Dennis Walthers has over 30 years of experience in sales and management roles in the technology industry. He currently serves as Vice President of Sales for Cisco's Consumer Business in the US and Canada, where he is responsible for retail and ecommerce channel sales. Previously he held leadership roles at Polaroid, Canon, Dell, Epson, and started his own company, FreePrinters.com.
How to Troubleshoot Apps for the Modern Connected Worker
Dennis Walthers, VP Sales, Resume
1. DENNIS WALTHERS
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4901 Harbor Court (972) 813-1406
Flower Mound, Texas 75022 dwalthers@verizon.net
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Extremely motivated and results-driven sales and management professional with exceptional communication skills
and an extensive background in the following broad-based competencies:
MARKETING STRATEGIC PLANNING TEAM BUILDING
ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT CHANNEL DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE PLANNING
NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT KEY ACCOUNT ACQUISITIONS PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Demonstrated ability to streamline operations that increase productivity and efficiencies. .
Key strength is the ability to work cross functionally to drive collaboration and break down silos to
bring teams together for alignment and rapid execution.
Excellent qualifications in strategic planning with comprehensive knowledge of management,
organizational development, team building and project execution.
Driven and passionate individual that strives to excel at all levels
Skilled in the creation and implementation of comprehensive training initiatives that develop and
retain effective sales teams.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Cisco Systems, Inc. – Consumer Business Division June
2008 - Present
Vice President of Sales – US & Canada
Responsible for Cisco’s Consumer Business initiative for US & Canada retail and ecommerce channel sales.
Cisco acquired the Linksys Group in 2003 as the market leader in home networking. In 2008 Cisco announced their
initiatives around the connected home and the network as a platform in the consumer market. I am responsible for
driving change in the networking space within the US and Canada retail. This challenge involves working at senior
management levels both internally and externally with key customers to re-invent a go to market strategy for
merchandising and retailing the connected media home. As this strategy requires cross functional interaction across
departments and management within key retailers like Best Buy and Wal-Mart, considerable collaboration is
required to meet the needs of the retailer and the consumer.
Since joining Cisco’s Consumer Business group I have realigned the sales organization to provide greater focus and
attention on key growth areas. A key focus has been driving collaboration with the Cisco Enterprise team and
Cisco’s Internet Business Solutions Group to develop viable solutions that work at retail.
The US and Canada theater exceeded the FY09 plan during one the most difficult financial times ever experienced
over the past century. I credit the success to capturing a market in transition and leveraging a market leadership
position with key retailers to drive vendor consolidation and prepare for the upturn.
As Cisco is presently acquiring organizations that compliment the overall consumer strategy it is also my
responsibility to bring diverse sales organizations together and drive alignment of strategies across the organization.
Key Functional Responsibilities:
Working with product business units on go to market strategies for US and Canada retail.
Working with marketing to drive change in the network category to make it consumer friendly.
Moving from a sales in to a sales out compensation model.
Working closely with R&D and Customers on emerging technology products in early stages.
Identifying trends and capturing markets in transition to drive growth.
2. DENNIS WALTHERS
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4901 Harbor Court (972) 813-1406
Flower Mound, Texas 75022 dwalthers@verizon.net
FreePrinters.com – Flower Mound, TX 2005- Present
President and CEO
Utilizing industry knowledge and relationships developed over the past 25 years, the FreePrinters.com business
model was created to provide a strong value proposition for small to medium business and non-profit organizations.
The basic business model provides free high performance color printers with free on-site service and discounted
supplies to US based businesses in exchange for an agreement to purchase a fixed amount of supplies over time.
Created the business model from concept to implementation
o Internet based organization
Developed the relationships to drive the business model
o Vendor partners
o Finance partners
o Outsource relationships
Funded the start up
Web-site development
o Copy writing
o Layout & design
Created back end administration tools
o Automation of process and communications to customers
Development of process flow from application to shipment of product
Developed sales and marketing strategy
o On-line marketing and pay per click advertising
o Off-line print advertising
POLAROID CORPORATION – WALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 2003 – 2005
Vice President –Global Sales
Leveraging industry knowledge and relationships to assist Polaroid in the development and implementation of sales
and marketing programs for new Digital Imaging technology.. Creating a sales organization to support new
consumer product slated for introduction in 2005. Responsible for all channels including Consumer Electronics,
Mass Merchant, Club, Direct Sales, Grocery, Drug, Convenience, B2B, Event and Entertainment, and Distribution.
Completed Non-Disclosure meetings on new technology with senior management in all channels
Developed channel strategy for new products shipping in 2005
Assist in development of packaging. marketing strategies and materials.
