Eric Larson Email & Phone Number

Glen Ellyn, Il, Us

Glen Ellyn, Il, Us

Adjunct Professor of Speech Communication, (part-time). Currently teaching Introduction to Business Communication at College of DuPage. Course focus includes increasing understanding of different types of communication in the workplace and how those influence and impact career path. Lessons include interpersonal communication skills, presentation skills, organizational and business communication, and media and public relations.

New York, Ny, Us

Representing the specialty retail channel for FOODMatch with the primary focus on Divina, the FOODMatch flagship brand of olives and antipasti, spreads for cheese, and gourmet ingredients for culinary inspiration.Offering gourmet and specialty food ideas and solutions to grocers, specialty retailers and gourmet shops both large and small in the Midwest (Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri)

Us

Led all U.S. brand related activities for Dziugas Cheese and Rambyno Cheese, a European cheese company entering the U.S. marketplace in 2022. This included:Conducting marketplace research and trend analysis to determine pricing and marketing strategies, Design all retail packaging to meet the US marketplace standards from both a legal and a consumer appeal perspective,Developing and maintaining all distributor, retailer, foodservice and broker relationships,Establishing sales channels and managing all B2B sales efforts for the entire US,Determining warehousing and distirbution solutions for importing the cheese into the US and cross docking it within the country to reach distributors and retailers,Heighten brand awareness through social media and influencer marketing to increase brand recognition within the artisan cheese and specialty food retailer and consumer markets,Evaluate opportunities for D2C sales for Dziugas and Rambyno cheese via an ecommerce store.

Walland, Tn, Us

Directed and was responsible for all retail operations and retail strategy at Blackberry Farm, a luxury resort in the Smoky Mountains, and their sister resort, Blackberry Mountain. Responsible for the retail operation of all physical retail stores at both properties as well as the Blackberry Farm ecommerce site. Updated all retail SOPs pertaining to staffing and retail operations and significantly upgraded merchandise being offered in the shops, resulting in revenue increase of over 20% in retail sales during my tenure. Directed the retail warehouse that supported both the physical stores and ecommerce fulfillment.Transitioned significant merchandise lines of retail items from overseas to local artisans and sales increased dramatically with that approach as well as customer views of the brands retail quality. Achieved ecommerce sales growth of over 300% in two and a half years. Significant numbers of new brand relevant retail items were launched and we developed a line of hot sauces and a line of salami that sold tremendously well, heling increase revenue in the retail shops by over 20% during my tenure. I directed the retail warehouse that supported both the physical stores and ecommerce fulfillment.

Downers Grove, Illinois, Us

As Director of Retail Strategy at Cooper's Hawk, I was responsible for the direction and oversight of the retail operation. In that capacity, I determined the short term and long term retail strategy for Cooper's Hawk for their brick and mortar tasting rooms and for ecommerce site. I led the retail team at Cooper's Hawk headquarters as we support and guide over 30 retail tasting rooms with the goal of creating an exciting, experiential retail environment that reflects our brand and drives revenue. I created and oversaw the annual budget and P&L for the retail department. I determined seasonal promotions and coordinated with Marketing to create integrated retail marketing campaigns involving retail signage, email marketing and social media. Cooper's Hawk Gourmet Food - Launched in 2014, I was responsible for creating the Cooper's Hawk Gourmet Foods line of specialty food items offered in the tasting rooms and on ecommerce. The goal was to create an upscale yet accessible line of gourmet and specialty foods that paired well with wine and resonated with our wine club members. Over 40 skus of gourmet food were developed for the original lineup of Cooper's Hawk Gourmet Foods. I was responsible for the entire project, including: conceiving the concept, creating the packaging and label designs, developing each food item that we bring to market, determine marketing plans and strategies to grow the line, oversee merchandising in our tasting rooms, and training Cooper's Hawk tasting room attendants and managers about the gourmet foods that we offer.Retail Product Strategy - I was the buyer/purchaser for all of the retail wine accessories and gifts offered at Cooper's Hawk. This includes over 200 skus of retail items. I developed a number of proprietary wine accessories, including the Cooper's Hawk Wine Nook (holding the original patent on this item). I also oversaw the development of custom wine aerators and pourers that reflected the Cooper's Hawk brand.

Founded Marion Street Cheese Market in 2004 as a small, independent artisan cheese market, gourmet food shop, and specialty consumer product retailer. Expanded the business in 2008 to include a larger cheese counter, a restaurant, wine bar and an expanded non-cheese retail department (housewares, specialty food, craft beer and fine wine). Served as the Operating Partner, overseeing all hiring, training and staff supervision, business marketing, retail product selection, retail merchandising, vendor relations, charitable donations, public relations, community relations, media relations, and training and supervision of staff.Created a side business selling artisan cheese to Chicago area chefs and restaurants, with over 20 fine dining establishments in Chicago offering artisan cheese curated by myself and my team.Established this business as a leader in "green and sustainable" operations and the local food movement in Chicago. Awarded "Outstanding Retailer of the Year" for the National Association for the Specialty Food Trades in New York (NASFT) in 2010. For the past 7 years I have served as a Judge for the National Association for the Specialty Food Trades for their Sofi Awards (2011-2017), honoring excellence in specialty and gourmet foods.

Chicago, Il, Us

Advocated on behalf of Registered Dietitians for increased coverage of Medical Nutrition Therapy by private health insurers and health plans and by Medicare and Medicaid. Met with Medical Directors nationally to demonstrate effectiveness of Medical Nutrition Therapy and lobbied U. S. Congress and Senate to expand MNT coverage within the Medicare program. Created and presented workshops to U.S. state dietetic associations on topics like working with health plans to gain reimbursement and gave seminars instructing Registered Dietitians on how to open their own private practice.

Master Of Arts (M.A.), Speech Communication And Rhetoric

Bachelor'’S Degree, Communications