Don Kudlak
Port St. Lucie,FL
Summary
Dynamic professional with over 17 years of experience in the fastener industry, having successfully held leadership roles in three innovative and respected companies. Expertise includes a proven track record in sales management, product development, and strategic negotiations, ranging from Field Service Technician to President. Certified Project Manager with exceptional organizational skills, adept at building strong relationships and fostering productive business connections across diverse markets, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, Germany, China, and the UK. Eager to leverage extensive industry knowledge and hands-on experience in a sales management position within an innovative company in the construction or components market in Southeast or South Central Florida.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
Work History
President | General Manager & Director of Product Development | Sales Manager
Aerosmith Fastening Systems
01.2005 - 01.2023
- Assumed multifaceted roles including sales planning and task management, team building and recruiting, employee training and meeting facilitation, strategic development, tracking industry trends, supervising product development, accounting and collections, while maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with key vendors and customers.
- Through skillful recruiting, team building, product development, and strategic development, was able to increase sales 800%, growing the company's annual revenues from $1.7MM in 2005 to $13.6MM in 2023.
- Instrumental in the development of productivity solutions designed around high-pressure pneumatic tool and fasteners for our salespeople and distribution partners, garnering an enthusiastic market response.
- Increased gross margin by 6% while growing top line revenue.
- Negotiated successfully with our Board of Directors, employees, customers, end users, code enforcement, engineers, international suppliers, and other vendors.
- Initiated GAAP accounting procedures with annual audits, increasing the company's net value.
- Grew the employee headcount from 5 initially to 21 during my tenure.
- Ensured OSHA and EPA compliance.
- Remodeled the product line through modernization and line extension, and obtained patents issued to me and the company.
- Developed valuable relationships with industry leaders as we collaborated to promote the light gauge steel and roll forming industry (LGS).
- Established a social media program for LinkedIn and YouTube.
- Supported 200+ distributor companies and more than 1,000 distributor sales people at locations throughout the U.S.
- Generated B2B sales while serving as a technical resource to engineers and end users.
- Stayed open and operational through the COVID crisis, adopting CDC protocols and supporting a remote work-from-home program for employees.
- A leader in the development, manufacture, and distribution of hardened steel pins and tools
National Accounts Manager
Illinois Tool Works (ITW) - Ramset-Redhead Division
01.2000 - 01.2005
- Hired as Sales Manager and subsequently promoted to National Accounts Manager. Provided technical support to architects and engineers and sales/product training to distribution partners.
- Led and supported the development of training materials and facilitated Lunch and Learn seminars for the engineering community, Grainger, MSC Industrial, Fastenal, and Ferguson Enterprises.
- A global multi-industry manufacturer and seller of industrial products and equipment
Field Sales/Service Tech, Regional Sales Manager, State of Florida Retail Sales Manager
Senco of Florida - Nicor
01.1983 - 01.2000
- Managed sales of pneumatic nailing and stapling equipment for residential contractors, builders, industrial accounts, marine upholstery shops and boat builders.
- Oversaw 26 retail locations throughout Florida that sold contractor supplies and provided over-the-counter tool services.
- Industrial tool solutions provider for residential, commercial, manufacturing and construction applications.
Education
Bachelor's Degree - Business and Accounting
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, FLThe Leadership Edge: Strategies for the New Leader - undefined
The Wharton School - University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA01.2016
The Keys to Successful Product Management - On-Line Certificate Program
American Management Association
New York, NY01.2015
Skills
- Customer Service Excellence
- Relationship Building
- Negotiations & Closing Sales
- Management
- Strategic Leadership
- Profit & Loss Management
- Sales & Marketing
- Project Management
- Collaboration & Teamwork
- Communication
- Presentations
- Problem Solving
- Technology: Microsoft Office
- Visual ERP & CRM
Timeline
President | General Manager & Director of Product Development | Sales Manager
Aerosmith Fastening Systems
01.2005 - 01.2023
National Accounts Manager
Illinois Tool Works (ITW) - Ramset-Redhead Division
01.2000 - 01.2005
Field Sales/Service Tech, Regional Sales Manager, State of Florida Retail Sales Manager
Senco of Florida - Nicor
01.1983 - 01.2000
The Leadership Edge: Strategies for the New Leader - undefined
The Wharton School - University of Pennsylvania
The Keys to Successful Product Management - On-Line Certificate Program
American Management Association
Bachelor's Degree - Business and Accounting
Indian River State College