Experience

TECHNOMIC: 2014

Consulting Principal (February 2014 – present)

  • Formed alliance with largest food industry consultancy and data firm to perform strategic, brand, and operational consulting services for start-up, midsize, and Fortune 500 clients, and lead internal Technomic re-branding efforts.
  • Directed team of 20 employees, consultants, and agency personnel in eight month project to develop a new automated retail concept for the leading micro-market snack and beverage provider.

OUTERWALL (PARENT OF REDBOX): 2011 – 2013

General Manager, Crisp Market & Vice President, Food Venture (February 2011 – December 2013)

  • Recruited by Outerwall Executive Committee to start-up and lead new food line-of-business reporting in to Food Venture Board of Directors.
  • Cultivated idea from concept on paper to 20 unit, automated retail, foodservice operation generating an industry leading $2K+ in annual sales per square foot. Manage all aspects of business including P/L, operations, marketing, deployment, and site partner relationships.
  • Created new-to-the-world brand - Crisp Market - including name, logo, personality, visual systems, menu, products, kiosk look and feel, and customer order experience. Established operating infrastructure to deploy kiosks in the field and accomplish food pick-up, stocking, rotation, and charitable donation of unsold products, for 20 unit system, on a daily basis.

VOICEPRISM INNOVATIONS: 2008 – 2011

Chief Operations and Marketing Officer (September 2008 – February 2011)

  • Joined as partner and member of Board of Directors in technology start-up after years as company advisor. VoicePrism Innovations uses voice analysis technology for commercial, military, and consumer applications. Responsible for day-to-day operations and execution of all aspects of client engagements including personnel deployment, service levels and deliverables.
  • VoicePrism serves commercial clients in consumer research, call center, human resources, and fraud & assurance markets and governmental clients with psychological assessment tools.
  • RealScoop is an entertainment and social media website where videos stream simultaneously with the displayed results of the proprietary Believability Meter.

POTBELLY SANDWICH WORKS: 2007 – 2008

Vice President of Marketing (January 2007 – September 2008)

  • Selected by Founder, Chairman and CEO to head Marketing team of 15 corporate & field marketing professionals. Oversaw consumer communication, branding, consumer research, and public relations. Directed ad agency, PR consultant, and internal resources in execution of marketing plan. Grew Potbelly sales by over 40% during tenure.

QUIZNOS SUB: 2003 – 2006

Senior Vice President Marketing Strategy (September 2005 – November 2006)

Executive Strategy Consultant (November 2003 – August 2005)

  • Served as primary advisor to CMO. Oversaw new product development process and pipeline. Led all marketplace opportunity identification, competitive intelligence, and pricing strategy activities.

McDONALD'S CORPORATION: 1997 – 2003

New Concept Development/Corporate Strategy

Senior Director of Strategy (February 2002 – October 2003)

Project Leader: Strategic Acquisitions (December 1997 – June 1999)

  • Recruited by Executive VP Concept & Menu Innovation to provide direction for new concept creation efforts. Led department of eight professionals in the Marketing, Consumer Research, Strategy, and Finance disciplines.

U.S. Marketing

Director of Value Initiatives (November 2000 – January 2002)

  • Chosen by the SVP of Marketing to lead the development of value initiatives for the U.S.

Donatos Pizza

Senior Project Manager: Brand Reconcepting Initiative (July 1999 – October 2000)

Market Manager, Chicago (November 1999 – October 2000)

  • Selected by McDonald's to ready Donatos for national expansion and design and execute integration strategy. Reported directly to Donatos CEO and provided regular progress updates to Donatos Board of Directors.

ARTHUR ANDERSEN: 1992 – 1997

Consumer Products and Manufacturing Division

Consulting Manager (1997) Senior (1994 – 1996) Staff (1992 – 1993)

  • Gained valuable consumer products industry experience. Honed project management, supervision, analytical and presentation skills. Developed a strong financial knowledge base for business decision making.

BAKERS SQUARE RESTAURANTS: 1986 – 1992

  • Indoctrinated into the restaurant industry pace, customer service mentality, and unique skill set required for success by working as a waiter, host, and trainer.

Education

J.L. KELLOGG GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT: 1998
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

  • Master of Management degree. Majors in Marketing, Strategy, and Finance.
  • Jane Robertson Award for Academic Achievement - perfect 4.0 grade point average.

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN: 1992

  • Bachelor of Science in Accountancy degree with High Honors. Certified Public Accountant.
  • Winner of Watt Sells Award - top 100 in the U.S. out of more than 60,000 people sitting for the CPA exam.