Nicholas A. Sell

Virginia Beach, VA  23453

(757) 589-6655

Nicholas.A.Sell@gmail.com

OBJECTIVE:    Marketing and Account Management, Business Development, Project Manager

EXPERIENCE SUMMARY:

• 18 years, Customer Service (retail food service/construction/personal services)
• 10 years, United States Military Service, Intelligence and IT Services
• 9 years, Telecommunications, Information Assurance Specialist, IT Communications
• 6 years, Internet Security Systems Intrusion Prevention/Detection
• 5 years, Business Owner, Manager, Operator in Retail Services
• 2 years, General Construction Trades Laborer

EXPERIENCE PORTFOLIO:

02/08 – Present, Entrepreneur, Business Owner/Manager

Total Estate Solutions, LLC, dba Caring Transitions & U-Haul Dealership, Virginia Beach, VA

• Purchased, managed, and expanded business franchise providing moving, downsizing, and estate services/products) to the ‘downsizing seniors’ demographic target market
• Started independent moving company (2008; self-sustaining by 06/09); Licensed U-HAUL dealership (profitable by 12/11); achieved a 26%+ revenue increase from marketing / management efforts; while increasing overhead under 11% with cost-cutting measures (insurance, retail space, etc.); revenue has increased 104% overall by year-end 2013
• Achieved fourth highest grossing franchise of 151(2012), and tenth of 154 offices nationally (2013); with an average of $90K+ in 2012 revenues over regional franchise competitors for region and an $117K average over 154 national franchise competitors in revenue; consistently within the ‘top 10’ franchise revenue producers, nation-wide in last three years
• Established a consignment shop within the facility, using intrepreneurially creative ideas, resulting in additional gross revenue of sales of >$42K (year-end 2013)
• Manage, operate, and supervise 8-12 employees and facility; perform direct marketing to five additional business geographic locations across Hampton Roads, VA, and North Carolina; service clients in Maine, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona, Colorado and Michigan
• Manage oversight to inventory of boxes, packing materials, equipment and appliances for sale/resale for shipping company valued at $3K (daily average); responsible for household goods in shipping /transit in transitions franchise worth ~$50K per customer, for values of up to $100-150K (daily)
• Maintained <$1,000 total in damages and liabilities in 5+ years of business by managing process control, standards, delivering targeted and timely training to employees
• Public relations and brand marketing resulted in 66 positive online reviews, with 57 ‘five stars’ on www.hireahelper.com, as well as nomination for 2011 & 2012 ‘Franchise of the Year’
• Completed Bachelors’ degree and working on Masters during ownership/management of business

02/05 – 02/08, Information Assurance Specialist

United States Navy, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Norfolk, VA

• Managed security assessments of two military and six civilian facilities, within the US and throughout Europe, for eight NATO conferences and symposiums, including physical, data, and computer security
• Installed, configured, and maintained Command’s Intrusion Detection System (Norfolk) in one month; install/configure, operated two years with two team members
• Configured/operated mail guard system to control data between three computer networks with differing classification certifications (Unclassified, Secret, Cosmic Top Secret, including NIPR- and/or SIPR-net)
• Managed cyber-defense IT systems of two North America NATO networks
• Identified ~4-6 system anomalies / intrusions monthly; implemented measures to prevent cyber-attacks
• Coordinated with NATO Military Committee Security Evaluation Agency, NATO Military for Distribution and Accounting Agency, and NATO Information Security Technical Center to ensure a uniform security policy for NATO network enterprise; resulting in 100% compliance
• Developed, designed, installed, and implemented web pages for Physical/Computer Network Security) Office of Security; provided access to policy/security related data on classified NATO network accessible/used by NATO facilities and users in 26 countries
• Managed daily inventory, issuance, disposition of ~650 pieces of Cryptographic Material (monthly)
• Coordinated with Counter-Intelligence Agents (CA), 650^th Military Intelligence (MI) Group collecting / reporting on Russian activities at NATO functions (details limited to cleared personnel only)
• Collected information resulted in five published Intelligence Information Reports for cleared personnel/Mission Officers

