Experience

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  AmericasMart Atlanta

  • Greater Atlanta Area

  • Importer of Home Furnishings

    • Sep 2014 - Present
    • Greater Atlanta Area

    Import and resell home furnishings: furniture, rugs, chandeliers, art and accessories.Currently have 15 importer accounts to include: Hooker Furniture, Uttermost, Summer Classics, etc.See current catalog attached.

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  Keller Williams Realty Atlanta

  • Atlanta, GA

  • Real Estate Investor & Realtor

    • May 2014 - Present
    • Atlanta, GA

    website: www.jodyrigasrealty.comBuy, stage, renovate & resell real estate. Top 20 Realtors in Cherokee County Atlanta, Georgia.Recognized in 2015 for highest written volume, total written $3,608,386.

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  Amazon

  • E-commerce Business Developer

    • Feb 2015 - Present

    Jody Rigas Designs @ Amazon.com Started, own and currently operate an Amazon e-commerce business.Go to Amazon.com and enter Jody Rigas in the search to see full e-commerce store.

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  Morris Multimedia

  • Covington, Georgia

  • Regional Sales Manager

    • 2003 - 2005
    • Covington, Georgia

    -Successfully worked with various Morris Multimedia products that generated over $3 million in new business within the first 6 months of hire. -Train and motivate sales representatives in finding new customers and creating new incremental revenue-Developed sales programs and systems designed to show and maintain product buying benefits for clients.-Improved the effectiveness of sales and management to reflect in positive revenue growth.-Prepared sales budgets for the upcoming quarters, and projected revenue for upcoming year to meet and exceed those.-Managed and maximized revenue plans in such a way that increased awareness and utilization of company products, as well as increased market penetration.-Increased sales volume by utilizing extensive product knowledge, innovative sales techniques and strong customer relations.

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  GE Capital

  • Greater Atlanta Area

  • Investor & Developer, Newspapers

    • 2000 - 2002
    • Greater Atlanta Area

    -Received commitment letter from GE Capital's David VanderLugt to fund $20 million for acquisition of newspapers on September 19, 2002 (see letter attached).-Purchased & sold 4 franchise magazines in Hilton Head, SC 2013-2014.-Developed business plans and sold venture capitalists on purchasing various newspaper properties.-Sought out underdeveloped properties to build up revenue than leverage for additional properties.-Developed various business plans to purchase bi-weekly or tri-weekly newspaper properties to increase revenue and then turn into dailies.-Completed 3 different business plans to bid on the following:Bid $2.9 mm/15.5 times cashflow on a 5000 daily newspaper, having 59% penetration, grossing $2mmBid $2.5 mm/4.2 times cash flow on a 5000 bi-weekly newspaper, penetrating 60%, grossing $4mmBid $30mm/8.6 times cash flow on 7 CNHI properties newspapers, penetrating 45%, grossing $9.8mm

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  USPTO

  • Washington D.C. Metro Area

  • Inventor - Patent

    • 1999 - 2001
    • Washington D.C. Metro Area

    -Applied for U.S. Patent May 2000 with help from Bilicki Law Firm PC, Jamestown, New York.-Business fully incorporated May 2000 by Gullo Law of Fredonia, New York.-Developed, patented and sold my invention nationally to the top and biggest major retailers.-1st account acquired was Wal-mart, who took the product national after a 5 month market test (see newspaper article attached).-Sold my patented product to 5000 national retailers to include: Walgreens, Wal-mart and Rite Aid.-Sought out and received endorsement from national organizations.-Developed web site to promote e-commerce sales.-Consistently evaluated product production expenses to ensure best rate of return

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  The World Bank Group - IMF / African Society

  • Washington D.C. Metro Area

  • Economic Development Research

    • 1994 - 1996
    • Washington D.C. Metro Area

    Researched ways to reduce greenhouse gases in 3rd world countries while studying Pre-Law at George Washington University.

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  The Sacramento Bee

  • Regional Sales Manager

    • 1992 - 1995

    -Responsibilities included national account sales, sales training and continually improving revenue through awareness and utilization of company products. -Consistently increased revenues over prior year by prospecting new business opportunities.-Increased market penetration and account development through exceptional account management that developed effective business relationships.-Manage and continually improve revenue plans and customer relations in such a way that increases awareness and utilization of company products.-Increased sales volume by utilizing extensive product knowledge, innovative sales techniques and strong customer relations. -Recognized numerous times for exemplary sales performance.

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  Marietta Daily Journal

  • Sales Representative

    • 1989 - 1991

    Responsibilities included national account sales, sales training and continually improving revenue through awareness and utilization of company products. Consistently increased revenues over prior year by prospecting new business opportunities.Increased market penetration and account development through exceptional account management that developed effective business relationships.Manage and continually improve revenue plans and customer relations in such a way that increases awareness and utilization of company products.Increased sales volume by utilizing extensive product knowledge, innovative sales techniques and strong customer relations. Recognized numerous times for exemplary sales performance.