Shawn Shepherd
Avilla,IN
Summary
I am a driven national sales leader who is committed to being in a senior leadership position. My greatest attribute is leading and growing strong teams that produce results and improve an organizations culture.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Benefit Advisor
INGUARD
02.2024 - Current
- Advised clients of best benefit practices
- Created partnerships with the benefit space with multiple partners
- Developed and maintained strong rapport with clients through regular communication and outstanding service delivery, leading to high levels of trust and loyalty
- Assisted HR teams in developing competitive benefits packages to attract top talent within various industries
- Collaborated with insurance carriers to ensure clients received the best possible coverage options and pricing
- Developed customized benefits presentations for diverse audiences, increasing understanding and engagement among participants
- Coached team on best benefit practices.
Adjunct Professor Management and Marketing
Indiana Wesleyan University
01.2019 - Current
- Guided students in theory to application business and marketing practices
- Coach and mentor students to perform at their highest level
- Develop adult learners into confident learners and leaders
- Boosted class participation rates by fostering a positive and collaborative learning environment
- Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions and using techniques to track student participation.
Senior Pastor
Bethel Christian Church
05.2005 - Current
- Set and promoted vision for congregation
- Pioneered radio program
- Taught and developed adult Bible study programs for groups of 15-45
- Created strategy that eliminated $600,000 in debt in a five year period
- Spoke to groups ranging from 50-500
- Point person for all public relation events and community outreach
- Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms, and nursing home services
- Led effective pastoral care for congregation members, providing spiritual guidance and support during times of crisis or need
- Oversaw administration and management of all areas of ministry
- Planned and conducted worship services, wrote sermons, and worked with key church leaders to carry out church mission
- Built strong relationships with community organizations, collaborating on projects that aligned with shared values and goals.
Business Development
Crosswinds Counseling
07.2022 - 10.2023
- Created and implemented strategy that grew revenue by 43%
- Designed sales presentation that grew customer base by 50%
- Added 143 referral partners in 12 months
- Led efforts to get us integrated into 20 referral gathering events
- Helped to identify and create seminar revenue stream
- Contributed to the development of strategic business plans aimed at expanding market share
- Developed strong relationships with key stakeholders, enhancing partnerships and collaboration opportunities
- Implemented efficient CRM systems, streamlining prospect tracking and follow-up processes
- Conducted market research, identifying new business opportunities and potential clients
- Tracked marketing performance metrics, optimizing campaigns for maximum impact and ROI
- Participated in industry networking events to establish connections with potential clients and partners
- Increased brand awareness through effective social media campaigns and content creation
- Collaborated closely with graphic designers on designing eye-catching marketing collateral that resonates well with the target audience
- Participated in brainstorming meetings to develop marketing collateral
- Contributed to mock-ups, email campaigns, and social media content
- Sat with marketing team members to learn new tasks and determine best tactics for solving challenges
- Assembled reports and presentations to share insights and recommendations with stakeholders
- Conducted primary and secondary research to better understand customer needs and behaviors
- Generated reports to support development and implementation of marketing plans.
Executive Account Manager/Supervisor
American Fidelity Assurance
07.2010 - 07.2022
- Sold financial products in the K-12 public education market
- Developed growth strategies for a territory that resulted in more than 20% net growth
- Helped multiple representatives set and accomplish goals that developed them personally and professionally
- Changed team selling paradigm to serving through selling model
- Provided comprehensive support for C-level executives in managing their accounts, ensuring seamless service delivery
- Achieved high client satisfaction by delivering exceptional account management services
- Managed contract negotiations with clients, resulting in favorable terms and conditions that supported company objectives
- Demonstrated proactive problem-solving skills by addressing potential challenges before they impacted client relationships or results
- Resolved complex customer issues promptly, maintaining trust and fostering ongoing partnerships
- Developed strong relationships with key clients, resulting in increased revenue and long-term loyalty
- Coordinated sales presentations tailored to individual client needs, showcasing company offerings effectively
- Led team efforts in achieving sales targets consistently by developing winning strategies for each account segment
- Mentored junior account managers on best practices for maintaining effective client relationships, fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the team
- Conducted regular account reviews, identifying areas for improvement and implementing necessary changes for optimal performance
- Collaborated with upper management to implement continuous improvements and exceed team goals
- Exceeded sales quotas and increased profitability through effective sales strategy and business planning
- Liaised with sales, marketing, and management teams to develop solutions and accomplish shared objectives.
