Charles Lafave
Cleveland Heights,OH
Summary
Strategic leader with a track record in driving growth initiatives and managing high-revenue operations. Skilled in contract negotiation and team development, consistently meeting revenue targets. Strong background in digital marketing strategies and revenue generation, enhancing client engagement and operational efficiency.
Overview
2
2
Languages
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
President
NetBiz Marketing Inc.
Novelty, Ohio
04.2004 - 12.2010
- Authored and marketed 'Dog Training Secrets,' a digital manual generating over $300,000 in revenue.
- Executed digital product marketing strategies that established brand presence during early online marketing phase.
- Created and distributed various products, including 'Internet Marketing Made Easy,' 'Website MD' (a membership site), and 'Dog Training Zone,' to fulfill customer demand.
Vice President, Business Unit B
Abercrombie & Kent International, Inc . (A&K)
Oak Brook, Illinois
01.2001 - 04.2004
- Oversaw operations of $120 million business unit, driving strategic growth initiatives across North America, South America, Central America, Africa, and the Middle East.
- Simultaneously served as President of Ouzel Outfitters and Sheri Griffith River Expeditions (a combined $1.5 million in annual revenue) through 2002, and Managing Director of Explorer Shipping Corporation ($12.5 million in annual revenue) until April 2004.
- Developed comprehensive trip packages with brochures and pre-trip materials to boost client engagement.
- Negotiated contracts with hotels, airlines, and management companies to strengthen partnerships.
- Managed relationships with travel agents to enhance collaboration and improve sales effectiveness.
- Supervised pricing strategies for trips, maximizing profitability across all offerings.
- Led call center operations to elevate customer service and support sales efforts.
- Coordinated fuel purchases, trip offerings, pricing, and brochure development to optimize operational efficiency.
President
Abercrombie & Kent Adventures
Oak Brook, Illinois
02.2000 - 01.2004
- Drove purchase of two rafting companies, Ouzel Outfitters in Bend, OR and Sheri Griffith River Expeditions in Moab, UT.
- Managed all aspects of trip design, sales, and trip implementation.
- Developed river trip offerings throughout American West, including Cataract Canyon, Lower Salmon, Rogue River, and Owyhee River, enhancing customer experience and adventure options.
- Trained and managed staff for two river companies, ensuring high service standards and operational efficiency.
President
Adventure Marketing Group Inc
New York, NY
04.1993 - 02.2000
- Conceived 'To the Ends of the Earth,' an Emmy-nominated cable program featuring Abercrombie & Kent's CEO.
- Produced two one-hour television shows with Jim Brolin in Kenya and Lauren Hutton in Papua New Guinea.
- Negotiated sale of show to USA Network with Sean McManus, future President of CBS Sports and CBS News, enhancing program visibility and audience reach.
- Orchestrated pre-production logistics, coordinating site scouting across Kenya, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea to ensure optimal filming conditions.
- Secured film permits and arranged travel via private aircraft, helicopters, safari vehicles, and longboats.
- Constructed village for staged attack, showcasing collaboration with 80 Huli warriors using traditional weapons to create an authentic narrative.
- Consulted Geoffrey Kent on various projects during seven years.
- Organized 'The American Goldrush,' a private trip for Bill and Melinda Gates across Alaska and the American West. Guests included, among others, Warren and Suzie Buffett, William Randolph Hearst III, Jeff Raikes and Susan Butcher (Iditarod Sled dog Champion)..
- Conceived, cold and produced "Destination Botswana" and "Destination: Antarctica" for for The Outdoor Life Network.
- Tested first professional use, handheld, digital cameras filming lion, leopard, and cheetah for Animal Planet in Kenya.
- Continued to run Marlboro Adventure Team as an independent contractor.
Senior Account Executive
International Management Group (IMG)
New York, New York
09.1988 - 04.1993
- Conceived and managed Marlboro Adventure Team program for Philip Morris International from 1989-1993.
- Developed outdoor adventure program where 10 participants annually experienced a 10-day camping trip while four-wheel driving, motorcycling, horseback riding and river rafting across the American West.
- Created $500,000 annual event budget, secured all necessary permits from federal agencies, hired, and trained staff to execute all program aspects.
- Collaborated with photographers and publicity team to generate promotional images for national advertising campaign.
- Recognized by Wall Street Journal as "the most successful campaign in consumer marketing history."
