Heartland · 2022–2024
Vice President of Sales
I directed more than 10 sales divisions across five states, leading a 60-person team. My responsibilities included recruiting, onboarding, training and coaching emerging leaders for their next role.
About Tony
My approach: Awareness, Acknowledge, Action ↗I didn’t start
with a handbook.
I wanted to provide value and make an impact. Learning how to lead people took experience, mistakes and mentors who were willing to tell me the truth.
The responsibility
changed my perspective.
My career has taken me from sales into leadership, including extensive experience in financial services and payments. Along the way, I have had victories and disappointments. I have climbed the ranks, been demoted and been passed over for promotions I thought I deserved.
Some of the opportunities I missed turned out to be better for me than I could see at the time. I have made plenty of mistakes. I have also been mentored by people whose influence made a lasting difference.
I am a product of mentorship. Trying to have every answer myself was not the answer. Learning to ask for help, listen and take responsibility became part of how I lead.
Professional development
Maxwell Leadership
Certified Team Member
Experience behind the work
Leading people.
Carrying responsibility.
These are examples from my corporate leadership career. They shape how I approach recruiting, developing leaders and helping teams follow through.
Heartland · 2010–2022
Wisconsin Division Sales Manager
I led a division of more than 20 sales professionals and developed a selling system adopted by a Fortune 500 company. Building the team meant creating expectations, developing people and making execution repeatable.
Promark 1 · 1996–1999
Corporate Sales Trainer
I created and implemented training programs for more than 5,000 sales representatives nationwide and led teams of more than 100 sales professionals. That work helped shape my approach to teaching, coaching and developing others.
Selected recognition
- National sales leadership: #3 Division Sales Manager in 2013 and #2 Platinum Division Sales Manager in 2014 at Heartland.
- Chairman’s Club: Heartland recognition for 2015 and 2016.
- Impact through coaching: LifeChanger of the Year nominee, National Life Group, 2023, associated with Arrowhead High School.
Alongside my business experience, I have been a Maxwell Leadership certified coach, speaker and trainer since 2016 and a Positive Coaching Alliance certified trainer since 2023.
A moment that stayed with me
Winning felt good.
Helping others get there
meant more.
I remember winning my first incentive trip and seeing other leaders there with their teams. I was jealous of how much fun they were having together.
I started thinking about how much better it would feel to bring other people along. That moment changed how I thought about achievement.
One of my greatest joys has become seeing someone I have helped achieve a goal. That has meant more to me than an award.
Read nine lessons from my leadership journey ↗People first.
Responsibility always.
I strive to love my people more than my position. To me, that means investing in growth, recognizing contributions and being there when someone falls short.
It also means honest feedback, clear expectations and difficult decisions. Caring for people and holding a standard belong in the same conversation.
Explore my approach ↗Professional recommendations
“Tony was my sales trainer while at ProMark. He pretty much changed my life through his positive attitude, exceptional communication skills, and ability to lead.”
“He took the time and welcomed any and all questions I threw at him.”