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 18 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. 






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 in 1998. 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.

Derek relocated to Florida in 2006 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.

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 and Commercial Food Service Equipment Industries. Over 35 years of experience in both ownership and management of companies has given him a solid track record of identifying the skills and personal traits needed to insure success within these fast moving marketplaces.

Steve’s clients rely on his 17 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, warehousing, logistics, marketing and overseas sourcing come from 18 years of company ownership.

Steve has been a guest speaker at the University of Maryland, International School of Business and is a dual degree graduate of Syracuse University.

 


 




Ed’s professional experience includes key positions in top performing international companies in the Factory Automation and Plastics & Packaging Industries. When supporting his clients, Ed draws upon his 20 years of experience in delivering state of the art equipment such as, form fill seal, vision inspection, material handling, collating, case packing, labeling, turnkey automated assembly systems for disposable medical devices, thermoforming machinery, blister packaging and heat seal, and foam extrusion machinery. He is also knowledgeable about plastics materials for thermoforming and printing plastics.

Throughout his career, Ed spent much of his time providing consulting services to assist his clients in improving their operations and production efficiencies. He has expanded those skills to include identifying and recruiting high impact players for his clients in the plastic and packaging industries.

Ed has earned a BS in Entrepreneurial Studies from Babson College. He is married and has three young children.
 


 



Deb Joseph entered the world of recruiting following a fifteen year career in Sales, Advertising and Marketing for a variety of technology driven companies. She brings to the staffing side of the business her first hand knowledge of the industry practices and her experience in knowing the kinds of professionals that drive the industry.

At Sales Consultants of Sarasota, Deb's clients are a wide range of technology clients in the SMT, Photovoltaic, and Factory Automation industries. While Deb focuses on providing staffing solutions for her clients, she also offers her consultative insights that deal with all aspects of mid to senior level management issues.

Deb attended Tiffin University in Ohio, and relocated to Sarasota from that area. Deb’s success has been based on her knowledge of industry issues and trends, her front line experience in sales, marketing and training, and a commitment to providing her client companies and her candidates with results oriented, high quality service.
 





John Raab has successfully sold factory automation and material handling systems for 32 years. His customers span automotive stamping and assembly plants, consumer goods manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers, airline baggage handling and air cargo system users, as well as parcel and mail providers. As both a sales and a marketing professional, John brings many years of experience doing business in North America as well as Europe and Asia.

After earning a B.A. in Philosophy from Detroit, MI Sacred Heart Seminary and an M.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Detroit, John joined the Peace Corps in Thailand.

John began his material handling career selling stamping press automation for MK-1 Die and Automation. He joined Rapistan in 1980 as a salesman. After completing his MBA in Marketing at the University of Detroit in 1988, he accepted the Marketing Director position at the company. In 1992, the company promoted John to the position of Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development. During this time, John was responsible for corporate strategy, acquisitions and divestitures, and product management. John also served seven years on the Board of Directors of the Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA), including President in 1996. He joined Sales Consultants of Sarasota in 2008.

John enjoys swimming and traveling the world with his wife.






Heather Yates brings over 15 years of office management, database administration, and research 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.