Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Additional Career Success
Board Of Directors
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Michael Gates

East Setauket,NY

Summary

Dynamic sales leader with a proven track record at New York Daily News, driving revenue growth and operational excellence. Expert in strategic leadership and digital transformation, I successfully turned multimillion-dollar losses into profitability while fostering a high-performance culture. Adept at executive negotiations, I consistently exceed targets and enhance client relations.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Sales Department Rebuilder

Aljo-Gefa Precision Manufacturing
Bethpage, NY
01.2025 - Current
  • Rebuilt sales department from ground up utilizing extensive sales leadership expertise.
  • Executed rebranding initiatives for improved market presence.
  • Launched CRM system and facilitated facility walkthrough for Bell Helicopters within first six weeks.
  • Established numerous connections with influential industry leaders to drive partnerships.
  • Quickly assessed organizational capabilities to identify factors for contract acquisition.
  • Joined multiple AeroDefense trade groups, arranging meetings with key executives promptly.
  • Scheduled meetings for international trade show in Montreal at end of March.

General Manager & Vice President of Sales

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
New York, NY
01.2021 - 12.2024
  • Orchestrated recovery of New York Daily News during financial crisis, overseeing business operations including sales and circulation.
  • Transformed multimillion-dollar losses into profitability within first year through strategic leadership of sales and marketing departments.
  • Achieved significant profit growth in second year under focused management strategies.
  • Elevated EBITDA to $11.5M by implementing innovative sales plans and driving team performance.
  • Outsourced production processes to enhance operational efficiency and reduce costs significantly.
  • Negotiated pivotal union agreements, resulting in the buyout of nearly 40 drivers and optimized labor expenses.
  • Cultivated a high-performance culture through people-first leadership, fostering employee engagement and motivation.
  • Streamlined operations via company-wide restructuring, enhancing productivity and collaboration across departments.

Vice President of Sales

TRIBUNE PUBLISHING/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
New York, NY
01.2020 - 12.2021
  • Recruited by President and CEO of Tribune Publishing to lead NY Daily News sales office.
  • Initially appointed Executive Director of Premium Accounts, promoted to VP of Sales within eight months.
  • Engineered a dynamic framework for sales executives focused on key performance indicators.
  • Ignited new business ventures that significantly improved digital performance.

Senior Sales Director

ADVANTAGE PAYROLL/ASSOCIATED PAYROLL AND HCM
Plainview, NY
01.2017 - 12.2020
  • Handpicked by CEO to lead sales and marketing divisions during acquisition preparations for Advantage Payroll and market entry for Associated Human Capital Management.
  • Mastered complex technology and industry processes within months, earning team respect and trust.
  • Collaborated with Marketing Director to create comprehensive sales collateral and market strategies, focusing on digital channels and a website redesign.
  • Launched recruitment initiative with HR to refine qualifications for tech-savvy sales roles.
  • Established specialized sales division to strengthen client relationships and identify upsell opportunities.
  • Developed value-added service of compliance reviews for existing clients, addressing labor law changes and non-compliance risks in partnership with marketing team.

Consultant & Director of Business Development

COX MEDIA GROUP (Valpak of Long Island, Direct Advantage)
Hauppauge, NY
01.2015 - 12.2017
  • Transformed sales department by establishing performance metrics and driving continuous training initiatives.
  • Fostered collaboration with major and regional partners through strategic team-building efforts.
  • Led talent acquisition strategy, doubling company size within first year through targeted recruitment.
  • Developed and implemented effective sales collateral, optimizing inside and direct sales efforts.
  • Structured dynamic weekly sales meetings to promote peer-driven problem-solving.
  • Conducted personalized one-on-one meetings with team members for coaching and performance feedback.

Vice President & National/Major Retail and Digital Sales

CABLEVISION MEDIA SALES/NEWSDAY MEDIA GROUP
Melville, NY
01.2012 - 12.2014
  • Oversaw multiple sales offices with full P&L accountability for business unit generating over $100 million in revenue.
  • Directed execution of programs from conceptualization to distribution while leading key revenue initiatives.
  • Surpassed budget by 7% in first year, achieving milestone for first time in a decade.
  • Increased revenue by over $7 million through collaboration on high-impact programs exceeding client expectations.
  • Reduced operating expenses by over $1 million through strategic contract restructuring with national partners.
  • Presented regularly to major advertising agencies and national retailers, enhancing relationships and opportunities.
  • Drove digital sales growth from 7% to 10% of total revenue within two years, strengthening digital presence.
  • Boosted credibility and positioning for key advertisers, generating over $400,000 in annual revenue at 50% margins.

Vice President & Local Retail and Digital Sales

CABLEVISION MEDIA SALES/STAR COMMUNITY PUBLISHING DIVISION
Melville, NY
01.2006 - 12.2012
  • Managed over 200 associates and a $65M revenue plan across five regional offices.
  • Spearheaded departmental reorganization, reducing expenses and generating millions in incremental revenue.
  • Launched shopping and dining magazine, achieving $660K revenue within first three editions at 20% profit margins.
  • Developed lifestyle magazine, generating over $1.5M annually with margins exceeding 50%.
  • Rebranded and consolidated two legacy publications into one cohesive brand, enhancing synergies and results.
  • Overhauled management team and support staff, recruiting new talent to maximize efficiency.
  • Streamlined two sales divisions, reducing territories from 113 to 77 and implementing cross-training programs.

Education

MBA - Finance

Marist College

BS - Marketing

Fredonia State

Skills

  • Strategic leadership
  • Sales optimization
  • Revenue growth
  • Digital transformation
  • Operational excellence
  • Team building
  • Executive negotiations
  • Market analysis
  • Profit maximization
  • Business development
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Brand strategy
  • Crisis management
  • Talent development
  • Cost reduction
  • Client relations
  • Project management
  • Performance metrics
  • Product innovation
  • Budgeting and forecasting

Additional Career Success

  • Newsday Media Group, Advertising Director, Major and Local Retail and Digital Sales, 01/01/05, 12/31/06
  • Long Island Business News/Dolan Media, Associate Publisher & Advertising Director, 01/01/01, 12/31/05

Board Of Directors

  • Better Business Bureau Serving Metropolitan New York, 01/01/20, Present
  • Long Island Elite 501c-3, 01/01/04, 12/31/13

Certification

  • Certified Sales Trainer for Integrity Selling

Timeline

Sales Department Rebuilder

Aljo-Gefa Precision Manufacturing
01.2025 - Current

General Manager & Vice President of Sales

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
01.2021 - 12.2024

Vice President of Sales

TRIBUNE PUBLISHING/NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
01.2020 - 12.2021

Senior Sales Director

ADVANTAGE PAYROLL/ASSOCIATED PAYROLL AND HCM
01.2017 - 12.2020

Consultant & Director of Business Development

COX MEDIA GROUP (Valpak of Long Island, Direct Advantage)
01.2015 - 12.2017

Vice President & National/Major Retail and Digital Sales

CABLEVISION MEDIA SALES/NEWSDAY MEDIA GROUP
01.2012 - 12.2014

Vice President & Local Retail and Digital Sales

CABLEVISION MEDIA SALES/STAR COMMUNITY PUBLISHING DIVISION
01.2006 - 12.2012

MBA - Finance

Marist College

BS - Marketing

Fredonia State

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