Jonathan Bissell
Bluffton,MT
Summary
Customer-oriented professional in the fishing and hunting industry with over 25 years of experience in sales, marketing, and customer relations across Oregon, Arkansas, Montana, and Georgia. An Orvis certified casting instructor and gunsmith with expertise in expanding network connections and effectively introducing products to diverse audiences. Proven track record in implementing pricing models, managing vendor relations, overseeing trade shows, and expanding territory while fostering team collaboration and driving results. Recognized for reliability, effective communication skills, and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes in dynamic environments.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Manager
Rivers and Glen
Savannah, GA
03.2024 - Current
- Drove retail sales through product knowledge and upselling
- Responsible for all fly-fishing classes and fly-tying events
- Responsible for all trade shows
- Managed merchandise displays, restocking and vendor orders.
- Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations on fly fishing equipment, firearms and outdoor gear
- Maintained compliance with firearms safety regulations and store policies.
- Earned reputation for good attendance and hard work.
- Trained and supported sales associates to meet sales goals
Sales Manager/Bow Tech
Straight Six Archery
Bozeman, MT
03.2021 - 01.2024
- Exceeded sales goals weekly and improved profitability of Straight Six
- Responsible for all bow sales, set up, tuning & repair.
- Responsible for all trade shows and events
- Responsible for all merchandising
- Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
- Earned reputation for good attendance and hard work.
Sales Manager
Trader Bills Outdoors
Hot Springs, AR
03.2017 - 09.2020
- Exceeded sales goals and improved profitability by aligning sales strategies and business plans with market trends.
- Kept up with latest trends and recommended enhancements to enhance company product offerings.
- Coordinated vendors, timelines, and budgets for events.
- Trained customer service, marketing, and sales teams for events.
- Coordinated and managed all trade events and promotional shows.
- Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
- Earned reputation for good attendance and hard work.
- Managed client accounts, including addressing inquiries and applying feedback to meet customer needs
Sales Manager
Bass Pro Shops
Little Rock, AR
02.2012 - 03.2017
- Managed all aspects of the hunting department, fishing department and camping department including supervision, inventory, hiring of employees, training, schedules, and community relations.
Sales Manager
Orvis Sports
Tigard, OR
02.2007 - 06.2011
- Responsible for all sales and community relations
- Served as a guide for Wounded Warriors Project
- Improved customer satisfaction by finding creative solutions to problems.
- Responsible for maintaining the showroom, ordering supplies and keeping inventory checks.
Customer Service/Sales Rep/International Sales
G Loomis Inc
Woodland, WA
02.2002 - 01.2007
- Identified new potential customers and negotiated business conditions.
- Traveled to various international locations such as New Zealand, Peru and Australia, Brazil, and Argentina to promote and demonstrate products.
- Exceeded sales goals on a consistent basis.
- Assisted with research and development of new products.
Sales and Marketing Representative
Big Rock Sports LLC
Clackamas, OR
09.1996 - 01.2002
- Supervised and implemented collection of all account orders within territory, working closely with the operations team to ship all open orders timely.
- Traveled to various product shows across US to promote sales
Guide
Moose Creek Outfitters
Idaho
08.1995 - 08.1996
- Guided big game hunts and fishing trips for customers of Moose Creek Outfitters.
- Responsible for tracking and game recovery
- Responsible for packing and processing.
- Responsible for setting up and dismantling base camps.
Guide
Trout Creek Outfitters
Trout Creek, MT
08.1994 - 08.1995
- Guided big game hunts and fishing trips for customers of Trout Creek Outfitters.
- Responsible for tracking and game recovery
- Responsible for packing and processing and setting up base camp
Education
BS - Marketing, Minor in Business Management
University of Portland
Portland, OR07.1994
High School Diploma - undefined
Aloha High School
Beaverton, OR05.1989
Skills
- Product and service management
- Profit and revenue-generating strategies
- Sales tracking and operation
- Sales territory growth
- Compelling leadership skills
- Inventory management
- Territory sales management
- Negotiations expert
- Product knowledge
- Sales presentation
- Trade shows
- Promotional Events
- Customer service
- Team leadership
- Staff supervision
- Goal setting
- Retail operations
- Customer relationship building
Certification
- Licensed gunsmith with certifications in Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, Winchester, Springfield Armory, Winchester & various other firearms.
- Orvis Casting Instructor
Timeline
Assistant Manager
Rivers and Glen
03.2024 - Current
Sales Manager/Bow Tech
Straight Six Archery
03.2021 - 01.2024
Sales Manager
Trader Bills Outdoors
03.2017 - 09.2020
Sales Manager
Bass Pro Shops
02.2012 - 03.2017
Sales Manager
Orvis Sports
02.2007 - 06.2011
Customer Service/Sales Rep/International Sales
G Loomis Inc
02.2002 - 01.2007
Sales and Marketing Representative
Big Rock Sports LLC
09.1996 - 01.2002
Guide
Moose Creek Outfitters
08.1995 - 08.1996
Guide
Trout Creek Outfitters
08.1994 - 08.1995
High School Diploma - undefined
Aloha High School
BS - Marketing, Minor in Business Management
University of Portland