Trent A.

Cate
10420 N. McKinley Dr. #1502 Tampa, FL. 33612
317-362-6444 * tce36324@westpost.net
Career Summary
A highly experienced, innovative, results oriented executive in sales, marketing
and operations. Exhibited ability to lead diverse teams, improve P&L performanc
e, revenue generation through sales and marketing initiatives, development and i
mplementation of both short and long-term strategies as well as improving servic
e levels in a variety of highly competitive industries, cutting-edge markets, an
d fast-paced environments. Demonstrated management development and team building
skills with an impressive track record of significant hands-on experience in st
rategic planning, business development, and product management.
Sales and Business Development * Key Client Retention * Brand Awareness
* Domestic and Global Sales * Relationship Management * Project Management
* Product Development * Training and Teambuilding
WORK EXPERIENCE
123INVENTORY 2005 to Present
COO / SALES & OPERATIONS MANAGER a" Tampa, FL
Managing partner for North America sales & operations specializing in ecommerce
sales and marketing of retail and wholesale goods through diversified platforms.
Scope of responsibilities includes but not limited to; overseeing operations,
P&L management, IT development and strategies, business development, sales forec
asting, marketing, pricing, budget planning and analysis, strategic market plann
ing, training and personnel, vendor acquisitions and negotiations, purchasing, c
onstruction, lease negotiations, and inventory management.
a Identified business development opportunities and strategically implemented bu
siness models to strengthen the overall company valuation and expanded brand ide
ntity.
a Negotiated pricing & leveraged manufacturers/distributors in procuring product
.
a Constructed budgets and plans to grow business and increased profitability 20%
above plan in the first year.
a Increased sales from start-up to more than $2 million annually.
a Conceptualized & leveraged effective marketing campaigns resulting in local an
d national media recognition.
a Established multifaceted platforms to increase product sales through various s
ales and distribution channels including: direct retail sales, wholesale, eBay.c
om, yahoo.com, google.com, amazon.com, craigslist.com, liquidation.com, and over
stock.com.
CHARTER ONE BANK 2004 to 2005
BUSINESS BANKING OFFICER a" Indianapolis, IN
Oversaw the sales of banking products and services, profit model, expense and lo
ss control, deposit and loan growth, Business development, asset and account man
agement, and client services. Marketed business accounts including but not limi
ted to business account, SBA loans and lines, equity loans and lines, cdas and p
ersonal accounts.
a Instrumental in revenue and income growth of 76% over a 15-month period, throu
gh both organic growth and acquisitions.
a Provided training and guidance to branches to understand and refer business pr
oducts.
a Solicit and develop new business account relationships by interviewing loan ap
plicants, structuring and closing loans.
a Aggressively networked businesses, CPAas, Attorneyas throughout territory to i
ncrease brand awareness, product availability and grew territory portfolio by mo
re than 300 new accounts.
a Recognized for top performing branches, territory & state in new business.

FORD MOTOR CO. / FORD CREDIT COMMERCIAL LENDING 2000 to 2004

REGIONAL DEALER ACCOUNT MANAGER - Indianapolis, IN
Responsible for managing sales and operations for the Midwest region including:
127 Dealerships, 200+ key customers and over 100 million in revenues. The home o
ffice based in Dearborn, MI., my regional responsibilities included: day to day
business functions, management, forecasting, marketing, sales, training, financi
al analysis, and serving as a liaison between business units. The core focus was
to increase profit margins as well as broaden the knowledge and value of Ford p
roducts throughout dealership and customer base. Accountable for the diversifica
tion of territory financial and fleet portfolio. Responsible to stabilize loss
as well as grow bottom line profits and performance for the region.
a Increased overall value of vehicle and fleet purchasing as well as leasing for
Ford Motor Company, Ford Financial, Dealerships and the end user through tactic
al business models.
a Grew Volume regional portfolio by 150% in addition to decreasing losses by 30%
in region.
a During my tenure the Midwest region acquired new business resulting in an annu
al increase of combined revenues totaling more than $50 million in which I assis
ted the dealers in the sales and financing of these commercial account contracts
.
a Recognized nationally as top achiever in volume sales for combined products.
a Established and executed training and product knowledge seminars for dealershi
ps and customer base.
a Assisted in fleet & floor plan auditing.
a Used consumer and market knowledge gained as Company representative at nationa
l convention and trade shows to improve

BUDGET GROUP / RYDER TRS INC. 1997 to 2000

General Sales/Operations Manager a" Indianapolis, IN
Overall operating responsibilities for both the Budget and Ryder TRS brands. Ma
naged the integration of all sales and operations for a fleet of 1400 trucks, 30
0+ employees, covering 100 locations in three states, generating a gross revenue
base of $15 million. Directed all aspects of marketing and sales initiatives
in client retention and new business.
a Implemented and coached a sales model which attributed to a top line increase
of $500,000.
a Executed fleet purchases, auctions and distributions.
a Planned and executed strategic sales blitzes resulting in $200,000 in incremen
tal revenues.
a Designed and conducted sales training meetings and seminars for sales staff an
d dealer network.
a Increased bottom line profit for the combined brands versus prior year by 18.5
%.
a Capitalized on the strong synergies of both brands to increase overall revenue
s and awareness through sales, marketing, and maintenance programs.
Sales/Operations Manager- Indianapolis, IN
Managed the Budget brand with responsibilities encompassing; overseeing of the s
ales and operations staff, also including revenue/fleet operations, maintenance
operations, and local marketing. Responsible for a fleet of 300 throughout 10 l
ocations.
a Trained, managed, motivated and supervised sales and operations staff.
a Redesigned sales and marketing material to better meet the needs of the consum
er.
a In the first six months tenure, revenue grew over prior year by more than $100
,000 with a 21 % overall profit margin.
a Coordinated and managed sales efforts to exceed 60% local revenue through long
term schedule business.
Corporate Account Executive - Phoenix, AZ
Sales account representative charged with the duties of managing sales and marke
ting for a fleet of 230. Responsible for increasing new business and maintaining
existing accounts while learning all aspects of management including P&L and ot
her financial reports. Managed, maintained and acquired a gross total of more th
an 1,000 accounts.
a Assisted National Sales Director and VP of Marketing in developing a national
sales initiative to drive revenue through synergies with leasing communities.
a Exceeded personal quotas by a minimum of 114% each month bringing in average r
evenue for the company of $80,000+ per month.
a Participated in several sales and marketing blitzes throughout the region to
increase Budget brand awareness and revenues.
a Mentored 2 sales representatives resulting in increased territories as well as
increasing overall revenue generation.
CRYSTAL ROSE MANAGEMENT INC. - Denver, CO 1989 to 1997
Operations and Sales Manager
Responsible for the overall daily operations including; full P&L responsibilitie
s for this food & beverage / event services business. Managed a staff of six sa
les representatives and four facility managers. Responsible for developing new
and innovative sales and marketing strategies. Maintained full time status whil
e completing education.
a Identified and developed over $200,000 in new business.
a Produced advertising and promotional programs for radio and television spots,
the Internet, and many magazine and newspaper publications.
a Sold and served major local accounts including Coors, IBM, AT&T, Keebler and U
S Olympic training camps.
a Played a major role in expanding a one-facility business into 5 locations.
a Sales and management contributions led to a doubling of revenue in 1995 and 19
96.

EDUCATION
Colorado Christian University - Lakewood, Colorado
a Bachelors of Science a" Psychology (1995)
o Minors - Business, Communications
a Activities a" Collegiate varsity basketball, track and field, and golf