Ericka S. Schweihs
Ericka graduated from Riverland Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Administrative Assistant and Secretarial Science. Soon afterwards Ericka began her business career with CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA). She spent the next 25 years moving up the ladder within the organization.
As a Client Service Assistant, she was an integral part of the CLA Administrative & Marketing Department. In 1998 she was promoted into the Internal Accounting Department. This position involved the on boarding of numerous acquisitions. In 2008, Ericka was promoted to the position of Regional Scheduling and Communication Coordinator. Senior management created this position in acknowledgement of Ericka’s contribution to the success of the company. In this role she oversaw the scheduling needs of 10 CLA locations, and managed 60+ individuals.
In 2020, United Marketing Partners, Inc. (UMP) approached Ericka and her husband Andrew with a business opportunity and together they created a succession plan. As part of this plan, Ericka joined UMP's team. She assumed the role of Business Administrator where she managed staff, became involved with customer and vendor relations and oversaw all data management. This is where Ericka gained her extensive knowledge in the waste industry.
Currently, as the owner of Vendor Management Services, LLC (VMS), Ericka manages all VMS accounts which includes analyzing staffing needs, performing annual cost reduction audits and overseeing all aspects of the business. She is also involved in the day to day operations of Above All Cleaning, Inc as the Business Administrator.
Andrew J. Schweihs
Andrew has been a business owner since 1993 and has over 28 years of experience in business and management. He understands the importance of providing quality services that build long relationships. He knows what it takes to operate and build a successful business.
In 1996, Andrew and some partners purchased a struggling solid waste company. He operated many aspects of this company and gained extensive knowledge in the waste industry. After successfully growing and selling this company, he went to work for another company in the industry where he analyzed business aspects to make it profitable.
In 1999, he continued his career in the waste industry entering another market starting a new waste removal company from scratch, growing it into the second largest in the market before he sold it in 2002. During that time, he also started a janitorial and building maintenance company that currently services a two-state region and very successful. Just recently, his company was voted “The Best in County” and in the past 21 years, has grown it to be one of the largest in his market areas. As an additional service for his customers, he started analyzing their other vendors which lead to thousands in savings. Over the years, he has gained extensive knowledge of running a successful business, learned about many different industries, vendors and operational aspects which has now led to the venture of being CEO of VMS.
In 2020, United Marketing Partners approached Andrew and his wife Ericka with a business opportunity. Together they created a succession plan that has been in the process of transitioning for over a year and now complete. During this time, they both have gained additional knowledge of industry practices and recognized a niche in the market and need for business owners to better manage their vendors. Together as a family-owned company, they are building a company that offers cost savings and vendor management programs customized by client structured to make other business owners more profitable by performing their process.
Currently, Andrew owns and operates Above All Cleaning, Inc. and is the Chief Executive Officer for Vendor Management Services, LLC.
Russell P. Schweihs
Russ started in the waste industry hauling residential trash while home from college during the summer of 1977. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin and spending two years with Chrysler Financial he returned to the waste business as a sales representative for Browning-Ferris Industries in Minneapolis. After about 18 months, Russ was promoted to Sales Supervisor and given “cradle to grave” responsibility for five salespeople. Then 8 months later at the age of 26, Russ became the youngest person ever promoted to the position of Vice-President General Manager in the history of the company. Revenues grew 300% during 7 year tenure. His next step was Regional Special Waste Sales Manager, responsible for the development of a twelve state region. Revenues increased by 140% during his one year in this position.
Russ left Browning-Ferris in 1991 to head up an independent company where revenues increased 160% to $6 million in less than two years. From here Russ purchased two struggling solid waste companies in 1992 and 1996. These companies were subsequently sold in 1996 and 1997 respectively after dramatic turnarounds.
In 1993 Russ founded United Marketing Partners, Inc. (UMP). This company initially provided residential sales and marketing programs and support for solid waste companies. The company’s scope has increased to include commercial sales and technical support as well as financial consulting. UMP provided services to a number of haulers of all sizes from the “mom and pops”, to the regional and publicly held companies. In 2006 UMP opened a new division that provides business consulting services to reduce costs on a contingency basis for all types of companies. Since its inception UMP has saved its clients in excess of $2 million.
Russ was a featured speaker at the 1999 Waste Expo Conference in Dallas. Russ also was featured in the Entrepreneur section of the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the internationally published magazine Waste Age. Russ has also served as the only non-employee on the long- term strategic planning committee for a Fortune 500 waste company. In 2010 Russ was hired as a business consultant by GarbageMan which was recognized in 2012 by Inc. Magazine as the 71st fastest growing company in the nation.
In 2021 Russ transitioned his company to Vendor Management Services, LLC and currently provides business development services as part of that transition.