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Michael F. Knowles
McKinney,TX
Work Preference
Summary
Dedicated to cultivating and maintaining long-term relationships, internally and externally, that are founded upon core principles of trust, honesty, and respect. Collaborate with clients and doer-sellers to comprehend challenges, and deliver tailored solutions. Create, implement, and oversee business development and strategic growth plans that allow firms to break into new markets, as well as capture a greater share of current markets. A team player who successfully collaborates with marketing and across various departments to cross-sell services and increase contract fees.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Business Development Manager
LANDDESIGN
Dallas, TX
05.2024 - 03.2025
- Collaborated with senior leadership to identify growth opportunities and develop strategic plans.
- Partnered with Marketing Department to craft, edit, and finalize proposals for new initiatives.
- Implemented Strategic Growth Action Plan based on comprehensive research findings.
- Established relationships with decision-makers to pre-position firm for upcoming contracts.
- Utilized technology to enhance communication with leaders and clients through CRM tools.
North American Business Development Director
DIRECT ACCESS
McKinney, TX
07.2023 - 05.2024
- Established new partnerships and strengthened existing relationships with municipalities in North Central Texas.
- Served as liaison between client and firm to ensure high-quality service delivery for projects.
- Secured direct contract with City of McKinney Parks and Recreation, enhancing firm’s portfolio.
- Leveraged established relationships to position firm favorably for future contracts.
- Represented firm at NRPA National Conference to promote services and network with industry leaders.
Relationship Development Manager for ADA & GIS
COLE DESIGN GROUP
Frisco, TX
10.2022 - 05.2023
- Established and strengthened connections with municipalities, agencies, and elected officials to promote ADA and GIS services.
- Secured contracts with City of Allen and City of McKinney.
- Increased fees by 30% while expanding service lines through relationship leveraging.
- Pre-positioned firm for future contracts with local municipalities and USACE by meeting with elected officials.
- Served as liaison between project managers and clients to ensure project alignment.
Geomatics Business Development Director
MCKIM & CREED
Addison, TX
12.2018 - 02.2022
- Expanded business development across three Texas offices, generating $4.5 million in new revenue during COVID-19 lockdown.
- Secured 27 contracts with 16 new clients, including $2 million TxDOT San Antonio Survey Contract.
- Strengthened client relationships through professional organization involvement and strategic partnerships.
- Collaborated with staff to identify opportunities for enhancing business development practices.
- Maintained CRM database and regularly updated reports in Microsoft PowerBI.
- Conducted bi-weekly and weekly meetings for strategic alignment and progress updates.
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive Business Development Plan to drive growth.
Business Development & Marketing Director
THE ROBERT B. BALTER CO.
Owings Mills, MD
03.2010 - 11.2018
- Directed business development and marketing strategies, achieving 87% client retention and 78% proposal win rates.
- Fostered client relationships while representing firm at industry conferences and professional organizations.
- Collaborated with graphics teams to enhance branding and improve marketing efficiency through CRM maintenance.
- Strengthened technical business development skills via one-on-one training with doer-sellers and strategic initiatives.
Education
B.A. - Communications
The College of Saint Rose
Albany, NYSkills
- Collaboration with leaders
- Strategic planning
- Market analysis and trends
- CRM management
- Customer relationship management
- Networking strategies
- Time management
- Decision making
- Business development
- Comprehensive research
- Strategic growth planning
- Pre-positioning and teaming
- Cross-selling strategies
- Active involvement in organizations
- Training for business development
Certification
Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM), SMPS
Accomplishments
- Secured $100,000.00 direct contract with North Central Texas municipality
- Generated $4.5 million in new revenue during COVID
- President of ASHE DFW as well as ASHE Southwest Region
- Increased fees 30% on existing contracts
References
References available upon request.
Work Availability
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Affiliations
- American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) DFW
- American Society of Highway Engineers (SW Region)
- McKinney Sunrise Rotary Club
- Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS)
Software
CRM Databases
Languages
English
Native language
Interests
Golf
Woodworking
Music/Guitar
Additional Information
Quotes from co-workers from 360 Annual Review
“Michael’s value can be measured in many ways, from business contacts, introductions, willingness to take on extra BD activities, and so on. But in the areas that are not easily measured (such as personality, honesty, etc.), he shines the brightest.”
“Michael has opened the doors and arranged for a lot of new client meetings that have led to new teaming partners on projects and submittals with companies we had not previously done business with. He is a dedicated employee – going so far as joining business news feed out of his own pocket to generate new opportunities.”
Timeline
Business Development Manager
LANDDESIGN
05.2024 - 03.2025
North American Business Development Director
DIRECT ACCESS
07.2023 - 05.2024
Relationship Development Manager for ADA & GIS
COLE DESIGN GROUP
10.2022 - 05.2023
Geomatics Business Development Director
MCKIM & CREED
12.2018 - 02.2022
Business Development & Marketing Director
THE ROBERT B. BALTER CO.
03.2010 - 11.2018
B.A. - Communications
The College of Saint Rose