Duston Barto
Summary
Dedicated professional with extensive experience in multiple industries. Proven track record of working with people of all ethnicities, genders, nationalities including immigrants with English as a second language from all over the world. Years of collaborative efforts with individuals of diverse backgrounds without conflict. Detail oriented reporting and interviewing with results that achieve scholarly levels of information while using approachable language for the average reader.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Imam (Volunteer Position)
Masjid Al-Mu'minun
Statesville, NC
08.2018 - Current
- Took notes and dictation at meetings.
- Prepared Lectures for social relevance to community.
- Managed online video content for social media.
- Researched community history in order to engage with more relevance to the people.
- Maintained and enhanced my knowledge of spiritual and social issues relevant to my roles.
- Obtained training on leading various aspects of special worship including weddings and funerals.
Owner/Operations Executive
Kitty In The Box
Maiden, NC
07.2016 - Current
- Collaborated on operational support tasks to achieve common goal.
- Efficiently and effectively identified and solved all problems that impacted direction of business.
- Oversaw projects to help goals, tasks and milestones align with organizational strategy.
- Strategically coordinated operations according to objectives and capabilities, effectively allocating resources to meet demands
- Negotiated supplier discounts to improve bottom line.
- Integrated marketing plans to reach wider audience and push business prospects closer to conversion.
Head Trainer
Self-employed
Manila, Philippines & Greater Charlotte NC Metro
06.2010 - Current
- Provided lectures on career development & planning as well as migration and global occupation strategies for those seeking employment outside of their home country.
- Provided in-house training to new employees concerning maintenance of standardized training approaches.
- Provided virtual training and online presentations.
- Lead special seminars for different types of employees.
- Developed and implemented lesson plans and teaching aids such as reference materials and videos.
Editor-in-Chief
Muslim American Magazine
Charlotte NC
07.2014 - 03.2016
- Established editorial direction and publication policies and procedures and monitored and maintained functional consistency.
- Prepared, rewrote, and edited pieces to improve readability and impact.
- Reviewed articles for grammar, spelling, punctuation, syntax, accuracy, and compliance with quality standards.
- Determined readiness of written pieces, made changes, and approved final versions for publication.
- Communicated directly with writers to collaboratively assess work and guide editorial improvements.
- Set layouts and selected photos for stories to boost readership.
- Posted and promoted articles on social media platforms to engage target audience.
- Selected and edited photos for use in diverse projects.
- Supported publication by helping develop layouts and collaborating with production teams.
- Collaborated with graphics department to develop and implement visual elements.
Store Manager
Radio Shack Corporation
Conover, NC
11.2012 - 07.2013
- Managed inventory control, cash control, and store opening and closing procedures.
- Managed store employees successfully in fast-paced environment through proactive communication and positive feedback.
- Completed point of sale opening and closing procedures.
- Rotated merchandise and displays to feature new products and promotions.
- Maintained proper product levels and inventory controls for merchandise and organized backroom to facilitate effective ordering and stock rotation.
- Assisted with hiring, training and mentoring new staff members.
- Maximized sales and minimized shrinkage through excellent customer service and adherence to standard practices.
- Approved regular payroll submissions for employees.
- Set effective store schedules based on forecasted customer levels, individual employee knowledge, and service requirements.
- Coached sales associates in product specifications, sales incentives, and selling techniques, significantly increasing customer satisfaction ratings.
- Reconciled daily sales transactions to balance and log day-to-day revenue.
- Promoted team collaboration, performance, and efficiency by fostering healthy environments focused on mutual success.
- Trained new employees on proper protocols and customer service standards.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
International Marketing Consultant
BC Net
Makati, Philippines
01.2011 - 09.2012
- I was responsible for researching market opportunities and prospects, developing marketing strategies and projecting sales and market penetration
- This research went into developing company profile documentation and investor documents which I also contributed to as a writer and editor
- The owner placed me in charge of revamping all of the company's product websites and establishing social networking presences
- I re-tooled each product website in order of importance, reclaimed brand identity and helped to create better consumer awareness through online marketing efforts
- Scripted and directed the audio-visual presentations for the company (and provided voiceover) and revitalized the PowerPoint presentations that are used by the sales staff
- The owner and president also asked me to script and create all of the presentations that he would make to corporations and government agencies
- Provided sales and marketing training to staff of all sales staff, affiliated companies and resellers
- I left this fantastic company because I migrated back to the USA in the beginning of October.
- Consulted with clients on business issues and developed innovative proposals.
- Planned and executed events and marketing programs to increase qualified leads.
- Consulted with clients on business issues and developed innovative, high-impact proposals.
