Unfulfilling executive career? Transform it before it traps you.

When a family crisis took me out of school at 14 to get a full-time job, it sparked a journey across many industries, roles, and nations.
 
Office work, construction, and self-employment in Australia. Study in the UK. Ministry in Africa. Sales and executive roles in the US. And yet others.

I led the transformation of Arby’s to become one of the world’s fastest-growing restaurant chains. Rated in the Top 10 of over 3,000 franchise systems in the US, with a new location opening every 39 hours. 

When a takeover harmed the culture, I resigned to find a meaningful new path. But then my income was nearly tripled and I stayed on. 

Two years later, I resigned again, to buy or create a business aligned with my values.
I sought strategic, executive-level career support. And couldn’t find it. 

In that gap, I finally recognized my calling. So in 1992, I became a pioneer in this field. 

In 2014, a failed project left us with inadequate capital, and I turned the business over to a consortium of colleagues and clients. They closed it in 2016. In the meantime, I had created and launched a more resilient model. 

Today, our stressed societies desperately need more leaders motivated and able to reform management structures that undervalue higher needs and promote lower ones. 

If you’re ready to reimagine what your career can be, and to align it with your best contributions, there has never been a better time to do so. 

Let’s explore what’s possible. 

📅 Schedule a conversation: https://rjacareers.com/schedule-a-call-rj/

Russell Johnson

Alyssa P.

Local First Arizona

As the Director of Coalition Resources at Local First Arizona, I lead with passion, focusing on expanding our reach and impact. My mission is to attract and retain local business owners in our Business Coalition, driving a diverse and inclusive Arizona economy.

Key Highlights:

Statewide Coalition Leadership:
I manage a coalition of over 1700 active members, creating strategies for impactful events, campaigns, and opportunities. Leading outreach efforts, I boost business participation in our coalition, programs, and events.

Engagement and Retention:
Redesigned messaging for renewal and retention, significantly improving engagement rates. I oversee the coalition’s budget, securing sponsorships, partnerships, and additional funding opportunities.

Digital and Social Media Promotion:
Enhance membership visibility through digital platforms, including the Local First Arizona Business Facebook group and other social media channels. Engage large businesses for strategic collaborations and funding.

Campaigns and Events:
Drive participation in Local First events and campaigns, facilitating business networking and community support. Collaborate with regional teams to streamline processes. Manage the development and execution of Small Wonders Maps throughout Arizona.

Change Management and CRM Update:
Lead initiatives to update our company-wide CRM, ensuring it supports coalition growth and engagement.

Team Leadership and Development:
Guide and mentor a team of five, fostering professional growth and ensuring top-tier community response.

Marketing and Storytelling:
Partner with the Marketing Team to promote coalition businesses and share their success stories. Develop creative marketing ideas to enhance the value for local businesses.

Strategic Support:
Engage in strategic planning and goal setting with the Local First team. Stay updated on economic trends, representing the coalition at community events and collaborations.

Director of Coalition Resources

Johnson Controls

Leading a $35MM business across the West U.S. and Canada, I drove record revenue growth with zero turnover. I created an atmosphere where the team was motivated and excited to excel. This chapter of my leadership journey was about guiding a team to achieve collective success and helping each member realize their full potential.

Key Highlights:

Sales Team Leadership and Success:
Managed a team of eight that operated like a supergroup – trust, respect, and humor were our secret weapons. Achieved significant business growth and maintained high team morale.

Strategic Sales Leadership:
Developed and executed successful sales strategies, ensuring the team was aligned and driven. Focused on creating an environment where everyone was encouraged to bring their best.

Relationship Building:
Excelled in building relationships from casual chats with frontline staff to strategic discussions with executives, turning connections into successful collaborations.

DEI Initiatives:
Played a key role in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, running workshops and sparking new ideas to ensure every voice was heard and valued.

Technology Utilization:
Leveraged tools like Salesforce and Microsoft Office Suite to highlight team accomplishments and strategically plan future steps.

