Xcel Brands, Inc. operates as a brand management and development company in the United States. It engages in the product design, Brand licensing, and progressive marketing of branded apparel, footwear, accessories, and home goods. Created the business vision, developed the core strategy, and started the Xcel Retail Partnership division of which licenses its Brands to third parties and provides newly created services that support Vertical Product Development or "direct to factory" capabilities… Show more Xcel Brands, Inc. operates as a brand management and development company in the United States. It engages in the product design, Brand licensing, and progressive marketing of branded apparel, footwear, accessories, and home goods. Created the business vision, developed the core strategy, and started the Xcel Retail Partnership division of which licenses its Brands to third parties and provides newly created services that support Vertical Product Development or "direct to factory" capabilities aligned with full product Design capabilities driving quick turn product from China, U.S. & Europe Show less

Recruited to the struggling former Junior Apparel specialty retail chain by Cerberus Capital Management. Charged with developing Merchandising strategies that would align with the Junior Market Vendor base. Developed Junior apparel and all other category extensions along with a Plus Size Junior Fashion business. Merchandising, Sourcing, and Trend process developed was to be rolled over into additional Cerberus Capital acquired Junior Brands. At its peak, Deb Shops operated 337 stores… Show more Recruited to the struggling former Junior Apparel specialty retail chain by Cerberus Capital Management. Charged with developing Merchandising strategies that would align with the Junior Market Vendor base. Developed Junior apparel and all other category extensions along with a Plus Size Junior Fashion business. Merchandising, Sourcing, and Trend process developed was to be rolled over into additional Cerberus Capital acquired Junior Brands. At its peak, Deb Shops operated 337 stores across 42 states. Show less

An international opportunity to reposition a privately owned, multi branded, vertical specialty retail store chain in Montreal, QC. Groupe Dynamite designs and manufactures apparel & accessories while operating 2 branded vertical retail store bases in Canada, U.S., Middle East, and Central America. As the Chief Merchandising Officer, responsible for the rebranding and aggressive international growth strategies for 2 International Vertical Brands. Responsibilities included creating process and… Show more An international opportunity to reposition a privately owned, multi branded, vertical specialty retail store chain in Montreal, QC. Groupe Dynamite designs and manufactures apparel & accessories while operating 2 branded vertical retail store bases in Canada, U.S., Middle East, and Central America. As the Chief Merchandising Officer, responsible for the rebranding and aggressive international growth strategies for 2 International Vertical Brands. Responsibilities included creating process and functional leadership strategies for Design, Merchandising, Marketing, Store Creative & Operational Visual teams. Accomplishments include leading these teams through the transition, driving dramatic sales productivity increases, and created end to end vertical product development process. All of which drove speed to market timelines and gross margin improvements based on a model in part inspired by the Inditex / Zara product development model Show less

Merchandising, Design, Marketing, and Visual (Contemporary)