Established in 2010, the Northwest Innovation Resource Center (NWIRC) was founded on the principle that strategic support of entrepreneurs is critical to the economic health of our region. Recently, the NWIRC launched Project ReInvent in response to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in northwestern Washington. The program is designed to provide direct support to small businesses and startups that are building or rebuilding their enterprises. Members of the ReInvent Corps, a diverse community of volunteer business mentors and coaches provide direct and tailored support. A ReInvent Corps assignment is a way for a business professional – employed, retired or job-hunting - to help a startup or small business tackle a strategic or operational challenge. Assignments are carefully matched with companies in need of specific talent and know-how. Participating associates get to contribute to their community’s economic recovery while developing new skills and resume-building experience.We have open slots for both businesses that need help and ReInvent Corps associates who want to join the community. Feel free to reach out to me via LinkedIn with a direct inquiry or a referral. I look forward to hearing from you.

In 2014, the walk-in cell phone and small electronics repair business was a cottage industry in the greater Pacific Northwest. Brad saw an opportunity to build a multi-unit retail market from the ground up and launch an established brand with store #1 in a new region. In just three years, he established CPR Cell Phone Repair as the market leader with 11 stores in Washington state and 16 in the broader PNW region. Among Brad's leadership contributions during this period of dramatic growth:-- We were certified by Apple as an Independent Repair Provider (IRP) in June 2021. We're happy to now offer iPhone users certain OEM Apple parts and repair diagnostics. This is a big deal for our little chain in the Puget Sound region. -- Puget Sound area CPR stores are currently driving record comp sales growth through the first half of 2021 with average monthly comp sales of +25-50% over the same period 2020. -- Successfully petitioned the State of Washington to designate cell phone repair as an essential business during the COVID-19 pandemic. -- Opened first store in region and logged 4 consecutive years of 10%+ comp sales growth. Also added 9 points of gross margin over that same period through efficient parts procurement and labor line management.-- Recruited six franchisees and two area developers to support the regional buildout, with the newest store opened in June 2020 in Oak Harbor, Washington.-- Received the company's 2017 Leadership award for excellence in market development.-- Generated region-wide compound annual revenue growth of 35%, and 4.5-star customer satisfaction ratings.-- Developed and deployed foundational staff training and store operations policies and procedures that have contributed to efficient market expansion.-- Launched local warranty service programs for SquareTrade, Fortegra, Zagg, Motorola, and Assurant.e

Brad was the executive responsible for increasing sales and customer retention through loyalty marketing at one of the leading fashion specialty retailers in the U.S. Accountable for strategy and execution of the Nordstrom Fashion Rewards and Nordstrom Gift Card programs, which together contribute to more than 40% of company sales. Supported a team of 26 loyalty and gift card marketers in strategy, program management, communications, store engagement and analytics functions. Delivered record growth in Fashion Rewards program membership (adding 1.3 million members, +20%), sales volume (+19%) and incremental sales ($1B+) in 2012. Principle architect of board-approved business case and multi-year program expansion strategy, with phase one launched in early 2014. Key stakeholder and contributor to company customer experience, mobile and personalization strategies.-- Led both Loyalty Programs and Gift Card to record performance years in 2012, including sales ($5B+ combined), new accounts (1M) and program profit contribution. Programs outpaced corporate growth through first three quarters of 2013.-- Defined, launched and expanded company’s first tender-neutral loyalty program, Beauty Rewards, supporting the company’s cosmetics business during a record sales year.-- Developed business case and secured board-level approval for an enterprise-wide loyalty strategy and technical platform, and set a target to have it launched into a pilot market within 12 months. -- Promoted five top performers and replenished the loyalty marketing and gift card organizations with key talent from Amazon, REI, Land's End, Clorox, and HSBC.

As a member of executive leadership team, Brad helped develop 1-, 3- and 5-year plans to significantly accelerate growth of 17-store chain and prepare for expanding its geographic reach. He was responsible for overseeing, organizing and hiring key leaders in a 150+ person organization encompassing store operations, marketing, category, staff education and research. Brad identified and developed core company processes necessary to scale for growth at a rapid pace.-- Generated 10% same-store comp growth and double-digit store profit contribution.-- Grew store count by 18%, developing and executing process to prepare and launch three new stores in four weeks.-- Organized and completed two major store remodels.-- Led effort to design and introduce new store concept; implemented in three new stores.-- Hired or promoted three district managers and eight store managers while experiencing 0% unplanned turnover in store leadership ranks.-- Launched nine successful chain-wide store promotions in 18 months.-- Award-winning brand and customer experience recognized by multiple media outlets and trade organizations in 18 months.

