William R. Morton
1205 W. Sherwin Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60626
WilliamMorton.Resume@gmail.com



Objective: Motivated self-starter with extensive sales and management experience. Adept in prospecting for and in acquiring new clients coupled with strong closing skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with management, staff, and customers. Results-oriented team player with excellent analytical, problem-solving and organizational skills. Accountable for high dollar inventories. Totally focused on bottom line results in a fast paced environment within tight time constraints.


Work experience

April 2009 - present Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce Chicago, IL
Chamber President

The Chamber’s Board of Directors is responsible for the day-to-day management of all the Chamber’s functions carrying out policies established by the Board through an annual program of work.

Duties and Responsibilities include: Work with the Chair to prepare agendas and materials for Board and Executive Committee meetings, Develop goals and objectives for recommendation to the Board, Establish administrative policies and procedures for office functions, and Serve as the principal spokesperson and ambassador for the Chamber.


December 2009 - present Bill Morton Promotions Chicago, IL
Publicist

Main responsibility, get positive press coverage for clients. Create and maintain good relationships with journalists, send original, insightful, timely story ideas that involve clients. Create standard press release, complete with an attention-catching headline, a lead paragraph that hooks in the reader and quotes from sources. Cultivate a genuine, working relationship with reporters, editors and TV news producers.

Handle all interview requests, protect the client from any surprises, supervise interviews, and organize press tours for public figures, celebrities and authors. Makes all the travel arrangements for the client, sets up locations, arranges for press passes and accompany the client on the road. Network with online bloggers and read and respond to comments on popular social networks. Arrange for a live, online Q&A session with popular fan sites and interviews with radio stations and podcasts.


October 2009 – present Willye B. White Park Advisory Council Chicago, IL
Secretary

Keeps a record of attendees and all regular meeting notes, prepares and distributes annual meeting schedule, prepares and distributes meeting agenda prior to scheduled meeting, Provides for the distribution of meeting notes prior to the next meeting, Provides support for correspondence of the Council and performs other duties as necessary as instructed by the Chair.


2001 – present Quest Network Services Chicago, IL
Retail Inside/Outside Sales Representative/Store Manager

2007 – Present: Responsible for prospecting new business customers. Accountable for consistently meeting assigned quotas, responsible for creative lead generation activities, and implementing guerrilla marketing tactics. Perform outside/inside sales prospecting activities to consumers for new business. Develop a creative plan to generate leads through prospecting multiple sources including: table/tent events, sporting events, trade shows, cold calling, in-person visits, and telephone and email campaigns.

Establish and maintain good relationships with clients, networking groups, professional organizations and the community in order to develop new business. Solution selling tailored to meet the needs of consumers. Make sales pitches and follow-up calls to prospective new business. Consistently close new business subject to a monthly quota.

2001 – 2006: Sales and “bottom-line” profits of the store. Recruit, hire, train, evaluate and counsel store employees. Schedule, organize and direct assignments. Maintain, encourage and possess “ownership mentality”. Develop and implement employee performance evaluations and improvement plans. Effectively manage employee turnover. Provide a positive working environment and handle employee issues appropriately and in a timely manner.

Resolve customer problems or complaints by determining optimal solutions. Ensure interior and exterior of store is maintained to company standards. Utilize labor management tools, including effective scheduling, to maximize productivity, profitability and margins. Encourage store employees to take ownership for their performance and career development plans; follow up on a regular basis. Provide exceptional customer service and ensure the employees also provide the same level of service.


August – November 2008 Cook County Department of Elections Chicago, IL
Elections Clerk

Compiled and verified voter lists from official registration records. Requested identification of voters at polling place. Obtained signatures and recorded names of voters to prevent voting of unauthorized persons. Distributed ballots to voters and answered questions concerning voting procedure. Counted valid ballots and prepared official reports of election results.


2003 - 2008 Kate Smith Promotions Evanston, IL
Promotion Assistant

Acquired national radio airplay for Jazz and World artists via phone and email. Data entry was required utilizing a Microsoft Access database. Networked at industry events, such as the Annual IAJE Music Conference.


2007 – 2008 Chicago Special Events Management Chicago, IL
Event Assistant

Assisted users of facilities by providing requirements in regard to technical, security, and/or other requirements. Assisted in problem resolution and answered questions. Referred to appropriate department when unable to respond.

Attended events to assist with the facilitation of operations and respond to emergencies, problems, etc. Ensured that assigned aspects of events are implemented and controlled according to plans. Responsible for making sure that shows or events scheduled at a location proceed as planned. Job duties and responsibilities were crucial and determine the success or failure of events.


Education

1996 The Interservice Postal School (USN) Fort Jackson, SC
Postal diploma

1994 - 1995 Triton College River Grove, IL

June 26th 1995 GED River Grove, IL
GED certificate


Community activities

Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce, President
Willye B. White Park Advisory Council, Secretary
Rogers Park/West Ridge Historical Society, PR Committee
Citizens for the Adelphi Theater, President