RYAN THANOS
Houston
Summary
Dynamic sales leader recognized for doubling revenue and launching successful partnership programs that dramatically boosted customer acquisition. Expertise in developing sales strategies and mentoring teams to enhance performance and drive growth. Committed to leveraging expertise to tackle new challenges and drive continued business success.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Account Specialist (PT)
Take Command
Houston
10.2020 - 06.2024
- Re-joined company as a small business specialist to drive sales growth, revitalizing the Referral Affiliate partnership program, and mentoring sales team members
- Scaled small business sales while strengthening partner relations
- Delivered personalized product recommendations to increase client adoption
Sales Director
Take Command
Dallas
08.2018 - 08.2020
- Exceeded sales targets by achieving a +100% annualized growth in billable lives, helping increase annual revenue from ~$150K in 2018 to nearly ~$23M in 2024
- Designed, launched, and managed referral affiliate partnership program, significantly increasing customer acquisition
- Built and led sales and business development initiatives as one of the original ten employees, driving company growth
- Established sales strategy by developing sales collateral, tools, and playbooks to support team effectiveness
- Developed the first sales team through recruiting, hiring, and training
- Actively engaged in product development and marketing efforts, including supporting the product strategy and launch for ICHRA, an innovative product for which monthly volume has grown ~10x since its initial launch in January 2020
Admissions Manager
Stamford American International School
Singapore
08.2016 - 10.2017
- Served as brand ambassador for prospective families, successfully recruiting 200+ students from 25+ nationalities
- Coordinated communication between prospective families and school representatives
- Facilitated Salesforce CRM implementation through requirements validation and end-user training
TeleSales Specialist (Vendor Manager)
Direct Energy
Houston
09.2015 - 05.2016
- Co-managed six inbound and outbound telesales vendors in TX region, enhancing collaboration and performance
- Exceeded 2016 sales targets by 178% (Outbound) and 103% (Inbound)
- Implemented promotional campaigns and new product launches, driving improved sales outcomes
- Facilitated weekly meetings with vendors to address progress, challenges, and identify sales process improvements
- Monitored daily reporting and provided bi-weekly performance reporting to the Direct Energy management team
Innovations Senior Analyst, Implementation
Direct Energy
Houston
07.2014 - 09.2015
- Designed and launched the first behavioral demand response program in the Texas market (Reduce Your Use), enrolling over 50K customers within the first year
- Coordinated internal teams to ensure adherence to project delivery timelines and milestones
- Monitored the performance of all piloted projects from pre to post deployment
Sales Manager for GroupMe Experiences
GroupMe (Member of Microsoft)
New York
05.2012 - 07.2013
- Facilitated launch of GroupMe Experiences by establishing partnerships with distinctive NYC merchants
- Ranked as top Sales Manager each quarter by consistently closing 2-3 deals weekly
- Cultivated long-term partnerships with key NYC merchants (The Guggenheim, Rent the Runway, Todd English's Olives)
Sales Curator
Gilt City (Division of Gilt Groupe)
New York
07.2011 - 01.2012
- Discovered coveted and luxurious experiences, services, and events in the New York market, closing 65+ offers
- Built and maintained vendor relationships, negotiated margins and pricing, and projected revenue forecasts
- Collaborated with vendors to ensure quality and authenticity of featured items
Advertising Sales Planner/Assistant
Fuse TV (Member of Madison Square Garden Company)
New York
03.2008 - 07.2011
- Developed creative, strategic proposals aligned with client goals, enhancing campaign effectiveness
- Created original marketing ideas that attracted and retained clients, driving engagement and loyalty
- Tracked ad liability and created ADU packages for under-delivery, ensuring fulfillment of client commitments
- Monitored and scheduled advertising business, resolved contract discrepancies, and supported Account Executives
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Studies and Art History
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN01-2006
Study Abroad -
CET and Vanderbilt University
Italy01-2004
Skills
- Client engagement
- Consultative selling
- Relationship management
- Verbal and written communication
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking and organization
- Problem solver
- Proactive
- Creative
- Team player
Certification
- Texas General Lines, Life & Health Agent, Self Study, 01/01/18
- Texas Real Estate Agent, Champions School of Real Estate, 01/01/14
Key Accomplishments
- Revenue Growth, Achieved over 100% annual growth at Take Command, helping scale (ARR) revenue from ~$150K in 2018 to ~$23M+ projected in mid-2024
- Product Launches, Part of the management team that launched the first, go-to-market ICHRA product in the United States
- Product Launches, Implemented first behavioral demand-response program at Direct Energy, successfully enrolling 50K customers the first year
- Product Launches, Launched GroupMe Experiences to monetize the platform following the Skype/Microsoft acquisition
- Sales Performance, Exceeded sales targets at Take Command, Direct Energy, and GroupMe
Timeline
Senior Account Specialist (PT)
Take Command
10.2020 - 06.2024
Sales Director
Take Command
08.2018 - 08.2020
Admissions Manager
Stamford American International School
08.2016 - 10.2017
TeleSales Specialist (Vendor Manager)
Direct Energy
09.2015 - 05.2016
Innovations Senior Analyst, Implementation
Direct Energy
07.2014 - 09.2015
Sales Manager for GroupMe Experiences
GroupMe (Member of Microsoft)
05.2012 - 07.2013
Sales Curator
Gilt City (Division of Gilt Groupe)
07.2011 - 01.2012
Advertising Sales Planner/Assistant
Fuse TV (Member of Madison Square Garden Company)
03.2008 - 07.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Communication Studies and Art History
Vanderbilt University
Study Abroad -
CET and Vanderbilt University