NEIL YOUNG
6612 Canal Drive, 910-458-2726(H) 910-458-3133 (M)
Wrightsville Breach, NC 28428, youngn@aol.com

SENIOR MARKETING EXECUTIVE
Record of defining, delivering, and marketing timely, profitable, leading-edge products

Consummate marketing executive with increasingly responsible experience driving product strategy and execution for Fortune 500 companies. Sophisticated understanding of marketing and finance that enables successful product-strategy development with a focus on profitability; ability to anticipate market trends, initiate timely development, and enhance value in highly competitive and mature markets. Respected as a dynamic team builder, hands-on leader and creative solutions provider. Engage in cross-departmental networking and author forward-thinking marketing plans. MBA in Marketing. Available for travel.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Strategic/Business Planning - Product Development/Launch
Brand Positioning/Management - Market Research
Competitive Intelligence - Consumer Insights - Staff Development/Leadership - Business Development
Sales Management - Continuous Improvement - Project Management - Analytical Problem Solving

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Market Intelligence - Directed a comprehensive large-scale research study on Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) market potential for the Nissan Technical Center. Determined root causes of HEV growth and forecasted influences into five-year horizon. Nissan publicly announced its entry into HEV segment, 2004.

• Project Management - Provided leadership for a $17 million, world-class project designed to educate drivers on the environment impact of Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs). Provided strategic consulting to Regional Transportation Center of San Diego - an AFV education center operated by the San Diego Environmental Foundation (SDEF), 2000-2002.

• Product Innovation - Served as the product/marketing launch leader in bringing many Ford products to market, including the Explorer SUV, 2nd generation Taurus, bi-fuel CNG/LPG F-Series and Econoline, and CNG E-450 Cutaway. Streamlined audio and entertainment systems lineup across all Ford brands. Developed and marketed Ford's first navigational system, 1990-2002.

• Sales & Brand Management - Implemented Ford's first ever "customer focused" brand management process for retail, fleet and AFV operations in North America - achieved and sustained overall truck leadership. Led a team that outsold all competitors combined in AFV sales volume, 1997 - 2002.

• Product Marketing - Created marketing strategy that helped redefine the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment. Positioned Ford Explorer as "all new" to Ford's SUV portfolio. Exceeded sales volume by 200,00 units, and improved stockholder value by $1.2 billion in variable profit contribution, 1988 - 1990.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

ASG RENAISSANCE, Dearborn, MI, 2002-Present
$25M International Professional Services Firm- Specializes in Human Capital, Marketing and Consulting - Retained by Startup, Small-Cap and Fortune 500 companies in US, UK, and Asia

Director, Business Strategy Development/Independent Consultant, GI Business Solutions
Provide strategic and tactical consulting in business development, marketing communications, and new product and service innovation to startup and high-growth companies.

• Led comprehensive market investigation designed to reposition Yamaga Motorcycle's product lineup more competitively against Harley Davidson. Study results reflected that Harley Davidson's market leverage was tied to perceived image and lifestyle, saving Yamaha millions of dollars in product development.

• Developed a claw-back strategy to regain brand equity for a HR software/payroll processing firm with drastically declining sales - $150 million to $7 million. Created full-scale marketing intelligence and communications plan adopted by President of the firm.

• Teamed with Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) on engineering/market assessment, and feasibility study of the design, prototype build, and sale of grid connected Hybrid Electrical shuttle buses built on modified Ford E450 chassis configuration.