Manage all channels for existing instant film and camera business
Manage an organization of management and sales personnel of 23
Responsible for sales of approximately $650 million
3. DENNIS WALTHERS
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4901 Harbor Court (972) 813-1406
Flower Mound, Texas 75022 dwalthers@verizon.net
CANON USA – Costa Mesa, California; Lake Success, New York 1993 - 2003
Director / General Manager, Western United States 2001 - 2003
Earned promotion from a $5 billion company offering imaging products that include film cameras, digital cameras,
photo printers and copiers to provide leadership for $350 million in annual sales and distribution throughout the
Western United States. Position entailed managing two directors, eight regional sales mangers and three trainers
and a divisional budget of $350 million in 2002.
Analyzed market trends to develop profitable pricing structures and effective marketing and promotional
strategies.
Managed market development funds, ensuring maximum return on investment.
Provided leadership and motivation for sales team and established sales territories, quotas and goals that
were instrumental in consistently exceeding overall objectives.
Utilized analysis of sales statistics and market research to assist retailers in enhancing sales.
Area Director of Sales 1997 - 2001
Supervised six Regional Sales Mangers in their efforts to capture sales to national and regional retailers, VARS and
distributors with responsibility for sales throughout the entire Southwest.
Completed extensive competitive analysis to provide value to retailers and consumers, consistently
generating sales increases of as much as 60% per year.
Regional Director of Sales 1994 - 1997
Advanced to direct sales efforts in the Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana, Colorado and Missouri region
through management of five associates.
Expanded regional sales by securing new accounts as well as expanding product offerings within existing
accounts.
Championed a program that placed over 100 part-time sales associates in national retailers to demonstrate
and sell Canon products to consumers, increasing sales by 80% and establishing new sales records for each
quarter and the year; strategy was duplicated by competitors and remains in place today with ongoing
success.
Regional Sales Manager 1993 - 1994
Selected to create an effective sales team charged with establishing retail business for Canon’s line of imaging
products throughout the Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and New Mexico region.
Regional Sales Manager (continued)
Negotiated relationships with major retailers including Sam’s Club, Wal-mart, CompUSA and Army, Air
Force and Navy exchanges for placement of Canon products.
Recognized the industry trend to offer consumers complete solutions without purchasing individual
components and collaborated with retail outlets to bundle Canon products with system offerings, gaining
6% overall market share.
PC ACCESSORIES, INCORPORATED – Dallas, Texas 1992 - 1993
Senior Vice President of Sales
Chosen by a startup independent wholesaler of PC accessories such as cables, disk holders and mice to lead sales
efforts through retail and distribution channels. Work encompassed establishing sales strategies, pricing, MDF,
advertising and compensation plans in addition to hiring and training an effective sales team.
4. DENNIS WALTHERS
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4901 Harbor Court (972) 813-1406
Flower Mound, Texas 75022 dwalthers@verizon.net
Drove sales to over $50 million in the first year by leveraging industry relationships to secure business
with more than 26 customers representing 800 locations, instrumental to the successful sale of the
company.
Developed marketing initiatives such as bundling multiple products into convenient consumer “starter
kits,” increasing the average selling price and corporate and retailer profit.
Established partnerships with other vendors to provide them with an alternative wholesale source for
accessories to add value to their product offering.
DELL COMPUTER CORPORATION – Austin, Texas 1991 - 1992
Divisional Sales Manager, Retail
Brought on to maximize retail sales for a leading personal computer manufacturer. Scope of responsibility included
marketing funds management, forecasting, retail detailing, retail point of purchase materials and rapid transition of
products with minimal inventory exposure.
Captured retail channel partnerships with key retailers that included CompUSA, Best Buy, Sam’s Club,
Costco, Price Club, Office Depot and Staples, achieving $100+ million in sales in the first year.
EPSON AMERICA, INCORPORATED – Torrance, California 1983 - 1991
Area Marketing Director, Western United States
Earned fast track promotion through a series of increasingly responsible positions. to be responsible for the
achievement of over $300 million in annual sales including retail, corporate, VAR and distribution through three
offices of a manufacturer of printers, scanners, multi-function devices, projectors and LCD screens, employing a
staff of over 30. Responsibilities also included staff leadership; quota, expense and facilities management; and
development of compensation and bonus plans.
Earned the company’s highest sales award, the 100% club, numerous times for exemplary sales
performance.
Facilitated incredible sales increases by including computer retailers in the competition for quarterly
incentive trips based on purchase volume.
Provided leadership that ensured the success of Epson in the rapidly changing technology environment and
earned the company 80% of the market share in the printer segment.
EDUCATION
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS Austin, Texas