1. Melinda French
13511 Mallorca Lane
Chino Hills, CA 91709
Tel: (714) 797-9542
Email: melindafrench12@gmail.com
Dynamic business professional with a 17-year career in sales and management. Proven ability to achieve aggressive
fiscal goals in one of the most competitive markets in the country. Superb communication, interpersonal, and
negotiation skills which have facilitated a successful 14 year relationship in the very competitive wine and spirits
industry.
EXPERIENCE
Blue Fire Grill: Chino, CA 10/14-Present
Restaurant Manager/Co-Owner:
Manage 100 seat restaurant and bar. In charge of staffing, promotions, marketing, social media, event planning,
entertainment, catering, profit and loss ratios, menu planning, ordering, and guest satisfaction.
Southern Wine and Spirits: Cerritos, CA 01/00 – 10/14
Key Account Manager: Orange County, Off-Premise 04/10 – 10/14
Managed $22 million territory, eight sales associates, and over 550 accounts throughout the Orange County and
Long Beach area. Achieved fiscal point plan and sales goals of Diageo, Diageo Chateau &Estates, Nolet Spirits and
the MHUSA portfolios. Promoted new innovation wine and spirit brands for all suppliers while increasing our
commodity brand base. Created and coordinated on-site promotional functions at key accounts. Trained sales reps
on wine and spirits, merchandising fundamentals, and time management.
Achievements:
• Made Diageo fiscal point (sales) plan 6 of 7 fiscals.
• Key Account Specialist of the month, 10/2010.
• First place - top innovative wine concept for DC & E marketing competition, 2012.
• First place – MHUSA- Ruinart champagne Sales Challenge, 2013.
• Top Key Account Manager for Bulleit Bourbon case sales. Winner of distillery immersion trip.
• Top Key Account Manager for Cuervo Case sales – Winner of San Diego Incentive trip.
• Top Key Account Manager for Diageo Ryder Cup Brands – Winner of Ryder Cup trip 2010 and 2011
Pacific Wine and Spirits Key Account Manager: North Orange County, Combo Team 04/05-04/10
Managed top 75 key accounts in both the on and off premise channel of North Orange County. Assisted Division
Manager in all sales and staff training goals. Set up promotions and led wine dinners in key accounts to garner
loyalty with our brands.
Achievements:
• Top Key Account Manager for Cuervo Case Sales - 2009 Winner of distillery immersion trip.
• Key Account Manager of the month – 6/2008, 8/2010.
• Appointed Team trainer of wine and spirits education for the sales team.
• Nominated for Key Account Manager of the Year, 2005.

2. Pacific Wine and Spirits Wine Manager: North Orange County, Combo Team 04/04-04/05
Worked with the Key Account and On-Premise Key Account Manager to promote the DC & E and Moet Hennessy
wine portfolio throughout our division. Responsibilities including training six sales staff, conducting wine seminars
and trainings in key accounts, and achieving sales goals and monthly quotas in a $18 million division.
Achievements:
• Wine Manager of the month November, and December, 2004.
• Nominated for Wine Manager of the Year 2004.
• Promoted to Key Account Manager after less than a year as wine manager.
Pacific Wine and Spirits Sales Representative: North Orange County, Combo Team 09/02-04/04
Managed both on and off premise accounts. Helped ease accounts into doing business with a new sales division
within the distributor. Maintained sales goals while learning the portfolio of the largest wine and spirits supplier.
Achievements:
• Nominated for salesperson of the year, 2002.
• Promoted to Wine Manager after 15 months in new division and territory.
American Wine and Spirits Sales Representative: Orange County, On-Premise 01/00 - 09/02
Serviced a client base of 75 on premise, high profile, accounts while consistently leading the team in sales volume.
Achievements:
• Promoted from North Orange County territory to high profile Newport Beach territory within six months.
• Top salesperson for Gloria Ferrer cases sold. Winner of Spain Winery immersion trip, two years in a row.
2001/2002
• Top salesperson for Pine Ridge Winery cases sold. Winner for incentive trip, two years in a row.
2001/2002
• Sales person of the month, June 2001
• Rookie of the year award, 2001
EDUCATION
California State University, Fullerton
Bachelor of Arts, International Business-French emphasis; May, 1989.
CERTIFICATES
Notary Public, 2015
Certified Loan Document Signer 2015
Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), 2013
Sorbonne University, France, French Language and History, level two. 1985