THE 2019 SALES & MARKETING PROFESSIONALS OF THE YEAR.

• Author: Bicknell, Lindsay
• Position: Cover story

Our sales and marketing professionals are what drive our companies to success, and when they win, the entire team wins. Every small victory is worthy of celebration when you're driving down the bottom line but some stand out high above the rest. Here are the hardest hitting sales and marketing professionals of 2019.

SALES PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

ANDREW DeLaMARE

Sales Director of Key Accounts | OptConnect

When Andrew DeLaMare joined OptConnect in 2012, he has proved time and time again to be a leader, mentor, and a respected authority in sales. Driving over 50 percent of all company sales, he has increased 2018 sales by 10 percent and increased the amount of product services sold by 118 percent since 2017. For one product in particular, OptReboot, Mr. DeLaMare increased sales by 774 percent in 2018. And during the summer SIM Campaign, he outsold all other sales associates 100 to one. "I initially didn't think I would do well in sales," Mr. DeLaMare says, but he's since proven himself wrong. "I doubted myself and that I could make a viable career out of this. But I've surprised myself in how invested I've become."

On top of his own accomplishments, Mr. DeLaMare believes in taking the time to care for his team. "Andrew has truly been a pillar in the sales department here at OptConnect," says Miranda Romero, marketing coordinator at OptConnect. "He always puts his team first, no matter what." After meeting his own monthly quotas, he works to support the remaining team quota. "Each day I go to work, I am excited about a number of opportunities I'm working on," he says. "It's rewarding to see a partnership flourish and know you had a part in that development."

BARRY ROBERTS

Senior Business Advisor | G&A Partners

While Barry Roberts, senior business advisor with G&A Partners, believes he just woke up one morning in a sales career, he hasn't gotten to where he is today without hard work. Not only has he been the number one salesperson for five of the last seven years, but he also holds the sales record for highest volume closed in a single year by any sales rep in G&A history. From 2011 to 2017, he closed twice as much new business as any other member of the G&A sales organization. "Sales isn't a unique skill set. It's innate in every interaction we have. Some of us just get paid to do it," says Mr. Roberts.

Over the last 18 months, Mr. Roberts' direct sales efforts have allowed his team to add 51 new clients and $54 million in payroll volume, providing new means to hire new talent, grow recognition, and even acquire new competitors along the way. "It's all about challenging the status quo," he says. "The challenge is acknowledging your solution isn't designed for everyone, and the reward is finding those that you can help."

BRYCE BLANCHARD

Principal/Executive Director of Investments | Newmark Grubb ACRES

Bryce Blanchard began his career at Newmark Grubb ACRES in 1999 as an investment sales specialist, and across his 19 years in the business, he has risen to principal and executive director of investments. Responsible for over $2 billion in more than 245 transactions, his productivity has landed him on Newmark's Top 10 Agents list for the last 14 years. In 2018, he brokered one of the largest industrial investment transactions in Utah's history-worth just over $91 million-and has had a record setting year with a gross commission topping out just over $1.6 million. Including his fourth quarter closings, he has become the highest grossing broker in Newmark's 20 year history.

"I'll hit my 20th year in May as a commercial real estate investment sales broker," Mr. Blanchard says, recounting his accomplishments so far. And during that time, "I've always had the ability to convince people of my ideas. I was voted 'most likely to sell ice to Eskimos' in my MBA program." Mr. Blanchard gives 110 percent in everything he does, from real estate investment sales to volunteer work, offering his time as a leader and coach in local youth organizations, and recently serving as president of the Utah Jazz 100 Club.

CLAIRE LARSON

Director of Sales & Marketing | Woodside Homes, Utah

Claire Larson started her career in sales and marketing twenty-five years ago and has no intention of looking back. "Marketing has changed so much in the last 10, 20, 30 years, and it's so exciting to learn and grow as our industry evolves," she says. "I'm still here after so many years because I enjoy a bright idea." As the director of sales and marketing at Woodside Homes, her goal is to build a passionate team of professionals.

Ms. Larson has been instrumental in engaging with the community, helping to orchestrate Woodside Homes' leap partnership with the University of Utah and Brigham Young University. She is also an active member of the Salt Lake, Utah County, Northern Wasatch, and Park City Board of Realtors. She works hard to spread her enthusiasm in sales and real estate. "I see value in growing people," she says, referring both to employees at Woodside as well as her customers. Aside from serving on several Board of Realtors, Ms. Larson also regularly volunteers at Intermountain Donor Services, the American Heart Association, and Habitat for Humanity.

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