Tom Neville

Houston, Texas tom.neville@tom-neville.com www.linkedin.com/in/tomnevilletruegrid (713) 443-8880

Executive Management
Sales and Marketing
Experienced Executive Leader with an exceptional and consistent reputation in building relationships based on trust,
high ethics, and fiscal accountability. A customer centric leader who generates significant profit, builds collaborative
teams, and understands the complexity and importance of domestic and international business and distribution. With
an early career grounded in sales, moved well-known brands, such as Armstrong and Lego, utilizing special events,
promotions, and television all firsts for those companies at the time. Strategically captures additional market share
in North America and globally by placing products and brands into new territories. Continually develops and promotes
corporate vision and strategy to achieve companys mission and purpose.
Sales Growth Licensing Groups Distributor Management & Relationships E-Commerce Television-driven
Promotions Inventor Development Extensive Sales/Operational experience in Asia Rep Firm Management IPO
Launch Experience M&A Committee Experience OEM Sales/Distribution P&L, EBITDA, Cost Containment
Sales Budgets Forecasts C-Suite Development Public Relations Social Media

Professional Experience
TrueGrid Pavers, Houston, TX

4/15 12/15

Developer of flexible permeable pavers used for low impact land development, storm water management and erosion
control in the construction industry

Investor & Interim Executive Vice President, Business Development

Performance Impact: Formalized sales management systems to optimize project leads. Established agent &
distributor network. Increased brand presence and product specified projects. Formed new channel of business via
industrial sector. Facilitated exposure to civil engineer, architect, landscape architect, developers, municipals, and
others groups through presentations and affiliation / association speeches which accelerates the revenue stream
Original investor and Executive Team member assisting in setting the vision and blueprint for a very new entity
in an entrepreneurial environment.
Performed industry / market segment research to better define strategic and focused direction.
Cultivated extensive industry network designed to introduce and build brand awareness.
Generated prospective project list, creating a potentially considerable future revenue stream.

TCG Toys, Toronto, Canada

1/02 08/14

Privately-owned designer and manufacturer of OEM, licensed, and non-licensed puzzles, games, activities and toys

Managing Director / Partner, USA and International

Performance Impact: Originated and significantly grew promotional and basic presence of national retail account
base, including Walmart. Experienced 80% to 90% sell-thru with multi-million dollar revenue stream. Propelled
international business by developing high profile relationships. Sales growth of 90% during tenure.
Influential member of executive committee that grew business from its infancy to a multi-million dollar
organization.
Increased sales with greater points of distribution (PODs) more than 10 times in as many years.
Expanded international OEM distribution from six countries to 30+ with expansion into Europe, Southeast
Asia, and Latin America. Drew 25% of revenue internationally to balance any risks from North America sales.
Managed and/or supervised high-profile accounts, i.e., Walmart, Toys R Us, Target, Amazon, Kohls, others.
Established and directed global representative and distributor networks.

DSI Toys, Inc., Houston, TX

Developer and manufacturer of multiple category of toys and consumer electronics products

Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales (1996 2002)

Vice President, Sales and Marketing (1995 1996)
National Sales Manager (1994 1995)

12/94 11/02

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Performance Impact: Teamed in elevating company from trading house mode of business to a proprietary and
branded business model. Launched television campaigns for various products. Cultivated key global C-suite contacts
to maximize distribution. Heavy involvement with Asia-based manufacturing and operations process.
Built Rosie Doll success and expanded Rosie, and brand extensions, adding 18 languages and over
$50MM in sales.
Expanded international sales from 5% of revenue to 30%. Initially penetrated the UK and European markets
and then extended into South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Japan Korea and areas of Latin America.
Increased big box sales from $28MM to $80MM, managing accounts such as Walmart, TRU, Target, QVC.
Supervised inventory for domestic JIT programs and other domestic sales.
Established and directed national merchandising program for promotional and feature items. These initiativebased programs ranged from $500K to $3MM in incremental sales.

BRIK Toy Company, Houston, TX

01/92 to 12/94

Designer and manufacturer of life-sized interlocking toy plastic bricks and role-play construction accessories

Senior Regional Sales Manager

Performance Impact: Transitioned this oversized childrens building product from the specialty market to the more
lucrative national market by securing both Target and Toys R Us accounts via cold calling buyers.
Tripled annual stores sales with a strategic push to host special events, consumer shows, massive in-store
displays, children museum placement, and public-area playroom placement.
Created an organic approach to distribute an extremely large product that was not shelf-friendly, yet needed
presence on the retail shelf to develop sales.
Quadrupled catalog and educational sales with participation in applicable association and organizations.
Directed consumer promotions and marketing. Managed national merchandising programs.

LEGO Systems Inc., Enfield, CT / Houston, TX

12/88 12/91

Designer and manufacturer of the world-famous LEGO brand building system distributed in 130+ countries

Sales Representative
Performance Impact: Increased product shelf presence between 25% to 75% through community-based special
events, such as LEGO in-store building contests and special events at major retail chains. Called on territory specialty
stores.
Grew territory sales by 102% from 1989 through 1991. Operated as a two-rep team comprised of marketing and
distribution. Applied this business management model to $100K+ annual accounts.
Rolled out the first television-promoted line with multi-facet promotional strategy.

Slaughter Distributing, Houston, TX

7/86 12/88

Marketer and distributor of Armstrong World Industry floor covering and other flooring manufacturers in TX and LA.

Sales Representative
Performance Impact: Produced 10-fold increase in sales. Grew companys DIY market by 78%.
installation clinics and product knowledge seminars resulting in increased brand acceptance.

Organized

Collaborated with Armstrong district personnel to execute national program roll-outs.

Demonstrated strong sales management skills by growing extensive portfolio of diverse accounts.

Education and Associations

Millikin University, Decatur, IL: 1986

Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Finance with a minor in Psychology

Toy Industry Foundation: Co-Chair, Toy Bank Committee (2004 2014)

StarTrust Federal Credit Union: Chairman, Marketing & Membership Committee, aka Enron FCU (2001 2013)
Houston YMCA: Membership Committee, Area Fundraiser Annual Campaign (2006 - Present)
Member: Hong Kong Trade Council, Toy Industry Association, Toy Industry Foundation