Rob Lankford

High-performing Regional Sales Manager with more than 25 years of success driving revenue growth, developing strategic distributor partnerships, and expanding market share for leading manufacturers of industrial safety and personal protective equipment (PPE). Proven ability to build multimillion-dollar territories, exceed sales quotas, negotiate major contracts, and develop long-term customer relationships across manufacturing, utilities, healthcare, government, and industrial distribution channels. Recognized for consistently exceeding sales objectives, launching new products, delivering technical training, and helping distributors and end users improve worker safety through innovative PPE solutions.

Sales Consultant - Leaf Water Systems - Raleigh, NC

(2025-11)

• Generate residential sales through consultative selling techniques.
• Educate homeowners on advanced water purification systems.
• Develop new business opportunities while maintaining high customer satisfaction.

Regional Manager - Wholesale Payments

(2024-11 - 2025-11)

• Developed new business throughout the Raleigh market by selling payment processing solutions to commercial customers.
• Built relationships with business owners while expanding regional market penetration.

Regional Sales Manager - Bullard

(2021-06 - 2024-11)

Managed a four-state territory covering North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida for one of the industry's premier manufacturers of respiratory protection, head protection, and abrasive blasting equipment.

• Expanded distributor and end-user relationships across the Southeast.
• Increased adoption of Bullard Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR) systems within industrial and healthcare markets.
• Conducted technical product demonstrations, customer training, and sales presentations.
• Partnered with distributor sales teams to increase market share through specification selling.
• Supported strategic accounts throughout manufacturing, utilities, healthcare, and government sectors.

Safety Consultant - Caco-Abbo Americas

(2020-10 - 2021-05)

• Partnered directly with executive leadership to develop a new private-label PPE product line for General Electric.
• Managed vendor relationships throughout Taiwan.
• Reviewed product samples and specifications for eyewear, hearing protection, face shields, and hand protection.
• Assisted with sourcing, product development, and commercialization.

Regional Sales Manager / PPE Specialist - Honeywell

(2000 - 2020)

Successfully managed multiple sales territories throughout North Carolina and the Mid-Atlantic while representing one of the world's leading industrial safety manufacturers.

• Achieved 221% of Annual Operating Plan (AOP) in 2020.
• Generated more than $13 million in new business within an $11 million territory.
• Managed annual sales exceeding $15 million.
• Successfully sold PPE solutions during the COVID pandemic supporting UNC Health, North Carolina Emergency Management, and North Carolina DHHS.
• Built strategic relationships with Grainger, Fastenal, Airgas, Motion Industries, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and numerous independent distributors.
• Negotiated pricing agreements, annual contracts, rebates, and large RFQs.
• Conducted safety seminars covering respiratory protection, hearing conservation, eye protection, and fall protection throughout North and South Carolina.
• Won the Honeywell Howard Leight Award for highest SmartFit hearing protection sales during product launch.
• Secured major end-user business with Duke Energy, Pfizer, healthcare systems, manufacturing facilities, and government agencies.
• Worked closely with Product Management and Marketing teams during new product launches and prototype evaluations.
• Utilized Salesforce CRM, sales analytics, and distributor scorecards to improve territory performance and maximize revenue growth.

Regional Safety Specialist - Vallen

(1998 - 2000)

Managed industrial safety product sales throughout eastern North Carolina while supporting one of the nation's largest industrial distributors.

• Increased Honeywell sales in the Fayetteville market from $100,000 to $200,000.
• Helped secure a $1.5 million annual Duke Energy safety contract.
• Organized and hosted a regional Safety Expo attended by more than 70 safety professionals.
• Grew regional sales from $4 million to $6 million by expanding strategic customer relationships and increasing supplier engagement.

Bachelor of Arts - Chemistry - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Post-Baccalaureate Studies - Pre-Med - North Carolina State University