Rudolf J. Waldner

As a start-up, brick-and-mortar business kind of guy, it only made sense for Rudy Waldner to join Centrinex as COO. He coordinates the sales floor, develops the talent, drives the numbers, and basically does anything it takes to make a business hum.

Because Centrinex is in a constant growth phase, Waldner gets to deal with something new every day. Whether it’s starting up a new customer, product or enhancement, there’s always a new experience for him to thrive on.

Originally from the east coast, Waldner’s educational background includes a bachelor’s in advertising from The City University of New York’s Baruch College and a master’s in management from Long Island University’s C.W. Post College.

Previously, Waldner consulted with Blockbuster in Germany, started a marketing department and served as Regional Director of Operations for Advance America, and served as VP of Operations for CLA – where he ran a product in 28 states for six years and opened up a collections call center.

Somehow, he found time to write his book, Marketing from the Trenches. The whole premise of the book is how to start a company, market it, and get it moving from the ground up. And it’s exactly what got him to Kansas City. Bart Miller read the book and invited him to run the business.

When Waldner isn’t developing training, improving performance and working on incentives for Centrinex, he can be found teaching his marketing program at UMKC, JCCC and K-State, out playing soccer, or traveling the world.