Dino Colao

Hi, I'm Dino Colao

Senior District Manager

About

Who i am

About

Dino Colao

Senior District Manager

Throughout a career spanning two decades as an organizational leader, I have dedicated myself to building world-class teams by nurturing and inspiring talent, promoting continuous learning principles, and providing hands-on training for employees at all levels. With a highly engaged, diverse, and ambitious team behind me, it is possible to surpass even the highest expectations in areas such as sales, operations, and customer service. My track record of success as a Senior District Manager in retail, C-store, recreation, fuel, and food service environments has justified the investment of time and resources I made in coaching the next generation of managerial talent. A major aspect of my leadership style is embracing diversity of individuals and perspectives. I foster a collaborative culture where a wide range of ideas can be discussed, tested, and implemented.

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I understand the importance of developing frameworks and programs that allow an organization to scale, and I have designed custom training initiatives for multiple organizations on a foundation of practical skills, emotional intelligence, and leadership acumen. My objective is to provide managers with the tools and competencies they need to excel in their roles. By focusing on both professional growth and personal empowerment, I have consistently produced top-tier management teams that are equipped to meet today’s challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities.

While my natural interpersonal awareness has allowed me to develop strong relationships with customers, colleagues, and vendors, I have also became a formidable strategist who can use data analysis and market research to derive insights that inform management decisions – leading to streamlined, cost-effective, and agile businesses. My natural aptitude for critical thinking and problem solving has enabled me to design creative solutions to complex problems, resulting in competitive advantage and increased market share.

I am proud to say that my legacy as a leader is centered around the impact I have on the career development of those around me, and take great satisfaction in seeing the managers I have trained go on to accomplish great things. This lifelong dedication to excellence in team building remains the cornerstone of my professional philosophy and continues to shape the way I approach every challenge and opportunity.

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Expertise

Specializations

Expertise

Senior District Management

Adept at leading multi-site businesses in a variety of sectors, encompassing retail, convenience store, recreation, fuel, and food service. I possess broad expertise across operations, sales, and customer service, with a dedication to ensuring that each site meets and exceeds company goals. I am able to build diverse, agile teams that enable territory expansion, drive revenue growth, and foster customer loyalty in competitive markets.

Operations Management

Demonstrated aptitude for strategic planning and analysis, with a history of evaluating business models to identify opportunities for improvement and productive change. I can design and implement projects and programs that streamline processes and procedures, resulting in an efficient, cost-effective, and highly competitive enterprise.

Management, Training & Development

With a deep understanding of how organizational culture impacts team performance, I have created positive and collaborative environments in which all employees can achieve their career ambitions while adding value to the business, leading to strong morale and staff retention. I prioritize the training and mentoring of talent at all levels of the business, and I promote core principles of continuous improvement and lifelong learning at every opportunity.

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Skills

What I Do

Skills

District Management

Coaching & Mentoring

Culture Building

Cross-Functional Collaboration

Talent Retention

Performance Improvement

Data Analytics

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Community Involvement

Strategic Operations

Organization Development

Leadership Development

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Resume

Work History

Resume

2022-Present - Purple Fish Creative

Sales & Business Development Manager

  • Business Development
  • Customer Relationship Management

I sourced lucrative opportunities that drove consistent revenue growth, focusing on nationwide expansion through strategic sales planning and relationship building. As a leader, I hired, trained, and mentored a diverse, multi-disciplinary team to meet current and future resource requirements, including contract hires for special projects. I streamlined B2B sales processes, opened new territories, and consistently surpassed sales quotas.

2020-2022 - Curaleaf

Senior Multi-Unit Manager & Trainer

  • District / Regional Management
  • Operations Management
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Retail Sales

I achieved organizational excellence and enabled Curaleaf's continued growth and success by establishing and implementing best practices in sales, operations, and the development of managerial talent. I was initially hired to turn around an underperforming store, before being promoted to a multi-unit leadership role with oversight for a large and diverse team. As a trainer, I emphasized prudent financial control, robust people management, and the importance of using data analysis and KPIs to inform management decisions.

2018-2020 - Jernigan Oil Company & Duck Thru Food Stores

Senior District Manager

  • Multi-Unit Management
  • Operations Management
  • Business Development
  • Team Training & Development

I orchestrated a multimillion-dollar district encompassing numerous locations across North Carolina including convenience stores, fuel/energy, food stores, and restaurants with oversight for financial, operational, and sales management workflows. I trained and developed store managers to ensure the highest standards of professionalism, utilizing KPIs to track, monitor, and improve performance.

2016-2017 - Nautica

Senior Store Manager

  • Operations Management
  • Retail Management
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Team Training & Development

I was hired by Nautica to transform an underperforming location as an expert in change management, retail strategy, and leadership. I created a culture of excellence and implemented a range of best practice processes. One of my proudest accomplishments in this role was enabling managers to grow with the business, promoting one new assistant store manager, one stockroom manager, and two key holders.

2011-2016 - Kitty Hawk Kites

Senior District Manager

  • District / Multi-Unit Management
  • Operations Management
  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Team Training & Development
  • Retail Management

I directed a portfolio of business entities encompassing retail outlets, restaurants, and resort locations with multimillion-dollar annual revenues. I held full P&L accountability and managed sales, staffing, procurement, and customer service functions. I led recruitment and training operations, assembling and managing a diverse team with full time and seasonal employees from across the globe.

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Feedback

Testimonials

Feedback

Mallory Lengel

Dino is an incredibly effective, fair, and motivated manager. He consistently puts significant thought and effort into training and developing new talent while balancing daily needs of the business. He was an absolute delight to work with and learn from on all levels. I learned how to manage people in a way that ensured we were hitting goals while maintaining morale and a positive work environment. He respects and appreciates his staff but is always prepared to make the tough decisions.

Via Linkedin

Leo Buda

Dino is a highly energetic cultural leader that thrives in a world of ambiguity. He adapts quickly to change and sows seeds of change that inspires both the people he leads and his peers as well. He consistently exceeded every expectation set for him and is not afraid to challenge the status quo’s leading to great change and field impact.

Via Linkedin

April Benjamin

Dino is a top-notch leader, whether it’s one store or district Dino will come out on top! He leads by example and will do whatever it takes to put together a team. I thoroughly enjoyed the time that I worked with him and I would recommend him to any company. is definitely an asset.

Via Linkedin

Mallory Smith

Working with Dino, he consistently demonstrated a servant leader mentality while fostering an environment of motivation and positivity. I enjoyed working with him immensely and I would recommend him for any leadership position.

Via Linkedin

Casey Howell

Dino is a pleasure to work with. He improves the atmosphere at every meeting and could sell anything. He is great at motivating a team and his sales figures reflect his hands on and positive approach to management.

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Shelby Foster

Dino truly fostered a team environment and provided me with skills that I continue to use in retail and in life. Dino's leadership style was inclusive and empowering, always encouraging team collaboration and personal growth. His dedication to our success was evident, and he consistently led by example with integrity and professionalism.

Via Linkedin
Community

Support

Community

Outreach & Volunteering

I am deeply committed to supporting communities in need, dedicating over 11 years to volunteering and disaster relief efforts. As a Team Lead for flood disasters in Iowa, I coordinated relief operations, providing essential resources and assistance to affected families. I have also been actively involved in hurricane relief, helping communities rebuild and recover after devastating storms. My work is driven by a belief in the importance of teamwork and compassion to make a positive impact. Volunteering has given me the opportunity to connect with diverse communities, offering both practical help and emotional support during challenging times.

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Contact

Get In Touch

Contact

Let's Talk!

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