Cory Haksel
Bonita Springs,FL
Summary
Accomplished MI Store Manager and District Manager with expertise in multi-unit management and team building, previously at The Guitar Center Company. Successfully increased sales and margin, while promoting internal talent. Demonstrated leadership and problem-solving skills by opening new locations and building award winning teams. Proficient in sales management and staff development, driving business growth and enhancing customer relationships.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
District Manager
The Guitar Center Company
, New England / Florida
09.2023 - 01.2026
- In the middle of September 2023, I became District Manager of District 36 New England, taking on fourteen stores across five states.
- I gained experience managing leaders and supporting, coaching, and developing multiple locations with individual challenges.
- I assisted in the closing of store 599 Berklee and transition and refresh of 550 Boston taking the district to thirteen stores while expanding Rentals and Repairs in Boston.
- I have filled multiple Store Manager roles with 2 internal candidate promotions and hired and trained multiple external Store Managers with all locations trending up in metrics, employee morale, and store standards.
- As a district we have increased percent to plan and comp in both sales and margin.
- During my time as District Manager for New England I also held the Interim DM role for thee 17 stores in Florida taking on 30 stores while growing both districts. With a love for being in store developing teams in April this year I returned as GM of Guitar Center Naples.
Store Manager
The Guitar Center Company
Naples, FL
01.2022 - 10.2023
- I had the privilege to open GCs 300th location in Naples.
- We were able to hire and train an amazing team and had a huge Grand Opening Weekend signing up 56 lessons students the first day setting a new record while crushing plan.
- When I exited Naples 10 months after opening, we were #3 YTD for the chain at 121.71% to plan and #1 in the chain for Combined Services with a booming Repairs business, a strong Lessons department maintaining over 100 students, and a growing but exceeding expectations Rentals department.
- That team remains strong and on top of most rankers. With the 3 year anniversary approaching we've retained 80% of the staff from grand opening and built a team full of rock stars.
Store Manager
Store 791 Delray Beach
04.2018 - 01.2022
- I grand opened this brand-new Location in April of 2018 hiring and training an entirely new staff.
- Delray Beach continued to exceed expectations, growing the business by a million dollars a year during my tenure.
- Delray Beach has a low turnover rate, a friendly well-versed staff, clean well merchandized look, and an excellent vibe.
Lead Customer Service Associate, Customer Service Manager
Store 783, Coconut Creek
01.2017 - 01.2018
- The Guitar Center Company
Customer Service Manager
Store 770 Hallandale
01.2015 - 01.2016
- The Guitar Center Company
Assistant Manager, Lead Customer Service Associate
Store 783, Coconut Creek
01.2013 - 01.2015
- The Guitar Center Company
Sales Associate/ Instructor / Guitar Technician
Best Buy Music
01.2012 - 12.2012
- Best Buy Music
Sales Associate, Guitar Department Manager
Store 770, Hallandale
01.2007 - 12.2011
- The Guitar Center Company
Sales Associate, Guitar Department Manager
Sam Ash
, FL
01.2002 - 12.2007
- Sam Ash Music
Education
High School Diploma -
Piper High School
Sunrise, FL06-2001
Skills
- Sales management
- Inventory management
- Visual merchandising
- Store operations
- Customer relationship management
- Training and coaching
- Staff development
- Team building
- Problem solving
- Effective communication
- Leadership skills
- Multi-unit management
- Business development
Timeline
District Manager
The Guitar Center Company
09.2023 - 01.2026
Store Manager
The Guitar Center Company
01.2022 - 10.2023
Store Manager
Store 791 Delray Beach
04.2018 - 01.2022
Lead Customer Service Associate, Customer Service Manager
Store 783, Coconut Creek
01.2017 - 01.2018
Customer Service Manager
Store 770 Hallandale
01.2015 - 01.2016
Assistant Manager, Lead Customer Service Associate
Store 783, Coconut Creek
01.2013 - 01.2015
Sales Associate/ Instructor / Guitar Technician
Best Buy Music
01.2012 - 12.2012
Sales Associate, Guitar Department Manager
Store 770, Hallandale
01.2007 - 12.2011
Sales Associate, Guitar Department Manager
Sam Ash
01.2002 - 12.2007
High School Diploma -
Piper High School