Real Estate Advisor-Mortgage Brokerage -SALES & MARKETING EXECUTIVE

Hospitality Sales, Marketing, Training · Incentive Travel, Merchandise & Recognition Marketing

Convention & Meeting Planning · Marketing of Hotels, Motels, Country Inns, B&B Properties

Astute business leader with 20+ years of sales and management experience in diverse facets of the hospitality, travel and meeting industries, as well as 10+ years teaching college-level hospitality programs. Demonstrated ability to build and lead sales teams, meet customer commitments, and overcome business challenges. Extensive international travel. Reputation for integrity, reliability, and a commitment to excellence.

Proven performer in . . .

Owner & Principal Broker, Russell Willis Rodgers, Licensed Mortgage Brokerage Business October 1998-Present. Origination, processing , and placement of commercial and residential mortgages.

President & Principal Broker, INTERNATIONAL REALTY PLUS+, LLC, Clearwater, FL 2000 – Present

· Created concept for a unique business blending two aspects of the hospitality industry: education and sales of properties with an emphasis on Hotels, Motels, B&B’s and Inns.

· Conduct seminars and provide consulting services to B&B and Inn owners nationwide. Frequent speaker at hospitality industry conventions and meetings.

· Developed two company websites to expand delivery of services: www.floridainnbroker.com and www.inndoctor.com. Known in the industry as “The Inn Doctor.”

Hotel Consultant & Commercial Real Estate Professional, Clearwater, FL October 1998 – December 1999

· Developed marketing plans and directed sales of over $8 million in hotel and motel properties throughout the United States.

Media Sales Director, MEDIA DESIGN GROUP, INC., Orlando, FL June – December 1999

· Created and produced multi-media marketing shows for corporate sales meetings and trade shows.

· Worked in conjunction with corporate event/meeting planners at Fortune 1000 companies to direct business theater productions to introduce new products and educate employees of client companies.

Hotel Consultant, INTERLINK HOTEL MOTEL BROKERS, Orlando, FL June 1996 – September 1998

· Marketed and sold $2.3 million in hotel and motel properties in Florida.

Simultaneous and overlapping positions at the following companies: January 1992 – August 1996

Hotel Consultant, HOTEL BROKERS OF AMERICA, Clearwater, FL

· Sold over $17 million in hotel and motel property and named “Rookie of the Year” out of 42 agents across the country.

Founder, THE PRODUCTIVITY GROUP, INC., Clearwater, FL

· Developed and delivered incentive marketing programs to Florida Top 100 Companies.

General Manager, THE BUSINESS TRAVELLER, Clearwater, FL

· Managed a full-service retail travel agency. Developed and delivered corporate travel programs to Fortune 500 companies.

· Led company to over $2 million in sales.

Marketing Consultant, Hospitality Industry, Clearwater, FL

· Sold computer software and trained users on computer reservations and operations program.

· Developed marketing programs for individual hotels and motels. Sold over $1 million in services.

Previous experience includes:

· Successful career in sales of incentive and merchandise programs, travel planning services, and rental car services to travel agents and Fortune 500 companies.

· Received fast track promotions at HERTZ CORPORATION, RENT A CAR DIVISION from Account Executive through Sales and Marketing Manager, Pacific Region.

· Served in the U.S. Marine Corps and received an Honorable Discharge as a Sergeant, E-5.

Developed syllabus, course materials, instructional aids and selected books for numerous Hospitality and Tourism classes at the following colleges and universities:

Instructor, Hospitality Program, CANYON COLLEGE, Caldwell, ID (www.canyoncollege.edu)

· Assisted the President in with curriculum design and book selection for the new Hospitality Program.

Instructor, Hospitality Program, SAINT PETERSBURG COLLEGE, Seminole, FL

· Taught classroom and tele-classes in a high-tech classroom.

Instructor, Hotel Program, SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY, Saint Leo, FL

· In addition teaching, served as temporary Director of Hotel Program for one semester.

Adjunct Faculty, International Tourism and Hotel Management, SCHILLER UNIVERSITY, Dunedin, FL

· Rated by international students as 5 on a scale of 1 to 5 during fall semester 1995.

Instructor & Career Counselor, Travel & Tourism, VAN DYKE INSTITUTE, Saint Petersburg, FL

Full familiarity with all applications of Microsoft Office including Access and PowerPoint.

Proficient in Telemagic Contact Management software and Lotus 1-2-3 spreadsheets

Fully trained on Delphi hotel meeting software

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About a B&B But Were Afraid to Ask, From Wall Street to Main Street, an ongoing two-day seminar presented to hospitality industry professionals throughout Florida. Course material covers location, feasibility, financing, startup, operations, and marketing.

Evaluation of Hotel Properties, presentation at the national meeting of the Superior Small Lodging Association, Saint Petersburg, FL, October 2001.

New Market Segment Goes Unrecognized by Tourism and Hotel Industry, white paper presented at the International Society of Travel & Tourism Educators international convention, Tampa, FL, October 2000.

Licensed Mortgage Broker, State of Florida – 1996 (80 hours of continuing education)

Licensed Real Estate Broker, State of Florida – 1994 (120 hours of continuing education)

M.B.A., Management

SAINT LEO UNIVERSITY, Saint Leo, FL – 2000

Completed while managing a business and working full-time.

B.A., Advertising, College of Communications

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, East Lansing, MI