JW John Wallen Get in Touch

People Management · Sales & Marketing Leadership · Business Development

John L. Wallen RRP

Forty-plus years building sales teams, marketing engines, and resort partnerships that produce results.

Email John 417-230-6655
  • Hollister, MO
  • Willing to Relocate
40+ Years in Sales & Marketing
195K+ Qualified Prospects Generated
160+ Employees Led
$13M+ Annual Sales Supported

01 Summary

Management-focused sales and marketing leader with extensive experience building teams, training sales professionals, developing customer-facing campaigns, and leading business operations across resort, tourism, advertising, retail, and energy environments. Strong background founding and operating companies, managing 160+ employees, generating qualified prospects for major resort brands, and creating partnerships that turn marketing strategy into measurable customer engagement. Known for connecting quickly with people, motivating teams, and bringing a practical, positive leadership style to sales-driven organizations.

02 Skills

Leadership & People

  • People Management
  • Sales Leadership
  • Team Training
  • Recruiting
  • Budget Planning

Growth & Marketing

  • Marketing Strategy
  • Business Development
  • Lead Generation
  • Customer Engagement
  • Partnership Development
  • Sales Presentations
  • Advertising Campaigns
  • Referral Programs
  • Direct Mail
  • Telemarketing
  • Retail

Digital & Tech

  • Google Ads
  • Facebook Ads
  • AI

03 Experience

Sales & Marketing Consultant

Big VPG, Inc. · Branson, MO

2018 – Present

  • Consult with condominium, vacation club, resort, and solar-related organizations on sales strategy, marketing outreach, lead generation, and customer engagement.
  • Advise business owners and leadership teams on practical sales messaging, campaign structure, presentation design, prospect follow-up, and partnership opportunities.
  • Apply deep experience in sales psychology, training, and customer decision-making to help teams improve confidence, communication, and conversion conversations.
  • Bring a positive, people-centered leadership approach to consulting work, helping organizations strengthen team focus, customer experience, and sales execution.

Principal & Founder

Branson Getaways · Branson, MO

1998 – 2018

  • Founded and operated a high-volume tour and marketing company that generated 195,000 qualified resort prospects over 20 years for Marriott, Wyndham, Bluegreen, and Welk.
  • Led all areas of business operations, marketing, sales support, customer experience, and employee performance for a company with 160+ employees.
  • Developed cooperative marketing campaign with 22 Branson theaters and 136 Walmart stores across 7 states to promote Branson and generate qualified visitors.
  • Recruited, trained, and motivated sales and marketing teams while building a culture centered on communication, consistency, and customer engagement.
  • Managed lead generation programs, referral initiatives, promotional campaigns, resort relationships, and day-to-day business performance.

Principal & Founder

Concept Marketing · Branson, MO

1992 – 2018

  • Owned and operated a full-service advertising agency delivering marketing strategy, media planning, creative design, copywriting, promotional campaigns, and client service.
  • Designed and implemented long-term marketing programs for prominent Branson-area entertainment, tourism, and resort clients, including Grand Country Waterpark Resort, Incredible Acrobats of China, Kirby Van Burch, and Yakov Smirnoff.
  • Created integrated campaigns across direct mail, billboard design, database marketing, special promotions, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and customer acquisition programs.
  • Built and maintained client relationships by understanding business goals, developing clear marketing plans, and delivering practical solutions that supported visibility and sales activity.
  • Coordinated notable promotional projects, including bringing As the World Turns to Branson to film five episodes of the daytime drama.

Owner / Operator

Dove Olive Oil Store · Branson, MO & Myrtle Beach, SC

2011 – 2017

  • Managed all aspects of two retail stores, including staffing, inventory control, ordering, merchandising, POS operations, local marketing, promotions, customer service, and daily store performance.
  • Recruited, hired, and trained retail staff while maintaining product presentation, sales readiness, and a customer-focused store environment.
  • Balanced hands-on operations with people management, vendor coordination, merchandising decisions, marketing and promotional support, and consistent follow-through on store priorities.

04 Additional Experience

  • Marketing Director Roark Vacation Resort / Branson Hotline · Branson, MO 1992 – 1998
  • Project Director Edgewater Beach Resort · Dennis, MA 1989 – 1992
  • Director of Marketing Ocean Club on Smugglers Beach · South Yarmouth, MA 1986 – 1988
  • Assistant Project Director Roark Vacation Resort · Branson, MO 1984 – 1986
  • Sales Manager Spinnaker on Lake Dillon · Silverthorne, CO 1981 – 1983

Key Achievements

  • Created marketing campaign using direct mail, outbound telemarketing, in-house programs, and infomercials to generate 8,000 qualified tours annually.
  • Directed start-up sales and marketing for a Cape Cod conversion project; recruited, trained, and managed 40+ employees while driving strong sales results and project growth.
  • Built marketing plan and budget for a 160-unit resort, managed 60+ employees, generated 12,000+ qualified tours annually, and supported $13M in annual sales.
  • Recruited, trained, and motivated a combined sales and marketing staff of 55 while creating sales presentations and marketing plans supporting $5M+ in annual sales.

05 Recognition

  • Registered Resort Professional (RRP), ARDA
  • Past Chairman, ARDA-Missouri; ARDA Trustee for 4 years
  • Frequent speaker at ARDA conventions
  • ENTJ-A leadership profile
  • Negotiated cooperative marketing agreements with Walmart, Kodak, Fuji, Coca-Cola, Nabisco, and Rayovac