Chance Mercante
Hattiesburg,MS
Summary
Dynamic sales and business development leader with 15+ years of experience driving revenue growth, expanding territories, and building lasting customer relationships. Hands-on and mechanically inclined, with a background working in industrial plants, construction sites, and school districts, bringing a practical understanding of operations and equipment. Proven success leading teams, negotiating high-value contracts, and executing strategies that strengthen market presence, with a consistent record of delivering profitable, customer-focused solutions.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Outside Sales Representative
Puckett Machinery Company
04.2025 - Current
- Opened and developed a new territory through aggressive prospecting, averaging 10+ in-person customer visits per day to identify industry needs and opportunities.
- Conducted on-site meetings, presentations, and live product demonstrations across multiple industries, including heavy equipment and specialty flooring equipment.
- Utilized a one-ton truck and enclosed trailer to transport, stage, and demonstrate equipment at customer job sites and facilities.
- Identified, pursued, and closed new business, contributing to consistent territory growth and expansion of market presence.
- Strengthened and expanded existing accounts through regular communication and tailored, solution-based selling, increasing customer retention and repeat business.
- Managed the full sales cycle from prospecting and qualification through negotiation and close.
- Successfully closed both equipment rental agreements and capital equipment sales, supporting short-term revenue and long-term customer relationships.
Regional Vice President, Business Development
Ourso Enterprise (Jani-King Gulf Coast)
06.2023 - 04.2025
- Led business development strategy across 14 regions, driving market expansion and pipeline growth.
- Built high-value relationships with C-suite leaders and key decision makers.
- Closed the largest customer account in company history, generating over $300,000 in annual revenue.
- Negotiated major contracts and strategic partnerships to increase revenue and market presence.
- Delivered weekly sales training and led mid-year/year-end workshops.
- Fostered high-performance teams through mentorship and strategic leadership initiatives.
- Directed hiring and development of 12 management staff to drive improvements to those 12 markets.
- Implemented a CRM system that improved customer communication, enhanced sales metrics tracking, and supported new customer marketing through scheduled Constant Contact campaigns, enabling more personalized and effective sales outreach.
Regional Director
Jani-King Gulf Coast
12.2008 - 05.2023
- Managed multi-million-dollar accounts to include school districts, manufacturing facilities, chemical plants, government municipalities, etc; ensuring our top customers were raving fans.
- Drove 1.5–2% YoY revenue growth across LA & MS.
- Secured cost-effective contracts through strong negotiation and procurement insight.
- Developed proposals based on customer needs, industry trends, and profitability goals.
- Conducted market analysis, cold calling, and RFP/bid tracking to capture new opportunities.
- Reviewed P&L data and executed strategies to maximize profitability.
- Established quality control measures that maintained high standards of service across franchise operations in the region.
- Mentored emerging leaders within the organization, promoting career development and succession planning initiatives.
- Increased regional sales by implementing targeted marketing strategies and fostering strong relationships with key clients.
- Represented the company at trade shows, showcasing services, engaging key decision-makers, and scheduling follow-up meetings to drive new business opportunities.
- Participated in strategic after-hours networking events with senior decision-makers to build trust, strengthen relationships, and expand market influence.
Account Executive, Operations Manager
Jani-King Gulf Coast
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Top regional sales producer - 9 consecutive months; improved customer satisfaction and retention; led award-winning operations performance.
- Quality Control: Conducted daily on-site inspections at manufacturing facilities, large warehouses, industrial plants, government facilities, museums, and school districts; while maintaining PPE requirements, safety standards, and security clearance protocols.
Sales Executive
Verizon Wireless
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Cold calling, prospecting, and solution-based selling.
Executive Manager
Walgreens
01.2003 - 01.2007
- Store operations, staff leadership, inventory, and customer experience management.
Owner
Chance’s Cajun Corner
- Founded and operated a custom, made-to-order catering business specializing in authentic Louisiana Cajun cuisine.
- Manage all aspects of the business including customer relations, sales, pricing, marketing, event coordination, and service delivery.
Education
Bachelor of Business Management - Management/Marketing
Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, LA12-2003
Skills
- B2B Sales & Territory Growth
- Business Development - Cold Calling
- Contract Negotiation
- Key Account Management
- Customer Retention
- Pipeline Development
- Team Leadership & Training
- Relationship Building (C-Suite & Decision Makers)
- Presentations & Product Demonstrations
Timeline
Outside Sales Representative
Puckett Machinery Company
04.2025 - Current
Regional Vice President, Business Development
Ourso Enterprise (Jani-King Gulf Coast)
06.2023 - 04.2025
Regional Director
Jani-King Gulf Coast
12.2008 - 05.2023
Account Executive, Operations Manager
Jani-King Gulf Coast
01.2008 - 01.2011
Sales Executive
Verizon Wireless
01.2007 - 01.2008
Executive Manager
Walgreens
01.2003 - 01.2007
Owner
Chance’s Cajun Corner
Bachelor of Business Management - Management/Marketing
Southeastern Louisiana University