BUSINESS EDUCATOR • MARKETING STRATEGY• RESEARCHER • AUTHOR • SPEAKER •CONSULTANT
Evaluated as top performer. Promoted early to a 2nd-in-team command, front-line relationship building role with one of P&G’s top 10 accounts: 3 customer divisions across 5 states (GA, AL, TX, LA, and MS) generating over $300 million in P&G brands. Responsibilities included sales, marketing, strategic account management, business development, training, and operations management. Managed 9 direct reports. Led Efficient Consumer Response effort: category management, activity-based costing, and continuous replenishment. Served as category captain.
Promoted to liaison role between brand and US sales to improve capabilities and effectiveness of US sales force. Developed information technology solutions to improve US sales force performance (“sales technology”). Benchmark best practices of high performing teams (e.g. Wal-Mart, Kroger, Target, and other strategic account teams). Contributed to organizational design projects. Led prototyping, testing and roll-out of proprietary software.
Built relationships with wholesalers and a major retail chain that represented 15% of grocery sales in the region and sold $4.5 million in P&G brands. Guided others to improve capabilities with new technologies, and selected as a sales trainer to provide instruction in several elements of on boarding new hires in “FastStart” program. Participated in recruitment program to attract, evaluate and select candidates for customer business development positions.
Evaluated as top performer. Joined PepsiCo’s restaurant division’s management development program which helped facilitate transitioning military leadership skills to corporate context prior to commencing MBA studies. Assumed $7+ million P&L responsibility for 10 restaurants (up to 200 employees). Managed ten unit managers and all aspects of the business, including operations management, staffing, purchasing, and local marketing efforts.
Evaluated as top performer during service in 3d Bde, 187tih Regiment (Rakkasaans). Developed and led presentations on strategic-level plans during exercises involving thousands of soldiers, hundreds of US Army helicopters, and US Air Force planes. Wrote first ever standard operating procedures for Brigade level Air Assault Operations, which was publicly lauded by GEN Hugh Shelton. Deployed task force within 18 hours of notification during training exercises and was prepared as US first strike task force for worldwide military crisis response situations. Managed a $3 million annual budget and oversaw 6 direct reports. Led 40-person rifle and 27-person mortar platoon including responsibilities for professional and personal welfare. Honored with two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, and an Army Service Ribbon.
Gary with Medal of Honor Recepient General Patrick Henry Brady during his visit to Clemson in Fall 2019.