Higher Standards

Dick Carbone – CEO

Founder and current 50% owner of Higher Standards, Inc. Prior to Higher Standards, Dick spent twenty-two years in the restaurant industry. He personally owned four restaurants and sold an additional 30 franchises in five states. In addition, Dick developed a sales organization with a sales force of over 5,000 independent representatives.

Bill Ernst – President

50% owner of Higher Standards, Inc. Bill became part owner in July 2004 and took an active role in the day-to-day with the company in March 2005. Prior to Higher Standards, Bill was a Vice President of TCF Bank Minnesota responsible for portfolio acquisitions and sales. Prior to TCF, Bill was the VP of Finance for Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, Inc., a $6 billion equipment finance company owned by Wells Fargo Corporation.Bill holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration-Finance Management from the University of St. Thomas and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management.

John Wadsworth – Chief Marketing Officer

Prior to Higher Standards, John spent 20 years in the Residential Mortgage Industry. John was founder and President of Minnesota Home Mortgage, Inc. He sold off in 2000 and originated over $300 million dollars in loan production during his years in the business. Prior to that, his background was a Captain in the US Army. Production Control Manager at Control Data, General Manager at City Pages Newspaper, and Real Estate Broker.John’s job functions have included: Human Resources, Sales and Sales Management, Accounting and Operations. John holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Norwich University, the oldest Private Military College in the U.S. and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. john@higherstandards.net    http://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbwadsworth

Randy Wojta – Chief Operating Officer

Randy has the entrepreneural gift to visualize and create opportunities to be an independent business owner by capitalizing on trends and timing. Prior to joining Higher Standards, Inc. in 2009 as their National Sales Director, Randy had been self employed for more than 20 years owning several traditional businesses. He also operated a consulting business that specialized in developing national sales organizations for the direct sales industry. He has built multiple national and international sales organizations with independent representatives numbering in the tens of thousands. He has been a business advisor and corporate sales trainer for some of the largest direct sales companies in the United States. randy has also been employed on the corporate side holding positions as Vice President of Sales, President and CEO.

Scott Timmerman – VP National Sales

Scott R Timmerman joined Higher Standards in April 2011 as our VP of National Sales. Scott has over 20 years of Merchant Service and Mobile Marketing experience with 14 years dedicated to Corporate/Commercial Banking Clients. Prior to joining Higher Standards, Scott worked as an Area Sales Manager, National Sales Rep and Commercial Account Executive and has had a successful career in all the various positions within the Merchant Services and Mobile Marketing Industry. Scott has offered the benefit of his knowledge and experience to provide financial and marketing solutions to small business, middle market and large corporate clients, including Retail, Restaurant, B2B, Government and Non-Profit Organizations. He has also been recognized as a top sales producer in all the companies he has worked for. Scott resides in St. Michael, Minnesota with his wife.

Sherry Miller – Officer Manager

Sherry began working with Higher Standards in 2007. She brought management experience from several nonprofit organizations and through managing and singing with the Zephyr Cabaret (sang on the MN Zephyr) and Reminise (Big Band quartet).  Today she manages the fun and vibrant team of office employees and provides quality customer service to our merchants and sales rep team.

Sherry also works with pricing analysis and is our resident statement expert.