aaron cragun
Senior Market Development Manager at Ace Hardware Corporation
senior market development manager ace hardware
multi unit retail professional delivering high performance result talent development , coaching , inspirational leadership advancement .
Ace Hardware Corporation
https://www.linkedin.com/company/acehardwarecorp
Responsible to lead the new business Market Development Team for the 14 western states. 

Primary focus is working with new investors and existing ACE store owners to grow store counts and expand market share for ACE Hardware owners. Working with ACE partners to identify market opportunities with new locations, existing buildings and property development.
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Senior Market Development Manager
ACE Hardware
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ace-hardware-afghanistan
Responsible for the support and growth of 41 ACE Hardware stores in the Utah/Wyoming territory. 

Worked with independent ACE store owners to evaluate store operations, training, service and sales. Strong emphasis on financial results, P&L evaluation and advertising strategies. Provided coaching, motivation and encouragement around company tools and opportunities for growth and improvement.
Greater Salt Lake City Area
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District Manager
Shopko
https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopko
Promoted to Green Bay, Wisconsin to lead the District of stores local to the corporate headquarters. Store mix includes high-volume big-box, Hometown and Express locations. Heavy emphasis on Talent development and leadership improvement to build bench strength for company growth. 
•	Reversed and corrected state pricing audit scores to reflect corporate expectations.
•	#1 District in the company customer service survey scores.
•	Improved gross margin by 200 basis points through process execution. 
•	Implemented creative solutions for staffing issues reducing turnover of employees.
•	 Recognized for leading Managers to raise standards of visual presentation and merchandising.
Green Bay, Wisconsin Area
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District Manager
Shopko
https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopko
Promoted to the Southern District to develop Talent and grow the company "Hometown" store model. District territory covered Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Kansas. 
•	Stabilized the existing 10 stores and implemented standard operating procedures. 
•	Directed the opening of 8 stores:  4 new buildings and 4 conversions into existing structures. 
•	 Reduced product losses by 35%. 
•	 Achieved the highest scores in product extended warranties.
•	 Improved internal audit scores to exceed company standards. 
•	Developed and promoted two successful Store Managers to District positions
Austin, Texas Area
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District Manager
Shopko
https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopko
Promoted to Missoula, MT to lead the growth of the company in the new "Hometown" format through conversion of existing properties and the building of new construction. District included 5 big-box and up to 24 "Hometown" locations. Territory included Montana, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming and Utah. 
•	Trained existing staff to deliver excellent results validated through company measurements.
•	Delivered the top internal audit scores in the company.
•	Opened 12 new Stores from construction to grand opening. 
•	Delivered the top sales goals in the selling of extended warranty plans.
•	Reduced employee turnover by 25%
Missoula, Montana Area
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District Manager
Shopko
https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopko
Promoted to District Manager in Salt Lake City, UT. Responsible for 15 big-box store locations.
•	Recognized by senior leadership for store operation improvement
•	Delivered the highest internal company audit scores.
•	Reduced product loss by 20% developing a new program of shrink awareness.
•	Passed all State pricing Audits reversing previous results. 
•	Developed 9 Assistant Managers to become successful Store Managers.
Greater Salt Lake City Area
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District Manager
Shopko
https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopko
Promoted to Store Manager at the highest sales volume big-box store in the company adjacent to the company corporate office.
•	Facilitated the leadership of up to 150 Employees. 
•	Tested all new programs and provided analysis for company roll out. 
•	"Center of Excellence" store overseeing all training for the District.  
•	Participated at DM direction in Leading the District and coaching to achieve results.
•	Improved the relationship between the stores and the corporate office.
•	Planned and executed corporate publicity events with Packer players and celebrities.
Green Bay, Wisconsin Area
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Flagship Store Manager
Shopko
https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopko
Promoted to the second-highest volume big-box store in the company with up to 125 employees.
•	Challenged immediately with the completion of a million-dollar store remodel. 
•	Facilitated all local management training including newly hired Senior Executives.
•	Served as a "Center of Excellence" creating advisory relationships with Managers in the District.
•	Operated the top Lawn and Garden center in the company.
•	Promoted two Assistants to Store Manager from within the store.
Appleton, WI
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Store Manager
Shopko
https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopko
Promoted to a top-ten volume big-box store.
•	Served as a "Center of Excellence" Store Manager. 
•	Facilitated all leadership training to stores within the COE District. 
•	Led the Team to navigate significant competitive intrusion.
•	Built an empowered Team to allow me to travel to support struggling stores.
Olympia, WA
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Store Manager
Shopko
https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopko
Promoted to Store Manager within a big-box retail store of up to 100 employees. 
•	Helped to lead a culture change moving past previous work environment problems.
•	Rated as the best store in the company by Senior Leadership.
•	Highest Corporate audit score.
•	Worked as a Market Manager leading two stores within the Boise area.
Boise, Idaho Area
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Store Manager
Shopko
https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopko
Promoted to a new position in a new corporate leadership structure. Responsible for all freight operations for 29 stores within the Pacific Northwest.
•	Performed Store visits to assess operations and motivate stores to improve efficiency.
•	Lateralized and shared successes between stores to generate a great competitive spirit.
•	100% improvement in regional freight cartons per hour with implemented structure.
•	Instituted Regional goal setting and recognition that continues today.
•	Refined coaching style to be influential with Store Managers within the region.
Spokane, Washington Area
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Regional General Merchandise Manager
Shopko
https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopko
Assistant Store Manager in multiple stores, in a variety of areas of responsibility including apparel, hardlines and Operations Assistant.
Boise, Idaho Area
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Assistant Store Manager
Religious Orgnization
Served as a volunteer Missionary for my church based in Geneva, Switzerland. Responsibilities included both service and religious responsibilities. 
•	Worked to improve the lives of those with whom we served in any capacity needed.
•	Developed a working relationship with charity Terre des Hommes. 
•	Served with food banks Cartons du Coeur and Banque Alimentaire. 
•	 Learned to speak the French language.
•	 Developed skills in communication, conflict management and planning.
Geneva Area, Switzerland
Volunteer Missionary
Shopko
https://www.linkedin.com/company/shopko
Began my career in 1989. In the years prior to June of 1993 I worked in 4 Shopko stores in 2 states ending with positions as a Supervisor in general merchandise.
Boise, Idaho Area
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Supervisor
Political Science and French
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Boise State University
https://www.linkedin.com/school/boisestate/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisa-perschon-6a598b93
Hooper, UT
Melisa Perschon
Owner of Spiritually Balanced LLC
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurt-ward-ph-d-334b3a100
Ogden, UT
Kurt Ward, Ph.D.
Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Instructor
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aneeldhaliwal
San Francisco Bay Area
Aneel Dhaliwal
Manager, Recruiting at Hearsay Systems
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kotrynanas
London
Kotryna Nas
Assistant Producer at Lively Worldwide
https://ca.linkedin.com/in/philip-samuel-9749a290
Toronto, ON
Philip Samuel
Recruiter at Pierpoint International/Intrepid Recruiters
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-brandow-a2787893
Klamath Falls, OR
Jason Brandow
Regional Manager
https://www.linkedin.com/in/billymward
Salt Lake City, UT
Billy M Ward
Freelance Video Producer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-guistolise
Minneapolis, MN
Jessica Guistolise
Lucid Evangelist and Agile Coach passionate about people, purpose and the possibilities that come from collaboration and interaction.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-shriver-638ab058
West Jordan, UT
Jason Shriver
Sportsman’s Warehouse
https://au.linkedin.com/in/joshlister
Perth, WA
Joshua Lister, CEng
Founder at FunnelCentrix
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fizhong
United States
Fiona Zhong
Recruiter at DoorDash
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-hanks-687230153
Salt Lake City Metropolitan Area
Nate Hanks
Account Executive
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemhenderson
Salt Lake City Metropolitan Area
Mike Henderson
Analytics & Reporting Manager - Missionary Department
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariashriver
Los Angeles, CA
Maria Shriver
Founder at Shriver Media
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-tallant-48503a63
Knoxville, TN
Jason Tallant
Region Director at Casey's
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryce-morgan-0876aa119
Graham, NC
Bryce Morgan
District Manager at AutoZone
https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-delbrugge-47b17740
Greater Cleveland
Eric Delbrugge
Multi Unit District Manager at The Honey Baked Ham Company, LLC
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-dimitt-735241105
Salt Lake City Metropolitan Area
Jason Dimitt
District Manager at Harbor Freight Tools
Tyler Lingenhag, SHRM-CP
      
