Darren Blake

Experience

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  Advanced Computer Systems

  May 1987 - Apr 1990

  Customer Education and Support

  Assured proper installation of IBM AS-400 hardware and trained users on auto dealer software encompassing all elements of accounting, parts department management, service department management, Finance & Insurance, and systems maintenance. Wrote a comprehensive technical user guide to the system encompassing over 1000 pages of printed material. Also served in the customer support department fielding problems and questions via telephone. Promoted to internal company consultant to assist seasoned users and businesses in making full use of the complex system. عرض أقل

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  Organon Pharmaceuticals

  May 1990 - Nov 1995

  Senior Pharmaceutical Representative

  Served as a senior sales representative calling on various medical specialties. Introduced ten new products to the market and drove market share to become one of the top 20 territories in the U.S. out of a base of 650 territories. Accountable to drive sales and develop business as a business owner. Sales representative of the year, 1995

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  Patriot Systems, Inc.

  Nov 1995 - Jan 2000

  Director of Sales and Marketing

  Co-founder of company specializing in electronic publishing and custom software development for the federal government market. Obtained RFPs and submitted proposals for contracts ranging from $20K to $250K with a variety of government organizations, including the U.S. Navy, Dept. of Commerce, U.S. Coast Guard, DoD, ATF, and others. Created promotions, wrote user guides, developed advertising campaigns, and developed new markets. Performed due diligence and worked with executives of takeover company to consummate sale of Patriot Systems to Dittler Bros. Publishing that created a new merger company: Innovata. عرض أقل

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  HotelTools

  Jan 2000 - Mar 2001

  Director of Sales

  Hired by company president as Chief Marketing Officer and Managing Director of Sales. Developed marketing campaigns for new hotel technology deliverable. Negotiated with major hospitality companies including Bass Hotels and Resorts, Cendant Corporation, Marriott Corporation, Choice Hotels International, and others. Set direction for company marketing; oversaw and approved all marketing materials and provided specific direction to art department for website and brochures development. Hired, trained, and managed ten inside sales representatives and developed sales plans and budgets to launch new Internet application. عرض أقل

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  Merck & Co.

  May 2001 - Mar 2010

  Cardiovascular Specialty Representative

  Served as Executive Sales Representative with autonomous responsibility for new business development, budget accountability, and marketing pull-though relative to customer strategy. Vice President’s Club award winner 2003 and 2004, signifying top five percent of company sales performers for those years. Recipient of Top 10 Territory Franchise Growth Award, 2009. Also recipient of six Awards Of Excellence. Served as Project Manager for sales force automation (SFA) and related technology development. Interfaced with and supported Marketing Department in producing market development tools for field sales force. Conducted monthly teleconferences with field personnel as a market research tool to guide development of SFA software. Responsible for development and introduction of new product information database and retirement of old product information database. عرض أقل

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  Corinthian Colleges - WyoTech

  Mar 2011 - Mar 2014

  WyoTech Admissions Officer - State of Louisiana

  WyoTech is a transportation technology school focusing on:-Automotive Technology-Diesel Technology (Heavy Diesel, Light Diesel, Marine Diesel)-Collision and Refinishing Technology-Motorcycle and Off-Road Technology-Marine TechnologyResponsibilities include:High School visits and presentationsEmployer relationship building on behalf of my graduatesMotorsports event displaysIndividual meetings with prospective students and their parents

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  ITT Technical Institute

  Apr 2014 - Sept 2016

  Director of Career Services

  The ITT Technical Institutes are a leading private college system focused on technology-oriented programs of study. There are over 140 ITT Technical Institutes in 38 states. The ITT Technical Institutes predominantly offer career-focused, degree programs to over 70,000 students. The ITT Technical Institutes have been actively involved in the higher education community in the United States since 1969.Responsibilities Include:- Develops and implements marketing plans to achieve graduate employment goals.- Maintains presentation skills certification.- Organizes and sets the Career Services Program annually.- Oversees training and development of the Career Services staff.- Builds and maintains relationships with local and regional corporations and organizations.- Develops and maintains systems used to identify employment. opportunities for students.- Assists graduates in securing employment in their field of study.- Provides career coaching and interview techniques through seminars and workshops.- Oversees maintenance of Career Services database.- Maintains department compliance with government and accreditation regulations.- Manages quality surveys.- Serves as a member of the school’s Advisory Committee. عرض أقل

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  The Bed-warmer Quilt and Sew

  Dec 2015 - now

  Co-Owner

  My wife Shellie and I opened this retail shop in December of 2015 and expanded it in the spring of 2017. Shellie is the beating heart of the shop, choosing fabrics and sewing machine brands and models for sale, and teaching almost all of the sewing and quilting classes. I serve as the supporting personnel. I repair sewing machines, perform all of the accounting and tax functions, as well as shop repair and maintenance. The positions I have held at firms previous to SVP have generally been temporary while we re-invest all revenues back into the shop. عرض أقل

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  Service Corporation International

  Jan 2017 - Feb 2018

  Family Service Counselor

  Assist families, most often by and in-home sales presentation, by helping them make decisions about the planning of their Funeral Services and Cemetery Property needs in advance of their time of need.

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  SVP Worldwide

  Oct 2019 - Dec 2024

  Regional Sales Manager

  Represent the largest sewing machine company in the worldRepresent the brands Pfaff, Husqvarna/Viking, and Singer sewing machinesWork with retailers and sewing machine dealers to help them maximize revenuePromote the finest quality and brands to sewists of all ages and levels of experience; to provide the best possible experience to the end userTerritory includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico