Don Blate
Atlanta,GA
Summary
Results-driven Retail Management Professional, with extensive senior-level experience in all aspects of business development, multi-unit retail management, sales, team recruitment, team building, customer relationship development, and revenue generation. Consult effectively with Team management to prioritize activities and consistently achieve defined objectives, with the ability to lead multi-million-dollar operations. Proven success creating and accelerating revenue-sales growth, cultivating and developing new business, and obtaining optimal levels of profitability in highly competitive market segments. Form strong relationships, facilitating development of mutually beneficial business relationships. Exceptional team-builder, adept at assembling, managing, and training top performing teams to consistently exceed company performance targets.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
CO-CEO
Rex Logistics Inc-Fleet Pro Truck Rental
01.2017 - Current
- Company Overview: Rex Logistics is a Contracted Service Provider with focus on last mile e-commerce transportation and delivery coordination
- The company specializes in expedited courier and package delivery services for residential and business recipients of Federal Express Ground
- The organizations expertise includes operations-fleet management optimization, route efficiency analysis, Safety-Driver training and servicing all delivery and pick up needs of each customer in designated areas of Metro Atlanta
- Fleet Pro Truck Rental supports both Fed EX Ground, and the freight needs of businesses outside of the Fed Ex network
- Grew Business from $900,000 to 1,600,000 annually growing operations from 5-7 days a week
- Oversaw the purchase of ten new trucks to manage increased volume from 2,000 to 6,000 packages daily
- Successfully rolled out the following initiatives, Dynamic Route Optimization, Ground Cloud, Video Event Data Recording, Safety Awards, and Incentive Programs while operating uninterrupted during Covid
- Recently sold the Fed EX Pick- up and Delivery portion of the business
- Rex Logistics is a Contracted Service Provider with focus on last mile e-commerce transportation and delivery coordination
- The company specializes in expedited courier and package delivery services for residential and business recipients of Federal Express Ground
- The organizations expertise includes operations-fleet management optimization, route efficiency analysis, Safety-Driver training and servicing all delivery and pick up needs of each customer in designated areas of Metro Atlanta
- Fleet Pro Truck Rental supports both Fed EX Ground, and the freight needs of businesses outside of the Fed Ex network
- Built productive relationships with industry partners and competitors to support strategic business objectives.
- Cultivated forward-thinking, inclusive, and performance-oriented business culture to lead industry in innovation and push progress.
General Manager - Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
AREAS
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Spearheaded all business and operational aspects of 19 retail sites across four concourses
- Led senior management team and up to 130 team members dependent on seasonality
- Developed and implemented individual and weekly staff meetings to improve internal service, operations, and HR processes
- Managed relationships with unions including grievance hearings and contract negotiations, while working closely with City of Atlanta and all divisions within the Department of Aviation
- Succeeded in leveraging unprofitable business, creating positive EBITDA of 116%
- Created sales focused environment resulting in a 15% sales increase, and increased volume to $40M
- Improved operational efficiency by restructuring warehouse and replenishment operations, in addition to facilitating update of on-site buying process
Contract B2B Corporate Sales Manager
HONEY BAKED HAM
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Directed B2B corporate sales effort for busy holiday gifting business season as contracted consultant for company with 111 locations
- Trained and motivated store leaders to increase performance, including definition of deliverables
- Communicated results and best practices to executive team, field leadership and corporate locations
- Increased sales volume to $13.4M, while exceeding gifting budget +5.5% against previous year
South District Manager
XPRESSPA
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Oversaw 11 locations in four states, increasing volume to $12M
- Coordinated district trainings, including on boarding, customer service, scheduling, and floor management
- Educated and role modeled how to be an effective Brand Ambassador
- Directed execution of day-to-day activities of spas to ensure highest levels of customer service
- Grew sales from -3.7% to +9.1% by focusing teams on increasing services and retail sales
- Increased team head count from 5% to 25% across all locations, which supported financial objectives
- Developed Spa Management On-Boarding Training and Scheduling Practices, became company Standard
Senior District Sales Manager
ROSETTA STONE
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Supervised 55 retail locations in airports, malls, and outlets, with responsibility for improving employee performance, merchandise selection, and operational effectiveness
- Identified business requirements and developed plans to increase sales and brand awareness for each location
- Led sales team, defined promotional calendar, established pricing, ran internal incentives, and implemented training program to drive professional development and internal promotions to roles of increasing scope
- Achieved consecutive years with sales increases over previous year (2011+18.9% and 2012 +4.8%)
- Increased volume to $15M and delivered highest profit for 2011 and 2012
- Gained promotion to Senior District Manager and earned District Manager of the Year Award in 2011
District Sales Manager
THE DISNEY STORE
01.2005 - 01.2009
- Drove sales performance for 12 stores across four states, producing annual revenue of $20M
- Developed prototype store environment by establishing training process that promoted guest engagement, provided brand knowledge and precise merchandise execution by franchise
- Trained Store Teams to coordinate special events, and promoted culture that supported team development, client communication, and operational effectiveness
- Attracted talent and implemented all performance management strategies including succession plans
- Achieved positive sales increases for three consecutive years
- Drove gross margin through employee training, operational culture, and targeted merchandising strategies across five different store types
- Developed outlet strategy for company implementation including identifying key process improvements
Area Sales Manager
BROOKSTONE COMPANY
01.1993 - 01.2005
- Directed sales operations for five stores with total volume exceeding $9M, with responsibility for employee development, productivity management, product placement, inventory procurement, store seasonality, driving operational excellence, and merchandise execution
- Participated in plan-o-gram sets for entire chain, new store design rollouts, new store openings, seasonal business management, and operating airports
- Led successful rebuild of flagship store at Rockefeller Center and supervised first airport locations
- Opened 50 new or remodeled locations in malls and airports
- Generated year over year sales increases of up to 57% earning #1 Sales increases multiple years
Education
BS - Public Relations, Marketing
THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Tuscaloosa, AlabamaSkills
- Strategic Planning and Implementation
- Team Builder
- Results Achiever
- Operations Enhancer
- Performance Management
- Customer Centric
- Change Leader
- Collaborative Team Member
Leadershipprofile
Results-driven Retail Management Professional, with extensive senior-level experience in all aspects of business development, multi-unit retail management, sales, team recruitment, team building, customer relationship development, and revenue generation. Consult effectively with Team management to prioritize activities and consistently achieve defined objectives, with the ability to lead multi-million-dollar operations. Proven success creating and accelerating revenue-sales growth, cultivating and developing new business, and obtaining optimal levels of profitability in highly competitive market segments. Form strong relationships, facilitating development of mutually beneficial business relationships. Exceptional team-builder, adept at assembling, managing, and training top performing teams to consistently exceed company performance targets., Strategic Planning and Implementation, Team Builder, Results Achiever, Operations Enhancer, Performance Management, Customer Centric, Change Leader, Collaborative Team Member
Timeline
CO-CEO
Rex Logistics Inc-Fleet Pro Truck Rental
01.2017 - Current
General Manager - Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport
AREAS
01.2015 - 01.2017
Contract B2B Corporate Sales Manager
HONEY BAKED HAM
01.2014 - 01.2015
South District Manager
XPRESSPA
01.2013 - 01.2014
Senior District Sales Manager
ROSETTA STONE
01.2010 - 01.2013
District Sales Manager
THE DISNEY STORE
01.2005 - 01.2009
Area Sales Manager
BROOKSTONE COMPANY
01.1993 - 01.2005
BS - Public Relations, Marketing
THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
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