1. JAMES M. WATSON
126 Center Meadow Lane Phone & Fax: 203-917-4702
Cell: 203-942-3111
Danbury CT 06810 jwatson1151@gmail.com
PROFILE
A proven professional with dynamic energy, offering extensive experience in sales development, strategic planning, marketing,
sales management, operations, product knowledge, technical knowledge, technical and sales training and customer support in the
following industries:
Automotive / Light Truck Aftermarket and OE Parts (All Levels Of Distribution /Both OE and Independent Markets)
Automotive/ Light Truck Tire and Wheels, Equipment (All Levels Of Distribution/Both OE and Independent Markets)
Heavy Duty Aftermarket and OE Parts (All Levels Of Distribution /Both OE and Independent Markets)
Off Highway and Industrial Parts (All Levels of Distribution/Both OE and Independent Markets))
Automotive and Heavy Duty Service & Repair (Both OE and Independent Markets)
Automotive and Heavy Duty Repair & Collision Repair Equipment and Tools.(Both OE and Independent Markets)
Automotive and Heavy Duty Collision Repair Parts and Service (Both OE and Independent Markets)
Government and Military Agencies ( US Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, various national, state and local fleet facilities)
EDUCATION
BA in History/ Education Iona College New Rochelle NY 02/1973.
AS in Automotive and Heavy Duty mechanical and electrical engineering courses SUNY NY 05/1996
Various Automotive and Heavy Duty Diagnostics and Repair Courses Lincoln Tech, UTI
ASE Certifications in Automotive ( All Diagnostic and Repair…Engine, Electrical, AC etc 11/1984
ASE Certification in Heavy Duty Repair 05/1995
ASE Certification in Collision Repair 11/1999
ASE Certified Parts Specialist.05/2000
Dale Carnegie sales and public speaking seminars. 1985, 1997, 2005
Initialized and Performed over 1000 technical seminars on various subjects.
SKILLS
Supervision and management of sales forces of up to 25 full and part time territory and district managers both OE and
aftermarket.
Attended various automotive and heavy duty engineering, business, financial, sales and marketing courses and seminars
throughout my career.
Over thirty years experience creating and executing sales presentations that educate, entertain and result in sales.
Management of company owned retail and wholesale outlets.
Average call ratio to every level of distribution i.e. OE dealers etc. exceeded goals of employers requirements.
Proficient in the use of all computerized equipment and software to access, track and maintain information of business
trends, sales data and all other critical information necessary to increase sales on all levels. Ex cellent knowledge of
Windows, Lotus and all other software based programs such as Word, Excel, Works, Power Point, ACT, Access, Sales
Force, Lotus Notes, Goldmine, J.D. Edwards, Reynolds & Reynolds, IBM AS 200 and 400, Sales Logix and many other
CRM programs.
Various other automotive and truck technical certifications including Sherwin Williams Paint Body & Equipment, Dupont
PBE, Advanced Automotive Body and Collision Repair, Driveline, Clutch, Transmission, Engine Management, AC/Heat ,
Brakes, Ball Bearing and Linear Bearing applications, Suspension systems and diagnostics of all of these systems.
Extensive national and local trade show and industry networking experience.
Speaks and comprehends some Spanish. Continuing language studies.
2. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Market Source…FCA Chrysler and GM AC Delco (In Partnership With Market Source)
Northeast Regional Fleet Parts Manager. 10/12 To Present
Increased sales of Chrysler Mopar and GM & AC Delco parts to fleet & commercial customers.
Worked with regional teams in both sales and service reviewing existing fleets. Number one fleet region for three years
Worked with regional teams in both sales and service developing a contact strategy prioritizing accounts.Contacted
regional fleet accounts including rental, government, & commercial
Monitored current state and local government bids and work to submit and win new bids
Completed and maintained fleet profile reports on each contact
Developed and expanded distribution with new fleet accounts such as New York City Fire Department
Evaluated fleet accounts parts needs and educated them on various GM parts programs and processes to improve sales
Utilized fleet programs and appraised regional staff of current & new fleet account regarding market conditions, price,
policies and distribution such as new Fleet Assistance Policy and Fleet Survey Tool
Conducted meetings and training sessions with both retail and wholesale teams
Worked with fleets to resolve any parts issues causing down vehicle or lost revenue
Chrysler Corporation (In Partnership With Tracy Industries) 06/09 To 10/12
Regional Commercial & Fleet Parts Manager: One of the largest light and medium duty truck manufacturers and part suppliers
in the world. Took on the challenge of the management of underachieving sales region with no sales staff and in 1 year increased
sales by over 100%. Left the company with 6 highly trained sales and technical personnel in fleet management in place.
