Alumni Directory

Jacob Koller

Regional Director US Pro Dealer
Metrie

School Information

School: Michigan State University

College Major: Business

 Years at College Works: 2004 to 2007

Career Information

Working For: Metrie

Title: Regional Director US Pro Dealer

Industry: Construction

Brief Description of Duties / Responsibilities:

1. Strategic a. Collaborate with all functions to create an actionable Regional Business Plan (RBP). b. Ensure employee performance and accountability expectations are aligned with the RBP strategies and objectives. c. Effectively collaborate and leverage matrixed CSS functions of the business to support Channel strategies. (Channel/Marketing, Finance, I/T) 2. Financial Result a. Establish appropriate budgets in line with channel strategies and RBP’s. b. Accountability achieving and developing of IQR goals and metrics in line with financial objectives c. Deliver quarterly and annual financial results that meet or exceed the annual financial budget 3. Customer Focus a. Leverage our integrated position (manufacturing and distribution), supplier relationships and people talent to deliver a customer centric approach. b. Leverage market insight, influence and downstream initiatives to create 360 demand. c. Alignment of strategy, objectives and opportunities with top segmented channel partners. 4. Supplier a. Maintain, develop and grow relationships with current key vendors. b. Ensure a reliable and cost-effective network of suppliers and third party logistics vendors. 5. Operational Excellence a. Drive a culture of best practice sharing and continuous improvement. b. Align operational strategies and objectives with the customer centric approach to deliver a tailored competitive advantage in the market place. 6. Talent Management a. Become a talent advantaged company through assessment and development of people. b. Provide oversight for organizational transformation and change c. Ensure individual goals are executable and in alignment with regional expectations d. Ensure employee engagement, and that roles are staffed with the appropriate skills and talents to execute on RBP’s

What Has Been Your Proudest Accomplishment Post-CWP?

Taking control of the sales for one of the largest, fastest growing branches in our company.

College Works Career Impact

In one sentence, what has CW meant to you?

College Works Painting helped me build a strong skill set needed in a competitive environment, and more importantly find my voice as as a leader.

How did your CW experience impact your career? Immediately after graduation? Now?

The most important thing was that it showed an ability to be a sound decision maker.

What do you want to tell your clients about what it meant to work with them and how it has helped you get to where you are today?

Mr. Murgando. Thanks for making the sale tough. You were a great story to tell in an interview.

What was the greatest lesson you learned from your CW experience?

Are you someone that asks for permission or someone that asks for forgiveness? That question will tell you a lot about someone.

How have the friendships and networks you built during CW affected you?

Some of the greatest people I have met were in the program and will be long time friends and potential business partners forever.

If you had to come up with a one line slogan for CW, what would it be?

Setting yourself apart.

Advice

What advice do you have for potential CW participants? Current CW participants?

The competition you will see after getting out of school is changing. Candidates for major positions are walking into interviews with a proven track record of the skills they have acquired outside of the classroom. The investment in yourself now is critical to your long term success.

What’s your best advice for someone interested in entering your career field?

Speak to people in the field you are going into and find out what type of things they were asked in interviews. See what the employers say is important. Lastly, decision making skills is not field specific, it critical to your success if you want to move forward in life.