
Owner, www.ParadiseBrokers.com
Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Owner, www.ParadiseBrokers.com
Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Over two years of real estate development, sales and management in Costa Rica. The Company has grown to four offices and 10 real estate agents all in the South Pacific region. Our offices are located in San Isidro del General, Dominical, Uvita and Cortez. Our company is putting in the first golf course in the entire Southern zone of Costa Rica.
I also assist my father periodically with his consulting business - D. Halverson & Associates.
Previously, I spent ten years in international business development, marketing, and a small stint in sell side mergers and acquisitions.
I have worked closely with companies such as Wal-Mart, Castrol (BP), Kellogg's, Fujifilm and Yamaha in developing and managing marketing and sponsorship programs for them.
International business development and management. Experienced in foreign business start ups including all aspects of the business: day-to-day oversight of accounting, website development and deployment, negotiations with vendors, investor relations and sales training in varying market conditions (New Zealand, Costa Rica).
Also have experience in financial modeling due to time spent at sell-side mergers and acquisition investment bank.
Improving my spoken Spanish skills.
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Real Estate industry)
July 2005 — Present (3 years 2 months)
Central American full-service real estate company, focusing primarily in Costa Rica. We also own a development company in which we are developing over 1,000 acres of land in Costa Rica into residential housing lots, condos and commercial.
We are looking for additional sales agents in both the United States, Costa Rica and Panama.
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Food Production industry)
June 2005 — Present (3 years 3 months)
D.Halverson & Associates is a consulting company that works with the country's largest farmer owned cooperatives. The Company was founded by, and continues to be run by, Duane Halverson.
Duane spent over 30 years at Land O'Lakes, Inc., of which the last twelve he was Chief Operating Officer.
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Sports industry)
June 2001 — September 2005 (4 years 4 months)
* Develop market presence and business programs for this fully integrated sports marketing company. FLW programming is the highest rated non-live sports show carried by Fox Sports Net. Managed 5, $1 million+ per annum accounts.
* Researched and convinced Executive of transitioning to an outsourced publishing relationship, with projected printing volume increasing from 40 thousand to 100
* Develop corporate sponsorships, including Fujifilm, Castrol, Michelin, Kellogg’s, Tyson Foods and Cadbury Schweppes.
* Overhauled marketing collateral. Showcased skills in strategic business development. Promoted 2x in 48 months.
* US Bank: overcame challenge of taking over project in wake of predecessor’s termination; quickly garnered client trust, re-focused efforts and enabled launch of FLW Outdoors first credit card
* FLW Outdoors Magazine. Re-engineered magazine’s 20-year old marketing model, bringing much needed synergy and continuity between the television, website and magazine venues
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; GM; Automotive industry)
May 2000 — August 2000 (4 months)
Worked in OnStar's market research group.
* Member of test market team helping develop the next generation OnStar. Did beta testing, survey writing and research.
* Designed and implemented OnStar pioneer intranet presence for research.
* Provided executive presentation of conclusions to OnStar’s CEO, Chet Huber.
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Investment Banking industry)
September 1998 — August 1999 (1 year)
Goldsmith, Agio, Helms is a mid-market sell-side investment bank based in Minneapolis, MN with offices throughout the United States. The Company's typical deal is between $40 million and $80 million.
Developed expert skills in assessing the market perspective of a company: it’s unique value, but also its weaknesses among its competitors. Strengthened skills and knowledge of the finance industry during my time there.
(Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Food & Beverages industry)
January 1997 — August 1998 (1 year 8 months)
Provided key leadership in developing sales teams and programs for this 137 year old direct sales company. Worldwide independent sales associates: 50,000. Responsible for establishing and managing the Company's New Zealand sales force of 250 and managing relations/partnerships with PR agency, accounting, freight forwarding, call center, pick-pack and shipping.
* Working with agency, designed and developed all marketing materials: brochures, catalogs, business plans and monthly newsletters.
* Part of team selected by Executive that launched the company’s first website.
* orp spokesman before audience of 1500 sales reps.
* Launched the first overseas expansion programs in 25 years – to New Zealand and Australia; involved in all aspects of programs, including market analysis, competitive research and product development strategy.
* Was Company's first corporate employee in country.
MBA, Marketing, 1999 — 2001
B.S., Applied Economics and Management, 1993 — 1997
Exchange Student, Marketing & Finance, 1996 — 1996
1992 — 1993
1991 — 1992
Spanish
Traveling, (to all parts of the world), photography (see my website), volunteer wrestling coach at local high school, reading, WWII, History Channel, investing, real estate, Costa Rica Property, Panama Property, Nicaragua Property.
Board member of the Cornell Club of Minnesota, Kelley School of Business Alumni Member, Cornell Alumni Ambassador Association Network
Guest lecturer at University of St. Thomas College of Business (MBA marketing course)