Steve Geertsen Email & Phone Number

Blaine, Minnesota, United States

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Promoted to President shortly after being recruited as Executive Vice President for this industry-leading retailer of outdoor and fishing gear. Embracing an even more challenging leadership role, I provided the strategic vision and leadership to transform the culture and direction of the company and improve morale, market share, sales, and product development. I hold full P&L accountability and direct executive and senior level reports across finance, operations, marketing, sales, R&D, sales management, and administrative staff.KEY GROWTH RESULTS:► Established Clam as an industry leader, expanding the product line to more than 2,500+ SKUs. Delivered market share gains in all categories, with spectacular success in apparel and shelters. ► Increased margins and sales volume in ice fishing by adding the tackle category and leading acquisitions and product innovations.► Reinvigorated key brand, delivering significant gains in sales, seasonal balance, cash flow, and profitability through a product redesign, expanding the brand to 2,100+ stores.► Executive VP – Sales, Marketing, Product Research & Innovation (2012 to 2013)

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

As EVP, created and implemented forward-thinking policies and instilled a culture of open communication and inclusiveness. Encouraged the opinions and ideas of employees to envision and embrace change and provided the resources to ignite product development, launch and reinvent brands. Captured expert talent from the competition and drove a workforce restructuring, evaluating each employee’s strengths and equipping the team with the freedom and resources to succeed. Successfully used acquisition, brand creation, and product innovation to explode sales and balance out the Clam portfolio, using IP acquisition throughout the process to protect Clam’s market-share.

New York, Ny

Hired to provide executive leadership needed to stimulate sales and revenue growth for this garment manufacturer and retail wholesaler specializing in loungewear, sleepwear, and intimate apparel. Drawing upon deep expertise in sales management, I led long-term strategies key to benefiting the overall bottom-line and driving success in niche categories. With 8 direct reports and total responsibility for 41 employees, I played a key role in originating licensing agreements that minimized internal and external risks.KEY GROWTH RESULTS:► Sparked sales from zero to $19 million during major economic recession. Earned loyalty by establishing solid relationships with key retailers.► Negotiated 40+ licensing contracts with major brands such as Disney, Warner Bros. and CBS, including product-buying royalties and contingencies based on product design and presentation.► Won status as approved vendor with major retailers through superior industry knowledge.► Exceeded industry average in gross margin by negotiating prices with factories and retailers while remaining competitive with larger manufacturers.

Greater New York City Area

Vice President Sales and Marketing, recruited to this manufacturer and retail wholesaler specializing in loungewear, sleepwear, and intimate apparel to lead innovative sales strategies and teams to propel revenue growth for the company. Leading 7 direct reports across sales management, design, technology, and administration, I maintained and grew existing accounts while attracting new accounts to create a diversified portfolio.KEY GROWTH RESULTS:► Fueled annual sales of more than $11 million to maintain per annum revenue at $37 million.► Added major retailers to account portfolio to diminish dependency on Target business.► Created innovative and unique junior products to gain an edge over competitors not offering comparable items.► Advanced sales and industry reputation in the junior intimate apparel sector.

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

During my 8-year tenure at Target, I earned a series of rapid promotions based on top performance across a variety of store categories and functional areas:KEY GROWTH AND INNOVATION RESULTS:► Met divisional financial goals by introducing a junior intimates product category.► Increased sales and productivity significantly within intimate apparel, hosiery, and bodywear divisions by introducing new “space utilization” initiative.RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS FOR INNOVATION AND EXCELLENCE:► Received high-level awards for outstanding overall achievement and performance as well as excellence in merchandising and buying.LEADERSHIP PROMOTIONS:► Buyer 16 – Boy’s Licensed & Private Label Apparel (1998 to 1999)► Buyer 14 – Intimate Apparel (1996 to 1998)► Manager, Merchandise Planning – Ladies Hosiery & Bodywear (1995 to 1996)► Space Utilization Manager – Intimate Apparel, Hosiery, & Bodywear (1994 to 1995)► Senior Business Analyst – Hosiery & Bodywear (1993 to 1994) ► Business Analyst – Children’s Shoes (1991 to 1993)

Bachelor Of Arts, Double Major In Marketing & Finance

Graduated magna cum laude

Education record

Activities and Societies: Racine, WI, awarded a scholarship to attend college prep school led by Imogene Johnson of the S.C. Johnson.