Set goals, business plans, schedules, training and hiring procedures for new sales force of 6 at 3 branch locations.
Initiated sales calls to all heavy duty National Accounts, OE distributors, dealers, fleets and independent end users to
reestablish a long term relationship with them.
Dana Holding Corp. OE & Commercial Vehicle Division Holland OH 04/99 To 06/09
Northeast Regional Fleet SalesManager: The world’s largest manufacturer of automotive and heavy duty OE and Aftermarket
parts. Transformed an underachieving sales region, with less than $ 4 Million in sales, and increased sales to over $ 12 Million in
less than 3 years. Supervised and management of seven territory managers.
Initiated a program to call on all fleets to promote Dana products and to get into their bid market
Maintained a return ratio of less than 1% per year.
Developed sales and customer support to the OE Heavy Duty, Independent Heavy Duty, Off Highway and Industrial
distributor markets for the OE manufacturer of heavy duty driveline, axle, brake and related parts, linear and bearing
applications, suspension, transmission, axle, trailer, clutch and many other products.
Direct contact and sales to OE Heavy Duty manufacturers such as Paccar, Navistar, Ford, Volvo/Mack, Hino etc. and
many independent distributors such as Fleetpride, Inc., NAPA Traction, CCC (Crane Carrier), Cook Brothers (Triple
Cities), Brookline Machine etc.
Initiated regular calls to neglected Off Highway distributors and their end users resulting in added sales in my district.
Initiated direct contact with regional purchasing agents at US Military repair facilities, i.e. Fort Drum NY, in association with
OE Heavy Duty manufacturers with excellent results. Products sold included various parts for a wide assortment of
military vehicles such as Class 7 & 8 dump body trucks.
The supervision 10 sales and merchandising personnel maintaining these accounts
Over 150 technical seminars given to end user accounts with immediate results in revenue for distributor sponsors.
Standard Motor Products, Inc. NY, NY 06/80 to 4/99
Senior Regional Sales Manager NY, NJ, PA, New England
Responsibilities included sales, administration, marketing training and service of 500 accounts for this OEM automotive parts
manufacturer. Products sold to OE dealers and all levels of distribution market including heavy duty and diesel market. Products
sold included engine management, air management, air conditioning, driveline and brakes and related wheel parts. E xtensive
heavy duty technical and sales experience. Supervised 15 Territory Sales Managers, including their training, budgets and sales
operations. Oversaw company owned multi-unit retail outlet stores on a day to day basis managing over 60 mployees.Over 10
years of experience calling on national account outlets such as Carquest, NAPA, Advantage Auto, Auto Zone, Pep Boys and
OEM, both Automotive and Heavy Duty accounts. Three Salesman of the Year awards for sales increases and management
skills. Hall of Fame sales award for 10 consecutive years of sales increases over goal. Over 1000 sales seminars and technical
clinics performed in my tenure with this company always leading to sales.
3. C. E. Niehoff & Co. Chicago IL 05/74 to 06/80
Northeast Regional Aftermarket & Fleet SalesManager
Manufacturer of brushless alternators and other electrical components, brake, bearings and other service related parts for the
OE and Aftermarket automotive, light duty, heavy duty and off highway markets.
Initiated marketing and sales to military bases, municipalities, fleets etc. in the Northeast. ( Brooklyn Navy Yard, Groton
CT, Fort Drum NY, Fort Monmouth NJ, Fort Dix NJ, various AF Bases etc.)
Initiated marketing and sales to OE dealerships in the automotive, heavy duty and industrial industries.
Sales exceeded over $5 million per year.
Supervision of 6 District Sales Managers and operation of regional company owned stores in my tenure with this
company.
Conducted over 100 technical seminars on various product lines .that led to sales from existing and new customers.
Free To Travel
Free To Relocate
References Available Upon Request.