Agent
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance
10.2008 - 07.2010
- Grew account by minimum 20% per year
- Managed 450 accounts
- Created complex insurance solutions based on feedback from clients
- Developed sales contest that increased productivity in a 17-person agency by 50% in a quarter
- Mentored 2010 Rookie of the year.
Superintendent
Bethel Christian Academy (K-12)
05.2005 - 06.2007
- Set vision for the organization
- Oversaw daily operations and long-term operations
- Point person for all district matters
- Worked with Academy board to manage all fiscal operations.
Education
Masters of Science in Management - Strategic Management
Indiana Wesleyan University
05.2011
Bachelor of Science in Management -
Indiana Wesleyan University
04.2009
Skills
- Goal-Oriented
- Financial Acumen
- Benefits Explanation
- Relationship Building
- Employee Relations
- New employee orientations
- Open enrollment
- Employee benefits practices
- Benefits interpretation
- Special projects
- ACA standards knowledge
- Verbal and written communication
- Human Resources Management
- Payroll coordination
- Claims Handling
- Compliance knowledge
- Benefits Administration
Certification
- FINRA series 6 and 63 license
- Life, Health, Accident and Property and Casualty licenses
- Indiana Long Term Care license
- Certificate in Biblical studies
Honors And Achievements
- 2021 Culture Builder of the year
- 2020 Supervisor of the year
- 2020 Peer of the year
- 2020 Culture Builder of the year
- 2019 Indiana Wesleyan Tier 3 adjunct
- 2019 Peer of the year
- 2019 Culture Builder of the year
- 2018 Culture Builder of the year
- 2017 232% of quota
- 2017 #1 Nationally Critical Illness sales
- 2017 #3 Nationally Life insurance sales
- 2017 Peer of the Year
- 2017 Culture Builder of the year
- 2017 #1 in nation in 4 month life insurance contest
- 2017 #6 Nationally in net annual growth
- 2017 #1in annual account growth in state and region
- 2017 $600,000 Club
- 2016 Voted Class MVP voted by peers at JP Morgan Chase
- 2014 WOW Award (Customer Service)
- 2013 American Fidelity Convention Qualifier
- 2013 Million Dollar Club (Career Achievement)
- 2013 $300,000 Club
- 2012 $300,000 Club
- 2012 #3 Rank Nationally in Life Insurance sales
- 2012 Customer Service Award
- 2011 Person of Influence Award
- 2010 Shining Star Award (recognizes excellence in sales)
- 2008 Qualified for prestigious Pacesetter award (recognizes excellence in sales)
Volunteer Experience
Noble County Sheriff Department, Visiting Chaplain
Affiliations
- I am an Elite International powerlifter
- Multiple time National and World Champion
Languages
English
Professional
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Benefit Advisor
INGUARD
02.2024 - Current
Business Development
Crosswinds Counseling
07.2022 - 10.2023
Adjunct Professor Management and Marketing
Indiana Wesleyan University
01.2019 - Current
Executive Account Manager/Supervisor
American Fidelity Assurance
07.2010 - 07.2022
Agent
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance
10.2008 - 07.2010
Senior Pastor
Bethel Christian Church
05.2005 - Current
Superintendent
Bethel Christian Academy (K-12)
05.2005 - 06.2007
Masters of Science in Management - Strategic Management
Indiana Wesleyan University
Bachelor of Science in Management -
Indiana Wesleyan University
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