Erica Meissner Wahlig
Severna Park,MD
Summary
Sales leader with expertise in commercial furniture and a proven track record in managing complex interior design projects. Skilled in fostering collaboration across teams, enhancing productivity, and driving innovation. Recognized for building strong client relationships and contributing to significant business growth. Successful in leading teams to achieve organizational goals while upholding professionalism and integrity.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Multi Family Housing, Senior Living & Hospitality
Price Modern
Baltimore, MD
02.2023 - 08.2025
- Secured and managed $6 million in annual commercial FF&E projects across senior living, multifamily, and hospitality sectors.
- Conducted sales presentations to showcase new vertical capabilities to prospective clients and designers.
- Collaborated with clients and designers to finalize product specifications based on style, budget, and lead time.
- Identified open RFP requests, prepared competitive responses, and presented alternative product options to meet client needs.
- Oversaw bi-monthly client calls for status updates, ensuring project timeline adherence.
- Established strong vendor relationships to negotiate favorable, project-specific discount terms.
- Created comprehensive project plans detailing timelines, budgets, and installation methods at project kick-off.
- Monitored post-COVID market conditions and manufacturer health to guide clients in product decisions.
Director of Social Spaces
Price Modern
Baltimore, MD
01.2021 - 02.2023
- Managed a newly created cross-functional team of four commercial furniture specialists and designers to support the company-wide sales team in selecting and presenting appropriate furniture for FF&E projects in a variety of market verticals.
- Proactively established new accounts and rep relationships with over 50 commercial manufacturers.
- Implemented manufacturer training, lunch and learns, to educate social spaces and the sales team on the new manufacturers’ product lines.
- Created branded, vertical-specific Lookbook templates for cohesive team deliverables.
- Oversaw Lookbook output to ensure appropriate product selection.
- Collaborated with clients and designers to align budget, lead time, and product needs with the desired design aesthetic.
- Led performance reviews and provided constructive feedback to team members regularly.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement through innovative problem-solving methodologies.
Director of Purchasing
Furniture Solutions Group
Annapolis, MD
08.2016 - 12.2020
- Managed team of 7 account executives across Colorado and Maryland for execution of commercial interior FF&E projects.
- Conducted weekly meetings with team members to review project statuses and resolve issues promptly.
- Established protocol for bi-monthly client update meetings to enhance communication.
- Cultivated strong relationships with current and prospective clients to expand client base.
- Optimized team workflow to ensure balanced project distribution among account executives.
- Executed timely post-install analysis and project punch lists with clients.
- Reconciled project accounting to align budget with actual expenditures.
- Conducted annual performance reviews to ensure optimal staff engagement and development.
Account Executive
Furniture Solutions Group
Annapolis, MD
09.2012 - 07.2016
- Managed multiple commercial interior FF&E projects simultaneously while proactively communicating with clients in a fast-paced environment to ensure projects were ordered quickly and accurately.
- Managed developers, owners, architects, designers, contractors, and vendor relationships by proactively resolving issues, tracking budgets, and adapting quickly to meet construction deadlines.
- Reviewed specifications for accuracy, created and executed purchase orders, received acknowledgments, sent deposits, and established timelines for delivery.
- Maintained positive client relationships, and cultivated working relationships with prospective clients; sustained and grew the client base.
- Prepared and added scopes by determining client needs, submitting vendor RFQs, and compiling proposals.
- Oversaw installation teams on-site nationwide to ensure every piece of furniture, drapery, artwork, and accessory is delivered, assembled, and installed according to the architectural drawings and specifications provided by the interior design team.
- Performed post-install analysis with the client and executed project punch lists in a timely manner.
- Reconciled project accounting to match budget vs. actual expenditures.
Financial Officer, Vendor Manager
Maine Cottage
Jessup, MD
05.2012 - 10.2012
- Assisted with the merger of the local furniture manufacturer Russell & McKenna and the larger competitor, Maine Cottage.
- Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic financial plans and forecasts.
- Prepared financial reporting, cost, and sales reports for senior management.
- Renegotiated 20+ wholesale vendor contracts.
- Supervised new orders, product shipments, and inventory management.
- Developed business financial analysis, including budget, cash flow, product line plan, and margin targets.
- Analyzed and led a new product mix plan for increased profits.
Owner
Paint My Furniture
Jessup, MD
01.2012 - 10.2012
- Purchased the furniture refinishing subsidiary company from Russell & McKenna (later to become Maine Cottage).
- Developed a marketing strategy to revitalize sales.
- Set the pricing structure after developing a detailed market analysis.
- Established business processes, bank accounts, payment systems, and employee payroll.
- Built the company's financial accounting system from scratch in QuickBooks.
- Ordered the best-priced supplies, tracked inventory, and received stock for maximum cash flow.
- Developed marketing strategies to attract new customers and increase sales.
- Managed overall operations for custom furniture painting business.
- Trained and supervised staff on painting techniques and customer service.
- Maintained inventory of paint supplies and furniture materials for production.
- Handled customer inquiries and resolved issues promptly and professionally.
- Ensured quality control standards were met throughout the painting process.
Assistant Vice President, Marketing Manager
Legg Mason Capital Management
01.2001 - 07.2007
- Managed the marketing team that generated all departmental sales materials, including data-bound web pages and high-quality print brochures.
- Led the design, delivery, and implementation of a marketing strategy that supported business growth.
- Led the design of a custom Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database, which improved client service, cross-selling, and marketing efforts.
- Managed data entry process into CRM system, as well as five real-time data feeds from internal and external websites.
- Streamlined marketing material preparation through custom-built applications that linked marketing materials to data feeds for increased accuracy and productivity.
- Designed and managed the company website.
- Designed and implemented a web-based client portal. Executed the rollout communication plan that included client presentations, along with email and print mailings.
- Coordinated marketing presentations and materials for trade conferences. Represented the company at numerous trade conferences and special events designed to strengthen client relationships and attract new clients.
- Managed and negotiated outside printing vendor contracts.
Education
MBA - Marketing
Loyola University of Maryland
Baltimore01.2002
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature
University of Delaware
Newark, DE01.1996
Skills
- Interior design and real estate relations
- Project management and leadership
- Budget management and negotiation
- RFP preparation and development
- Commercial furniture expertise
- Sales presentation delivery
- Sales quota achievement
Affiliations
- Tennis
- Pickleball
- Barre
- Yoga
- Dewey Beach
Timeline
Director of Multi Family Housing, Senior Living & Hospitality
Price Modern
02.2023 - 08.2025
Director of Social Spaces
Price Modern
01.2021 - 02.2023
Director of Purchasing
Furniture Solutions Group
08.2016 - 12.2020
Account Executive
Furniture Solutions Group
09.2012 - 07.2016
Financial Officer, Vendor Manager
Maine Cottage
05.2012 - 10.2012
Owner
Paint My Furniture
01.2012 - 10.2012
Assistant Vice President, Marketing Manager
Legg Mason Capital Management
01.2001 - 07.2007
MBA - Marketing
Loyola University of Maryland
Bachelor of Arts - English Literature
University of Delaware