Experience

SkyBlue LLC

• United States

• CO-FOUNDER

  • Jan 2011 - Present

  - Advanced the development of a market sizing plan for the business potential of several bedding product categories. Orchestrated the design and development, from concept-to-prototype, of a new line of mattress and box spring encasements with a revolutionary construction/fabric innovations. Pioneered the creation and launch of DreamTec® brand, marketing collateral, and go-to-market plan for hospitality and retail. Procured a worldwide licensing agreement with Standard Fiber LLC, after authoring two patents for a novel bedding encasement line. Navigated the negotiation of agreements with worldwide hotel franchisor groups for the DreamTec® brand. - Orchestrated the design and development, from concept-to-prototype, & launch of a new pickleball activewear line for men & women, as well as pickleball paddles, which are USAPA approved. https://skybluepickleball.com Show less



LIXIL Water Technology Americas

• United States
• Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Leader, National Project Sales - Hospitality LIXIL Americas

  • Sep 2020 - Mar 2021

  Cultivated strategic partnerships to build large rolodex of C-level contacts within global hotel brands, architects, design, engineering, project management, ownership groups and construction firms. Evaluated markets, competitors, and existing operations to carve out new business opportunities. Generated +800 projects for a total pipeline of $48M, 25% of all hospitality projects, almost 50% of the total hospitality project pipeline value. Demonstrated expertise in Salesforce CRM by partnering with CRM analyst to customize hospitality objects, fields and enhance proposal tool. Educated, mentored, and motivated 30+ hospitality and project team members on the benefits of utilizing Salesforce to ensure faster adaptation. Fostered a globally minded hospitality culture by forging international relationships and opportunities for Lixil across Canada, Europe, Middle East, and Asia. Collaborated with product marketing managers, deploying expert guidance to meet brand standard requirements, market trends and ADA requirements for the hospitality vertical. Leveraged network of C-level contacts developed over the past 17 years to uncover large value projects for the hotels, stadium, cruise line, student housing, and multi-family verticals. Conceptualized and advanced the development of a new lifestyle hotel brand standard and performance specifications.Charted successful course of development for hospitality marketing plan and budget for the US market. Show less

• Senior Regional Project Manager, Hospitality West

  • Dec 2016 - Sep 2020



apaiser

• Australia
• Design Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Strategic Account Manager

  • Sep 2015 - Nov 2016

  Liaised with CEO / Founder of the company on a regular basis, conveying direct reports on marketing strategy and implementation. Generated over $8.5M in quotes globally during a 12-month period. Developed valuable networks of influential luxury design directors, developers, construction companies, and architecture firms across North America. Interfaced with North American design and architecture firms to formulate product specifications/modifications. Piloted the creation of 5 new global luxury and lifestyle hotel brand performance specifications with franchisor/ownership groups. Spearheaded new business development, oversaw full lifecycle design process, and executed project management responsibilities. Show less



Kay Lang + Associates

• United States
• Design
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Director of Business Development, Marketing, Branding and Vendor Relations

  • Jan 2014 - Sep 2015

  Augmented and diversified customer base by 75% through the creation of outreach programs for luxury brands, developers, asset managers, construction management companies & architects. Scrutinized virtual marketing landscape to devise and implement comprehensive social media platform. Amplified KLA’s media coverage by 50% by establishing strategic relationships with key hospitality editors. Utilized Insightly and Google Docs to design and implement Cloud CRM to track development opportunities. Show less



Jane Hamley Wells

• United States
• Furniture and Home Furnishings Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• National Director of Sales Hospitality & Contract

  • Apr 2012 - Oct 2013

  Expanded Independent rep base throughout the USA by 40%. Coordinated and streamlined vendor approval with Caesars/Harrah’s corporation, opening sales potential to 50 casinos and hotels / 42,000 rooms and suites worldwide. Secured vendor approval with Marriott International, positioning JHW in front of more than 4,087 properties / 697,000 rooms in over 80 countries. Initiated women-owned business certification process through WBENC for Jane Hamley Wells. Administered specification process with architectural and design firms and landscape architects across North America and the Middle East. Show less



