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BRIAN E. RISSE
Guilford,CT
Summary
Motivated, versatile, and strategic executive with successful experience in sales and sales leadership. Possesses a strong work ethic while anticipating, identifying, and developing initiatives that improve market results. Measured Sales Leader focused on aligning organizations behind a common vision and cultivating stronger internal and external partnerships that lead to successful sales results.
Sales executive with proven track record in driving revenue growth and developing high-performing teams. Strong focus on collaboration and adaptability, ensuring reliable performance in dynamic environments. Skilled in strategic planning, market analysis, and relationship management, consistently delivering results aligned with organizational goals.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Sales - Library & Supplemental
Cengage
Independence, KY
04.2025 - 06.2026
- Developed and executed strategic sales plans to drive revenue growth across diverse markets.
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance customer engagement and improve sales processes.
- Analyzed market trends and competitor strategies to inform product positioning and pricing models.
- Fostered relationships with key stakeholders, enhancing collaboration and driving business development initiatives.
- Exceeded Sales Target of $110M
Vice President of Public Library, Government & Consortia Sales
GALE - Cengage Group
Farmington Hills, MI
04.2021 - 04.2025
- Lead a sales organization serving the Public Library, State Consortia, Gov't, and Special Library markets encompassing a team of 15 generating over $50M in annual revenue
- Consistently exceeded both growth & target expectations
- Developed and directed implementation of GTM State Level Consortia Strategy resulting in multiple new business wins and 99% renewal rate on current business.
- Collaborated effectively with senior product and marketing leadership to identify and execute market growth opportunities
- GALE - Cengage Group Farmington Hills, MI
Vice President of Public Library, Large Print and Wholesale Sales
GALE - Cengage Group
Farmington Hills, MI
01.2016 - 01.2021
- Lead a sales organization of over 30 serving Public and School Libraries through Direct and Wholesale channels generating $70M in annual revenue
- Consistently exceeded both growth and sales target expectations.
- Developed and directed implementation of YA Striving Reader GTM strategy creating a successful new K12 channel for Large Print.
- Increased Margin and reduced returns within Wholesale through implementation of marketing and inventory strategies
- GALE - Cengage Group, Farmington Hills, MI
Vice President - Public Library Sales
GALE - Cengage Group
Farmington Hills, MI
01.2011 - 01.2016
- Lead a sales organization of over 20 serving the Public Library Channel generating over $30M in annual revenue
- Consistently exceeded both growth and target expectations
- Identified and built profitable relationships with third party product providers.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance organizational performance and drive market growth.
- Developed and implemented innovative marketing strategies to expand brand reach and engagement.
- Oversaw cross-functional teams to align objectives and streamline project execution.
- Cultivated partnerships with key stakeholders to foster collaboration and support business objectives.
- Analyzed market trends to inform decision-making and identify new business opportunities.
- Directed budget management processes, ensuring resource allocation aligns with strategic priorities.
Sales Director - Multiple Channels
GALE GROUP
Farmington Hills, MI
01.2002 - 01.2011
- Consistently exceeded growth and target expectations in a variety of leadership roles.
- Successfully collaborated between all channels while leading the implementation of the Gale Virtual Reference Library which grew from $8M to $25M over two years.
- Effectively managed sales team members and customers through the Print to Digital transition well ahead of the market
- GALE GROUP - Farmington Hills, MI
Education
Bachelor of Science - Management Science
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY
Muncie, INSkills
- Skilled Selling Skills Trainer and Coach
- Sales pipeline management
- Industry expertise
- Sales reporting
- Revenue generation
- Sales presentations
- Pricing strategy
- Sales meeting facilitation
- Product positioning
- Sales cycle acceleration
- Channel partnerships
Accomplishments
- Directed Sales organizations through multiple successful restructures by building cross-functional teams to formulate new go-to market strategies while keeping the most integral team members on board.
- Oversaw the implementation from concept to roll-out of multiple new organic and third party products that allowed our organization to stay competitive, growing, and relevant in an evolving market.
- Managed strategy, implementation, market research, analytics leading to explosive growth of eBook platform across all sales channels(well before eBooks were fashionable).
- From Sales Rep to District Manager to Vice President I have, for over 20 years, played a meaningful role in ensuring the ongoing success of our organization
Affiliations
- American Library Association
- Public Library Association
- Urban Library Council
Timeline
Vice President of Sales - Library & Supplemental
Cengage
04.2025 - 06.2026
Vice President of Public Library, Government & Consortia Sales
GALE - Cengage Group
04.2021 - 04.2025
Vice President of Public Library, Large Print and Wholesale Sales
GALE - Cengage Group
01.2016 - 01.2021
Vice President - Public Library Sales
GALE - Cengage Group
01.2011 - 01.2016
Sales Director - Multiple Channels
GALE GROUP
01.2002 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Science - Management Science
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY