Experience

Chicago Apartment Finders

• United States
• Real Estate

• Chief Operating Officer

  • Sep 2012 - Present

  Responsibile for overseeing the day to day operations of the Company, as well as working with the executive management team to develop a strategic plan for future growth. Responsibile for overseeing the day to day operations of the Company, as well as working with the executive management team to develop a strategic plan for future growth.



CLIC

• Advertising Services

• Principal

  • Nov 2008 - Oct 2012

  CLIC NOW, Inc Principal Nov. 2008 to present Created Clic Now to develop and launch a long-standing vision for a unique line of inspirational products. Touched Now is a gift line of ‘message stones’ with powerful and unique messaging. Directed a team of independent engineers and designers developing a state of the art product, led the sourcing of five off-shore vendors, and secured financial backing through a master licensing agreement. Independently provided consulting services in strategic planning, brand building and problem solving: • Directed the brand strategy, research, and packaging development for a multi-channel launch of a revolutionary category expansion for a privately held concern. • Created a strategy and oversaw the expansion of a high-potential, underdeveloped business segment for an established candle company. • Assessed the viability and prepared a resolution strategies for 5 down-trending divisions of a non-profit organization. Show less



Ardore Candles (aquisition)

• SVP Business Development

  • Nov 2006 - Nov 2008

  ARDORE CANDLES: Consultant & Sr. VP Business Development Nov. 2006- 2008 (ACQUISITION) Ardore Candles was a start-up soy candle company who was ‘late’ entering the market, limited technological capabilities, but possessed and incredible vision. • Created a breakthrough positioning, “Leader in Soy Wax Candle Technology”, and reinforced that with additional performance benefits (fuller and faster fragrance) that distinguished the brand from competition. This new positioning resulted in the Company being acquired. Show less



Soy Basics

• United States
• Manufacturing

• Senior Vice President

  • Sep 2002 - Nov 2006

  SOY BASICS (Beanpod Candles): Senior VP Marketing & Sales 2002 - 2006 Led the strategic planning and execution of sales, marketing, and product development efforts for a start-up Candle Company growing the brand to become #1 soy candle brand in America. • Increased sales from $2 million to $17 million in three years: *Developed the business model incorporating breakthrough strategies in sales training, retail and consumer promotions, merchandising, and product development. • Guided the sales force through potentially disastrous quality issues, increasing sales and strengthening retailer support. Show less



Riddell

• United States
• Sporting Goods Manufacturing
• 400 - 500 Employee

• SVP General Manager

  • 1998 - 2001

  RIDDELL SPORTS, INC.: Senior VP & General Manager 1997 – 2001 (acquisition) Full P&L responsibility for a $20 million Sports Collectibles division of Riddell Sports. Direct reports included Vice President Finance, Vice President Sales, and department heads of Product Development, Off-Shore Sourcing, and Marketing. • Grew Division profit from a money-losing position to $4 million within 3 years. • Reduced inventory 33%, or $1 million, within 12-month period while increasing availability of “hot” market products. • Decreased Asian-sourced product lead-time from 90 days to 30. • Expanded product offering to address the ‘casual collector’ expanding Riddell’s consumer base. • Led strategic planning and implementation of e-commerce site. Show less



Brown Shoe Company

• Canada
• Retail Apparel and Fashion

• VP General Manager

  • 1992 - 1998

  BROWN GROUP: VP Marketing & General Manager 1989 - 1996 A $2 billion footwear company marketing brands including Dr. Scholl’s, Naturalizer, and Buster Brown. • Managed strategic planning and marketing of Dr. Scholl’s footwear license. Developed the business from a zero base to a $150 million (wholesale basis) business within 18 months. Directed breakthrough in-store merchandising efforts which changed the retail face of mass merchants shoe departments. • Developed a two pronged strategy (technical and fashion) to expand the brand into specialty store distribution (clinically proven to relive backache)) and department stores (the Dr. Scholl Exercise Sandal) increasing business 20%. Show less



Tupperware

• United States
• Retail
• 700 & Above Employee

• VP Global New Products

  • 1989 - 1991

  TUPPERWARE: VP World-wide New Products 1985-1988 Led the world-wide product development efforts for this $500 million home-party company improving on-time performance from 60% to 90% and reducing development time 10%.EXPERIENCE • Led the development of the Company’s first 5 year global strategic plan. • Reengineered the global new product process increasing technological capabilities and improving performance. • Directed efforts to created a new plastic and created a breakthrough marketing proposition enabling the Company to exit a popular but unprofitable business segment costing the company $.50 for every $1.00 in sales. Show less



additional experience

• United States

• Director Marketing; Financial Analyst

  • 1972 - 1985

  ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE: Director of Marketing for the Star Wars toy business (Kenner Products/Hasbro) for the first three movies ($225MM business), new ventures and preschool. Product Manager new products for Quaker Oats, Assistant product manager for Welch Foods food service and retail new product efforts; Three financial analyst positions and ran a 20 person sales accounting department for Welch Foods. ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE: Director of Marketing for the Star Wars toy business (Kenner Products/Hasbro) for the first three movies ($225MM business), new ventures and preschool. Product Manager new products for Quaker Oats, Assistant product manager for Welch Foods food service and retail new product efforts; Three financial analyst positions and ran a 20 person sales accounting department for Welch Foods.