1. Kenneth C. Dass 629 Hawk Circle ~ Dakota Dunes, South Dakota 57049 dassken@aol.com ~ (605) 422-2777 (home) ~ (712) 899-6057 (cell) +Account Development + Sales Growth + Product Launches + Budget Management + Field Sales + Category Management + Strategic Planning + Effective Mentor and Coach+ Customer Service SpecialistSales/Account Representative Highly successful Account Manager and leader with extensive experience championing sales growth for an S&P 500 company. Proven ability to negotiate and partner with distributors, wholesalers, and retailers. Dynamic, decisive leader with proven success in identifying and targeting growth opportunities to initiate strong business alliances. Energized by dynamically changing environments requiring focused decision making. Expertise in large account management, problem-solving and business development. Professional Experience U.S. SMOKELESS TOBACCO COMPANY - Sioux City, IA. 1983 – June 5, 2009 Sales/Account Representative Established, developed and expanded business relationships with retailers and distributors. Implemented and managed strategic business plans based on market analysis and competitive intelligence to increase sales through promotional programs. Worked with key account manager, chain account managers, and other sales team members on promotional programs. Maintained all chain and retail accounts with services such as store resets and promotional sales. Represented USST with pride and dignity while successfully building rapport with all account managers. Key Achievements: Distinguished by ability to improve customer relationships, leading to increased sales and promotion participation as well as customer loyalty. Managed and maintained the largest distributor within a twelve state region. Represented and managed territory business for 2 mega brands: Copenhagen & Skoal, which generate $2 billion dollars annually. As a top performer, appointed to train newly hired Sales Represenatives. Consistently surpassed performance expectations each year. Participated on the Pilot Training Teams for new Fast System and Tough-book computers. Led sales and merchandising efforts in my assigned territory, representing 400 retail accounts, 4 chain accounts and the largest direct account in the region. Territory generated $380,000 in net revenues. Career Enhancement Courses: 2005 – 2008 (Self Development) Motivating Yourself to Perform Personal Leadership Power Goal Setting in the Workplace Building Lasting Customer Relationships Pro-Action: Change, Innovation and Opportunity Professional Development – Excellence in Service Negotiate to Win; Essential Strategies for Effective Negotiations PIGGLY WIGGLY GROCERY STORE – Vermillion, S.D. 1980 – 1983 Assistant Manager Responsible for all aspects of day to day retail grocery sales and marketing. Scheduled cashiers, stock help and other employees. Responsible for approval and denial of customer checks. Reconciled money from daily sales for bank deposits. Performed an array of assigned duties including setting grocery displays and staging products. Key Achievements: Created efficiencies by developing a part-time schedule for cashiers and bag help. Increased point of sale purchases by creating displays for various grocery products. SUPER VALU GROCERY STORE – Spencer, IA. 1976 – 1980 Assistant Manager Assisted the General Manager in retail grocery business. Main duties included responsibility for opening and closing the store on a daily basis, unloading of supply trucks, ordering stock, maintaining good customer associations, and meeting with product vendors. Key Achievements: Fostered public trust by developing strong customer relations. Consolidated storage space for increased storage space. ____________________________________________________________ Military UNITED STATES NAVY Honorably Discharged ___________________________________________________________ Education HARTLEY HIGH SCHOOL – Hartley, IA. High School Diploma ___________________________________________________________ Exceptional Motor Vehicle Record. Kenneth Dass -page 3 References Randi Morton 409 E 19th South Sioux City, NE 68776 (712) 281-0696 1st Financial Bank Business Analyst (Friend of 10 years) Ron Metz 7256 N 155th Terrace Bennington, NE. 68007 (402) 614-6344 Sales Represenative Republic Tobacco Co. (Former Manager) Scott Krank 15395 30th St Wheatland, N.D. 58079 () 260-6531 State Claims Manager North & South Dakota Progressive Insurance (Friend of 10 years) Norm England 1938 Gerrard Avenue Carroll, IA. 51401 (712) 792-9723 Administrative/Former Tobacco Buyer Farner Bocken (Friend/Account Contact of 12 years)