James Forte: Freelance Photographer in chico, CA

James is a photographer and partner in a business that creates and captures award-winning images of the outdoors, people and products. • Stock image library of over 100,000 images that is co-managed by my wife and partner in business. Images are sold through agencies: Getty Images, Corbis Images, National Geographic, Aurora, Panoramic Images • Execute freelance photo shoots on location from creative conceptualizing to client communications and organization of locations, travel, digital file processing and delivery

• Head national sales for sustainable products covering 4 key accounts in highly competitive territories • Increase bottom-line by 10%, on pace to achieve $3M all from new business by upselling products and identifying new revenue streams • Win a major fast-growing multi-billion dollar global sportswear direct-to-consumer account • Onboard used materials manufacturers, recyclers, and companies for integration into supply chain and products • Develop new website and all new product photography during the slow sales period created by COVID pandemic Client Portfolio Disney, Gymshark, Bath & Bodyworks, assorted apparel brands

• Launched the initial Coffee Fest Portfolio trade show in the Pacific Northwest that generated $950K in revenue in one year and expanded sales revenue in three existing Coffee Fest shows • Generated sales revenue from an existing customer base for 60% of the show and brought in another 40% by securing new relationships • Exceeded revenue goal and 185,000 square footage goal the new show and brought in six-figure revenue to the existing shows • Secured additional revenue streams from weekly, monthly and annual professional portfolio management • Increased sales growth by meeting the customers’ needs while preparing the clients for future engagements, ensuring a healthy and robust sales pipeline • Captured incremental revenue through the constant exposure of the company’s unique products and services using a “show it, sell it, keep it” daily mantra Client Portfolio • Roasters, Food & Beverage Manufacturers, Equipment Suppliers, Distributors, and Service Providers

• Spearheaded and implemented the US B2B sales plan and inventory strategy, driving growth in Café and Natural Grocery channels nationwide • Expanded brand presence from Cafés into Grocery, Corporate, Universities, and the US consumer market; increased accounts from 20 to 100 in less than one year • Hired four territory sales rep groups covering the Midwest, Northwest, East Coast, and San Francisco Bay Area • Created the USA strategic plan and forecasted inventory for the USA wholesale and DTC categories • Forged an internal relationship with Facebook that brought JOCO Cups in front of the worldwide staff • Significant increase in all door counts Client Portfolio Café, Colleges, Corporate, Gift, Grocery, and Natural Products

• Oversaw over 1000 national accounts, driving multi-category business development in Beverage, Corporate Sales, Outdoors, and Events Industries • Led an established business category through 3X growth year after year, improving partnerships and brand awareness; increased annual sales from $850K to over $7M • Negotiated complex deal structures with the C-suite at Facebook and Silicon Valley technology companies • Hired, managed, and trained three internal sales representatives committed to the success of building an iconic brand • Developed marketing and sales strategies and defined new product developments • Ensured fiduciary success alongside business growth by developing accurate forecasts and sales plans • Managed pop-ups and experience events at America’s Cup, Telluride Bluegrass, and Outerbike Client Portfolio Beverage: Budweiser, Firestone, New Belgium, Peet’s, Sierra Nevada, Stumptown Corporate: Facebook, Fairmont Resorts, Four Seasons, Google, Lexus, Toshiba, Yelp Outdoor: Arc’Teryx, Gore, Moosejaw, Patagonia, REI, The North Face, Events: America’s Cup, Telluride Bluegrass, World Ski Championships, X-Games