Background

For nearly thirty-years, much of my career has been devoted to growth-oriented retail business and their needs:  high octane executive mind-set, near continuous planning and forecasting, and seemingly never-ending financing - all of which play to my particular executive strengths and all of which are necessary to take expanding businesses to the next level. 

There are few aspects of financial executive retailing endeavors that I have not managed or developed, and I have a broad retail pedigree which includes major retail players. 

So why Iona? The opportunity and fit, as I see them, are as follows:

Value Added:  Performance, Value, and Leadership

• Executive evaluation and assessment. I have worked closely with CEO's and retail executives in an operating, but not an exclusive board room, work environment. This platform has provided insight on the operating strengths, talents, and capabilities of retail managers which can assist investors assess the risks and likelihood of success of executives and the teams which they assemble.
• Hands-on, High Growth Retail Know How. My experience includes hands-on executive responsibilities of super-growth retail business enterprises: opening 30 to 35 24,000 sqft stores per year starting with a base of 28 stores. The thrill today is to help other retail teams achieve spectacular results.
• Strategic Assessment. Creating retail value begins with a critical assessment of the merits and risks of a retail concept - and the talents of the executive team to deliver. My operational background provides a key resource in this assessment process.
• A Hard Working, Cost Effective Director. As an independent director I have the time to spend with management and other directors. Often smaller businesses are unable to identify suitable advisors and to afford the daunting fees and overhead to support their work. Here again, the wide range of prior retail accomplishments allows me to seamlessly network with mid- to senior level executives to assist the team achieve its goals.
• The Ultimate Goals. The ultimate goals are to create wealth for those who risk the capital and reward those whose daily operating efforts and talents achieve the strategic intent of the business.

Recent Engagements

Recently, I have advised a consumer based private equity firm regarding several of their target investments:  transitional leadership, staffing, business planning, due diligence, and ABL retail financing.  This work is personally rewarding and fulfilling. 

Key Professional Accomplishments

Among other accomplishments, I have:

• Hired and managed financial and treasury staffs as large as 90 workers.
  
  
• Taken five marquee retail companies public:  The Gap, Williams-Sonoma, Sharper Image, Ross Stores, and ASI, Inc. 
  
  
• Prepared Offering and Business Memorandums, sold bank credit and equity plans to lenders and/or investors, and negotiated the closing documents, $1 million to $200 million.  (Interestingly, the most difficult credit facility was a $1 million credit facility for Kate’s, which, at the time, was considered un-bankable.)
  
  
• Designed and structured the financial reporting control systems. 
  
  
• Managed investor relations and was the primary spokesperson for Street and investor affairs. 
  
  
• Conducted the financial feasibility, arranged the financing, and negotiated the terms on three 500,000 sqft distribution centers, a $50 million equipment lease portfolio, a $100 million stock repurchase initiative, and both senior and multi-bank credit facilities.  Located, negotiated, and closed long-term leases for administrative and DC facilities
  
  
• Managed and have been the primary contact for all private equity and venture capital affairs. 
  
  
• Over the years, installed a host of non-financial systems, such as:  real estate site selection, performance appraisal, open-to-buy, and health benefit plans. 

What else? My group communication skills are mature and persuasive as a result of many years of board presentations, strategic advocacy, and as a speaker at sell-side analyst conferences.  In short, I am an aggressive, high energy, versatile and independent thinking retail executive who adds value to a host of operational and strategic business endeavors. 

While the above accomplishments may be noteworthy, you may ask if I ever get down in the guts of the business:  payroll clerk duties, transaction controls, departmental head counts, and budgets. Resoundingly – yes. 

Personal Outlook

Fellow associates know me as an executive who is ruthlessly analytic with a sharp eye for control and a zero tolerance for sloppy performance standards.  However, I gear my outlook to be a coach and leader of performance teams, systems and business purpose rather than an information-hoarding technocrat.  While not in anyway overbearing, I am a resourceful and tough-minded manager who believes that staff members will rise well above their current professional ambitions when given the proper opportunities and motivation.  Expectation for personal growth is the cheapest and most sustaining work incentive.

If we have an opportunity to meet, I hope you would consider adding my name to your short list of viable advisement or board of director candidates.  My perspective, business outlook, and easy-going, but mature personal skills will enrich and re-vitalize your business efforts.