ryan chaffin
Essex Junction,VT
Summary
Senior leader with over twenty years of experience around Marketing, Brand Development, Business Development, Operations and Partnerships. Very organized with a focus on relationship-building. Decision-maker and strategic planner with top-notch interpersonal and communication skills. Business-minded professional tackling any job to help all members of the group. Determined to deliver value along with a strong desire to be successful. Always Demonstrating a positive attitude and readiness to adapt to different situations.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Business Development
Upstate Elevator Supply
Burlington, VT
07.2023 - Current
- Organized promotional events such as conferences, exhibitions, trade shows.
- Helped launch our new retail space as the overseer of the dispensary.
- Negotiated partnerships with key industry players to expand market presence within the hemp and cannabis industry.
- Developed strong internal relationships across departments.
- Served on the Cannabis Retailer Association as legislative lead.
- Established relationships with clients, vendors, suppliers, partners, and other stakeholders to ensure successful collaborations.
- Assisted in developing budgets for marketing initiatives.
- Executed marketing campaigns to create brand awareness and drive customer acquisition strategies.
- Led the charge with community engagement.
- Recommended product changes to enhance customer interest and maximize sales.
- Developed growth plans by identifying key clients, key targets, and priority service lines.
- Conducted market research and reported on competitors.
- Resolved customer complaints regarding sales and service.
- Oversaw regional and local sales managers and staff.
- Helped ensure compliance with applicable regulations governing retail operations.
General Manager
14th Star Brewing Company
Saint Albans, VT
11.2021 - Current
- Created effective business plans to focus strategic decisions on long-term objectives.
- Developed service and sales strategies to improve retention and revenue.
- Led employee evaluations with constructive feedback to boost performance.
- Used strong issue resolution and communication skills to cultivate and strengthen lasting client relationships.
- Delegated work to staff, setting priorities and goals.
- Delivered exceptional client experiences through hands-on leadership of associates and managers.
- Coordinated and directed activities of businesses or departments concerning production, pricing and sales.
- Implemented campaigns and promotions to help with developing goods and services.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company programs.
Director of Marketing and Business Development
Farrell Distributing
Burlington, VT
08.2013 - 11.2021
- Developed marketing strategies based on corporate objectives and market trends.
- Coordinated marketing events for showcasing product and service offerings.
- Collaborated with other departments to coordinate strategic marketing activities.
- Assessed projects against budgets and timelines, keeping team and assignments on task.
- Negotiated with vendors on market spends and events.
- Planned and facilitated meetings to share marketing plans and explain future business goals.
- Cultivated business partnerships to build lasting relationships with internal and external parties.
- Recommended policy changes to improve marketing tactics and strategies.
- Worked closely with customers to determine appropriate marketing offerings and strategies for business needs.
State Manager
Long Trail Brewing
Bridgewater Corners , VT
08.2003 - 08.2013
- Developed strategic plans within the region.
- Assisted in developing promotional materials targeted toward specific categories within the region.
- Evaluated individual and team business performance and identified opportunities for improvement.
- Connected with and managed thousands of retailers and strategic partners on behalf of the four breweries.
- Planned and led team meetings to review business results and communicate new and ongoing priorities.
- Provided leadership, insight and mentoring to newly hired employees to supply knowledge of various company plans.
- Analyzed business performance data and forecasted business results for ownership.
- Managed state-level budgeting and financial operations.
- Oversaw implementation of marketing campaigns across Vermont.
- Developed key relationships with local business leaders and community stakeholders, serving on numerous boards.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Public Relations
Champlain College
Burlington, VT05.2002
Skills
- Direct Supervision
- Department Oversight
- Financial Statement Review
- Focus and Follow-Through
- Decision Making
- Business Leadership
- Brand Management
- Original and Creative approaches
- Utilizing Resources
- Performance Evaluation and Monitoring
- Event Management
- Operations Management
- Project Planning
- Partnerships and Alliances
Accomplishments
- Recognized as a Rising Star for the class of 2016 by the Vermont Business Magazine.
- Management of over 100 partnered businesses, event curators and non-profits within my twenty years of community development across Vermont.
- Developed relationships with over a hundred brands in my role managing Farrell Distributing to support and develop marketing plans, business development and new opportunities.
- Leadership - Served as key contributing member within four Senior Leadership teams at some of most respected organizations in Vermont.
- Research - Conducted an economic impact study which led to the development of our Made in Vermont focus within my role managing Farrell Distributing and presented to our federal delegation.
- Oversight of hundreds of employees.
- Realized and executed plans in ongoing effort to navigate a small brewery through the industry's most challenging environment within a contracting market.
- Received award for best Vermont brand and best after hours taproom from the Vermont Business Magazine at 14th Star Brewing.
- Part of leadership team that developed and launched the Hemp-Derived D9 category in Vermont and across the region.
- Successfully transitioned to a new field within the hemp and cannabis industry quickly developing key relationships across the entire landscape.
Affiliations
- Board Member, Lake Champlain Chamber (2020 - present)
- Board Member, Vermont Fresh Network (2016 -2022)
- Board Member, Wholesale Council ( 2016-2021)
- Advisory Board, The Business of Craft Brewing (UVM's planned "Business of Craft Brewing" certificate program (2015-2017)
- Advisory Board, Vermont Independent Restaurant Association (2020-2021)
- Marketing Committee, Hello Burlington (2021)
- Pandemic Event Committee (2020-2022)
- Vermont Cannabis Retailer Association (2023-present)
Certification
WSET — Wine & Spirit Education - Jul 2020
Transcendental Meditation Issued- Jul 2015
Certified Cider Professional - Level 1 Oct 2020
Cicerone® Certification- Jan 2015
Vermont Solicitors License -2003
CCB License - 2023
Timeline
Director of Business Development
Upstate Elevator Supply
07.2023 - Current
General Manager
14th Star Brewing Company
11.2021 - Current
Director of Marketing and Business Development
Farrell Distributing
08.2013 - 11.2021
State Manager
Long Trail Brewing
08.2003 - 08.2013
Bachelor of Science - Public Relations
Champlain College
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