Experience

Convergence

• Information Technology & Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Principal Partner

  • Oct 2008 - Present

  Established and partner this textile design and merchandising consulting firm offering custom artwork, construction/development direction, color stories, and merchandising expertise. Clients are among the world’s largest upholstery weavers. Established and partner this textile design and merchandising consulting firm offering custom artwork, construction/development direction, color stories, and merchandising expertise. Clients are among the world’s largest upholstery weavers.



Costa Blanca Textiles

• Vice President of Operations

  • Nov 2000 - May 2008

  Hired as a Design Consultant and promoted to Vice President of Merchandising and Vice President of Operations and Product Development for this multi-million dollar importer of textile upholstery products from Europe and Asia. Responsibilities included design and development, advertising, merchandising, business development, vendor/client relationships, accounting, finance, and human resources. • Set goals, scrutinized new product selection, worked with vendors on quality improvement, and developed sales strategies. • Strategically placed a limited number of high-end “niche” products within the collection/assortment thereby reaching a new sales audience resulting in a significant increase in revenue over a five year period • Successfully opened a new warehouse in High Point, NC resulting in a 50% faster inventory rotation, more accurate inventory assessment, and a 40% reduction in annual warehousing costs. • Introduced a highly successful “Unisuede” product. By taking advantage of the constant flow of incoming containers from Asia, the cut yardage program reached a new sales audience and increased revenue by 12% in 12 months and 20% in 18 months. Vice President of Merchandising (2001 – 2004) Supervised all aspects of the Costa Blanca product line including jacquard wovens, cotton prints, flocks for residential, top-of-the-bed, RV, and contract use. Merchandised products to tell a “one stop shop” story. • Collaborated closely with a design team in Spain to develop new fabric constructions. Designed and coordinated these fabrics for semi-annual new textile collections. • Managed company advertising and publicity including websites, company brochures, and print ad material. Selected colorways for new fabrics including wovens, prints, and flocks. • Delivered sales presentations to key customers highlighting the significance of new trends within home furnishings. Procured vital new accounts.