DAVID R.

LAZZARA
19288 Surfwave Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Telephone: (714) 969-0872 * Cellular: (714) 308-1380
E-Mail:
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Significant experience and an extensive record of accomplishments provide excell
ent qualifications in SALES MANAGEMENT, OPERATIONS and EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT. Pro
-active with diverse responsibilities encompassing production, marketing, sales
and operations. Have successfully turned around underperforming operations into
highly profitable companies. Built companies from initial planning to wide-scale
high volume entities.
Utilize a hands-on management style, creating an environment in which others gro
w and prosper. Recruit top performers, train and motivate a staff to meet or exc
eed short and long range goals. Expertise in creating strategic long term plans,
providing the company a vision, resulting in profitability and growth.
Key Strengths Include:
* Specialize in developing and enhancing profitable long-term client relationsh
ips built upon trust and positive rapport selling graphics and other related pri
nted collateral.
* Successful team building and leadership skills, producing a highly motivated
and cohesive organization.
* Expertise in creating and executing strategic business plans, resulting in a
highly focused and an effective organization.
* Proven track record of achievement with consistent delivery of new business,
revenues and profit.
* Emphasize quality customer service resulting in significant repeat and referr
al business.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
PRESIDENT - Sun Group - Garden Grove, CA
Directed a management team of 5 and up to 220 indirect reports for this manufact
urer and installer of printed in-store marketing programs, fixtures and merchand
ise resets. Responsible for all sales through initial prospecting and relationsh
ip building. Oversaw projects from the design phase through distribution, produc
tion, assembly and installation. Responsible for fleet management consisting of
19 trucks/vans and installation teams across the U.S. Coordinated production/dis
tribution to meet critical client deadlines.
Collaborated on designs/strategies with key consumer product partners such as Bl
ack & Decker, Price Pfister and Rainbird. Managed complex national roll-outs/pro
grams for retailers and consumer product companies. (1993 to 2010)
* Successfully acquired key nationwide accounts such as Home Depot, Ross Dress
for Less, Circuit City, The Disney Store and PGA Superstores.
* Made all key decisions pertaining to benefits, 401k, ESOP, company direction
and banking/financing relationships.
* Expanded sales from zero at start-up to over $21 million.
Continued. . .
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (Continued)
PRESIDENT/CEO - Century Designs - Compton, CA
Implemented new sales and operational strategies for this producer of graphics,
signing programs, seasonal decorations and visual merchandise decorative designs
. Provided services for national retailers and independent stores. Conducted ext
ensive prospecting and traveled to prospective clients to make presentations. In
terviewed, hired and trained staff with an emphasis on customer service and the
importance of meeting critical deadlines.
Purchased components from Asia and oversaw a woodshop production team of 40. Res
earched potential partners and contracted out some production. Remained current
on merchandising trends and worked closely with designers/production personnel t
o continually elevate the quality of products. Provided information for investor
s pertaining to the eventual sale of the company. (1979 to 1992)
* Reversed an operation from near bankruptcy into profit.
* Opened main accounts including JC Penney, Sears, Mervyn's, Broadway, Bullocks
, Zales, Estée Lauder, Lanc me, Chanel and Contempo Casuals.
* Increased sales from $3.1 million to $12.8 million.
NATIONAL SALES MANAGER - Central Sales Promotions - Oklahoma City, OK
Responsible for recruiting and building a sales team of 14. Conducted extensive
training on professional prospecting methods, effective presentations and closin
g techniques. Assigned territories/markets and created sales incentives. (1977 t
o 1979)
* Re-engineered the Marketing Department and opened previously untapped consume
r product market segments.
Previous Experience Includes:
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE - Susan Crane - Anaheim, CA/Dallas, TX
Managed key accounts such as Broadway, May-Company and other national retailers
across the Western U.S. and Canada. Collaborated with clients, designers and pro
duction staff in developing high-end visual merchandising programs.
REPORTER/NEWS ANCHOR - KMED - Medford, OR
Anchored the 11 P.M. news and served as a Reporter for the CBS Morning News Prog
ram.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
B.A. Degree - Loyola University - Los Angeles, CA
COMPUTER SKILLS
Word * Excel * PowerPoint * Outlook * Windows Vista
Act * Custom Project Management Systems
Open to Travel/Relocation
REFERENCES: Available upon Request COMPENSATION: Open to Negotiation