Sales make our economy! There would be no jobs without sales. Someone has to sell the plane to the military, and the produce to the supermarket, the computers to the end user and the advertising that helps us know some products even exist. For that matter, someone had to sell the idea that we needed more people to run the huge government we have. - Richard W Dillard
In today's intensely competitive, highly volatile market, companies need genuine leaders across ALL areas of the company, but most importantly...sales leaders. Grow through sales or close the doors. – Richard W Dillard
As an executive, Richard Dillard is not content with the average. Beyond his talent for finding the right programs to fit the company culture, he believes in hiring talent rather that positional expertise. He does not believe in micro-managing employees, but rather guiding and developing motivated talent.
Richard believes simple and well written mission and vision statements safeguard the company, leaving the organization and its people firmly grounded for sustainable growth well into the future. Driven by a strong sense of urgency, a very high energy level and incredible stamina, he enjoys and thrives on turning uncertainty and chaos into order and harmony. Resourceful and innovative, he always searches out new ways to improve processes.
He inherited his personable nature, ingenuity and get-it-done drive from his parents. His father, owner of multiple businesses including a construction company, a trucking company and a John-Deere dealership; earned his reputation as the “guy whom everything he touched turned to gold". He also created a change to a sales culture environment in his companies while at the same time being admired by his employees for it.
His mother was a mechanical/electrical engineer for a major defense contractor and reminded his father that change has to take place in small steps with collaboration, as to not disrupt productivity and profits. While bringing change is good, with that transformation must come a "buy-in" which gives way to preserving dignity, strengthen trust and give a sense of empowerment to each individual within the organization.
Richard feels responsible for the long-term security of the people at his companies, and is proud to have mentored and guided many to progress in their careers to senior leadership roles.
As Vice President of Sales and Director of Business Services at West Community Credit Union, Richard was hired not just to develop a sales strategy, but to lead the commercial lending, business services, mortgage lending and retail divisions to new heights; and he helped do just that. He helped to generated tens of millions of dollars in new commercial loan growth by helping to identifying very clear high-growth market segments, such as referral networks, and generating new product and service offerings which included West Community being one of the first credit union Preferred SBA Lenders in the St Louis area.
Record sales and profits in West Community's commercial division have been enjoyed every year since he joined the team in 2007. He also introduced the company to CUNA Mutual's Lender Development Program which plays a substantial role in retail profitability to this day. He notes that this was not a one man show, but contributes his success to a brilliant executive team which consisted of his CEO's visionary mind, wisdom, superior intellect and trust in Richard, and other team members, to do the right thing and make adjustments where needed.
As Vice President of Allegiant Bank, he helped turn around one under-performing branch to become one of the bank's largest contributors to profitability and cash flow, and one of the top ten performing business development branches across the corporation's 52 branch footprint. Additionally, that performance moved his district to the top 2 performers out of 5 districts. Richard contributes that success to a Senior VP that let him run with his instincts.
As Lending Manager of Aerospace Community Credit Union he was part of a team that grew net income 1068% in a four short years while increasing net worth 70% over that same time period, through sales. This was accomplished, in part, by introducing the CUNA Mutual Lender Development Program, a high yield tiered retail lending strategy and mortgage loan co-brokering program.
He has also worked as a Police Officer, Mortgage Manager, Mortgage Loan Officer, General Manager in retail, Finance Manager, Mechanic and Laborer since he entered the workforce at the age of 15.
In 2001, Richard purchased a very small company with only 3 clients, to lead its growth to more than 1500 clients by 2004. It was sold in 2005. It is still profitable, with 3 locations to date.
Richard fuels his entrepreneurial spirit by helping start-up companies and those in need of a turnaround. He helped one small struggling local company by having them change 6 words in their sales presentation.
With more than 30 years of sales and financial management experience, he understands each part of the sales process on a very deep level. And subscribes to the fact that sales people don't need managers, they need leadership and direction.
His passions away from work include the study of quantum physics, traveling, reading and riding his Harley.
Richard lives in St Charles Missouri and can be reached via phone at 636.288.0163636.288.0163636.288.016 or via email at [email protected]