Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Accomplishments
Affiliations
Travel, Boating, Wildlife Management
Timeline
Generic

Thomas R. Rhodes

Tuscaloosa,AL

Summary

Proven leader with a track record of operational excellence and strategic visioning at Harvest Select Catfish. Skilled in crisis management and client relationship building, Spearheaded initiatives that significantly enhanced brand reputation and achieved consistent revenue growth. Expert in leveraging leadership and negotiation skills to drive company-wide success and foster strong team collaboration. Results-driven with forward-thinking approach centered on company success and competitive growth.

Overview

47
47
years of professional experience

Work History

CEO

Harvest Select Catfish
05.2008 - 11.2024
  • Achieved company growth by implementing strategic plans and streamlining operations.
  • Managed partnerships and strategic business relationships by negotiating contract terms and handling conflicts.
  • Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
  • Enhanced brand reputation with effective marketing campaigns and public relations efforts.
  • Implemented cost-saving initiatives to reduce operational expenses without sacrificing quality.
  • Delivered consistent revenue growth by identifying new markets and devising targeted expansion strategies.

President of Birmingham Division

Inland Seafood/Atlanta, GA
04.2006 - 04.2008
  • Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
  • Increased customer satisfaction through continuous improvement initiatives and excellent customer service.
  • Managed crisis situations effectively while minimizing disruption to daily operations.
  • Enhanced company performance by implementing strategic plans and overseeing daily operations.
  • Established a culture of accountability by setting clear expectations and holding individuals responsible for results.

Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing

American Pride Seafood/Southern Pride Catfish
04.1986 - 04.2006
  • Championed product knowledge training sessions for the sales team, ensuring optimal representation of offerings during client interactions.
  • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to align business goals and drive company-wide success.
  • Streamlined sales processes with advanced CRM tools, improving efficiency and customer satisfaction.
  • Facilitated seamless communication between departments by creating standardized processes and protocols for information sharing.
  • Spearheaded territory expansion initiatives, establishing a strong presence in previously untapped markets.
  • Launched new product lines into the market successfully by coordinating comprehensive go-to-market strategies.

Armor Company Commander

Alabama Army National Guard
02.1978 - 07.1988
  • Mentored junior officers and enlisted personnel, contributing to their professional growth and career progression.
  • Improved unit readiness by implementing comprehensive training programs and conducting regular evaluations.
  • Enhanced team cohesion through fostering a professional environment focused on mutual respect and open communication.
  • Served as aide-de-camp to One Star General the 31st Armor Brigade Commander at Northport, AL.
  • Maintained high levels of discipline within the unit by enforcing standards consistently while providing constructive feedback for personal development.
  • Evaluated personnel performance regularly, identifying areas for improvement while recognizing achievements through appropriate reward mechanisms.

Customer Service Manager and Sales

Farm Fresh Catfish
02.1984 - 03.1986
  • Resolved customer complaints while prioritizing customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Took ownership of customer issues and followed problems through to resolution.
  • Managed a team of customer service representatives, fostering a positive work environment focused on teamwork and collaboration.
  • Reduced customer complaints, proactively addressing issues and implementing effective solutions.

Education

No Degree - Business Marketing And Advertisement

The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

Skills

  • Effective Decision Making
  • Operational Excellence
  • Customer Focus
  • Strategic Visioning
  • Crisis Management
  • Global perspective
  • Client Relationship Building
  • Negotiation
  • Relationship and Team Building
  • Leadership and People Development
  • Operations Management

Accomplishments

  • Supervised team of 80 staff members and 250 plant labor.
  • Developed a plan to increase production on catfish farms and hatchery.
  • Built out logistics team for deliveries throughout the nation.
  • Relationship with all major broadliners to include Sysco, US Foods, Ben E Keith and Proformance Food Group.
  • Other relationships would include, HEB Texas, WalMart, Schnucks, Captian D's Restaurant and Outback Steakhouse, to name a few.


Affiliations

  • National Fisheries Institute
  • Aquaculture of America
  • World Aquaculture Society
  • Groundfish Forum
  • Global Seafood Association

Travel, Boating, Wildlife Management

I've been fortunate enough to travel the world to view and tour aquaculture operations, which has allowed personal time to see those local areas.  My home is on Lake Tuscaloosa in Alabama where we enjoy boating on the 22 mile long lake.  

Timeline

CEO

Harvest Select Catfish
05.2008 - 11.2024

President of Birmingham Division

Inland Seafood/Atlanta, GA
04.2006 - 04.2008

Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing

American Pride Seafood/Southern Pride Catfish
04.1986 - 04.2006

Customer Service Manager and Sales

Farm Fresh Catfish
02.1984 - 03.1986

Armor Company Commander

Alabama Army National Guard
02.1978 - 07.1988

No Degree - Business Marketing And Advertisement

The University of Alabama
Thomas R. Rhodes