Chris Palmer
Lake Bluff,IL
Summary
Performance-driven sales leader with 15+ years of progressive sales experience across, SaaS, transactional tech, and enterprise solutions. Proven track record acquiring new accounts, expanding market share, and influencing specification decisions within provider networks. A former professional athlete who posesses an unrelenting drive and thrives in a team atmosphere. Skilled at consultative selling, clinical stakeholder engagement, contract negotiation, and building high-performance teams to exceed quota in complex, regulated environments.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Regional Sales Manager, Specialty Access Solutions
dormakaba
2024.09 - Current
- Developed and executed a dual approach focusing on 75% account expansion and 25% new business to drive increased adoption across established accounts.
- Strategically identified potential clients and sustained ongoing partnerships with current accounts in designated area.
- Maintained healthy CRM hygiene working with Salesforce and Clari Groove
- Led Midwest territory for specialty access and secure-entry solutions, securing partnerships with some of the largest hotel brands and chains in the world (Hilton, Marriott etc)
- Developed and maintained client relationships to promote cloud-based ERP software as a strategic addition to technical hardware.
- Partnered with multiple CSM's to leverage all products and sold into multiple C-Suite roles
- Implemented a systematic, programmatic approach to achieve long-term objectives.
Senior Account Executive
Clear Channel Outdoor
2023.12 - 2024.09
- Established regional enterprise relationships, securing programmatic and OOH campaigns that enhanced client engagement for healthcare and corporate sectors.
- Oversaw full sales cycle from lead generation to campaign delivery and ROI reporting, driving 40% increase in new-business revenue for territory.
- Developed strategic media plans to enhance client advertising visibility.
- Managed client relationships to ensure satisfaction and retention.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver integrated marketing solutions.
Business Development Manager
Artech
2023.01 - 2023.10
- Developed enterprise pipeline for CIOs and IT leadership; positioned staffing solutions for health systems and clinical technology projects.
- Engaged executive stakeholders to align talent strategies with clinical IT implementations, reducing time-to-fill for critical technical roles.
- Developed strategic partnerships to enhance market presence and drive growth.
- Conducted market research to identify trends and customer needs for targeted outreach.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align business objectives and initiatives.
Regional Sales Manager (IL & WI)
Near North Title Group
2022.02 - 2022.10
- Oversaw sales strategy and performance for Illinois & Wisconsin; coached AEs to enhance close rates and pipeline conversion.
- Maintained personal book of business while delivering education seminars to partner networks, expanding referral channels by 20%.
- Led regional sales team to drive growth in title insurance services.
- Developed strategic partnerships with real estate agencies and mortgage lenders.
- Analyzed market trends to identify new business opportunities in the region.
Outside Sales / Sales Manager
First American Title Insurance Company
2020.07 - 2022.02
- Negotiated service agreements and marketing partnerships, enabling multi-million-dollar closings and facilitating technology sales that streamlined transactional workflows.
- Managed sales team to drive client engagement and retention efforts.
- Developed training programs to enhance product knowledge among staff members.
- Collaborated with marketing to create promotional materials for new services.
Sales & Operations Manager / Outside Sales
Fidelity National Title
2011.10 - 2020.03
- Managed sales operations for six offices; built and led regional sales teams to increase market share through targeted prospecting and partner agreements.
- Trained new hires in consultative selling, CRM usage, and operational best practices to enhance onboarding effectiveness.
Education
Bachelor of Arts & Sciences -
Loyola University Chicago
Skills
- Key Account Management
- SaaS & Cloud Based Software Sales
- C-Suite Engagement
- Field Sales
- Programmatic Selling
- Value selling
- Contract Negotiation
- Territory strategy
- Channel partnerships
- Sales Leadership
- Coaching
Leadership Community
- Executive Board Member, A Safe Place - Lake County, IL, 2014-2021
- Executive Committee Member, Annual Golf Outing - A Safe Place, 2014-Present
- Ice Hockey Coach, Chicago Area High Schools
Select Achievements
- Consistently achieved/exceeded quota.
- Closed 59 of new enterprise accounts valued at $1.9M (dormakaba)
- Drove territory revenue growth of 35% over one year. (dormakaba)
- Reduced sales cycle length by 2 months through demo program and clinical champion engagement. (dormakaba)
Timeline
Regional Sales Manager, Specialty Access Solutions
dormakaba
2024.09 - Current
Senior Account Executive
Clear Channel Outdoor
2023.12 - 2024.09
Business Development Manager
Artech
2023.01 - 2023.10
Regional Sales Manager (IL & WI)
Near North Title Group
2022.02 - 2022.10
Outside Sales / Sales Manager
First American Title Insurance Company
2020.07 - 2022.02
Sales & Operations Manager / Outside Sales
Fidelity National Title
2011.10 - 2020.03
Bachelor of Arts & Sciences -
Loyola University Chicago