Meet Our Staff

   

Don Mattran is the senior executive at Sales Consultants of Sarasota, Managing Partner, and Founder of the firm with Rose Castellano in 1987.

Don's early career was in Higher Education, where he served as Dean/Director at the University of Hartford, Syracuse University and Montclair State University in New Jersey. During his academic career, he served as a consultant to leading colleges and universities on management, program development and accreditation. He also served as a consultant to major consumer electronics corporations in sales and marketing.

Don's undergraduate and graduate degrees are from the University of Michigan. His biography has appeared in Who's Who in America for the past thirty years.

Don recruits on senior level positions in the Consumer Products, Foodservice Equipment and International industries. 

Rose Castellano came to Sales Consultants from a career in public education and administration, teaching students from kindergarten to doctoral candidates at her alma mater, Rutgers University. Rose's research in Creative Process/Problem Solving yielded several national awards and publications.

Appointed by Governor Tom Keane as Director of the New Jersey School of the Arts, Rose recruited the entire staff (38) of artist-teachers. She served as an Affirmative Action Officer and trainer in the state of New Jersey and represented the Commissioner of Education in many public forums.

Rose's research on Creative Process and Problem Solving has served her clients well in her ability to provide unique insight into the recruiting process. Rose has worked on international assignments on six continents and specializes in the recruitment of senior level Sales, Marketing and Management executives. 

Rose and her partner, Don Mattran, opened Sales Consultants of Sarasota in 1987.

Thomas specializes in working with European manufacturers that are providers of industrial products to OEM and industrial markets. He skillfully locates and attracts top domestic and international talent to fill middle and senior level executive positions in Sales, Marketing, Engineering and Manufacturing.

Thomas' education began at the Marmion Military Academy in Aurora, IL, and was followed by a BA degree from Marquette University. He holds dual (US and Swiss) citizenship and is fluent in German. Prior to joining Sales Consultants of Sarasota, Thomas worked in the US, Germany, Austria and Hungary in sales and marketing roles with a major European manufacturer of industrial products. In total, he has over 16 years of domestic and international business experience.

Thomas' success as a professional recruiter can be attributed to his technical background, effective search technique and commitment to the utmost standards of professional integrity. When not busy at work in the office, Thomas enjoys triathlon training, chess and Florida's water sports. 

Steve Railsback has over 20 years of sales/management and marketing experience specialized in the healthcare industry. Major product markets he has successfully sold to include diagnostics, medical devices and supplies, DME, and surgical capital equipment. 

Steve has a proven track record in building and developing successful sales and marketing teams. He brings practical relevant sales management experience that can relate to the specific challenges associated with selling to diversified Biomedical markets. Much of Steve's career has been involved with the recruiting and development of sales personnel, sales force expansions, start-up sales operations, and field-based turnaround management. 

Steve was recruited by Sales Consultants to manage the Biotechnology/Medical Diagnostics Division.   He was instrumental in the start-up success of Prometheus Labs as a Region Manager. As Hoveround's National Sales Manager he built their national sales force that favorably position the company for acquisition. Steve also managed successful Operating Room/Hospital focused sales teams for Aesculap and Independent Medical Associates. Steve spent 9 years with Kimberly-Clark Professional Healthcare in sales/training and management positions.

Steve earned his Bachelor's Degree in Marketing from Florida State University. He served as an U.S. Air Force officer in Europe and the Middle East as a jet fighter aviator. Steve has been married to Laurel for 20 years and has two daughters, Randi and Stacey

Dave Zimmerman is helping his clients to increase productivity by recruiting highly successful RF and communication professionals for placement within a wide range of government, public service, and commercial assignments.

His skills and understanding of communication technologies were acquired over a twenty-year engineering and sales career by marketing integrated systems to major domestic and international markets.  As Dave's career advanced, it included leading business development initiatives to Public Service, Public Safety, and Government Agencies alike.

Dave is an astute business strategist with great insight and understanding of the RF and Communication industries' staffing needs. He holds a BSEE from the University of Pittsburgh, and is diligent about searching and locating qualified professionals at all levels.  By applying his industry knowledge to skilled recruitment of the most talented individuals in communications and related markets, Dave efficiently responds to his clients' employment needs.

