, artistic personality management, culti
vating educational formats, and anticipating seasonal trends & promotions
* Developing and implementing business strategies that increase product awarenes
s, market share, and company profitability
* Identifying and capitalizing on new growth opportunities through market analys
is, product-development expertise, and keen business instincts
* Leading cross-functional teams that collaborate as a focused unit to achieve a
ggressive business goals and drive the evolution of concepts in achievable busin
ess strategies
* Outstanding communication skills as a trainer, educator and motivator with une
qualed professionalism, embracing change and thriving on a challenge.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
TOUGH GUY(R) INTERNATIONAL, Seattle, WA 2002 - Present
Vice President & Chief Operations Officer, Principal
Accelerated revenue performance 200%, increased market share 25%, improved distr
ibutor revenue 125% and increased gross profit margins of overall sales from 21%
to 38%. Developed and nurtured productive relationships with product manufactu
rers and professional associations. Worked collaboratively to define product dir
ection and product enhancements to create market-driven, solution-based product
line. Managed products and services branding campaign by creating the most effe
ctive, visible and consistent marketing communications for anti-fatigue mats in
the professional salon industry.

KERATIN COMPLEX by COPPOLA, Boca Raton, FL 2008 - 2009

Vice President, Business Development
Analyzed distributor sales revenue and set yearly projections and budgets. Colla
borated with distributor management and sales staff to set achievable and mutual
ly compliant goals. Examined existing business and added strategic distribution
in undeveloped territories. Grew brand recognition at distributor and salon leve
l. Developed and established template for educational venues and educator traini
ngs.

THERMAFUSE, Kannapolis, NC 2007 - 2008 2007 - 2008

National Sales Director
Assisted manufacturer's transition from direct sales to distributor sales and re
presentation. Developed and launched new distribution, coordinated and managed s
ales meetings with manufacturer's representatives and distributor sales staff. I
nstructed, gave direction and held regional managers accountable in sales areas
such as, sales meetings, sales calls, and customer education.

JAMES POTTS
Page 2

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (Continued):

BELSON PRODUCTS / HELEN OF TROY, El Paso, TX 2007

National Sales Director
Assisted in the integration of recently purchased division, Belson Products, wit
h parent corporation Helen of Troy. Analyzed, evaluated and made changes where n
ecessary in international, full service distribution mix. Developed programs, es
tablished quotas and negotiated incentive/rebate programs with distributors to i
ncrease sales. Contributed to redefining and re-establishing current product mix
. Assisted with marketing and new product development

SCRUPLES PROFESSIONAL SALON PRODUCTS, INC., Lakeville, MN 1990 - 2002

National Sales Manager (previously Southeast Regional Sales Manager)
Supervised 10 regional sales people throughout the U.S. and Canada; directed 3 b
rand managers and managed an educational team of 15 artists and 150 educators, r
esponsible for coordination and expenditures. Established, implemented and regu
lated marketing strategies and sales objectives and maintained a creative, yet f
inancially lucrative product focus. Integral member of the product development
team. Presented corporate philosophy at major trade show events and corporate s
ponsored venues.

WEST COAST BEAUTY SUPPLY/THE CRICKET COMPANY, San Francisco, CA 1988 - 1990
Eastern Regional Sales Manager - 1989 Regional Manager of the Year
Managed two manufacturer representative groups for the Northeast and Southeast U
.S. and established successful distribution in both territories, including Puert
o Rico. Instrumental in attaining territory growth to annual increases of 32%.
Conceived and directed marketing of new and existing products and aided in new
product research and development.

TRESSA, INC., Cincinnati, OH 1985 - 1988

Southeast Regional Sales Manager
Developed and acquired Tressa's first $100,000 single order. Cultivated Tressa'
s first Million Dollar territory. Coordinated an educational team of 20 individ
uals.

EDUCATION: UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA, Wilmington, NC

Bachelor's Degree