Retail and Wholesale Trade

Stephen Zrike

Current City: Boston, MA
Chapter: Boston SCORE

Marketing Professional in the Boston, Massachusetts Chapter. As a senior marketing executive with extensive general management experience in consumer-focused companies, he has a proven track record of successful new product development, expansion of businesses internationally, launching new distribution channels and developing strategic alliances to enhance value to all stakeholders.  Steve is considered an incisive marketing strategist with a very pragmatic, consumer centric approach to the marketplace. His category experience includes HBA (Health and Beauty Aids), Housewares, Tabletop, Giftware, Household Products, Hospitality, Produce, Casual Dining, Publishing and Retail. He has worked for some of the world’s top marketers including Colgate-Palmolive, Procter & Gamble, Fidelity and Gillette.

Most recently, Steve completed a long-term assignment for Devonshire Investors (the private equity arm of Fidelity Investments). His focus at Devonshire was providing marketing support for the PE firm’s portfolio companies (BostonCoach, Backyard Farms, Seaport Hotel and Sebastians Restaurants).

Prior to Fidelity, Steve completed a 14-month consulting assignment at P&G for whom he helped facilitate the assimilation of the newly acquired Gillette Oral Care business (Oral-B) in Emerging Markets (China, Southeast Asia, India and Russia) into the P&G Oral Care Group. The plan he helped craft generated an annual sales increase of over 28% for Oral-B in these markets. Key to this impressive growth was a custom communication’s strategy and brand architecture that Steve created. Steve also developed a plan for the restaging of an important segment of the Company’s Duracell battery business. 

Earlier in his career, Steve accomplished the following:

  • Stopped a sales freefall at a Colgate subsidiary after a poorly executed restructuring
  • Created and implemented Colgate’s first global oral care strategy which increased worldwide market share by .5 points, equating to $90 million per year in revenue while increasing gross profit margins by 20%
  • Increased share of branded products for a decorative products’ marketer. These products have grown from 50% to 80% of the company’s sales
  • Built innovative strategic alliances between a specialty retail chain and national retailers (Staples and Home Depot)
  • Successfully created and launched a direct selling company as a subsidiary of a major publisher

Steve has unique knowledge of global businesses, having managed multi-country enterprises for Colgate. He has lived abroad, having served as Marketing Director for Colgate-Palmolive Ltda. in São Paulo, Brazil.

Steve holds an MBA from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business as well as a Masters of Science degree from Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism. He earned his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH. He lives outside of Boston with his wife, Sara, with whom he tries to keep tabs on their daughter, four sons and granddaughter. 

Resume

Education

 


  • COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - Graduate School of Business, Master of Business Administration Degree

  • COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY - Graduate School of Journalism, Master of Science Degree 

  • DARTMOUTH COLLEGE - Bachelor of Arts Degree

 

Thomas J Malkus

Current City: Punta Gorda, FL

Tom is an idea man who can listen to peoples problems and come up with ideas and solutions. Tom worked in sales positions with 2 other companies before he joined Data Processing Sciences Corporation in 1969 as an Account Executive. Over the 37 years at DPS, he has served as Assistant Sales Manager, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, and then President of DPS. He became an owner in Data Processing Sciences in 1985 and since retiring in 2005 currently remains on their Board of Directors. Over the years Tom used his sales and marketing talents to help DPS grow from a $5 Million dollar company to a $50 Million dollar company. He provided the vision for the companys Management, Marketing, Technical and Product architecture and helped shepherd DPS's transformation from a Manufacturers rep organization to a Data Communications Distributor, to a Network Integrator and currently as an E-Business Internet Infrastructure and Services Provider providing security products, Carrier Services, Network Management, routing/switching infrastructure, internet services, consulting, and technical support to an industry whose growth was expanding at unprecedented rates. Tom has served on various vendor and manufacturer advisory boards over the past 20 years. Tom designed and presented workshops and seminars to groups from 10 to 200+ over the past 30 years. In addition to Score, Tom also currently volunteers as a Mediator in the Small Claims Court System in Charlotte County, Florida. He also volunteers as a Juvenile Arbitrator and Teen Court Arbitrator in Charlotte County. Tom joined SCORE in 2008 planning to use his extensive Management, Marketing, and Technical skills to help small businesses start up and grow successfully.

Resume

Education

Tom holds a Bachelor of Sciences in Business Administration (BSBA) with a major in Marketing from John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio. (1966)

Robert J Ritz

Current City: San Diego, CA

I started in the industry in high school.