          



            
              
        
              
  

    
        I have had the pleasure of working with Aaron in various roles at Shopko and Aaron is the definition of a leader. His extensive retail knowledge coupled with his strong leadership skills have allowed Aaron to be successful in every challenge he has taken on. Aaron communicates in a way that allows his team to better understand directions and streamlines information to meet company objectives. Aaron excels at building a culture people want to be a part of and has been very successful in helping leaders develop to the next steps in their career. If your company is looking for a great leadership I would highly recommend Aaron. Connie Patz
      
          



            
              
        
              
  

    
        I have had the pleasure of being an HR Partner with Aaron Cragun for 15 years.  His dedication to his teammates and the business are exemplary and I don't think I will be able to say enough here.  What I can say is that Aaron is able to see teammates and their abilities even through the most trying times and lift them up to do great things.   Aaron is a strategic critical thinker and a change agent.  Every store he was a manager in and every district he was responsible for saw tremendous change and improvement where it was needed.   I will miss his partnership and friendship.
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#AceHardware is actively targeting markets for growth with our existing retailers and new investors. Growth Markets for 2022 include Gulf Coast…
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Ace Is The Place  #acehardware #hardware
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After 40 yrs of hardware conventions the Ace Spring convention in Las Vegas is my brother’s, Scott Raymer, last  before his retirement. Congrats on…
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Draper, UT
Aaron Cragun
Investment Associate and Asset Manager at Bridge Investment Group
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-cragun-69552014b
San Andreas, CA
Aaron Cragun
Employee at Subway
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-cragun-27412866
Greater Orlando
Aaron Cragun
Inside Sales Specialist at Pentair Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc.