120: Tina Pappas – Building a Best Company
Salesology® - Conversations with Sales Leaders
Release Date: 01/06/2025
Salesology® - Conversations with Sales Leaders
Guest: Vaughn English Guest Bio: Vaughn English is a growth-focused sales leader with over 10 years of experience driving revenue across industries including digital marketing, 3D visualization, tourism, and insurance. He has a proven track record of building high-performing outreach strategies, leading cross-functional teams, and closing complex B2B deals. Vaughn specializes in leveraging CRM platforms, marketing automation, and creative campaigns to engage prospects and accelerate the sales cycle. From launching national tourism campaigns to scaling 3D content solutions for enterprise...
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Guest: Melissa Palmer Guest Bio: Melissa started her sales career by accident, but quickly learned. She enjoyed connecting a customer with a solution and helping solve their problems and protect their interests. She is very good at building lasting relationships because her intention is always honest. She soon learned the best way to truly protect the customer is to also protect the company she represents; there has to be a win-win scenario, or no one wins in the long run. In management, she can do the greatest good as she works with the sales team to do just that, focusing on...
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Guest: Ben Filkouski Guest Bio: Ben graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2018. Upon graduating, Ben worked for Goldleaf Development, a Multi-Family Developer in Dane County, where he obtained his Real Estate License. In September of 2019, Ben joined Madison Commercial Real Estate. Since joining Madison Commercial Real Estate, Ben has become a Partner with the firm, obtained his Real Estate Brokers License, and earned his CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) designation. Ben currently serves on the board of Commercial Brokers Group Inc. (CBG) a...
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Guest: Matthew Freed Guest Bio: I’ve spent the last 20 years in sales and sales leadership, and I still find it incredibly rewarding. Most of that time has been in manufacturing and distribution, where I’ve had the opportunity to lead high-performing teams and work closely with customers. I currently lead a team across the Midwest and am passionate about building lasting culture, driving results, and simplifying the complicated. A big part of my leadership style is helping sellers achieve their goals while supporting them in becoming the best versions of themselves. I...
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Guest: Nick Sowards Guest Bio: Started cleaning machines in California at 18 years old at my grandfather’s company. Graduated into selling machines at 19, then left his company at 20 to sell new machines. Left California in 2004 and joined Absolute Machine Tools, selling their imported brands. In 2015, became GM for Absolute, running their Chicago facility. 2017 needed a change in my life and left Absolute with joining Ellison Technologies in December 17, and the ride has been great thus far! I'm a sales manager for NE Ohio and a territory manager for Lake and 1/2 of Cuyahoga...
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Guest: Erick Haas Guest Bio: Erick Haas is an experienced Ag Sales Manager with LandPro Equipment overseeing 17 Ag Salesmen while bringing 15 years of expertise in the John Deere dealer network. Erick’s AOR is primarily Western NY, Pennsylvania, and a portion of Ohio. His background includes Precision Agriculture, Training, Recruitment, and being a John Deere Certified Trainer. Erick is deeply committed to his Central NY community, serving as President of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County, several program advisory boards, a 4-H Leader, and President of the...
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Guest: Mike Kochenderfer Guest Bio: Michael Kochenderfer is a seasoned sales leader with a proven track record of driving growth and building high-performing teams. As Regional Sales Manager at RECO Equipment, Inc., he is recognized not only for increasing revenue but also for his mentorship and coaching skills. Michael is dedicated to fostering professional development within his team, creating a positive and supportive work environment. His leadership has been instrumental in managing complex projects, including overseeing the most intricate commercial installations in DIRECTV's...
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Guest: Tom Wardach Guest Bio: After serving for a few years as an officer in the US Army, I ventured into the business world, and that wasn't even my original plan! After almost 35 years in my current industry, I never thought that I would be in it for that long. And yet after more than 3 decades, here I still am. I have had the capacity to work for some great companies and wonderful teams in sales, personnel, customer service, product, and information management. Key Points: Background and Career Path · Tom attended a military college in South Carolina and served...
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Guest: Karen Barbour Guest Bio: With nearly 40 years of surety experience, Karen Barbour founded The Barbour Group in 2002, a nationally licensed surety agency focused on construction bonding and advocacy, with offices in Maryland and Tennessee. TBG is a certified DBE, WBE, WOSB, and WBENC firm. Her advocacy sparked in the late 1990s when achieving a Federal Acquisition Regulation change permitting annual bond forms to support five-year contracts instead of one bond for five years, giving small and minority 8(a) firms the capability of bonding such projects. Karen serves on the...
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Guest: Josh Blackman Guest Bio: Josh Blackman is a licensed attorney, real estate broker, insurance broker, and general contractor. Mr. Blackman has some 45 years of business experience as a computer programmer, technical writer, practicing attorney, and entrepreneur. He has founded some six varied profitable companies, including a newsletter publisher, an email/postal-list marketer, a property manager, a real estate brokerage, a construction firm, a real estate holding company, and an insurance brokerage. His business experience includes overall managerial and administrative,...
info_outlineGuest: Tina Pappas
Guest Bio:
Tina is a seasoned professional with an impressive leadership track record across prominent companies in the Pacific Northwest. As President of TPS, she successfully led both commercial and residential teams. Prior to that, Tina managed the commercial real estate portfolio for BMGI. She also co-founded and served as President of Egis Real Estate Services, which emerged from Fisher Properties.
Tina’s contributions to the industry have earned her numerous accolades. In 2020, she served as NAIOP's Board President, a role that recognized her dedication to commercial real estate leadership. Earlier in her career, she was named one of Seattle's 40 Under 40 business leaders in 2008, highlighting her as an outstanding young professional in the industry.
Key Notes:
Commercial Real Estate Experience:
- Started career at Colliers International after college, initially unsure of the industry but passionate about sales, communities, and buildings.
- Took a research role to learn about the industry and avoid being placed in a sector or team without understanding it.
- Representing leasing and marketing for major developments.
- Gained valuable experience in real estate development, property management, and engineering.
- Focusing on real estate management, including confidential projects and national scope.
- Led property management teams, gaining significant experience in multifamily and commercial real estate.
- Focused on development and management of multifamily projects.
- Hired a diverse group of younger brokers to inject fresh energy into the company.
Advice for Women in Real Estate:
- Overcame gender barriers in a male-dominated industry by focusing on skill, work ethic, and mentorship.
- Encourages young women to be persistent, seek mentorship, and not be intimidated by the lack of female representation.
- Actively recruits women and encourages them to engage with the industry through career fairs and personal outreach.
Hiring and Intern Programs:
- Focuses on passion, engagement, and initiative when hiring.
- Developed a program for college students to explore different areas of commercial real estate and intern in various roles.
Company Culture and Success:
- NAI Puget Sound Properties has been recognized as one of the best companies to work for, emphasizing teamwork, support, and personal growth.
- The company fosters a culture of appreciation and empowerment, with initiatives like commemorating employees' anniversaries and milestones.
- Prioritizes work-life balance, offering flexible scheduling and events that cater to various employee needs.
Team-Oriented Leadership:
- Emphasizes collaboration over competition, with a focus on supporting one another for the greater good of the company.
- Celebrates individual and team accomplishments, such as the "team photo" event for employees’ sports achievements and company anniversaries.
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