- Provided strategic marketing advice to Coca-Cola regarding high school football championships. on high school football championships, ultimately advising against pursuing the concept.
- Provided consulting for marketing campaigns at Price Waterhouse, Procter & Gamble, and other clients.
- Sold name, image, and likeness rights to Monica Seles and Chris Evert for Matrix Essentials.
- Served as in-house consulting for executives trying to pitch marketing and sponsorship promotions to customers.
- Sold name, image, and likeness rights to Monica Seles and Chris Evert for Matrix Essentials and Systeme Biolage.
- Secured title sponsorship for Ameritrust Harborfest, enhancing event visibility and community engagement in downtown Cleveland. package to Matrix Essentials for women's ATP tour tennis event in Indian Wells, CA.
- Negotiated title sponsorship for Nautica Youth Sailing Championships, increasing brand exposure and participation in early 2000s.
- Sold title sponsorship to Ameritrust Harborfest in downtown Cleveland in 1989.
President
InFocus Publications
New York, New York
10.1986 - 10.1987
- Negotiated international advertising deals for supplements in New York Daily News.
- Conceived and sold advertising while overseeing editorial production of four-page supplement on Malaysia, enhancing publication's thematic focus.
- Interviewed key Malaysians including Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, the Governor of the National Bank, the Minister of Primary Industries, the head of the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority, and the President of Proton, the national car of Malaysia at the time.
- Developed and completed all editorial work for 'A Summer of British Sport' supplement for New York Times due out in Spring 1988.
- Secured advertising sales for 'A Summer of British Sport' prior to Black Monday in October 1987.
- Closed 'A Summer of British Sport' due to American Express retracting $105,000 advertisement funding in light of Black Monday in October 1987.
Editorial Director
Afa de Communicaciones
New York and Madrid, NY and Spain
03.1986 - 10.1986
- Directed editorial content for Tall Ships supplement to New York Post released July 4, 1986.
- Conducted ambassador interviews, securing quotes for Tall Ships parade on Hudson River on the Fourth of July in NYC on July 4, 1986.
- Engaged in editorial and ad sales training program based in Madrid, Spain.
- Exited company post-training due to ethical concerns about business practices.
English Teacher
Peace Corps
Makokou, Gabon
07.1981 - 07.1983
- Taught high school English at Lycée de Makokou for two years, instructing approximately 200 students annually.
- Developed a comprehensive year-long curriculum for beginning English for schools without books.
- Designed daily lesson plans to boost student engagement and learning outcomes.
- Created instructional materials, including handouts for teaching grammar, reading comprehension, and conversation skills.
- Implemented engaging methods to make grammar enjoyable for students.
- Assessed student performance through various evaluation techniques, including tests and quizzes.
- Collaborated with a fellow Peace Corps volunteer to install a well, enhancing access to clean water for students.
- Conducted a free, tree-planting initiative, getting saplings from the capital and planting over 200 mango, guava, and avocado trees in Makokou.
Education
Master of Arts - International Studies
Johns Hopkins (SAIS)
Washington, DC05-2005
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Williams College
Williamstown, MA05-1981
High School Diploma -
University School
Hunting Valley, OH06-1977
Skills
- Digital marketing strategies
- Revenue generation
- Strategic planning
- Project management
- Budgeting and cost control
- Operational efficiency
- Client engagement and retention
- Relationship management
- Contract management
- Financial analysis
- Product development
- Team leadership and development
- Staff training
Languages
French
Professional
Spanish
Limited
Affiliations
- Drawing, Writing, Painting, Cross-Country Skiing, High Altitude Hiking, Adventure Travel
Timeline
President
NetBiz Marketing Inc.
04.2004 - 12.2010
Vice President, Business Unit B
Abercrombie & Kent International, Inc . (A&K)
01.2001 - 04.2004
President
Abercrombie & Kent Adventures
02.2000 - 01.2004
President
Adventure Marketing Group Inc
04.1993 - 02.2000
Senior Account Executive
International Management Group (IMG)
09.1988 - 04.1993
President
InFocus Publications
10.1986 - 10.1987
Editorial Director
Afa de Communicaciones
03.1986 - 10.1986
English Teacher
Peace Corps
07.1981 - 07.1983
Master of Arts - International Studies
Johns Hopkins (SAIS)
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Williams College
High School Diploma -
University School