Direct Marketing Executive with broad experience leading successful business turnarounds and managing growth companies in all stages of development, as well as functional expertise in strategic planning, marketing, finance and operations. Strong brand building background, from redefining market positioning to the introduction of private label credit programs and customized e-commerce initiatives for multiple businesses.
EXPERIENCE
1999 to 2003
A $400 Million Multi-Title Catalog Retailer - Metro New York, NY
Executive Vice-President
General Manager of a $150 million catalog group. Complete profit and loss responsibility for two catalog companies that were purchased in bankruptcy. Led the turnaround effort that resulted in these catalogs generating strong and sustained earnings every year since acquisition.
* Developed and implemented brand marketing programs and created innovative circulation plans to retain the most profitable customers, including solo mailers, proprietary credit offers and e-commerce sites for each brand.
* Completely re-branded and re-merchandised two catalog offers and developed marketing plans and customer service initiatives to reactivate and retain the historical customer base.
* Merged the management structures of two acquired companies to fully utilize unique marketing, merchandising and creative talent, and to accelerate the management development of key functional executives.
* Launched branded consumer credit programs across all titles. This program improved core customer loyalty and reduced advertising expense over 20% for these segments.
* Consolidated select financial and information systems functions into the parent company to leverage core expertise. This enabled a rapid adoption of common systems and reporting, and a 50% reduction in departmental costs.
1995 to 1999
A $600 Million Catalog and Retail Company - Metro New York, NY
Senior Vice President & CFO/COO
Home Textile and Kitchen - a $350 million group. Shared responsibility with the catalog president for creating strategies and initiatives to rebuild Domestications, the company’s largest business. These programs turned a $16 million loss into a $1 million profit over three years.
* Developed successful brand positioning through unique assortment, pricing and promotions targeted to high potential customer segments. Also, increased profitable sales by launching the company’s first e-commerce site.
* Strengthened the management team by recruiting, training and mentoring new departmental executives.
Senior Vice President & COO
Women’s Apparel - An $80 million group. Overall profit and loss responsibility for a four brand women’s apparel business.
* Utilizing brand and competitive analysis, led a reorganization effort that resulted in the elimination of two catalog titles and the reassignment of key marketing, merchandising and creative staffs into the two remaining brands.
* Redefined the merchandising and marketing strategies for each brand and recruited new catalog general managers.
1994 to 1995
A $450 Million Catalog Retailer – Metro Boston, MA
Senior Vice President - Finance & Systems
Responsible for strengthening the financial and information technology systems, controls and staff required to support rapid growth. Managed a staff of seventy professionals.
* Created the financial and systems infrastructure for a consumer credit marketing program, increasing sales 40%.
* Developed an information technology strategic plan to support rapid growth into a multi-title catalog company.
1992 to 1994
A $600 Million Catalog and Retail Company - Metro New York, NY
Vice President & CFO/COO
Home Textile & Gift - A $300 million group. Managed the profitability of the largest division of the company. Directed the finance, distribution, telemarketing, print/production and inventory management functions.
* Created and implemented action plans that improved gross profit margins, increased consumer credit marketing promotions, and revised catalog marketing plans. These initiatives resulted in record sales and earnings.
* Upgraded key executive positions and improved the integration of merchandising, marketing and inventory management to enable the organization to continue growing revenues and profits.
1987 to 1992
A $70 Million Venture Capital Backed Catalog Retailer - Metro New York, NY
Vice President & CFO
Worked with the founders and Board of Directors to set and implement the marketing, merchandising, financial, and operational strategies that led to the creation of a $70 million company in three years.
* Established the financial and administrative functions required to support and control rapid growth. Also, negotiated a $13 million credit line and executed the private placement of a $15 million equity offering.
1983 to 1987
A $200 million Catalog and Direct Retailer - Metro New York, NY
Vice President - Finance & Administration
* Developed and implemented operating and financial systems, procedures and controls to support growth of the catalog division from a $5 million early stage business to a $100 million company with two titles.
1982 to 1983
SELF EMPLOYED - Metro New York, NY
Marketing Consultant
1979 to 1982
A $250 Million Film Processor and Retailer - Metro New York, NY
Product Manager
EDUCATION
MBA - University of Connecticut - 1978
BA - Manhattanville College - 1975 |
