MATTHEW GAGE
Sioux Falls,SD
Summary
Dynamic Executive Director with a proven track record at Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association, excelling in operations management and team leadership. Expert in performance metrics and budgeting, driving strategic initiatives that enhance organizational growth. Adept at fostering relationships and developing talent, ensuring compliance and operational excellence across all levels.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Executive Director
Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
10.2021 - 07.2025
- Oversaw daily operations of cemetery management and maintenance activities.
- Collaborated with board members to develop long-term vision and planning strategies.
- Implemented policies to ensure compliance with local regulations and industry standards.
- Maintained positive relationships with media outlets to increase visibility of organizational activities.
Department Manager
Sandhills Global
Lincoln, Nebraska
11.2017 - 10.2021
- Resolved customer complaints promptly and professionally in order to maintain good relationships with clients.
- Coached and trained new staff members, providing guidance on department policies and procedures.
- Collaborated with other departments to ensure smooth flow of operations across multiple teams.
- Kept department on-target to meet sales and profit objectives by minimizing waste and pursuing revenue generation opportunities.
- Worked closely with sales associates to complete tasks.
- Monitored daily sales figures to track trends in customer buying behavior.
- Lead and manage a team of 15 employees in the Department, ensuring that all tasks are completed efficiently and on time.
- Cultivated talented team of departmental employees through outstanding mentoring, coaching, and teaching skills.
COO
Gage Team Inc
Sioux Falls, SD
01.2006 - 11.2017
- Led organizational strategy and operational excellence initiatives across all departments.
- Oversaw company-wide performance metrics to drive accountability and transparency.
- Collaborated with executive team on long-term strategic planning and execution.
- Assisted in budgeting process by evaluating costs and allocating resources appropriately.
- Built relationships with industry leaders both internally and externally to create new opportunities for growth.
- Identified areas for improvement within the organization's processes or services offerings.
- Analyzed market trends and assessed potential impact on organization's growth strategy.
- Managed day-to-day operations of organization including staff management, scheduling, customer service.
Sales and IT
Gage Brothers Concrete Inc. An Employee Owned Comp
Harrisburg, South Dakota
10.2003 - 09.2006
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
- Identified needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
- Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
- Approached customers and engaged in conversation through use of effective interpersonal and people skills.
Manager, Sales and Customer Support
Gateway Computers
Sioux Falls, SD
07.2000 - 09.2003
- Developed strategies for addressing common customer complaints in an efficient manner that minimized negative impact on the company's reputation.
- Recruited, hired and trained new personnel as necessary in order to meet changing demands of the business.
- Conduct regular meetings with sales teams to provide feedback, motivate employees, and discuss progress towards goals.
- Managed a team of 15 customer service representatives to ensure a high level of customer satisfaction.
- Resolved escalated customer inquiries quickly and efficiently while maintaining a positive attitude.
- Monitored performance metrics for sales reps, including call times, resolution rates, and upselling success rate.
- Trained staff on new products, services, and procedures related to customer service operations.
- Assisted in developing training materials for new hires on topics related to effective communication techniques when dealing with customers.
- Ensured compliance with company policies, procedures, and guidelines related to sales activities.
- Created reports outlining key performance indicators for assessing the overall effectiveness of the department's services.
- Guided junior staff members regarding tasks such as handling difficult customers or resolving issues within the organization's standards.
- Directed and coordinated products, services and sales activities.
- Established ambitious goals for employees to promote achievement and surpass business targets.
- Used change methodologies to increase sales and led projects for increased productivity.
Education
Some College - Computer Information Services
Dakota State University
Madison, SD01.1997
Some College - Business Management
South East Tech
Sioux Falls, SDSome College - Dive Operations and Store Management
NAUI Career Institute
Marathon, FLSome College - Business Management
University of Phoenix
OnlineSkills
- Operations Management
- Performance Metrics & Budgeting
- Team Leadership & Staff Development
- Sales Strategy (E-commerce & Traditional)
- Customer Relationship Management
- Business Development
- Project Management
- Market Analysis
- Vendor & Contract Management
Accomplishments
- Mt Pleasant Cemetery Board, Secretary, 01/2020, Current
- Sioux Falls Masonic Building Association, Secretary - Past President, 01/2021, Current
- Giving Hope SD, Secretary, 01/2018, Current
- Ground Works Board Of Directors, 01/2007, 01/2009
- Prairie Magazine Top 40 Under 40 2008
Timeline
Executive Director
Mount Pleasant Cemetery Association
10.2021 - 07.2025
Department Manager
Sandhills Global
11.2017 - 10.2021
COO
Gage Team Inc
01.2006 - 11.2017
Sales and IT
Gage Brothers Concrete Inc. An Employee Owned Comp
10.2003 - 09.2006
Manager, Sales and Customer Support
Gateway Computers
07.2000 - 09.2003
Some College - Computer Information Services
Dakota State University
Some College - Business Management
South East Tech
Some College - Dive Operations and Store Management
NAUI Career Institute
Some College - Business Management
University of Phoenix
Affiliations
- Member Minnehaha Masons Lodge #5 Sioux Falls, SD
- Member Worthing Lodge #141 Worthing, SD
- Member Valley Of Sioux Falls Scottish Rite
- Active Fundraiser For Giving Hope Sioux Falls SD a childrens charity
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