Initially working in a fine clothing store followed by being a manufacturer's representative for firms that included Cole Haan, Ralph Lauren Polo, Coach, and Dooney-Bourke. I owned and operated success retail businesses and completed my career with Tommy Bahama as the west coast marketing and sales director.

Currently I am President of Zenfari, a start-up men’s sportswear company.

Resume

Education

I have a BA in Mathematics from the University of Oklahoma.

Wayne C Finkel

Current City: Lexington, KY

Expert in Human Resources and sales marketing. Very knowledgeable in Business product. Manager of sales and marketing.

Resume

Education

A.B. in Economics from University of Wabash MBA from University of Louisville

Matthew P. DAgostino

Current City: Hillsborough, NJ

I've been in business formally since 1971. My family has always owned bakeries and the food business. My father ran our business since it was founded in 1952 until 1980 when I formally took over the reins. I've been in the position of baker, chief cook and bottle washer, General Manager, Chief Exec Officer and Board Chairman. During my management period I expanded to as many as ten retail bakeries at one time. When I sold my business in September of 2010 I sold all four stores I had at the time. I've also been involved in the local, state and national industry associations, serving as President of each one as well as local Chamber of Commerce work as well. I now volunteer at the local Somerset Hospital.

Resume

Education

BA English and Political Scientce

HARVEY SHAPIRO

Current City: CLARKDALE, AZ

25 years in the retail photo industry 8 years as a small business owner. was vicepresident of operations responsible for profitability, employee training, analyzing financials, store layout, helped company become photo dealer of the year. skills: 

  • Store layout—design
  • Traffic flow
  • Sales training
  • Bookkeeping
  • Analyzing financials
  • Boost employee morale
    • 40 years as a professional photographer

 

Resume

Education
n/a

Andrew Kazimierczuk

Current City: west chicago, IL

45 years of successful international business experience in sales and management in the industrial sector in central Europe, United Kingdom and USA. in the eighties led joint venture entity as J.M.D. with Burmah Oil Group in England.In 1985 appointed marketing director for Elektrim SA -at that time publicly traded, largest industrial/trading conglomerate in Poland.In 1992 established in Illinois and led for 14 years Tele-Fonika Cable Americas Corp.- importer and wholesaler for industrial cables/wires.Sales from $ 2 M.- first year to $55 M.in 2005. Currently advises Tele-Fonika and owns consulting company- AmeriEuro Consultants Inc.

Resume

Education

MS in Law ( private international law);post graduate in international business - equivalent to MBA; financial management and accounting courses- local colleges in Illinois. internal management courses within Burmah Engineering part of Burmah Oil Group-UK.

Robert L Halstead

Current City: TippCity, OH
Chapter: Dayton SCORE

Expert in Fire and Casualty Insurance Agency operation, 47 years experience managing the agency, and servicing business accounts for clients of the agency. Managed all perations of the agency includding slaes, financial and markeitng and personnel. Aquired numerous other agencies as they became available. A Business graduate from Mankato State University with a BS Degree in Business Administration. Spent two years in the US Army, served in the Counter Intelligence Corp in Korea. Worked for the St Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company as a casualty underwriter. Joined an insurance agency in Dayton Ohio where he worked for 47 years until retirement. Worked in sales, service and management of the agency becoming president during 1961. Very familiar with all forms of general business insurance.

Resume

Education

BS in Business administration, Mankato State College, 1951 Studied law for 2 years at St Paul College of Law Completed several parts of the requirements of obtain a CPCU Designation (Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter)

Russell Ward

Current City: Orange Park, FL

Industry Expertise Faith Based Organizations

Retail Trade Book and Gift Industry Real Estate Wholesale Land

Personal Experience Non-profit (Faith-Based Organizations) 8 years started non-denominational church in Sebring, FL  Founding board member and VP of counseling center in Tulsa, OK Gainesville Christian Store (Gainesville, FL)  8 years  Started and operated with 8 employees a Christian Bookstore

www.VacantLandGuide.com – 5 years (current)  Started and currently own a land investment firm  Professional real estate speaker

Interests in Counseling Start Ups Retail Trade People Counseling Workshop Presentations Education/Certificates

Resume

Education

Masters Divinity - Oral Roberts University Masters in Management - Regent University

Dr. Alfred Peter Quinton

Current City: Dover, DE

30 years in International Worldwide Textile/Apparel Import/Export Businesses, both large and small

25 years in Higher Business Education, International Trade and Supply Chain Management

Retailing, Fashion Merchandising, Sales & Sales Management, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Operations

Resume

Education

Doctor of Professional Studies in Management, Pace University, 1993

Master of Business Administration, New York Institute of Technology, 1984

Bachelor of Arts, Social Science, Thomas Edison State College, 1983 

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