2019 is shaping up to be an exciting time for the Trade Pro Program here at TileBar. We’ve had the opportunity to expand our team to include a Senior Director of Business Development, Jacki Adams, Rocco Fortuna, Director of National Accounts, and Matthew Waas, Executive VP of Business Development as well as a handful of other, equally impressive and knowledgeable team members.
Jacki brings over 20 years of experience in the tile industry with a proven track record of increasing sales, customer service and profitability in highly competitive markets. She’s worked at industry-known companies like: Daltile, Emser, Boston Tile, and Specialty Tile. She’s hands-down a tile lover, and she’ll be the first to tell you that she has immense passion for the product. In her last role as Director of A&D at Emser Tile, she managed $90mm in annual sales and a large team of sales reps nationwide. Her core philosophy is to create a family-like culture among talented sales professionals who can service you to their upmost ability while creating lasting relationships. She will be working at TileBar to grow the sales team, create a winning environment, and ensure that culture remains no matter the level at which business is scaled.
Rocco Fortuna has been around tile his whole life; his father worked as a contractor and later his parents opened their own tile and stone company. After graduating college, he started work at his family’s business working his way up for 7 years, eventually to be the head Design Manager and Project Manager. From here, he went to Emser Tile as Commercial Territory Sales Manager in San Francisco and Los Angeles. He doubled business in the Bay Area and grew a national project pipeline from his local Los Angeles firms by being awarded specs and partnerships that would triple the previous pipeline of specs before his time. He will be working at TileBar to grow our national presence in the hospitality/brand sector. He’ll present TileBar to various nationally known brands and showcase all the offerings we have and how they can fit their project needs.
Matthew Waas comes with 13 years experience in the stone industry. His last role was working at Stone Source where he was the top salesperson with average sales of $10M+ per year. Since natural stone is very different from porcelain, Matthew will lead the process for TileBar in expanding sales in this key area. Aside from his advanced expertise around natural stone and various quarries throughout the world, his knowledge of the markets and key relationships within the A&D community make him a tremendous asset to our team at TileBar.
We were able to sit down with Jacki and pick her brain on the developments that have been occurring with the Trade Program and what’s in store through the end of the year. Here’s what she had to say:
TB: What do you feel the growth in 2019 means for the trade program?
Jacki: It means that we will be able to further our offerings to anyone already in the trade program, or to anyone who joins here on out. We currently have the whole package – from great service to an easy-to-use website. With the growth, I can gladly say that we will be continuing to develop already well-developed areas. We’ll be able to offer even more consistency; a larger team means more time to dedicate to trade members. The more experienced TileBar tr team members we bring on, the greater our collective knowledge base will be on the sales front. We’ll also become the ultimate source for technical advice. The one thing that won’t change, but will be strengthened, is our positioning as a trusted partner. We’ll continue to stand by our trade members and make sure that their needs are met, project after project.
TB: What are some goals that will be reached for the trade program?
Jacki: We have a long list of goals that we’re looking forward to reaching. The first, we are going to be able to offer technical training – this is important, so everyone is up to par on things that are happening in the industry. We’ll continue to recruit in key markets within the U.S. and as a result, grow brand awareness nationwide. We also plan to implement Sales Force to really take our CRM powers to a new tier. With Rocco on board, we’re excited to scale our national brand accounts and grow relationships between designers and sales reps.
TB: What are some exciting things that can be expected of the trade program?
Jacki: As we grow and meet the goals mentioned, we will have the ability to secure more large projects which is exciting. Additionally, the opportunity to grow TileBar’s culture to a more national level is something that we are really looking forward to.
Let us know what you’re most excited for! Also, if you’re not a member, learn more and join today:
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