Region Sales Manager

Goodman Manufacturing

Led a team of thirteen across Arizona and Utah, achieving $18M in new business growth and targeting $158M in sales for 2021.

Key Highlights:

Revenue Growth:
Drove an 18% revenue increase to $132M. Awarded "Area Sales Manager of the Year."

Sales Strategy:
Utilized data-driven strategies to boost sales, earning the "Region of the Year" title.

Leadership Development:
Developed training systems, transforming managers into leaders and boosting sales growth.

Market Expansion:
Expanded team from five to seven managers, redefining market presence.

Customer Satisfaction:
Maintained high customer satisfaction through regular visits and hands-on resolution.

Area Sales Manager

Spearheaded aftermarket parts sales, boosting revenue and enhancing vendor relationships.

Regional Parts Manager

Led branch operations, achieving consistent revenue growth and receiving multiple awards for performance and customer service.

Branch Manager

East Valley Children's Theatre

Taught musical theatre and improvisation, focusing on leadership and skill development.

Theatre Instructor

LEAPlab

Developed and managed digital marketing strategies, enhancing customer relationships and lead generation. Implemented SEO and PPC campaigns to boost online visibility and drive traffic.

Search Engine Optimization Manager | Pay-Per-Click Manager

Empirical Marketing

•	Created project schedule for a team of 20. Directed staff assignments to ensure quality and efficiency to complete projects meeting all deadlines.
•	Collaborated with 3-5 external clients simultaneously on project objectives, processes, and results for web design, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), and Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertisement management; maintained client relationship management that resulted in referrals for new business development.
•	Monitored, evaluated, and recorded website and project statistics to increase efficiency and lead generation using internal programs and Google Analytics.
•	Employed SEO techniques and principles to improve visibility on search engine results pages and achieve page 1 ranking on Google for company-owned websites.
•	Recruited, selected, and maintained relationships with online affiliate partners to increase brand awareness.

Areas of Expertise: 
•	Sales Support
•	Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
•	Direct Marketing
•	Business Operations Management
•	Product Knowledge
•	Business Growth Strategies
•	Vendor Management
•	Account Management
•	Social Media Marketing
•	Cross-Selling & Upselling
•	Customer Retention
•	Relationship Building
•	Digital Marketing Management
•	New Customer Acquisition & Business Development
•	Consulting Experience

Production Manager

PPC Program Manager
•	Designed and executed Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising campaigns through Google AdWords and MSN adCenter to generate leads for websites.
•	Created, executed, and managed digital advertising campaigns for retail and finance industry clients.
•	Managed customer relationships focused on rapport building for long-term customer retention, cross-selling, and new customer acquisition.
•	Provided consulting services to clients on digital sales and marketing strategies to enhance PPC campaign lead generation results.

Program Manager, Pay-Per-Click

SEO Manager
•	Planned, assigned, created, edited, and published original content for internal and external client websites and blogs. Cross-sell digital marketing services to clients.
•	Managed a team of 5 to 8 outsourced digital content creation staff; reviewed, edited, and approved all copy before publication.
•	Built website links, provided marketing consultation, and managed social media accounts with a focus on customer engagement and continuously increasing lead generation for a 100+ client portfolio of financial service organizations.

Search Engine Optimization Manager

I'm a relationship-driven business strategist who builds things that matter — teams, partnerships, communities, and ideas that last.

For 15+ years, I’ve helped businesses grow with heart and purpose, leading high-performing teams and developing multimillion-dollar partnerships across diverse industries. My sweet spot is where strategy meets connection — creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and set up to succeed.

Currently, I lead a statewide coalition of 1,700+ businesses at Local First Arizona, driving engagement, revenue growth, and community impact. I’m passionate about helping leaders and entrepreneurs cut through the noise, build meaningful relationships, and do business in a way that feels human.

Outside of work, I’m raising two wild and wonderful humans, running a side hustle bookstore that delivers surprise-wrapped, preloved reads (because books build community too), and showing up for the people and places I love.

Always here for good conversation, creative collaboration, and building what comes next.

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The Battle

Russell Johnson

Alyssa D.

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