Sam Crane

Experience

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  United States Army, Izmir Turkey

  Jan 1970 - Dec 1972

  Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Turkish Linguist

  Responsible for securing, routing and dissemination of all U.S. classified documents within NATO headquartersArmy Commendation Medal

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  Liggett & Myers

  Jan 1973 - Sept 1975

  Management Trainee

  • Assisted in price negotiations, purchase and preparation of product for export.• Traveled Aegean, Marmara and Black Sea areas.• Maintained relations with growers, merchants, and government officials.

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  Schloss Outdoor Advertising

  Mar 1980 - Dec 1986

  Account Executive

  • Business development of accounts such as: advertising agencies, media buying services and direct accounts for $5 M company.• Grew account list from scratch to parity with established salespeople within 4 years.

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  Adams Outdoor Advertising

  Dec 1986 - Dec 1996

  Sales Manager

  • Oversaw strategic account planning, business development, sales forecasting, training and hiring of sales personnel for the largest outdoor advertising market in the Carolinas and Virginia.• Directed Sales force of eight and two-person creative design team.• Grew sales from $5.8 M in 1988 to $8.1 M in 1992.• Developed innovative products to position company ahead of market evolution.

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  Crane & Associates

  Dec 1996 - now

  President
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  Crane & Associates Inc.

  Dec 1996 - Oct 2024

  President

  International sales and marketing consulting firm providing first rate support services to manufacturers new to export or wishing to expand their international business.Our services include:• International market research• Identify, investigate and recommend potential agents, distributors or partners• Negotiate profitable agreements on your behalf• Arrange international logistics and shipping• Solve communication, shipping and collection problems• Assist with banking, insurance and trade finance issues• Facilitate seminars and executive training on developing export markets• Represent your company at conferences, seminars, trade missions and exhibitions Show less

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  Crane Travel Tours

  Apr 2013 - Jun 2016

  Founder

  Crane Travel Tours was designed to introduce Turkey as Asia Minor, the cradle of Western Civilization. We provided personal escorted travel opportunities for organizations interested in unique experiences.We worked only with experienced local guides and the finest land operators in Turkey. This provided an informed knowledge of Turkey's history through the sites visited; an idea of present day Turkey in all its complexity; and professional advice about best places and hidden treasures.At Crane Travel Tours we created unique itineraries with our customers; used Turkish land operators to provide local expertise; and coupled our knowledge and experience in Turkey with our awareness of our customers' expectations, to facilitate the best trip possible.I felt it necessary to shut down this wonderful enterprise, at least temporarily, because of the security situation in Turkey right now. Show less