Protect A Bed

• United States
• Retail
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice President Sales Hospitality Division Protect A Bed

  • Aug 2004 - Jun 2010

  Worldwide design and manufacturing leader in healthy sleep solutions for mattress and pillow protection with annual revenues exceeding $75 million in over 27 countries Reporting to the CEO, oversee all sales and business development functions, including new product development, new product rollouts, key account management, customer relationship development, contract negotiations, and order fulfillment. Hold P&L and budget responsibilities. Provide cross-functional team training, coaching, and mentoring. Company spokesperson and speaking as a panelist at industry events and quoted in numerous hotel publications and leading trade show events across North America. DesignDevelop, implement, and adjust various sales plans and programs for mattress encasement and protector products, with a focus on building distribution channel and creating brand standards with the leading worldwide franchisors, purchasing groups, and ownership/management groups across North America. Michael has been instrumental in designing Protect-A-Bed’s line of bed bug proof encasements, which won the Editors’ Choice Award in 2007 at the International Hotel/ Motel and Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS). At IH/M&RS 2009, Protect-A-Bed’s Storage Bag also won an Editor’s Choice Award. Michael has extensive experience developing and marketing new products based on consumer needs. She works with hotel properties and corporations across the country to develop and implement an aggressive approach for preserving mattresses, box springs and pillows. Under Michael’s leadership, Protect-A-Bed encasements have become the world’s first scientifically proven bed bug entry, escape and bite proof devices and are a sound investment for hotels and motels interested in mitigating risks associated with potential bed bug infestation. Show less



Petra M..... Design

• Cambodia
• Civil Engineering
• 1 - 100 Employee

• OWNER/PRINCIPAL

  • Jan 1996 - Jul 2004

  Petra M..... Design is a product design company focused on high end consumer markets Created and built custom designed high end custom clothing, furniture, and fine art under the Petra M... Design label. Developed marketing collateral and PR buzz in local Chicago market. Selected Achievements: • Developed target marketing strategies and sold to charitable organizations and local businesses in the North Shore region of Chicago. • Kitchen design was recognized by Wall Street Journal in November 2005. Show less



FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION – Chicago, Illinois

• CONTRACT LINGUIST

  • Jun 2002 - May 2004

  The FBI's mission is to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, and to enforce the criminal laws of the United States Recruited into FBI’s Foreign Language Program to provide translation linguistic services. Selected Achievements: • Achieved Top Secret Crypto Clearance for FBI. • While fluent in 5 languages, training focused on both written and audio translation of German to English language of top-secret communications. The FBI's mission is to protect and defend the United States against terrorist and foreign intelligence threats, and to enforce the criminal laws of the United States Recruited into FBI’s Foreign Language Program to provide translation linguistic services. Selected Achievements: • Achieved Top Secret Crypto Clearance for FBI. • While fluent in 5 languages, training focused on both written and audio translation of German to English language of top-secret communications.



Celli S.P.A. Italy

• VP Sales

  • Jan 1992 - Dec 1995

  Michael has extensive experience developing and marketing new products based on consumer needs. Celli S.P.A. is a beverage dispensing equipment manufacturer based in Italy. The company also owned Berti, a manufacturer of faucets and bathroom fixtures, as well as LAM, a manufacturer of stainless steel components, enabling Celli to have a vertical supply chain. Selected Achievements: • Launched new sales channel into untapped India market with Hindustan Brewery • Negotiated contracts with brewing companies. Hindustan Brewery, Tiger Brewery, Polar, Bitburger, Loewenbraeu, Hofbraeu House, Feldschloesschen, Brau Union AG, Veltins, exceeding sales quota targets each quarter. • Developed strategies to penetrate the S.E. Asia markets of India, Singapor, Malaysia, and Indonesia, leading to a foothold in these new territories. Show less