Derek Moore specializes in bringing high-impact talent to the building products industry. His first hand knowledge acquired as Owner and Founder of a successful Minnesota based construction company, Aerial Construction, coupled with his uncompromising personal attention and effective communication skills enable him to fulfill the critical needs of a variety of organizations.   

Derek's early achievements in business led to a career in recruiting, which began in Minnesota 8 years ago. Originally specializing in placing professionals of the IT industry, Derek addressed and accurately identified the critical technical needs of key Minnesota based businesses and numerous Fortune 500 companies. His successes with the President of an Oracle based software consulting company, led to a short term exclusive recruiting and business development assignment with the company.  

Derek relocated to Florida and joined Sales Consultants of Sarasota, where his hands-on experience with building products and unique insight into his clients' needs is allowing him to continue his success as a recruiter. In a short period of time, he developed a network of very successful candidates including top-level operations, financial, sales & marketing executives and manufacturing talent at all levels.  

Derek is an avid fresh and salt water fisherman, and nature enthusiast/conservationist.

Steve Wit brings to Sales Consultants of Sarasota first hand knowledge of the Housewares, Tabletop and Accessories Markets. Over 30 years of experience in both ownership and management of consumer product companies has given him a solid track record of identifying the skills and personal traits needed to insure success within this fast moving marketplace.

Steve's clients rely on his 13 year tenure in domestic and international sales as a valuable resource in locating, identifying, and recruiting top notch talent. His understanding of the requirements needed in product development, purchasing, domestic manufacturing, distribution and overseas sourcing come from 17 years of owning a company he grew from scratch.

Steve has been a guest speaker at the University of Maryland, International School of Business and is a duel degree graduate of Syracuse University. He's been happily married for over 40 years to Florence. Together they have raised 2 sons and enjoy boating and time together in southwest Florida.
 

Joe Vizza comes to Sales Consultants of Sarasota with a strong Financial and Financial Marketing background. In his career he has traded European futures contracts and has experience in working with heads of investment companies on marketing plans and sales projections.

Joe's personal interest in the global energy markets has led him to focus his recruiting activity on identifying highly skilled professionals within that segment of the financial industry. His clients include international banks, financial institutions and top tier energy corporations that need assistance identifying CFO's, Quantitative Analysts, Energy Traders and other financial energy professionals.

Joe earned a BA in Business Administration/Management from St. Leo University. When he is not on the phone hunting for top industry talent, Joe likes to spend time as a certified personal trainer getting people in shape. His own personal routine includes spending time at the beach with his Golden Retriever Buddy and playing Tennis.

Stu has over twenty-five years experience in the financial derivatives field. He has held management positions with firms at the Chicago Board of Trade and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. As a registered broker with the National Futures Association and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, Stu has valuable contacts that help him to network on behalf of his clients in the financial services sector.

As a Chicago native, Stu earned a BA from Drake University and an MA from the University of Miami. Membership in the Futures Industry Association and the Market Technicians Association has provided insight into the workings of the financial markets, which is invaluable in the recruiting process. Extensive travel to Europe and the Americas has been most helpful in developing an international network of financial professionals.

Married 20 years, Stu and Irene have raised a son and two daughters. They enjoy sailing and off-shore fishing year round in the beautiful Sarasota weather.

Heather Yates brings over 10 years of office management, database administration, problem solving, communication and customer service skills to our Sales Consultants team. Her ability to manage a variety of tasks at once allows her to excel in the "not for the faint of heart" world of recruiting. With her unique attention to detail and administration of our office operations you can rest assured that business conducted with Sales Consultants of Sarasota will be handled with a level a professionalism and competence that will not only meet but exceed your expectations. 

When not hard at work, Heather enjoys gourmet cooking, music, reading, and traveling.

Fern Porras comes to the Sales Consultants team with a strong background in administrative responsibilities. Her background includes such diverse activities as working as a translator for the deaf, Associate Editor for a publishing company, and Program Administrator for a women's residential treatment center. Her ability to control the front lines keeps our office running smoothly and effectively.

Fern spends much of her free time painting, writing and reading.