Fernando Quirós

After contributing to the growth and success different Multinational Companies, such as Sennheiser, Sony and Globalstar (Consumer Electronics), FUNDES, Xerox and Unisys (Consunting, Technology and Project Management) in the past 30 years, i am seeking new challenges with a company in need of someone with exceptional planning, leadership, management and negotiations skill, and experience doing business in the LATIN AMERICAN region (Managed up to 16 countries).

SENNHEISER

REGION MANAGER CENTRAL AMERICA, CARIBBEAN, BOLIVIA & URUGUAY | JAN 2018 - CURRENT

▪ In charge of all Consumer Business (headphones, wearables and soundbars for the region)

▪ Increased By 400% the Point of Sales at airport in LATAM. Also we are in 20 airports in 2023, whereas we were in 5 airports in 2021

▪ Lead negotiator and person in charge with all Travel Retail Industry’s Dealers/Wholesalers, resulting in an increase of 200% in sales forecast in 2022.

▪ Increased the sales numbers by 400% in 5 years. Only region that reached the numbers in Pandemia (april 2020- march 2021).

▪ Lead the initiatives “Study from Home” and “Home Office work” during Pandemia, with sales of $1M in headphones and headsets.

▪ Increased the number of retailers from 7 in 2018, to 24 in 2023 throughout Central America and Caribbean.

▪ Responsible for the 1st successful negotiation with an Apple reseller, to have floor print in this APR in Dominican /Republic in 2022. By the end of 2023, will be present in iShops in Central America also.

▪ Implemented the “80/20” initiative, to reduce the overall cost of operation and improve the sell out in the region. This have help increase the Gross margin and reduce the time to market in Central America and Caribbean.

▪ Responsible for marketing and promotions initiatives in the region, leading to reach the sales (and exceed) forecast by more than 100% approx annually.

NOTE*.  From august 2013 to January 2018, I stopped working formally, as my son (who suffered a brain paralysis when born) needed 4 surgeries in a 4 year spam, to improve his walking abilities, in Colombia).

FUNDES

CEO/GENERAL MANAGER | OCT 2010 – JUL 2013  

▪ Responsible for implementing the new Business Strategy (from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Business Trainers and Educators to a SME’s Consulting Business Company). This lead to a “overhaul” of employees skills, business transactions and income and “go to market” operations.

▪ Took the company from red income numbers (almost Bankrupt) to a net $1.5M Income in 2011

▪ Lead the negotiations and Business agreements for projects with the Panama Canal, Cervecería National and Nestle, that resulted in multi-years contract of more that $3.9M in 2 years. Consulting Marging of 40%.

▪ Negotiated and closed the “deal” with the Panamanian government, to help the Small and Medium Enterprises, in the Cadena De Frío and Merca Panama initiatives. Contract value of $650k.

▪ Panama’s operation got awarded 2 years in a row as the “best working environment” subsidiarie, and best Business numbers, in the Region.

GLOBALSTAR

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR LATIN AMERICA | MAR 2009 – SEPT 2010  

▪ Lead the company to increase the dealer base in 400% in 8 months. Resulting in a sale increase of more than $500k in one year.

▪ Design and implemented the plan to launch SPOT, a wearable consumer device (satellite GPS product) in 2009 (2Q), for LATAM. This included marketing and merchandising initiatives, advertising campaigns, and sales forecast. Resulted in $700k Business in the first year.

▪ Re launched the Satellital Business communications (phones), and re define the dealers profiles.  This lead to an increase of more than 15 new dealers in LATAM, and improve the sales numbers in 50% approx, in my first year.

▪ Renegotiated the business contracts with Chilean, Argentinian, Colombian and Panamanian Goverments, for the use of Satellite phones, minutes plans and customer services plans.

SENNHEISER

REGION MANAGER CENTRAL AMERICA, CARIBBEAN, VENEZUELA AND COLOMBIA | JUL 2005 –  2008

▪ In charge of all 6 categories of Business of Sennheiser: Music, Pro Audio, Consumer Electronics, Audiology, Installed Sound and Aviation.

▪ Appointed to re-launch the Consumer Electronics Business in LATAM (except Mexico and Brasil) (due to my SONY experience). Resulted in an increase of sales from $200k in 2004 to a record $950k in 2005.

▪ Increased the number of Consumer Retailers from 9 in 2004, to 30 in 2005 throughout my region.

▪ Lead the LATAM Team in sales 3 years in a row, with a 35% growth (all categories combined).

▪ Lead negotiator and person in charge with all TV Broadcasting companies in the region, resulting in an increase of Pro Audio Business of 60% in TV stations in 2 years and a net income of more than $1.2M in that time period.  

▪ Implemented the 1st electronic voting solution in the Region. A project sold to the Panama Parlament. Project worthed $375k. Also sold the 1st Guideport Solution in LATAM, project implemented in the Panama Canal. Project worthed $400k.

▪ Increased the number of dealers in the region by 200% in the first year of ops, thus increased our share of market and floor print against Shure. This also lead to an increase in share of market from 35% to 55% in sales and POS.

▪ Rewarded as the best region (sales and market share increase) in all Americas, and got to go to the World Cup with 9 of my top customers in 2006

SONY CENTROAMERICA & PANAMA

SALES MANAGER CENTRAL AMERICA BRANCH | JUN 2002 – NOV 2003

▪ Lead my team to reach $13M in sales in 2002, in Panama. Reached the $15.5M in 2003.

▪ Increased the digital cameras sales by 40% in 2002 and 45% in 2003 in Panama.

▪ In charged of the marketing and merchandising initiatives for Audio-video products in Panama, resulting in an increase in sales and share of market in 2002/2003 period.

▪ Appointed to manage AIWA Business in Panama, resulting in $3M in sales in 2002 and $4M in 2003.

▪ Part of the Six Sigma Team that reduced in 16% the operating costs of SONY Panama.

UNISYS CENTROAMÉRICA

SALES MANAGER PANAMA | FEB 2001 – MAY 2002

▪ Sold and implemented a Data Center in the Panama Canal Commission, in 2001, for a total of $1.8M

▪ Increased the total projects sold in Panama from 5 in 2000 to 11 in my time spam at Unisys, for a total of $7.2M

▪ Lead the consulting team that worked in the Digital Panamanian ID project, worth $5M.

XEROX

KEY ACCOUNT SALES EXECUTIVE | SEPT 1999 –  FEB 2001

▪ Negotiated and close the deal with the Panama Canal for the Documents Management and Services worth $1.4M

▪ Negotiated and sold the Print on Demand contract with Cable & Wireless, awarded for $720k in 2 industrial printers and $500k/year in document management services.

▪ Appointed to manage Cable and Wireless, Panama Canal and Bellsouth Business relations. My forecast was $2.5M yearly.

PANAMA CANAL COMMISSION

ADMIN CLERK| ABR 1995 – AGO 19991

UNITED AIRLINES

CUSTOMER SERVICES REP (CSR)/ CSR TRAINER | ENE 2003 – ABR 2005

Educational background

2004-2005.    INCAE​.    MANAGUA, NICARAGUA

Master in Business Administration with Marketing Emphasis

2000-2001.    UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE.   PANAMA, REPUBLIC OF PANAMA/LOUISVILLE, USA

Master in Engineerial Management

1996-1999.     ULACIT.    PANAMA, REPUBLIC OF PANAMA

Industrial Engineer

LANGUAGES: English (Native), Spanish (Native)