GARY M. BENNETT826 Elmcroft Blvd., Rockville, MD 20850 443 827-9785 jeopcon69@gmail.com

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTORSales Management / Relationship Building / Team Leadership

Exemplary sales leader known for dramatically elevating revenues by actively pursuing new opportunities, forging mutually beneficial strategic alliances, and empowering teams to take revenues to new heights. Excels in originating and executing revenue-producing sales programs. Experienced in negotiating vendor agreements. Multi-industry sales experience, including consumer / food products and franchising. Core competencies include:

National & Regional Sales Operations Strategic Partnerships & Planning Account Relationship Management Channel Sales Network System Market Development & Penetration Legal Contract Review & Negotiations

Opportunity Identification Sales/Rebate Programs, Analysis, &

Growth Staff Training & Development Vendor Negotiations/Agreements P&L / Budget Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

DIRECTOR, NATIONAL ACCOUNTS / 2015-PRESENTLAUNDRYLUX-ELECTROLUX

Responsible for exploring, researching and execution new opportunities with national or regional chains in hospitality, healthcare, corrections, commercial cleaning, chemical manufacturers, etc. Tasked with developing new strategic marketing and sales approach for those market segments. Create new processes to streamline lead and sales routing and execution.

Closed 2 major hotel chains and 3 long-term care healthcare chains in the first 6 months. Assisted IT in developing new tools to route sales leads to field sales force. Developed new sales and marketing messaging and tools directed specifically at the target industry.

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT / Procurement Services, 2000 – 2015CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL, Rockville, Maryland

Spearheaded business-development operations and relationship-management activity to grow revenues and retain strategic alliances. Seized opportunities to develop qualified-vendor relationships. Assisted in executing annual strategic plans and managed 100+ qualified vendors generating $4.3 million in revenues in 2014, as well as developed sales strategies to franchisees. Controlled annual budget and pursued untraditional revenue resources. Tracked quarterly vendor-sales reports to determine rebate revenue. Sold additional marketing programs and convention sponsorships.

Sparked close to a 500% revenue increase from initial $442,000 to $2.2 million in first five years to revitalize food and beverage and housekeeping categories; on track to reach over $4.5 million current year.

Selected for additional product categories in order to grow sales in fitness equipment, pools, appliances, housekeeping, signage; Executed first two agreements with external franchise systems during first year of hire.

Leveraged supply-chain-logistics expertise to execute programs and have cultivated solid vendor long-term relationships.

Designed purchase-rebate program for franchisees as well as loyalty-purchasing program for hotels.…continued…

GARY BENNETT Page Two

Professional Experience Continued

Negotiated over 200 new vendor agreements, managed a portfolio of 100+ endorsed vendors, renegotiated existing agreements, and maximized related revenues by increasing vendors’ sales penetration.

Assisted brand strategy teams in development and execution of several initiatives including breakfast, coffee, fitness rooms, housekeeping, convenience stores and eco-friendly programs.

Made several large recoveries of over $1.5MM in revenue to Choice where contracts were not being executed properly.

Track quarterly vendor-sales reports to determine rebate revenue. Sell additional marketing programs and convention sponsorships.

Sell additional marketing programs and convention sponsorships. Recipient of several awards during tenure including Sales Excellence Award for achieving highest

results above goals and Rookie of the Year and nominated for STAR and additional awards. Managed both Account Management and Business Development staffs.

MANAGER OF NATIONAL SALES, ALLANT FOODSERVICE, Savage, Maryland, 1996 – 2000

Selected to manage P&L and margin maintenance while driving revenue growth and advancing business development goals for district’s largest business segment; restaurant chains and healthcare--generating $86 million annually. Managed national accounts headquartered locally. Mentored, trained, and influenced performance of 10 employees consisting of account managers / sales coordinators to maximize effectiveness. Designed customized sales presentations for new prospects. Reported on sales activity and goal attainment to headquarters. Interfaced with sales, purchasing, and warehousing to coordinate efforts and resolve issues. Oversaw contract administration activity and ensured contract terms were met. Selected accomplishments:

Rejuvenated, unified and refocused a troubled sales force to become a high-performance team producing year over year growth; awarded Excellence in Leadership and Business Excellence Awards.

Finalized several new national contracts with healthcare, hospitality, and restaurant chains annualizing over $200 million annually.

Solidified contracts with new acute and long-term-care facilities generating $6 million in local revenue. Applied excellent account-management skills to retain business of local branches of national accounts. Selected as corporate trainer for Windows 95 and all MS Office applications.

EDUCATION & CREDENTIALS

Hobart College, Geneva, NY

C. W. Post College, Brookdale, NY

Coursework focused on History and Philosophy

Computer Skills: Word Excel Outlook Access PowerPoint Sales Logix Ariba MS CRM Windows and MacOSX