Brad founded Starbucks’ first Customer Relationship Management (CRM) function in 2007, where he oversaw the $1 billion Starbucks Card business, global consumer insights, and brand loyalty. Starbucks CRM launched the Starbucks Card Rewards (the precursor to My Starbucks Rewards) and Starbucks Gold programs, which comprised more than 3 million members collectively. His teams developed an analytics infrastructure to track program ROI, and formulated an annual communications strategy to build Starbucks brand loyalty. During Brad's tenure, Starbucks more than doubled its customer database, generated 95% member satisfaction, and built a new understanding of frequent customer purchase behavior.A hallmark of Starbucks' CRM strategy under Stevens was constant innovation of the Starbucks Card payment platform, including Starbucks Card Mini and Starbucks Card Mobile, the iPhone app that introduced Starbucks' popular in pay-by-phone capability.Earlier, Stevens served as vice president, North America Advertising and Promotions beginning in October 2004. In 2006, he became Starbucks' top U.S. marketing executive overseeing retail promotions for all U.S. stores, public relations, field marketing and Global Card Services. Brad's teams conceived and implemented some of Starbucks' most innovative marketing and promotional campaigns, many of which are reprised to this day, including Kindness (pay it forward) Cards; Holiday Cups on Cars; the Coffeehouse Crossword Challenge with Will Shortz; Make It Your Drink Customized T-Shirt campaign with Mychael Knight; the National Coffee Break; the Million Song Giveaway, and the award-winning book promotions for Mitch Albom and Ishmael Beah.Brad's teams led the promotional launches of Chantico drinking chocolate beverage, Ethos Water, Green Tea Frappuccino, Starbucks Entertainment, Pumpkin Spice Latte, and Cinnamon Dolce Latte.To date, at least five of Brad's former direct reports have become VP-level leaders within Starbucks.

Top marketing executive in Starbucks $5 billion U.S. Marketing business unit. Responsible for all U.S. marketing strategy and execution, including retail merchandising and promotions, field marketing, advertising and public relations.-- Responsible for planning and proposing annual marketing strategies for board level approval.-- Guided Starbucks U.S. marketing during three successive years of record business unit growth in sales and profit; delivered 28 consecutive promotional campaigns (store sets) on time and on-budget.-- Led national team of 120 professionals and three support agencies; managed annual marketing budgets of $100 million+.-- Reorganized U.S. marketing to optimize field marketing support; revamped company discount policy, yielding $20 million in margin improvement.

Hired to help manage launch of Starbucks HotSpot Wi-Fi service in 2500 Starbucks stores (the largest private Wi-Fi network nationally at the time). Developed early marketing strategies for the Starbucks Card, leading to 40% activation growth in each of the category’s first two years. Helped introduce Starbucks Card Duetto, Business Week magazine’s “Innovative Product of the Year.” Became director of marketing for Starbucks Retail North America in November 2003. Led national retail promotions beginning with the 2003 Holiday season.

Hired to accelerate corporate growth of venture-funded Internet software company serving the $100 billion commercial auction industry. Responsible product management, product marketing, corporate marketing and marketing communications.-- Redefined corporate and competitive positioning, value proposition to address rapidly changing marketing conditions. -- Created double-digit brand-awareness and grew the company’s customer base by 30% in six months.-- Assembled and organized department of 7, including product management and marketing professionals.

Hired as employee #8 to launch new Internet start-up in fast growing B2B e-commerce sector.-- Defined eSociety’s corporate purpose, product concept, target audience, and business model; articulated it in business plan. Helped raise $15.5 million in first and second round venture funding.-- Established eSociety brand identity and corporate positioning, and “launched” company into the association marketplace with $2.5 million corporate marketing campaign. Created highest unaided brand awareness in category within 7 months.-- Designed, staffed, and led five company departments: Marketing Services, Marcom, PR, Communities, and Product Marketing (more than 20 employees).

Hired to develop and manage all facets of demand generation for pre-IPO developer of Web site development software.-- Developed $1.3 million marketing plan to increase corporate revenues by 500% in 1999. -- Led development of corporate and brand identity. Designed search criteria and conducted formal review for company’s first agency of record.

Responsible for developing, managing and executing integrated marketing campaigns for AT&T’s wireless data services.-- Led the $4 million inaugural national marketing launch of AT&T PocketNet Service, the nation’s first integrated voice and data smartphone.-- Directed Web marketing team in development of online advertising and PR effort that tripled Web site traffic over the course of a year.-- Guided product PR effort that netted coverage of PocketNet service in more than 150 national and local publications, and 70 radio and television broadcast stories over two years. -- Managed team of 12 marketing professionals in charge of division-wide advertising, public relations, online services, direct marketing/direct response, retail merchandising, creative services, trade shows, and marketing operations.

Hired to create and execute public relations campaigns for national rollout of new personal computer software product. -- Part of core team that developed introduction strategy new software product and new PC software market category.-- Created integrated demand generation marketing programs to tap sales opportunities in each market.

Accountable for all phases of corporate and product public relations and trade shows for one of the world’s leading suppliers of microcomputer publishing and graphics software.-- Developed strategic communications messages and annual tactical corporate and product PR plans. Managed a $500,000 annual PR budget; $1.4 million annual trade show budget. -- Launched 25 new software products and upgrades, including the award-winning Aldus PageMaker 5.0 rollout.-- Devised communications strategy for five acquisitions, including Aldus’ acquisition by Adobe Systems Corporation.

Accountable for development and administration of corporate and financial communications, and investor relations for one of the world’s leading developers of microcomputer applications software.-- Participated on PR launch team for most important product launch in company history: dBASE IV, version 1.1.-- Wrote and produced four annual reports to shareholders; 16 quarterly reports and earnings announcements.

Managed high technology, manufacturing, service and consumer accounts at the world’s largest public relations consulting firm. Clients included Ashton-Tate, Mattel Electronics, McCulloch Corporation, and Phone-Mate, Inc.