BENJAMIN JOSEPH PETERSON
Palm Beach,FL
Summary
Commercial sales and live-event business leader with a background in account development, forecasting, and solution design across hospitality, design, and distribution markets. Leads multi-division operations that combine product sourcing, technical production, and customer relationship management to support profitable growth and dependable delivery.
Overview
1
1
Language
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder, Partner & Executive Director
The Peterson Enterprise
Palm Beach, Florida
2004.01 - Current
- Lead a multi-division business spanning live-event design and procurement, private-label textiles and lighting, and domestic and international distribution of furnishings, lighting, hardware, sculpture, and fine art.
- Directed business development and commercial relationships across hospitality organizations, designers, architects, developers, commercial clients, and domestic and international manufacturers; identified customer needs and shaped practical product and technical solutions to drive engagement.
- Develop sales opportunities and support revenue growth through account development, tailored recommendations, product sourcing, and coordination across internal and external partners.
- Through Slick Entertainment, plan and procure technical lighting, video, and sound for live-event production, coordinating customer requirements, product specifications, supplier capabilities, and delivery expectations.
- Oversee sales activity, business forecasting, expense awareness, and profitability; exceeded manufacturers' annual budget and profit targets by more than 30% per year.
- Reported sales above $3.4M during 20242026; negotiated pricing, quality standards, lead times, and fulfillment requirements while resolving schedule and product issues.
- Created and coordinated marketing and press materials to support U.S. market launches and enhance partner visibility.
Senior Account Executive & Second-in-Command
J. Nelson
Dania Beach, Florida
2000.01 - 2009.03
- Built and led an outside-sales program focused on retaining and growing existing accounts while developing new business; sales exceeded $2.6M.
- Forecasted and tracked sales, expenses, and business performance to support operating decisions, efficiency, and profitability.
- Implemented and maintained client and showroom database systems to strengthen account service, staff coordination, and designer relationships.
- Planned and oversaw development of two showrooms in Florida and Georgia, coordinating space planning, furniture, fixtures, and business requirements to meet operational goals.
- Led initiatives under company president to establish priorities, guide staff, troubleshoot daily operations, and enhance organizational and time management practices.
Contract Account Executive
Jerry Pair
Dania Beach, Florida
1997.05 - 2000.01
- Developed and serviced Florida-market accounts, consistently exceeding sales goals with reported average quarterly sales of $800K$1M.
- Coordinated with designers, architects, manufacturers to ensure alignment of product specifications with client objectives and project deadlines.
- Supported commercial projects by managing specifications for flame-retardant textiles, UL-listed lighting, ADA-related furniture.
Education
Master of Science - Entertainment Business
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL2015-01
Bachelor of Science - Show Production
Full Sail University
Winter Park, FL2013-01
Diploma - Technical Theatre
Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the Visual and Performing Arts
Lakeland, FL1995-01
Skills
- Sales strategy
- Account development
- Opportunity tracking
- Sales forecasting
- Upselling & Cross-Selling
- Solution design
- Live Event Production
- Audio Visual Coordination
- Lighting Design Coordination
- Team leadership
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Expense management
- Pricing negotiation
- CRM & Business Reporting
- Process Improvement
- Client relationships
- CRM platforms
Accomplishments
- Generated more than $3.4M in reported sales during 20242026 through a multi-division business serving commercial, hospitality, design, and event-production customers.
- Exceeded manufacturers annual budget and profit targets by more than 30% per year through business development, pricing discipline, supplier negotiations, and cost awareness.
- Built and led an outside-sales program at J. Nelson that exceeded $2.6M in sales while supporting staff coaching and day-to-day business leadership.
- Reported average quarterly sales of $800K$1M at Jerry Pair while developing and servicing Florida-market accounts.
Personal Information
SENIOR SALES LEADERSHIP | VENUE & EVENT TECHNOLOGY | HOSPITALITY PARTNERSHIPS | CREATIVE GENIOUS
ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP & RECOGNITION
- Trustee, Chamber of Commerce, Town of Palm Beach (2023Present)
- Dale Carnegie Sales Leadership Excellence
- SkillPath training in finance, multi-location management, vendor negotiation, project management, coaching, and team building
- Author, Architecture and Interior Design: Creating a Vision into Design Excellence (ISBN 978-1-884886-36-2)
Languages
German
Limited
Custom Section 1
AUDIO: DIGICO, YAMAHA, SHURE, SENNHEISER, JBL, MEYERSOUND, AVID
LIGHTING: MA, ROBE, ETC, CLAY PAKY, MARTIN, VECTORWORKS
VIDEO: SONY, CANON, HIPPO
Timeline
Founder, Partner & Executive Director
The Peterson Enterprise
2004.01 - Current
Senior Account Executive & Second-in-Command
J. Nelson
2000.01 - 2009.03
Contract Account Executive
Jerry Pair
1997.05 - 2000.01
Master of Science - Entertainment Business
Full Sail University
Bachelor of Science - Show Production
Full Sail University
Diploma - Technical Theatre
Lois Cowles Harrison Center for the Visual and Performing Arts