Gary Blackburn Email and Phone Number

Overseeing operations for up to 22 stores encompassing $37M in annual sales. Successfully leading district to comparable sales and profit increases that ranked in the top 5 in the company 6 consecutive years.• A broad spectrum of responsibility, including development of operational standards, ownership of profit and loss, hiring, training and development of new programs. Personnel management and career development, particularly in mentoring Store Managers.• District achieved top 3 customer engagement mystery shop survey results in company 4 consecutive years.• Developed consistent talent pipeline within our organization through succession planning and networking, which resulted in consistent progressive promotions throughout the district.• Implemented insole selling program that consistently ranked in the top 3 annually in the company.• Initiated direct collaboration with Marketing to create programs designed to drive sales and bridge the gap between transactional satisfaction and long-term loyalty. • Built, trained and optimized all Omni-channel initiatives that delivered top Buy Online Pick Up In Store sales in region two consecutive years.• Crafted short term and long term store operations time-management system that was adopted throughout our region.• Spearheaded multi-unit market leader training programs for high potential associates.• Customer conversion. Leader in the region over the last eight years, averaging over 34%• Leader in company digital marketing initiative, which led to top performing digital conversion district 4 consecutive years• Responsibilities have included operating 2 different branded stores simultaneously.• Successfully oversaw the opening of 24 stores as part of aggressive Phoenix expansion. The market is now the most profitable in the chain.

• Oversaw 8 districts and revenue of over $120M • Instrumental in developing company loyalty program that translated into 18% incremental revenue over 2 years• Built, trained and optimized the performance of large teams that continually exceeded organizational expectations.• Drove comparable sales increases, reduced shrink, and maximized return on investment vs. payroll expenses.• Recognized for top sales and profit district in the company over 3 year period.• Increased same store sales 29% over three year period.• Developed three Store Managers to District Managers• Oversaw aggressive store expansion in Chicago market from 6 to 23 stores.