Resume for Christopher L. Johnson
New York City
ph: 212-580-9704 fx:
212-580-6271 email: cjohnson@linley.com
Profile:
Sales &
Marketing Executive with proven success record on both sides of the Atlantic
and a long history of making new markets for high end quality product, with
specific strengths to;
·
Guide marketing plans for manufactures to enter complex markets
·
Develop relationships leading to market share gains with key retailers
and distributors within the upscale stone industry
·
Consult with foreign suppliers and governments to advise on best
methods to enter the US marketplace.
·
Grow sales of high quality suppliers, with good logistics programs.
· Identify product trends and develop product lines that sell.
Higher Education;
·
1980, MBA, Union University, Schenectady, New York, with a concentration in
Strategic Planning & Control (GPA=3.45). Additional studies in Corporate Finance (GPA=3.4)
at New York University’s
Graduate School of Business in New York City.
· 1979, B.S. in Industrial Economics, Union College, Schenectady, New York
Career History;
2004 to present;
President, THE LINLEY COMPANY, once again, I am an
Independent Sales & Consulting firm. Principal clients included Grein Italia, Grein Brazil and Latco
·
Estabished strong presence for GREIN in the Eastern US, where it previously had no real base.
·
Assisted in launch of GREIN's new Brazilian division as a source of supply into the US.
·
As
Consultant, worked for several weeks with owner/CEO of 3rd largest stone company in Europe to prepare their launch into the US, including product selection, pricing, market strategy, trade show presence, and employee selection.
2001-2003;
Vice President, Sales & Marketing; EPOCH ROCK, INC,
(New
York Office) factory in Newfoundland, Canada
·
Prepared
marketing plan & launch for start up company
·
Oversaw
all strategic sales activity in company’s first 2 years
·
Opened
& personally serviced company’s largest account.
·
Negotiated
180 container per year agreement with major New Jersey distributor.
·
Hired,
managed and trained outstanding sales force.
·
Identified
product list, which was a tremendous success.
·
Developed
quality control program to assure customer acceptance.
·
Developed
all initial company web page and sales tools.
1991-2000;
President, THE LINLEY COMPANY, an
Independent Sales & Consulting firm. Principal clients included Walker & Zanger, NY (WMG), Terra Designs,
Monocibec, Latco, and Granirex
·
Built
up Midwest territory for WMG from nothing to second largest in company, and
doubled their Mid Atlantic region sales.
·
Designed
new POP display system for tile showrooms at very competitive price point
·
Expanded
“Chris Johnson Newsletter” as industry standard to over 1000 persons.
·
Wrote
a definitive article on various types of stones and their finishes, which was
published in the NTCA’s monthly magazine TILELETTER.
·
Generally
recognized as one of the leading sales reps in the industry and an authority on
marble & granite, was responsible for nearly $4 million in total sales per
year.
·
As
Consultant, wrote or co-wrote a number of marketing plans which led to the
creation of a number of businesses, including in 1998 as Consultant &
Author of Marketing Portion of “NF&L Dimensional Stone Industry: Strategic
Planning Document”, which ultimately contributed to the creation of Epoch Rock
Inc.
1988-1991;
National Sales Manager; WALKER
& ZANGER (WESTCHESTER MARBLE & GRANITE), New York
·
First
to hold this position, created a professional sales department, with a complete
sales management system and full sales tools.
·
Average
sales growth during tenure was over 30% per annum.
·
Created
“Super Distributor” program, that was model for company customer relationships
for years to come.
·
Responsible
for sales launch of Limestone & Tumbled Marble (first to do so in the East)
with extensive training programs, newsletters and promotion, making it the
industry standard.
1987;
National Sales Manager; WMF Geislingen, West Germany
·
Prepared
launch of major European Cutlery manufacture into US hotel/restaurant market.
1980-1986;
Marketing Manager, ONEIDA LTD, London, UK and New York
·
Created
joint promotion with House of Fraser stores, Rover Ltd, & Oneida to promote
“Best of British” – a successful new product launch leveraged on larger
companies participation.
·
Revamped
all POP materials for UK operation, including packaging, literature and
promotional tagging, and redesigned company own shop-within-shop retail
outlets.
·
Results
of these two efforts produced a 32% increase in 2 years.
·
Created
Marketing Services Department in the US headquarters, which combined marketing
research, sales analysis and competitive intelligence unit. Invented a “time & territory”
management program that increased sales efficiency and territory planning.
·
Part
of Strategic Planning Team that would do onsite assessments of M&A
candidates for strategic fit to overall corporate business units.
Other
leadership positions;
1999-Present;
Warden of the Vestry and member of Board of Trustees of the Cathedral of St.
John the Divine in New York City, including
·
Chair
of Congregation Communications Committee, which produces their monthly
newsletter, web page – http://www.saintsaviour.org/
- and email announcement system.
·
Chair
of their Elections Committee, overseeing the nomination and election of
officers
·
Member
of the Cathedral Program Committee and Congregation Executive Committee.
1995–Present;
Web Page designer for a number of independent projects, including
·
http://www.downtowngirlny.com/