Vin Altruda Email & Phone Number

Whitmore Lake, MI

I am currently CEO of the Amherst Fund’s portfolio company, Espresso Royale. Espresso Royale is a roaster and coffeehouse with 21 locations serving select college campus markets in four Midwestern states.

Provided retail industry expertise to a variety of investors and private equity groups. I worked with specialty retailers on strategic initiatives and planning.

Developed a strategic plan for the international superstore concept, leading teams to implement plans for product sourcing, financial models, site selection, distribution and logistics, inventory control, administration, and store support.Assembled and headed the merchandising, marketing, operations, human resource and supply chain teams for Borders.

Successfully merged two disparate cultures into one that best supported the strategic growth plan. Managed a team responsible for growing 19 stores to over 200 stores nationwide in 5 years exceeding $1.4B in sales. Integrated the 12 Basset Book Shop locations into Borders stores in the first year. Achieved sales and profit plans every year.Supervised the.

Developed and implemented a superstore concept necessary to grow this mature company, opening 12 superstores in 12 months. Leveraged the Walden Book organization to launch a separate growth division.

Supervised store operations for entire Barnes & Noble retail division. Introduced new superstore concept and converted existing Barnes & Noble small format bookstores and B. Dalton stores to the superstore format. Designed a marketing plan to integrate 50 existing stores into the superstore strategy. Assumed responsibility for a November/December, 1990.

Established and supervised an operations department responsible for all aspects of field support and communication. Managed the turnaround of the Northeast region after the acquisition of B. Dalton Bookseller by Barnes & Noble, Inc. Improved comparative store sales in 150 stores 8.8% and net income from 3.01% to 3.75% - a dollar increase of 34.4% to $5.9M..

As Area Manager for seven states, increased area sales 19.7% to $350M and grew net income from 3.8% to 4.4% - a dollar increase of 39.6% to $15.5M. Designed and implemented a computerized store budgeting system which improved accuracy, provided detailed information, reduced field supervisory time by 2,500 hours and reduced payroll in 750 stores by $2.5M..

Introduced to the company through a college summer internship program; Upon graduation, entered a one year store based accelerated training program that included one day a week of classroom trainingIn 1974, became the youngest store manager in the 1,000+ mass market retailerPromoted to a higher volume store manager position in 1975