384 Comstock Drive Home: 847-841-8966
Elgin, IL 60124 Cell: 312-772-0100
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
General Manager Executive with over 20 years experience in the wireless industry focused in the area of new market launches, expansions/ turnarounds, sales and marketing. Strong leadership skills in the management of multi-market, multi-state teams to achieve outstanding P&L results. Core leadership qualifications:
P&L Cost Control
Start-up, New Market Launch & Turnaround JV Relationship Management
Business Development
Team Building & Leadership Development Strategic Planning & Execution
Retail Operations
Corporate Communications/Diversity & Inclusion
EXPERIENCE
CRICKET COMMUNICATIONS, Memphis, TN and Chicago, IL 2006 – 2011
Regional General Manager, Chicago/Wisconsin/Northwest Indiana (2007 – 2011)
Relocated to Chicago to co-manage the company’s largest launch into the Chicagoland/NW Indiana Market covering 9.9M Pops at the time of launch. Developed and executed a distribution strategy to open ~600 Indirect and 26 company owned stores. The market went to a channelized structure in 2009 and my area of responsibility grew to overseeing all Direct in Chicago and all distribution and market P&L in Wisconsin. Led a team of three Directors, one administrative staff and 223 sales associates.
Exceeded market key sales/operating metrics in the area of Operating Income at $4.2M favorable to target. Achieved market penetration and churn objectives by establishing a culture of success in a declining economy. Collaborated with key business partners within the organization to maintain a key objective where customer service,
retention and sales growth were used synonymously to improve profitability.
Selected to participate in the Executive Mastering Business Acumen, a course designed for hi-potential employees positioned for growth within the organization.
Selected to act as the region lead in the absence of an Area Vice President. Oversaw the implementation of market communication, local contact for JV partnership and project planning/execution.
Initiated new pricing/Dealer compensation strategy in conjunction with corporate team to reduce churn and improve ARPU. Achieved @ 4.6% favorable to voice FBNP target.
Area General Manager, Memphis, TN (2006- 2007)
Managed the sales and marketing operations for the Direct and Indirect distribution channels. Brought on to turn around market underperformance due to low market morale and collaboration of vision and purpose.
Recognized as the market with the highest Gross Adds/10K covered pops. Exceeded churn and CPGA targets. Received East Region top market KPI award for Q1/07 results.
Developed and executed customer retention strategy. Recognized as the company’s highest penetrated market.
Created a strategic business model focused on expanding outside of the Cricket core demographic to grow revenue and increase subscriber base. First market awarded funding for additional 21 sites through the Rocky Mountain High project. Led company in Jump/pre-paid performance @ 33% of total net Jump subscribers.
Created local market Leadership Academy with focus on Appreciative Inquiry and Servant Leadership. Selected to Co-chair company’s Diversity & Inclusion Council.
Identified as hi-potential employee to participate in the Center for Creative Leadership program
US CELLULAR, Omaha, NE 2003 - 2006 Director of Sales
Led the launch of services into the Omaha/Lincoln, St. Joe, MO and SW Iowa communities. Directed the local market transition of Alltel in Western Kansas and Nebraska.
Exceeded launch post paid YOY subscriber growth by 12%.
Implemented and executed a customer retention campaign resulting in a market churn average of 2%. Achieved 118% of operating income for FY04. Ranked the highest in the Central Region.
René Parson – Page 2
Developed the Nebraska Leadership Academy- became a best practice throughout the organization. Received company Dynamic Leadership Award based upon Employee Satisfaction Survey.
HANNAH FOUNDATION, Orlando, FL 2001 - 2003
VP/Co-Founder
Launched National 501c3 Resource Center to direct KinCare givers to sources of funding to support their efforts in raising children who may have otherwise been in foster care. Formulated local strategic programs through community partnership and alliance building with the Department of Children & Family Services and other human service organizations. Lead a team of three direct reports.
Raised ~500K to prevent foreclosures and to meet other Kincare needs.
Instrumental in leading the foundation in securing proclamations by Mayors of 15 major cities to proclaim Relatives Raising Relative Day.
Guest speaker for Justice Clarence and Ginny Thomas of the Heritage Foundation to raise awareness for issues concerning the >147K KinCare givers in Florida.
Invited to speak at Duke Energy to address how Kinshipcare has redefined the family in work/life strategies.
Public/Motivational Speaker- Featured in National Publications and have made several television and radio appearances. Self-published book “Can’t Keep It To Myself”.
Received United Nations Humanitarian Award, Broward County. Recipient of Operation Reach Back Highest Humanitarian Award.
T-MOBILE (Formerly VoiceStream Wireless/Aerial Comm.), Orlando, FL 1996 - 2001
Director of Sales, Florida Markets, Orlando, FL (2000- 2001)
Responsible for managing post merger ‘Reduction-in-Force’ with a 92% retention rate while achieving sales and operations objectives. Led a team of three Regional Sales Managers, 189 retail associates for 52 COS generating $720K in annual revenue in the Florida market.
Market Director, Kansas City, KS and Orlando, FL (1998 to 2000)
Led Kansas City as the highest YOY net subscriber growth by achieving 132% to budget. Held full P&L responsibility for KC sales and marketing. Led the Florida market “turn around” effort by implementing a strategy to grow its Exclusive Indirect distribution channel. Oversaw sales through COS, Indirect, National and B2B.
Corporate Retail Sales Manager, Kansas City, KS (1996-1998))
Hired to lead PCS startup into the Kansas City Metropolitan community. Developed and executed initial retail launch strategy from 5 to 15 locations. Provided strategic direction and operational leadership to drive subscriber acquisition and retention.
AT&T WIRELESS SERVICES, Messaging Division, Overland Park, Kansas 1993 - 1996
Operations Manger (1994 – 1996)
Indirect Sales Manager (1993)
CELLULARONE, Overland Park, Kansas 1991 - 1993 B2B Sales Consultant
CNA INSURANCE, Overland Park, Kansas 1989 - 1991 Senior Workmen’s Compensation Claims Adjustor
EDUCATION
KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, Evanston, IL Executive MBA, degree expected December 2013
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM BS Journalism, 1988
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Finance and Accounting for the Non-Financial Manager, Wharton, 2007
Nominated by the National Diversity Council as one of Illinois Most Powerful and Influential Women- 2010 Selected as a member for the Greater Memphis Women’s Foundation of Memphis
Board of Directors JDRF- Omaha