James R. Reid
Business Development
Fredericksburg,VA
Summary
Driven Business Development Executive with career history in multi-state distributed businesses and proven skill in hiring, developing and retaining high-performance teams. Motivating leader with strengths in building strategic relationships to support key business initiatives. Highly skilled in change management, management transition, and merger integration. Offering excellent interpersonal and communication skills and experience managing matrixed organizations.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Business Development Executive
Cover Whale
09.2023 - Current
- In charge of the Western Region of the United States, responsible for 65 Million in production in 2024.
- Managed a team of Business Development Associates.
- Built strong relationships with clients, leading to increased customer satisfaction and repeat business.
- Communicated directly with partners to build strong business networks and relationships.
- Developed customized solutions for clients, addressing their unique needs and helping them achieve their goals.
- Negotiated client contracts and agreements to cultivate profitable business transactions.
- Leveraged CRM tools to track leads and analyze data, optimizing sales efforts for maximum return on investment.
- Provided exceptional customer service by promptly addressing client concerns and resolving issues as they arose.
- Managed a portfolio of accounts, ensuring timely delivery of products/services while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. Personal Portfolio of 38.4 Million.
- Conducted competitor analysis to identify gaps in the market and capitalize on untapped opportunities.
- Established a robust sales pipeline by consistently identifying, qualifying, and nurturing leads through various outreach methods.
- Generated revenue growth by developing and executing targeted sales strategies to expand market share.
Agency Owner
Farmers Insurance Group
08.2022 - 04.2023
- Lead an all-remote team from a scratch agency to 500K annualized written premium in three months
- Trained and Onboarded an all-remote staff on sales and service techniques to maximize profitability based on years of sales and service training experience, knowledge, classes and self-study
- Trained and Onboarded staff and management on all sales systems and Salesforce via remote trainings (Teams, Zoom)
- Created material for training on the third-party systems we used based on Adult learning theory, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Bloom's Revised Taxonomy
- Ran day to day operations IE coaching, manage profit and loss, timesheets and all related HR functions on remote basis
- Utilized data analytics to assess performance and create training's based on current and future client needs with a constant look for growth and profitability
- Successfully built book based on investors parameters and sold
Director of Operations
Quantum Assurance International, LLC
09.2019 - 08.2022
- Responsible for positive P/L for the largest branch in QAI, leading my branch from a scratch (zero premium) agency to over 32 million in written premium over 3.5 years
- Co-authored all agent facing and management training based on adult learning theory best practices, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Blooms Revised Taxonomy that resulted in 115% increase in sales production
- Worked directly with Instructional Design team to build out the training utilizing e-Learning platforms to deliver efficient training modules with clear learning objectives based on remote best practices every two weeks (scheduled) and as needed in between (Teams and Zoom meetings)
- Worked with independent agency owners throughout the US to help build out their business plans through strategic planning and set up frequent touch points to coach and problem solve to hold them accountable
- Meet with captive and independent agency owners to prove the effectiveness of the Quantum model via presentations, walk throughs and tours as well as virtual meetings
- Worked with agency owners to train them various products and company systems i.e
- Epay, AgencyZoom, Ricochet 360
- Launched Commercial department out of my branch by working with strategic partners on appetite and developing plan to maximize growth responsibly (profitable from month one
- Coordinated data via Excel, Google products and various third party systems, that I presented before CEO, VP as well as C suites of our various insurance partners, proving the success of the strategy and training's I implemented
- Utilized data analytics to assess performance and create training's based on current and future client needs with a constant look for growth and profitability
- Effectively managed unit of 36 agents and 5 managers via remote communications (Teams,Zoom,Slack)
Senior Loan Officer
Embrace Home Loans
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Originated, reviewed, processed, closed and administered customer loan proposals
- Reviewed and edited loan agreements to promote efficiency and accuracy
- Responsible for new client acquisition
- Managed marketing with both B2B and B2C on social media and hosting events
- Acquire new leads and create plans that nurtures and develops leads in to realized closed loans
- Network with top business professionals in real-estate i.e realtors, builders, CPA's, attorneys and settlement companies
- Produced 20 million in new business in 24 months
Sales and Service Hiring and Training Manager
GEICO Insurance Agency
09.2016 - 01.2018
- Conducted orientation sessions and organized on-the-job training for new hires
- Trained new hires to perform cross-training exercises with experienced workers
- Coordinated and scheduled training's for new hires, existing agents and GEICO independent branches (countrywide remote based) on an yearly and monthly (as needed) basis
- Coordinated follow up training's, feedback sessions, training needs sessions with department heads, managers and GEICO independent offices
- Co-Authored 'Salasmanship'-sales training that was adopted by all four regions of GEICO'S MOAT (Homeowners) Department resulting in higher closure and retention
