Howard Vogin
14621 Tudor Chase Drive, Tampa, FL 33626

727-244-3664

Dynamic and entrepreneurial Manager with a proven track record of delivering growth and leadership in a highly competitive market. Excellent mentor and coach. Dedicated to developing new business, ensuring customer satisfaction and building strong relationships with outside vendors.

Areas of Expertise:


Project Management
Team Leadership
Training
Sales and Marketing
Vendor Relations
Construction Management
Finance
Customer Service
Retail Operations
Forecasting
Market and Competitive Analysis
P&L Responsibility
Team Development
Startups



Professional Experience:

General Manager, Palm Harbor Homes, Brooksville, FL, 2008 to Present

Operations of Sales Center including Sales, Marketing, Product Selection, Recruiting, Training, Construction Management, Customer Satisfaction and P&L.

Selected Achievements:

Increased sales 100% from previous year.
Hold full P&L responsibility.
Source, recruit, and mentor new sales consultants.
Lead daily sales training covering all facets of the sales from lead generation and prospecting to closing and generating referrals.
Developed and implemented innovative advertising and marketing to increase traffic levels.
Developed business and marketing plans to turn a money losing sales center (loss of $180,000 in fiscal 08) to profitability at the end of Q1 09 (ended June 08).
Implemented new direct mail campaign that is being introduced to General Managers throughout the state.
Spearheading the disposition of land assets and spec homes throughout the state of Florida for the division.

Vice President of Sales, Lennar Homes Orlando and Tampa, FL, 2006 to 2008
Driving sales at several communities including Recruiting, Training, Product Selection, Marketing and Competitive Analysis.

Selected Achievements:
Exceeded monthly sales goals for several communities in a declining housing market
Identified, recruited and mentored new sales associates on all facets of the new home sale process to ensure their success.
Prepared and presented monthly market and competitive analysis to division senior management.
Created sales forecast for weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual periods.
Determine product mix and pricing for new and existing communities to stay competitive.
Partnered with marketing manager to coordinate marketing and special events including grand openings.
Acted as liaison and spokesperson for Lennar at City of Tampa Housing Authority Meetings.
Opened Lennars first workforce housing community in Tampa using government down payment assistance.
Championed the use of non-profit down payment assistance programs to open market to new customers that were previously not being served.
Led team on launch of division internet initiative as part of companys national internet campaign.

General Manager, Palm Harbor Homes, Brooksville, FL, 2003 to 2006

Operations of Sales Center including Sales, Marketing, Product Selection, Recruiting, Training, Construction Management, Customer Satisfaction and P&L.

Selected Achievements:
Turned around money losing model center that now generates in excess of $500,000 per month, 6,000,000+ annually.
Held total P&L responsibility.
Source, recruit, and develop new Housing Consultants.
Led daily training related to all facets of new home sales including Sales, Finance, Project Management, Customer Service and Follow Up.
Developed and maintained lender network for buyers to access for new home and land purchases.
Sourced and developed subcontractor relationships for trades involved in new home construction.
Initiated land and home site purchase program in the territory to expand customer base to include buyers who had not already acquired land.
Mentored management trainees for future management openings.

Team Leader, Palm Harbor Homes, Plant City, FL, 2002 to 2003

Managing a team of 4 Sales Associates/Housing Consultants at Palm Harbors largest sales center in the United States. Managed entire office of three teams (12 consultants) in absence of senior management.

Selected Achievements:
Number 1 Sales Associate for the 4th quarter of 2002.
Completed Palm Harbors Management Training Program.

Area Manager, E Tec Solutions Clearwater, FL, 1998 to 2002

Daily Operations of an Information Technology Consulting Company.

Selected Achievements:
Managed a team of three recruiters and three account managers.
Developed training programs for PC use, recruiting, account management and follow-up.
Key member of strategic planning team responsible for 5-year business plan and long term budget and goals.
Responsible for creating operational budgets and ensuring the company operated within them. Evaluated various funding sources and aided in the selection and securing of capital.
Responsible for all project management related to infrastructure and capital programs.

Independent Sales Representative, Southeast US, 1998 to 1999

Represented several manufacturers of consumer products including gifts, souvenirs and apparel in the Southeast United States.

Selected Achievements:
Opened new accounts including casinos, zoos, theme parks and regional chains.
Serviced existing accounts.

Account Manager, Risetime Tampa, FL (acquired by E Tec Solutions), 1997 to 1998

Selected Achievements:
Account manager and sales of IT consulting services to clients in the Tampa Bay area.
Recruiting of candidates for openings at various client sites.

Manager, Candy Capers New Hope, PA, 1996 to 1997

Opened a retail candy store, specializing in nostalgia candy.

Selected Achievements:
Secured location including site analysis and lease negotiations.
Designed and oversaw build out and visual merchandising.
Established vendor relationships, selected inventory and implemented inventory control system to maintain levels and minimize out of stock events.
Hired, trained and managed staff.

Regional Manager, Nature World, Philadelphia, PA, 1991 to 1996

Responsible for Nature World Stores in the Philadelphia, PA area.

Selected Achievements:
Oversaw initial build out and subsequent changes of stores including design, negotiating contracts and fixture selection.
Hired and managed a staff for multiple locations and operations center including: store managers, stock room personnel, accounting, and clerks.
Developed management training and sales associate training.
Determined product mix, selected vendors and maintained inventory levels.
Planned and approved visual merchandising.

Owner, Boat Bathers Ventnor, NJ, 1987 to 1991

Ran a yacht detailing and servicing company while attending graduate school.

Education:

MBA - Finance, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, June 1990
Bachelor's Degree, Major: Economics, Minor: Chemistry, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA, June 1987