01/02 – 02/05, Lead Tactical Communicator

Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG), Afghanistan 

United States Navy, Dam Neck, VA

• Provided capability for communication, navigation, and force protection while a member of Afghanistan President Hamid Karzi’s Personal Security Detachment within Special Access Program (SAP) for three tours of duty, in-country, for DEVGRU
• Established communications and assisted three Marine Counterintelligence Officers to conduct intelligence and data collection operations in-country
• Team-member responsible for communications and handling of detainees for Battlefield Interrogation Team while in Afghanistan
• Instructor for mobile and tactical communications to FBI Units prior to deployment to combat zones teaching 2-6 learners, for classes (10-20 students)
• Managed daily communications for flight/convoy tracking, Bahgram, Afghanistan for Navy SEAL, Army Ranger and Marine units (~ 50-250 troops per unit), supporting Joint Operations Control Center in Afghanistan
• Installed, configured, operated, and maintained ~18 Harris 117F, ~20 Thales MBITR handheld radios communication devices and ~6 Furuno navigation and radar systems (navigation equipment on High Speed Assault Crafts, helicopters, fixed wing aircraft, HUMVEE, and civilian vehicles)
• Coordinated with government contractor technology companies, including: Harris, Thales, and Furuno in development/testing of technology for Communication and Navigation equipment uniquely designed for Special Operations Units for warfare/ battlefield capabilities/advantages
• Responsible for call(s) for fire support (aircraft), medical evacuations (Med-Evac), Convoy tracking and flight following, resupply at forward operating bases (FOB)
• Skilled in field and in headquarters environment; creating and configuring line-of-sight and satellite communications, including satellite acquisitioning

05/00 – 01/02, Network Administrator, Leading Petty Officer, Watch Officer

Naval Security Forces Naval Computer and Telecommunication Station               

United States Navy, Marianas, Guam

• Network System Administrator – Windows, UNIX, DOS systems, ~100+ computer & ~250 users / stations
• Installed, configured, maintained, supported, and provided staff training to seven locations for US Naval ships (in port) for government messaging systems
• Platoon Commander for Auxiliary Security Force providing force protection to naval facilities and personnel; coordinated training/work schedules for 12 subordinates; full-time position (after 9/11) before posting to DEVGRU
• Managed message handling support to Group 1 (SEAL Unit) and Explosive Ordinance Disposal Mobile Unit; maintained message traffic communications equipment for each command (resulting in limited or minimal ‘down-time’)

05/99 – 05/00, Network Administrator

Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory

United States Navy, Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing One, Diego Garcia (HQ’s Japan)

• Participated in testing / implementation of an air-to-ground image transfer device used in the Persian Gulf; enabling monitoring via pictures and video ship traffic and boardings operated by security/SEAL forces (P-3 Orion aircraft-to-shore stations)
• Created / loaded tapes tapes for onboard computers and electronic devices; created six tapes per mission plan for circa two P-3 Orion aircraft missions daily) for Anti-Submarine Warfare; enabled tracking/monitoring of ‘friend or foe’ submarines to ensure domestic and abroad US security interests
• Computer network administrator for Windows & UNIX systems for ~25 computers / ~40 users; monitored access to intelligence support (anti-submarine aircraft squadrons); reported to chain-of-command in Japan
• Participated in Access, Presence, and Influence (API) flights into Djibouti and Muscat, Oman
• Provided tactical communications and flight tracking for ~1-2 missions daily on location for Anti-Submarine missions in the Persian Gulf from detachment site on/near locations detached from main site in Diego Garcia; operated in mission real-time; reported to HQs; monitor/use mobile equipment for possible emergency evacuation (Masirah, Oman)
• Member – Auxiliary Security Force trained by US Marine Cadre and British Royal Marine Commandoes

08/98 – 05/99, Apprentice Seaman, Radioman, IS Technician, US Navy, Boot Camp & ‘A’ School

04/98 – 08/98, Shipping Clerk/Forklift Operator, Edwards Brothers Book and Journal Manufacturer

06/96 – 04/98, Carpentry Asst., Building Intern, Heldt Genl. Cntrtg. & Rogers Home Improvement

FORMAL EDUCATION:

• 09/12 – present, Masters of Business Administration, International Business, Strayer University, Virginia Beach, VA; expected graduation: 03/14; GPA: 3.25
• 01/09 – 09/12, Bachelors of Business Administration, Marketing, Strayer University, Virginia Beach, VA; GPA: 3.40

TRAINING / CERTIFICATIONS:

