Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
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Christopher Austin

Christopher Austin

Spruce Head,ME

Summary

Talented President and entrepreneur with excellent employee development, customer service and analytics skills coupled with more than 25 years of experience in financial services and banking. Comfortable giving engaging presentations to clients to drive new business, expand accounts and establish brand profile. Excellent team builder and leader of initiatives.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience

Work History

President

Ardiah
01.2020 - Current
  • Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
  • Developed and implemented new strategies and policies to establish long-term business objectives and provide strong and sustainable organizational leadership.
  • Cultivated strong relationships with external partners to foster collaboration and maximize resources.
  • Reduced operational costs through strategic cost management initiatives.
  • Established innovative policies to improve organizational performance and increase customer satisfaction.
  • Developed and implemented comprehensive risk management programs to mitigate potential liabilities.
  • Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
  • Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.
  • Founded performance- and merit-based evaluation system to assess staff performance.
  • Communicated business performance, forecasts and strategies to investors and board members.
  • Devised and presented business plans and forecasts to board of directors.
  • Led recruitment and development of strategic alliances to maximize utilization of existing talent and capabilities.
  • Developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to facilitate business expansion.
  • Analyzed industry trends and tracked competitor activities to inform decision making.
  • Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
  • Facilitated communication between departmental teams and stakeholders to build consensus.
  • Led operational team in development, rollout, and management of new product lines.
  • Spearheaded development and implementation of distributed organizational structure to increase efficiency.
  • Supported project management team for optimal performance.
  • Shaped solutions and approaches by leveraging trends in customer marketplaces and industries.
  • Created succession plans to provide continuity of operations during leadership transitions.
  • Directed technological improvements, reducing waste and business bottlenecks.

Business Owner/Operator

Austin Payment Solutions
01.2018 - 01.2020
  • Oversaw end-to-end business processes to maintain proficiency and profitability.
  • Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
  • Put together realistic budgets based upon costs and fees for successfully operating business.
  • Lent business acumen to meet day-to-day strategic objectives.
  • Devised and deployed sales and marketing tactics to drive strategic growth and support achievement of revenue goals.
  • Kept all building areas and equipment functional and well-organized to promote business performance.
  • Achieved sales goals and increased revenue and profits through productive strategy development and organizational leadership.
  • Reconciled daily sales, returns and financial reports in QuickBooks.
  • Capitalized on social media platforms to increase market awareness and recruit sales agents.
  • Studied market to determine optimal pricing of goods and services and to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
  • Maintained updated knowledge of regulatory changes to adjust business operations accordingly.
  • Enhanced product awareness by taking pictures of new and available product offerings and posting to company's website and media accounts.
  • Devised processes to boost long-term business success and increase profit levels.
  • Applied performance data to evaluate and improve operations, target current business conditions and forecast needs.

Director of Business Development

Ameriprise Financial - BayView Financial
03.2017 - 01.2018
  • Identified and pursued valuable business opportunities to generate new company revenue.
  • Established and optimized business development strategies based on targets, product specifications, and market data.
  • Consistently exceeded quotas through penetrating new accounts.
  • Enhanced marketing initiatives to maximize outreach and sales of investment products.
  • Mentored local centers of influence on best practices and referral programs.
  • Created operational procedures for human resources and business development
  • Managed social media accounts for the business and financial advisors

Regional Sales Executive And Branch Manager

Key Bank
10.2013 - 04.2017
  • Developed and maintained relationships with branch managers, business owners, and network partners.
  • Hosted product-focused events to attract new clientele and develop customer relationships.
  • Resolved issues with high-profile customers to maintain relationships and increase return customer base.
  • Increased sales for branch from being on closure list to top 10 in country.
  • Drove team and company profits by developing and strengthening relationships with industry partners and potential clients.
  • Managed staff conflicts, evaluations, and hiring/termination processes while overseeing payroll operations.

Senior Credit Manager

MBNA/Bank Of America
10.1999 - 10.2013
  • Negotiated payments and verified account reconciliations.
  • Ensured compliance with internal controls and government regulations.
  • Conducted presentations to upper management and executive teams for loan recommendations.
  • Managed credit exposure and provided financial order management support.
  • Mentored and taught lending practices across the US.
  • Managed quality assurance program, including evaluations, audits, and customer surveys.
  • Work cross-functionally with sales, management and other departments to maintain effective operations.
  • Analyzed applicants' financial status and credit and property evaluations to determine loan feasibility.
  • Devised collection recovery strategies to resolve customer issues and delinquent cases.
  • Negotiated settlements and payment terms with customers through [Action].
  • Attended ongoing professional training to facilitate accurate and productive credit management.
  • Managed the efforts of both MBNA and Bank of America call center employees through effective coaching, mentoring and following HR policies and procedures for hiring, promoting, and terminations when necessary

Banker

Huntington National Bank And Midcoast FCU
08.1995 - 10.1999
  • Assisted customers with setting up or closing accounts, completing loan applications and signing up for new services.
  • Opened, closed and updated accounts for customers.
  • Provided advice on different bank products and financial options.
  • Balanced teller drawers and ATM cash.
  • Trained and mentored junior banking staff to maximize performance, efficiency and compliance.
  • Supervised branch operations and made continuous improvements in each area.
  • Upheld stringent bank standards for loans, money handling and legal considerations.
  • Evaluated client financial positions and identified most appropriate banking products.

Education

High School Diploma -

Lake Gibson Senior High School
05.1995

Skills

  • Business Administration
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Operational Excellence
  • Stakeholder Relations
  • Event Planning
  • Contract Negotiation
  • Account Management
  • Industry Partnership Development
  • Business Development
  • Staff Training
  • Creating and Delivering Presentations
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Remote Team Management
  • Vendor Sourcing and Negotiations
  • Develop Business Structures
  • Management Team Leadership
  • People and Culture
  • Leadership and People Development
  • Corporate Strategy and Development
  • Client/Business Coaching

Accomplishments

  • Voted #1 Best New Business in the annual Best of the Best Voting in Knox County, Maine in 2019.
  • Created the largest independent payments provider in Knox County, Maine.
  • Tripled sales in 3 years during a world pandemic after merging with Osman Page and creating the co-branded entity of Ardiah.
  • Served on several boards for several community based organizations like Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce, Boothbay Region Chamber of Commerce, MRC and Rock Coast Networkers

Timeline

President

Ardiah
01.2020 - Current

Business Owner/Operator

Austin Payment Solutions
01.2018 - 01.2020

Director of Business Development

Ameriprise Financial - BayView Financial
03.2017 - 01.2018

Regional Sales Executive And Branch Manager

Key Bank
10.2013 - 04.2017

Senior Credit Manager

MBNA/Bank Of America
10.1999 - 10.2013

Banker

Huntington National Bank And Midcoast FCU
08.1995 - 10.1999

High School Diploma -

Lake Gibson Senior High School

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