JON PETER JOKELA
Cell: 320.260.7440 jokeladj@msn.com
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Dedicated Business Development Professional with extensive experience in new account and
product development. A detail-oriented sales management leader with accomplished history
working in the consumer packaged goods industry. Recognized for building and training sales
teams and promoting sales concepts utilizing account and resource management. Excels in
developing business rapport with internal and external customers. Proven self-starter accustomed
to and flourishing in a fast-paced, contemporary work environment.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
US SMOKELESS TOBACCO BRANDS, Stamford, CT 1991 – 2009
Division Manager, Cold Spring, MN 1999 – 2009
Managed a sales staff of 5 full-time Sales Representatives and 5 part-time Retail Coordinators.
Responsible for 13 direct wholesale, 24 retail chain customers and 1500 independent retail
outlets representing approximately 65% of total company smokeless tobacco sales in the state of
Minnesota. Broad knowledge and experience calling on both corporate and independent mass
merchandise, grocery and convenience retail accounts.
• Produced an average of $12 million in sales annually and consistently for 9 years, working
exclusively in a hostile tobacco environment.
• Staffed open positions; supervised, motivated, and evaluated individual and team
performance to achieve maximum sales results.
• Professional assessment of performance achieving annual company key result areas and
personal development plans to determine salary and bonus compensation for direct reports
while staying cognizant of budgetary constraints.
• Tailored national marketing plans in order to be compliant with MN state tobacco laws and
specific local ordinances.
• Executed and adapted the 2008 Rooster smokeless tobacco re-introduction and price
reduction program increasing sales volume 305.5%, resulting in an additional 85,200 cans
sold within an 8 month period.
• Improved sales over 8% amid a budget reduction of $1.1 million in 2007 following a 100%
state excise tax increase utilizing effective customer management and promotional execution.
• Analysis / integration of MSA and internal RAD-SVT sales data to achieve maximum market
penetration.
• Increased chain account exposure, in-store visits and sales by maximizing USSTB national
sport sponsorship advertising/promotional trade-off program through partnership building.

JON PETER JOKELA PAGE TWO
Sales Representative, Rapid City, SD 1991 – 1999
• Serviced 5 wholesale, 5 chain and 400 independent retail stores throughout a 43 county sales
territory of central and western SD.
• Increased the smokeless tobacco sales volume by designing, marketing and implementing
promotional campaigns for retail chain customers improving in-store sales and business
relationships.
• Generated $3 million or more in sales annually within assigned territory through flawless
execution of business plan, resulting in a promotion to Division Manager.
• Awarded 1995 President’s Team Award Winner.
MONTANA – DAKOTA UTILITIES, Jamestown, ND 1989
Marketing Representative – Summer Internship
EDUCATION
BS, BA, Marketing / Merchandising, Mayville State University, Mayville, ND
Awarded “Future Business Executive” of Business Fraternity – Phi Beta Lambda
Courses Taken Toward Speech and Communications Major, University of Minnesota, Duluth
and Minneapolis
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Software / System skills: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel & Power Point), Lotus Notes
People Power performance review and Talent Assurance Process – TAP (extensive experience)
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Toastmasters Membership
Attended Fred Pryor seminar “How to Supervise People”