A few months ago, Alice Heiman's 12-year-old son watched intently as she filled out a questionnaire, part of the competition for the "Saleswoman of the Year" award.
William Heiman asked how the winner was chosen.
Sales accomplishments and public service, his mother replied.
"Oh mom," he said, "you'll win for sure." The youngster proved prescient as Heiman, the president of ARH Consulting LLC, last week won the annual sales award competition sponsored by the Professional Saleswomen of Nevada.
Pam Robinson, an executive vice president with 1st National Bank Mortgage, was runner-up.
Other finalists for the award were Rose Ann Capirotti, a retailer who owned The Pepper Tree in Reno; Jo Ann Corriera of Prudential Nevada Realty; and Sharon Martin of Residence Magazine.
Heiman's consulting company has worked with organizations such as John Deere Credit and SBC Nevada Bell to improve their sales process.
She previously worked for Miller Heiman Inc., the Reno-based company that's one of the nation's largest sales training organizations.
"I take my job very seriously," Heiman told members of the Professional Saleswomen of Nevada last week.
"I love to sell."
While the award is based partially on accomplishments in the world of sales, Professional Saleswomen President Linda Rice said community involvement also is important.
Heiman, who holds a bachelor's degree in special education and a master's degree in education from National Louis University, is among the founders of Women Executives Accelerating Change Today WEACT in Reno and is president of the Nevada Association for the Gifted and Talented.