- Conducted market research and reported on clients' competition.
- Created customized marketing materials to increase product awareness.
- Maximized advertising efforts by developing content for media relations, corporate communications, and social media posts.
- Conducted primary and secondary research to better understand customer needs and behaviors.
Head of Operations
NEAC, Nurse Exam Application Center
Manila, Philippines
11.2008 - 12.2010
- Marketing and Networking with other businesses related to the same industry in order to cross-reference clients for the services. EG: A Nursing Board review school would partner with NEAC for a percentage payout of referrals. Meanwhile NEAC would assist our clients in obtaining applications to begin processing for employment migration opportunities with partner agencies in the UK, Canada, Australia, etc.
- I was tasked with training the staff in sales, customer service and creative problem solving
- As the company had never created any manuals for the staff, I wrote manuals for Operations, Sales, Customer Service and Processing in order to outline specific concepts and procedures for each of these aspects of the company
- I was responsible for traveling to expos, universities and other locations around the Philippines to speak with nurses about the NCLEX process and provide them with training for successful decision making in their career progression
- I completed all scriptwriting, casting, videography, still photography and voiceover work for video material used online and in-office presentations to potential clients
- I also coordinated with the post-production addition of digital elements and final editing of the videos
- Since the owner was completing his doctoral degree during my tenure, I was also tasked with writing portions of his doctoral dissertation which also involved market surveys among our client base
- I also performed overall edits to the dissertation and made all grammatical and structural changes necessary to get it approved by the university board
- I left this company due to an extreme disagreement with the new direction that the company was taking
- I felt that the new service profile provided less service and less value while putting more pressure on the clients to deliver items that the company had previously been responsible for
- Customer service and quality of service provided had both been severely compromised.
- Recruited, hired, and trained initial personnel, working to establish key internal functions and outline scope of positions for new organization.
- Cultivated and strengthened lasting client relationships using strong issue resolution and dynamic communication skills.
- Handled problematic customers and clients to assist lower-level employees and maintain excellent customer service.
- Reported issues to higher management with great detail.
- Mitigated business risks by working closely with staff members and assessing performance.
- Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
- Observed each employee's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
Head of Marketing/Fundraising/Public Relations Manager
Zakat Foundation of America
Chicago, IL
08.2005 - 07.2008
- Raised brand awareness through consistent marketing efforts and product campaign launches.
- Developed innovative marketing and PR strategies.
- Designed and created campaign e-mail invitations, articles and marketing videos. Designed smaller campaigns myself using Photoshop and InDesign while working with a graphic artist to develop more complex campaigns and publishing the quarterly newsletter.
- Represented organization to the general public, government officials and established donor pools. Developed key and valued relationships with donors, public, government officials and other external sources by providing detailed communications of activities with accurate indications of locations and entities coordinated with worldwide.
- Wrote press materials and delivered presentations to media representatives.
- Researched, negotiated, implemented and tracked advertising and public relations activities.
- Managed internal, external and crisis communications in response to natural and man-made disasters for relief appeal.
- Supervised and monitored media purchasing from media outlets.
- Wrote and edited articles, web content, advertising copy, periodicals and publications for internal and external audiences.
- Communicated with media weekly to build relationships and optimize press coverage.
- Used Microsoft Office to create and distribute press releases to media outlets.
- Attended multiple conferences each year to preserve relations with donors, media personnel, and the public at-large.
Volunteer
Lihubillah Islamic Media Foundation
Manila, Philippines
10.2007 - 05.2008
- Host of an English-Language radio program which aired weekly on National Armed Forces Radio of the Philippines: DWDD 1134Khz
- Completed all the research and wrote my own scripts and maintained communication with my listeners via text, phone and email
- Did research and script-writing for radio drama and for another “Muslim News” style program (which was presented in Tagalog)
Owner, Photographer
Hushdawg Productions
01.2004 - 03.2006
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Digitally edited photos to enhance appearance.
- Edited, toned, captioned, and uploaded photographs for publication.
- Took photos from different angles and perspectives to capture perfect images.
- Photographed high-quality images for various print and digital projects.
- Scheduled and booked locations for photo shoots, working collaboratively with clients and contacts.
Salesperson
Tri-County Wireless
Hickory, NC
08.2003 - 08.2005
- Worked to build relationships with customers and built potential for additional sales.
- Engaged customers in social conversations to create pleasant and easy shopping experience.
- Listened to clients and introduced solutions to satisfy business and personal needs.
- Asked open-ended questions to determine needs and assisted customers in selecting appropriate merchandise.
- Logged reports, expenses, receipts, and sales in company database.
