Ken Oatman

Current

Sales Development at Astralux Environmental Solutions

Past

Director at SunTalk Solar
Dealmaker and CEO at Merchandising Pulse LLC
Management Consultant at Wholesale Solar, Inc.

Sales Director at OneSource Magazine Distribution LLC
CEO at Fresh Market Company LLC
Co-Founder at OneSource Magazine Distribution LLC
Divisional Director at International Periodical Distributors Inc.
Founder/CEO at Fine Print Distributors, Inc.
General Manager at Homing Pigeon
Cashier at Whole Foods Market
Fire Direction Control at US Army

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Education

The University of Texas at Austin
Haltom High School

Recommended

6 people have recommended Ken

Connections

208 connections

Industry

Renewables & Environment

Websites

Ken Oatman’s Summary

Goals:

To expand energy independence via relentless marketing of photovoltaic systems.

To create value through better business models.

To promote efficient use of limited resources.

To network with high quality professionals.

Ken Oatman’s Specialties:

Sales, marketing, social media, productivity, negotiating, relationships, competitive intelligence.

Ken Oatman’s Experience

Sales Development

Astralux Environmental Solutions

(Privately Held; Renewables & Environment industry)

June 2009 — Present (7 months)

Astralux is the preëminent residential and commercial solar integrator in Colorado. Only Astralux guarantees ROI with Ph.D.-designed photovoltaic systems, installed by NABCEP-certified electricians.
Director

SunTalk Solar

(Renewables & Environment industry)

February 2009 — May 2009 (4 months)

Business Development for Residential/Commercial Solar Energy Integrator.
Dealmaker and CEO

Merchandising Pulse LLC

(Wholesale industry)

June 2008 — May 2009 (1 year )

Merchandising Pulse LLC (mPulse) engineers Outsourced Front End Category Captain services specifically for your retail culture. This guarantees immediate, optimal Space Productivity.

Our focus is Assortment Analysis, Custom Fixture Design and Production (Efficiency + Aesthetics), Tailored Promotions, Vendor Cost-Sharing, Best Practices, Visual Merchandising, Cross-Merchandising Strategy, and Results Measurement for High-Volume Retailers (Especially Grocers and Transportation Terminals).

Our specialized activities are entriely focused on sales, merchandising, and display design for demographically-targeted point-of-purchase product lines.
Management Consultant

Wholesale Solar, Inc.

(Renewables & Environment industry)

December 2008 — February 2009 (3 months)

Sales and marketing consultant for ownership and sales team.
Sales Director

OneSource Magazine Distribution LLC

(Wholesale industry)

April 2003 — September 2008 (5 years 6 months)

Dramatically increased sales in multiple national markets, and continued to fine-tune retail space productivity via design and inventory control.

Worked with all levels of retail personnel, from chain CEOs to stocking clerks, to customize Front End Merchandising Solutions.

I personally provided Front End Project Management to exciting retail chains like Sunflower Markets, Sprouts Farmers Markets, Pharmaca, Natural Grocers, Balducci's, Dorothy Lane, and many others. Initiated close business relationships with large and small independent grocers and regional chains, especially in California, Chicago, Detroit, and the Upper Atlantic Seaboard.
CEO

Fresh Market Company LLC

(Publishing industry)

January 2002 — January 2006 (4 years 1 month)

Publishing and consulting company. Consulted for seven magazine publishers (Utne Reader, Herb Companion/Herbs for Health, Velo News/Inside Triathlon, Gaiam Lifestyle, Co-op America et al). Consulted extensively on research and infrastructure of new multi-title magazine publishing subsidiary of publicly-traded company, Gaiam (GAIA). Worked on business plan, ad sales, design, and editorial for major magazine launch, Real Food Magazine.
Co-Founder

OneSource Magazine Distribution LLC

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Wholesale industry)

November 1996 — December 2001 (5 years 2 months)

Relaunched small niche distributor into national market-leader. Responsible for growth strategy and relationship-building that resulted in top-tier national status. Sales during tenure increased from $500,000 annually to $25 million.
Divisional Director

International Periodical Distributors Inc.

(Privately Held; 201-500 employees; Wholesale industry)

August 1995 — May 1996 (10 months)

Created new division to capture trending sales in specialty and niche titles.
Founder/CEO

Fine Print Distributors, Inc.

(Wholesale industry)

February 1990 — August 1995 (5 years 7 months)

Sales growth during tenure, $500,000 to $10 million. Established market strategy for top bookstore distributor. Secured supply relationships with national bookstore chains, created innovative employee retention programs, worked directly with over one thousand publisher clients. Also founded a subsidiary “national distributor”: Alternate Route Circulation, Inc.
General Manager

Homing Pigeon

(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Wholesale industry)

March 1987 — February 1990 (3 years )

Started as local delivery/ magazine merchandiser to original Whole Foods stores, independent bookstores, and miscellaneous retailers. Initiated store assortment reviews, resulting in strong year-over-year comps, later developed a marketing plan to bring in out-of-state retailers. Built first multi-product merchandisers at front end of Whole Foods in South Austin.
Cashier

Whole Foods Market

(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; WFMI; Supermarkets industry)

March 1986 — February 1987 (1 year )

Worked as cashier in Whole Foods second location, Crossroads, in North Austin.
Fire Direction Control

US Army

(Government Agency; 10,001 or more employees; USA; Military industry)

February 1982 — December 1984 (2 years 11 months)

Honorable Discharge, served in First Battalion, Second Field Artillery in Baumholder, West Germany. Basic Training location: Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma.

Ken Oatman’s Education

The University of Texas at Austin

Associate Equivalent. , Radio-Television-Film, Philosophy. , 1984 — 1986

Activities and Societies:

Intramural sports, film production crew volunteer.
Haltom High School

High School Diploma , 1979 — 1981

Activities and Societies:

French Club President, 1981

Additional Information

Ken Oatman’s Websites:

Ken Oatman’s Interests:

Sustainability, renewables, personal productivity, frugality, parenting, bicycling, gardening, reading, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sailing, swimming, kayaking.