• 02/12, Financial Planning, Woodmen of the World, Omaha, NE
• 11/11, Life + Annuities and Health Insurance Licensing, Financial Academy, Richmond, VA
• 01/10, Certified Relocation and Transitions Specialist, Move Seniors founder Nan Hayes
• 02/08, Franchise Management, Cincinnati, OH
• 11/08, Certified Senior Advisor Certificate, Society of Certified Senior Advisor’s
• 02/07, Network Security and Vulnerability Technician, US Navy
• 12/06, Internet Security Systems Intrusion Prevention/Detection Systems, US Navy
• 11/06, COMPTIA Security Plus, US Navy
• 04/06, How to Excel at Managing and Supervising People, SkillPath, Virginia Beach, VA
• 12/05, HTML & Web Page Design Levels 1 & 2, Electronic Systems Inc., Virginia Beach, VA
• 06/05, NATO Crypto Custodian, US Navy, Latina, Italy
• 04/03, Covert Operations Against Terrorists (COATs), US Navy
• 02/03, Maritime Forward Looking Infrared (MARFLIR), US Navy
• 12/02, Army Airborne (parachute school), US Army
• 06/02, Survival, Evasion, Resistance & Escape (SERE) Training, US Navy
• 08/00, Naval Security Academy, US Navy

PUBLICATIONS / CONVENTIONS / TRAINING PRESENTATIONS:

• Guagenti, T. (2012, May 15). Letting go of the family home. Virginia Pilot. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/8o6x649
• 2012, Marketing and Networking Best Practices, Winston-Salem, NC (to 15 franchise owners, operations managers, company presidents)
• 2011, Providing Moving Services (How-To), Richmond, VA (to 12 franchise owners, operations managers, company presidents)
• 2011, Marketing, Networking, and Lessons Learned, Carefree, AZ (to 24 franchise owners, operations managers, company presidents (in coordination with other PakMail, 1-800-Got-Junk, EstateSales.net, and TagSellIt vendors)
• Walzer, P. (2008, Nov. 27). At work with Nick Sell. Virginia Pilot. Retrieved from   https://tinyurl.com/c8zxwmt
• CSA. Certified Senior Advisor. (nd). Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/8o6x649
• Brenner, C. (nd). Subject Matter Expert, AllBusiness.com; Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/c2wzh53

SKILLS / TECHNOLOGY / COMPUTER SOFTWARE & HARDWARE:

• FranConnect
• Internet, Browsers, Internet Explorer (IE), Microsoft Operating Systems (OS), Boolean
• Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook (Mail)
• Satellite Communications, including: Harris Technologies 117F, Thales MBITR radio, MRSAT phone system, Iridium Satellite cell-phone
• U-Haul Proprietary Software (logistical scheduling)

AWARDS / RECOGNITIONS:

• Combat Action (3)
• Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
• Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
• Good Conduct Medal (2)
• Joint Service Achievement Medal (2)
• Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2)
• Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medal

VOLUNTEER / MEMBERSHIP / TRADE ORGANIZATIONS:

• 06/11 – present, Member, National Association of Move Managers, Va. Beach, VA
• 09/09 – 09/10, Member, Citizens Committee to Protect the Elderly, Va. Beach, VA
• 03/08 – present, Volunteer, Virginia Beach Task Force on Aging, Va. Beach, VA
• 06/03 – present, Volunteer, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Va. Beach, VA; funerals / food bank
• 09/06 – present, Donor, Susan G. Komen 5K & Rock-N-Roll ½ Marathon, Va. Beach, VA
• 1999 – 2000, Member, Auxiliary Security Force (trained by US Marine Cadre and British Royal Marine Commandoes)

CLEARANCE:                Top Secret, SSBI (Adjudicated: 2006; Expired: 02/11)

PASSPORT:                   United States Citizen (Renewed: 11/2012; Expires: 11/22)

TRANSFERABLE EXPERIENCE & KEY SKILL WORDS:  Accounting, acquisition, Administrator, Advisor, Annuities, anti-submarine, API, appliances, assessment, assurance, battlefield, Boolean, branding, browsers, business, chain-of-command, classification / classified, combat, command, commission, communications, compliance, conferences, Configured/operated, consignment, contracting / contractor, cost-cutting, Counter-Intelligence, Cryptographic, CSA, Custodian, cyber-attacks, cyber-defense, demographic, design, detection, Distribution, electronic, enterprise, entrepreneur, equipment, estate sales, Expeditionary, Facilities management, founder, Franchise, government contracting, install/configure, intelligence analysis collection, intrepreneur, inventory, learners, logistics, manage / management, Marine, marketing, material handling, MBITR, Navy/Marine, Networking, operations, overhead, ownership/management, performance, personnel, policy/security, Prevention/Detection, Program Management, Project Management, relocation, reporting, retail/wholesale, revenue, sales, security/SEAL, service/construction/personal, services/products, shipping, SIPR-net, submarines, supervise, symposiums, systems, teach/train, telecommunications, tracking/monitoring, transit, transportation, vendors, warehouse, Warfare