- Provided product benefits and advantages and discussed pricing with interested parties.
- Trained and mentored new sales representatives.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive understanding of products, services and competitors to enhance sales presentations.
Senior Sales Associate /Retail Store Manager
RadioShack Corporation
Various
10.1993 - 01.2004
- Was assigned to work at stores in Lincolnton, Hickory, and Conover, NC. Was sent to assist at stores across all of western NC to help train other staff and uncover problem areas to be corrected.
- Organized racks and shelves to maintain store visual appeal, engage customers, and promote specific merchandise.
- Helped customers locate products and checked store system for merchandise at other sites.
- Prepared merchandise for sales floor by pricing or tagging.
- Rotated stock and restocked shelves to maintain product availability and store appearance.
- Managed returns, exchanges and refunds in accordance with store policy.
- Engaged with customers to build rapport and loyalty.
- Solved customer challenges by offering relevant products and services.
- Accurately processed POS transactions, returning coin, currency, payment cards, and receipts to customers.
- Assessed customer needs and utilized suggestive selling techniques to drive sales.
- Generated new sales leads to achieve and exceed monthly sales goals.
- Delivered energetic responses to customers in-store and by telephone, going above and beyond to serve needs.
- Worked to meet or exceed special targets for credit card applications, special donations and specific product promotions.
- As manager, was in charge of all operations of the store including mitigating expenses, ensuring security of high end merchandise, reducing overall shrink, and establishing a maintenance schedule.
- Hiring and firing of all employees at the store. Coordinating with other locations to fill in schedule gaps when staffing shortages arose.
- Maintaining inventory through cyclic counts and product orders/replenishment.
- Training of employees through both corporate provided media and my own programs.
- Won multiple awards for outstanding sales and management excellence throughout my tenure.
Sales Executive
Sparta Craft Inc
Icard, NC
01.1998 - 09.1999
- Achieved sales goals and service targets by cultivating and securing new customer relationships.
- Negotiated and closed profitable sales contracts with new and existing customers to increase loyalty and retention.
- Developed and presented valuable sales presentations to potential customers to highlight features and benefits of products.
- Utilized internal lead referral tools to solicit new business opportunities and contacts.
- Conducted product demonstrations to highlight features and redirect objections to positive aspects.
- Increased revenue by implementing effective sales strategies in sales cycle process from prospecting leads through close.
- Exceeded sales goals by implementing aggressive sales programs, overhauling processes and facilitating market development.
- Attended multiple trade shows nationwide to present products to new markets in multiple industries.
- Negotiated deals with competitors to dissolve their lines of products and incorporate Sparta Craft products in their place.
Education
AS degree - Photography
Catawba Valley Community College
Hickory, NC2003
communications and basic engineering
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC1995
Skills
- Internationally published Photojournalist in Magazines and books
- Adobe Photoshop & InDesign CS2
- Process Improvement
- Invoice Preparation
- Layout for books and newsletters
- Creation of brochures
- Advanced Photo Editing
- Writing & Editing
- Scriptwriting
- Congregational Care
- Social Media Knowledge
- Data Research and Compilation
- Problem Resolution
- Inventory Tracking and Management
- Team Leadership
- Operations Management
- Research and Analysis
- Report Development
- Content Management Systems
- Producing Stories
- Research Skills
- Creative Writing
- Copywriting and Editing
- Journalistic Reporting
- Interviewing Skills
- Information Gathering
Additional Information
Currently seeking employment part-time with a flexible schedule
Timeline
Assistant Imam (Volunteer Position)
Masjid Al-Mu'minun
08.2018 - Current
Owner/Operations Executive
Kitty In The Box
07.2016 - Current
Editor-in-Chief
Muslim American Magazine
07.2014 - 03.2016
Store Manager
Radio Shack Corporation
11.2012 - 07.2013
International Marketing Consultant
BC Net
01.2011 - 09.2012
Head Trainer
Self-employed
06.2010 - Current
Head of Operations
NEAC, Nurse Exam Application Center
11.2008 - 12.2010
Volunteer
Lihubillah Islamic Media Foundation
10.2007 - 05.2008
Head of Marketing/Fundraising/Public Relations Manager
Zakat Foundation of America
08.2005 - 07.2008
Owner, Photographer
Hushdawg Productions
01.2004 - 03.2006
Salesperson
Tri-County Wireless
08.2003 - 08.2005
Sales Executive
Sparta Craft Inc
01.1998 - 09.1999
Senior Sales Associate /Retail Store Manager
RadioShack Corporation
10.1993 - 01.2004
AS degree - Photography
Catawba Valley Community College
communications and basic engineering
North Carolina State University