SUMMARY

An executive with strong marketing, merchandising and operations background. Seeking a position with a consumer products, market driven company. Background combines a broad product and market base with significant management experience including P&L responsibility in corporate and entrepreneur environments. A strong team builder with a history of successful profitable results. A proven strategist with excellent market, product development, merchandising and program development skills.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

WANGS INTERNATIONAL, Memphis, TN

A publicly traded $175 million dollar International import/export distributing company specializing in gift ware, craft, home decor and floral products.

Senior Vice President of Marketing and Merchandising 1996 - Present

• Member Executive Committee. Participated in two acquisitions for the parent company (ROLY). Manage market direction and P&L responsibilities for these acquisitions.
• Developed products and marketing programs to transition company from arts and crafts to include lifestyle, home decor projects.
• Managed, directed, led and motivated a professional staff of purchasing, replenishment, product development-merchandisers and designers.
• Hands on marketing skills including sourcing, pricing, plan-o-grams, product development and packaging. Developed a keen sense of trends, color as well as new markets for further expansion.
• Overseeing all publications and market specific advertising and merchandising.
• Directed all trade show and showroom groups and activities.
• Manage sales, service and product development for Walmart account.

 

TRUFFAUT, Paris France 1995-1996

Guiding a start-up craft operation with 32 stores from a French garden center chain.

Consultant

• Designed new and unique layouts to the Garden Center stores enabling them to feature art, craft and related products in an exciting and upscale manner.
• Product development and sourcing for the arts, crafts, floral and related products, appealing to the French tastes and culture.
• Developed relationships with freight consolidators to minimize transportation costs and handle all custom's paperwork.
• Coordinated with U.S. vendors to secure bilingual packaging which would comply with French consumer laws.
• Arranged training sessions in display, demonstration, classes, reordering, end use of products and customer service in the U.S. for start-up managers.

 

MICHAELS STORE INC., Dallas, TX 1994-1995

A 425 retail store chain of arts and craft supplies. This was a new Michaels warehouse concept group of stores.

President, Craft and Floral Warehouse Division

• Redefined merchandise mix using gross margins per square foot and sales per square foot as qualifying element. The gross margin was increased by 2.6% and sales increased by 23%.
• Implemented new marketing campaign to increase effectiveness of "Up to 60% Off Everything, Everyday" motto.
• Completed system utilization review and provided hard tangible savings through Point of Sale scanning, price removal, productivity scheduling, inventory control and gross margin control.

 

RAGSHOPS INC., Hawthorne, NJ 1992-1994

A publicly traded arts, crafts, floral and fabric retail company consisting of 70 stores with revenues of $105 million and profits of $2.4 million.

President

• Responsible for operations and strategic plan for continued profitable growth and developed management team to deliver the desired results.
• Reduced inventory levels through new prototype that increased turn-over and sales per square foot. This allowed funding to grow from 54 to 70 stores in two years.
• Managed investor relations.

 

ROSES STORES, INC., Henderson, NC 1987-1992

A 130 variety store chain with sales of $775 million and $35 million net profit.

Vice President, Store Operations

• Responsible for operations of 130 stores with sales of $775 million and $35 million net profit.
• Recruited staff, trained and managed succession planning for 13 District Managers, Administrative Assistants, Loss Prevention Manager and 3 Regional Personnel Managers.
• Controlled cost center budget of $150 million. Under-planned percentage and dollars every year.
• Received "Chairman Cup" for outstanding performance in 1989 Region.
• Senior Projects Manager 1986-1987
• Designed procedures and training tools for programs to improve productivity and customer services.
• Increased sales per-man-hour 7.18% in first year.
• Interfaced between store operations and systems to develop Backroom Receiving System and to implement P.O.S. and computer replenishment programs.
• Implemented Partnership Review Appraisals program for exempt associates.
• District Manager, TN 1981-1986
• Responsible for operations, merchandising and personnel.
• Store Manager 1976-1985
• Received Manager of the Year Award for 1979.

 

W.T. GRANT COMPANY, New York, NY 1967-1976

A variety retail store chain

Store Manager

• Received the 1974 W.T. Grant Achievement Award for the Top Capital Program store in Eastern region and the 1970 W.T. Grant Achievement Award for the best store in the District and fourth best store in region.

EDUCATION

University of Virginia, Lynchburg, VA 1967; Business Administration Program

---

References Available Upon Request