The Center for Sales Strategy (CSS) has revealed its 2021 Talent Superhero winners — managers who are recognized for recruiting, selecting, developing, and engaging top performers on their teams and in their markets every day.
The annual honor acknowledges leaders in sales leadership roles who oversee all things talent-related on their teams and in their territories and were quite possibly nominated by someone on their team. Winners are selected by a committee that reviews skills and success of each nominee based on building and maintaining a strong talent bank, recruiting top talent to the organization, coaching people to maximize their strengths, engaging their team, and retaining top performers over time.
“We received a tremendous number of nominations in Q4 of 2021 (the highest number since we launched this annual recognition in 2017), which is a true testament to the leadership, work ethic, and skill of these managers and the cultures they create for their teams,” said Beth Sunshine, Partner and Vice President of Talent Services at The Center for Sales Strategy. “The competition was the hardest it’s ever been, and it’s truly an honor to recognize these leaders for the amazing work they do for their teams and organizations day-in and day-out.”
The 2021 Talent Superheroes are:
Amy Coplen — Local Sales Manager, TEGNA, Austin
Angelina Rosario — Director of Sales, Cox Media Group, Miami
Carolyn McCulligh — Vice President of Advertising, McClatchy, West Region
Darlene Park — Director of Sales, Bonneville International Corp., Denver
Fran Mallace — Former Group Vice President of Cox Media and current CEO of Make-A-Wish Arizona
Frank Palino — Director of Sales, TEGNA, Seattle
James Conner — Director of Sales, Emmis Communications/Indianapolis
Jason Finkelberg — Market President and Chief Revenue Officer, Townsquare Media, Hudson Valley (Newburgh-Middletown and Poughkeepsie, N.Y.)
Jim Richmond — Director of Sales, Bonneville International, Seattle
Jimmy Farrell — Director of Sales, Cox Media Group, Jacksonville
Maryann Balbo — Group Vice President, Cox Media
Sarah Dobbins — Vice President of Sales, Townsquare Media, Northern New England
Scott Hopeck — Division President, iHeartMedia, New York
In addition to this honor, Maryann Balbo joins the Talent Superhero “League of Legends,” as she is the first Talent Superhero recipient to receive this prestigious award two times (2018 and 2021).
Founded in 1983, The Center for Sales Strategy (CSS) is focused on improving sales performance as it helps sales organizations turn talent into performance and develop the highest-performing sales professionals.
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