EXECUTIVE PROFILE

EXPERIENCED LUXURY BRAND OPERATING TOP EXECUTIVE

Consumer Brand Strategist * Product Design * Experienced Marketing Managemen
t
Areas of Expertise
* Product Design and Positioning * Mobile & Social Network Design * Silver Jew
elry Development
* Brand Extension Strategy * Multi-Channel Business Models * Turnaround Experi
ence
* Strategic Sourcing in Asia and Europe. * Successful P&L Leadership *
Private Equity/VC Sourcing
Recognized as a skilled operational marketing leader with executive-level experi
ence in the consumer product and luxury brand industry. Proven history in boosti
ng profit and market share through financial analytics. Background in designing
innovative social networking strategies. Skilled in developing and executing pio
neering marketing plans, campaigns and budgets. Proficient in designing global s
upply chain strategies in Asia, Europe and North America. Experienced in buildin
g and motivating sales teams. Adept at establishing and maintaining sales relat
ionships with national and web-based retailers. Strong presentation and communic
ation skills. Columnist on product strategy for several leading luxury brand jou
rnlsl. On-air (TV Channel 3 and FOX NEWS NETWORK) source on luxury retailers. L
ecturer at colleges and universities. Columnist for National Jewelers Magazine,
Pro Jeweller Magazine, Canadian Jewellery Magazine and 3 others.
Career Highlights
* Designed and launched Eclipse, now a nationally recognized silver jewelry and
watch brand.
* FORTUNE 500 International Management Consultant leading to increased profitabi
lity of three divisions, through data analysis (six sigma) and solution design.
* Management Consultant with Diebold Group Int'l, developing penetration strateg
ies for European expansion.
* Wide range of successful luxury brand development experience including CEO of
a $25 million gold jewelry manufacturer; vice president of an international $20
million venture capital firm; managing director of a $130+ million gift retailer
's incentive division; president of an e-brand jewelry startup.
* Directed 12-month sales initiatives resulting in two-year $17 million sales co
ntracts (jewelry and fine gifts) with national corporate accounts, including Leh
man Brothers, Xerox, John Hancock and Estee Lauder.
* Increased fine jewelry sales by 18.7 percent and gross profit by 35 percent wi
thin three years through focused marketing, diversified retail distribution and
outsourcing production.
* Built 20-person sales organization using interactive recruiting/training/motiv
ation model.
* Sold an estimated 350,000 units (single design) under licensing agreement to A
VON Products.
* Sales leadership skill to large retail organizations: Wal-Mart, AVON, Macy's,
Zales, HSN and others.
* Extensive sourcing in Asia, Europe, India, Mexico and America.
* Fluent in Dutch with knowledge of Chinese, (Mandarin), languages.
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
HOUSE OF WILLEM, LLC Danbury, CT
Jewelry/Watch Brand Marketer.
Brand Manager, Founder 2003 to 2007
Designed and launched the 'killer' sterling silver jewelry and watch brand with
a four-channel retail distribution model, simultaneously marketed via direct sal
es (ie. Mary Kay), home shopping networks (ie. HSN), direct mail and web retaile
rs (ie.Google). Eclipse became nationally recognized niche leader. Brand initial
ly financed by private equity and sold to global jewelry conglomerate.
* Within three years, achieved sales of $11 million, gross profit of nearly 45 p
ercent.
* Built management team. Recruited/trained/motivated 20-person sales organizatio
n via GE virtual Internet-based model; nationwide sales force metrics outperform
ed industry averages by 22 percent.
* Through brand leadership, Home Shopping Network (HSN) produced one-hour Eclips
e Show (Premier); viewed by an estimated 8.5 million viewers.
* Created web-based marketing program including architecture design, SEO, 'shopp
ing cart, flash, etc.
* Implemented cost controls, resulted in year-to-year gain of 67 percent in sale
s, 43 percent in operating profit.
* Brand sourced in China, Mexico, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, USA and Thailand.
* Developed global ISO 9000 sourcing system; published "HOW QC-Tolerances and De
livery Standards Manual.".
COVER-IT West Haven, CT
Consumer Product Manufacturer.
President 2000 to 2003
Recruited to turn-around limping $16 million, 200-employee, multi-plant and fina
ncially challenged global 'instant shelter'. Led Cover-It brand to a more ration
al culture; reported to technically oriented owner who lacked corporate experien
ce; company later sold to VC interests.
* Implemented and met 25 percent sales target for three sales divisions, attaine
d within 60 days.
* Through innovative strategies and turn-around models, began process of transfo
rming company from entrepreneurial to a disciplined culture without changing com
pany's mission or vision.
* Designed and implemented financial reporting systems, budgets, cash/cost contr
ols and P&L goals.
* Designed 155-employee organization matrix, communications systems and manageme
nt procedures.
* Negotiated with governmental agencies (DEP, Sales Tax Commissions, IRS, etc.)
to settle pending lawsuits.
THB, INC. New York City, NY
Jewelry Start-up Company.
Founder

1993 to 2000
Funded by Managing Director of Lehman Brothers to design and launch a pioneering
pre-IPO, web-based jewelry brand.
* Created e-brand strategies, including positioning, PR, advertising, budgeting,
staffing, etc. Negotiated affiliate alliances and equity funding agreements.
* Decreased customer acquisition cost and diversified product offering; creating
segmented growth strategy for non-Internet direct sales and shop-at-home divisi
ons.
* Designed, implemented and led internal venture jewelry-gift start-up for natio
nally recognized $130+ million jewelry and gift retailer to penetrate premium an
d incentive industry.
THE RING COMPANY, INC. New York City, NY
Domestic fine jewelry manufacturer.
President
 1984 to 1993
Via LBO, purchased $15 million, 250-man jewelry manufacturer, targeting classica
l retail channels, such as chain stores, major discounters and distributors. Com
pany sold to Asian interests.
* Led sales initiatives to Wal-Mart, Macy's, J.C. Penney's, HSN, distributors, d
epartment stores and others.
* Dealt with fluctuations of raw materials prices, high interest rates, foreign
competition and weak demand through out-sourcing manufacturing processes, redef
ining market strategies and product re-styling.
* Through financial reorganization, innovative strategic relationships and debt
restructuring built, national sales force, penetrated foreign markets, (Europe)
and designed exclusive merchandising programs.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
MBA (with Award) * NYU's Stern Graduate School of Business Administration
Bachelor of Arts * Colby College
Financial Management Certificate * Harvard University's Graduate School of Busin
ess Administration
Member U.S. State Department Business Consulting Team to Thailand
Visiting Professor/Lecturer on Marketing, Leadership and Business * University o
f Hartford
Former Member * Young Presidents' Organization (YPO)
Founder * Leadership Round Table; Co-Founder * Urban Business Assistance Corpora
tion