- Co-Authored 'Service Manual 2.0'-Service training that was adopted by all four regions of GEICO's MOAT (Homeowners) Department resulting in higher retention and customer service scores
- Worked directly with Instructional Design to build out agent and management training based on adult learning theory,Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and Blooms Revised Taxonomy
- Reported all learning and performance objectives, schedules and training assessments to Directors and C-Suite
- Led daily, weekly and monthly coaching, counseling and feedback sessions with Risk Management Instructors and Junior Risk Management Instructors
- Responsible for interviewing 250+ applicants for a role in sales or service
- Responsible for Managing all Risk Management Instructors ex
- Time sheets, coaching, re-training and promotions
- Responsible for managing all Junior Risk Management Instructors that were in the Preparatory Program ex
- Time sheets, coaching, re-training and promotions
- Wrote the departments business plan for hiring and training needs for 2017 for GEICO's 2017 business plan
Senior Risk Management Instructor
GEICO Insurance Agency
09.2014 - 09.2016
- Assisted with Safety Risk Management (SRM) process
- Developed short-term goals and long-term strategic plans to improve risk control and mitigation
- Instituted contingency plans, ensuring business continuity through cross-training, documentation and data backups
- Promoted enterprise-level risk management practices and helped instill strong culture focused on protective policies and procedures
- Responsible for the instruction and development of newly acquired sales talent
- Creating, beta-testing and facilitating new processes, procedures and instructional material inter-departmentally
- Project Lead: sales efficiency/retention efforts for 2017 corporate business plan
- Mentor: Junior Risk Management Instructors
- Responsible for sales agent administration i.e
- Licensing, Payroll, etc
- Guide field representatives on new products and procedures country wide
Instructor Preparatory Program
GEICO Insurance Agency
09.2013 - 09.2014
- Established clear objectives for lessons, units, projects and communicated objectives to students
- Prepared quizzes, tests and examinations to gauge how well students were learning
- Maintained confidential records and information in compliance with federal and state regulations
- Instructed and developed newly acquired sales talent
- Project lead: Departmental fundraiser for United Way
- Attended multiple Management Development Seminars i.e
- True COLORS, Sales Quadrants, etc
Transition Supervisor
GEICO Insurance Agency
09.2010 - 09.2013
- Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows
- Handled customer complaints, resolved issues and adjusted policies to meet changing needs
- Evaluated employee performance and coached and trained to improve weak areas
- Performance management i.e
- Coaching, Root Cause Analysis, Focused Metric Calibrations, etc
- Developed monthly/quarterly incentive programs
- Responsible for sales administration i.e
- Payroll, Continuing Education, etc
Sales Representative IV
GEICO Insurance Agency
07.2008 - 09.2010
- Increased sales by offering advice on purchases and promoting additional products
- Achieved monthly sales goals by promoting product benefits and enrolling new clients
- Retained excellent client satisfaction ratings through outstanding service delivery
- Trained and mentored new sales representatives
- Sold homeowners, condominium and renters policies
- Acquired numerous team champion rolls: performance management, team representative for management skip levels, etc
- Ranked “Top 10 Sales Agent” country-wide
Loan Officer
Countrywide/Bank Of America
07.2007 - 07.2008
- Submitted loan applications to underwriter for verification and recommendations
- Originated, reviewed, processed, closed and administered customer loan proposals
- Recommended loan approvals and denials based on customer loan application reviews
- Maintained strict confidentiality of bank records and client information
- Closed 3.5 Million (mix new purchase/refinance)
- Formulated mailer campaigns
- Maintained focus on relationship building with builders, realtors and customers
Subprime Loan Originator
Wells Fargo Home Loans
07.2006 - 07.2007
- Updated borrowers through each step of loan application, approval and closing processes while remaining attentive to customer needs
- Interviewed applicants to assess loan requirements before suggesting offers
- Resolved discrepancies between borrowers, lenders and financial institutions with detail orientation and efficiency
- Collected information from banks, institutions and employers to assess applicant eligibility
- Closed 5 Million (mix new purchase/refinance)
- Collaborated with sales agents, financial planners and accountants to attract clients and enhance beneficial partnerships
Education
Associate of Arts - Philosophy
Community College of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PABachelor of Science - Business Administration
Germanna Community College
Fredericksburg, VASkills
Leadership Development Training
Certification
Active P & C license
Timeline
Business Development Executive
Cover Whale
09.2023 - Current
Agency Owner
Farmers Insurance Group
08.2022 - 04.2023
Director of Operations
Quantum Assurance International, LLC
09.2019 - 08.2022
Senior Loan Officer
Embrace Home Loans
01.2018 - 01.2020
Sales and Service Hiring and Training Manager
GEICO Insurance Agency
09.2016 - 01.2018
Senior Risk Management Instructor
GEICO Insurance Agency
09.2014 - 09.2016
Instructor Preparatory Program
GEICO Insurance Agency
09.2013 - 09.2014
Transition Supervisor
GEICO Insurance Agency
09.2010 - 09.2013
Sales Representative IV
GEICO Insurance Agency
07.2008 - 09.2010
Loan Officer
Countrywide/Bank Of America
07.2007 - 07.2008
Subprime Loan Originator
Wells Fargo Home Loans
07.2006 - 07.2007
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Germanna Community College
Associate of Arts - Philosophy
Community College of Philadelphia
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