JAMES M. MLAKER
Sales and Marketing Specialist, Brand Ambassador
Milwaukee,WI
Summary
Dynamic professional with a diverse background in photography, management, marketing, sales, insurance, and brand promotion, eager to leverage extensive experience to drive success in a challenging role. Demonstrated expertise in photography and photo editing, complemented by strong skills in counseling, coaching, and customer service. Proven track record as a marketing representative, known for driving brand awareness and consumer interaction through strategic promotional activities and fostering positive relationships that enhance brand loyalty. Consistent team collaborator focused on achieving impactful results and adapting to dynamic marketing needs, with expertise in event coordination and public speaking.
Overview
50
50
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Brand Ambassador
Every Sip
01.2025 - Current
- Cultivated brand awareness of assigned alcoholic beverages and Delta 9 THC infused beverages through engaging product demonstrations and customer interactions.
- Recorded and reported market specific requested data for each sampling/tasting event, as well as actively selling the available product to the sampling consumers.
Professional Photographer
JMaker Artworks and Photography
02.2003 - Current
- Design and create digital artworks.
- Market, promote, and sell self-created artwork through many different venues, including gallery showings, art fairs, various art websites, and associations with interior designers.
- Photograph Weddings and Events
- Edit Photos
- Design and market slideshows for Weddings, Funerals, and Professional events
Brand Ambassador / Consumer Market Researcher
Expertaste Marketing
03.2024 - 04.2025
- Market, sell, and provide samples of various beer, wine, and liquor products in retail settings.
- Conducted consumer market research related to consumer response to the products sampled.
Medicare Sales Representative
United Healthcare
09.2011 - 12.2017
- Marketed, designed marketing campaigns, and sold Medicare Advantage plans to Medicare / Medicaid eligible prospective enrollees.
- Arranged and conducted sales and education seminars and enrollment events pertaining to Medicare, Medicaid, and Medicare Special Needs Plans.
- Maintained support relationships with clients and community services.
Medicare Sales Representative
Independent Care Health Plan
03.2010 - 09.2011
- Marketed and sold Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan to dual eligible Medicare / Medicaid enrollees
- Arranged and conducted sales and education seminars, as well as managed community events, such as bingo games pertaining to Medicare, Medicaid, and Medicare Special Needs Plans.
- Maintained support relationships with clients and community services.
Factory Representative / Part-Time
Marketwide Advantage/ Epson
07.2007 - 03.2010
- Marketed, sold and demonstrated Epson products in retail outlets.
- Provided Epson product training to retail outlet sales representatives.
Independent Licensed Insurance Broker
Independent Licensed Insurance Broker (self-employed)
09.2005 - 03.2010
- Marketed and sold Medicare Advantage Special Needs, Medicare Advantage Medicare Part D plans to Medicare-eligible enrollees.
- Arrange and conducted sales and education seminars pertaining to Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part D, and/or Senior Insurance products
- Marketed and sold life and health insurance products.
Graduate Student Intern Therapist
Children's Service Society of Wisconsin
06.2003 - 05.2004
- Designed, coordinated, marketed and co-facilitated group psychotherapeutic and educational stress-management sessions
- Provided individual adult and youth counseling as well as family and group therapy
- Conducted client intake assessments, wrote treatment plans, and maintained accurate progress notes
- Developed and implemented multi-session group psychotherapeutic and parent educational community outreach program
- Served as community and educational advocate for multicultural client population ranging in age from children to adults
Service Provider
United Parcel Service
10.1980 - 06.2002
- Responsible for the delivery and pickup of parcels to and from private residences and businesses
- Provided current and potential customers with information and business development assistance
Checker
Lifschtuz Fast Freight
09.1975 - 10.1980
- Checked in, routed, and supervised the loading and unloading of freight in a shipping and receiving facility
Education
Master of Science - Professional Counseling
Concordia University Wisconsin
Mequon, WI05.2004
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
12.1980
Skills
- Sales and marketing expertise
- Effective communicator
- Customer engagement
- Exceptional communication
- Brand awareness
Certification
- State of Wisconsin Insurance Intermediary, Accident & Health, Life
- Certificate of Completion / Wisconsin Responsible Beverage Server Training
- Food Safety Certificate
Timeline
Brand Ambassador
Every Sip
01.2025 - Current
Brand Ambassador / Consumer Market Researcher
Expertaste Marketing
03.2024 - 04.2025
Medicare Sales Representative
United Healthcare
09.2011 - 12.2017
Medicare Sales Representative
Independent Care Health Plan
03.2010 - 09.2011
Factory Representative / Part-Time
Marketwide Advantage/ Epson
07.2007 - 03.2010
Independent Licensed Insurance Broker
Independent Licensed Insurance Broker (self-employed)
09.2005 - 03.2010
Graduate Student Intern Therapist
Children's Service Society of Wisconsin
06.2003 - 05.2004
Professional Photographer
JMaker Artworks and Photography
02.2003 - Current
Service Provider
United Parcel Service
10.1980 - 06.2002
Checker
Lifschtuz Fast Freight
09.1975 - 10.1980
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
Master of Science - Professional Counseling
Concordia University Wisconsin