Marshal Cohen chief industry advisor, retail of The NPD Group, Inc., is a nationally known expert on consumer behavior and the retail industry. He has followed retail trends for more than thirty years, at NPD and as the head of leading fashion and apparel manufacturers as well as major retailers. As part of his work at NPD, Marshal leads many top firms in long range and strategic planning sessions. He often utilizes motivational presentations to help launch corporate goals and kick-off meetings. Marshal is the author of two books, Why Customers Do What They Do (2006) and Buy Me! How to Get Customers to Choose Your Products and Ignore the Rest (2010).
In addition to his duties at NPD, Marshal is currently a member of several Boards of Directors and has most recently been appointed to the Cotton Board and American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA). He is also a guest professor at North Carolina State University, School of Textiles. There he is introducing students and faculty to techniques for analyzing and applying data. Marshal has been a guest lecturer at the Wharton School of Business, the Fashion Institute of Technology, and Savannah College of Art and Design. He has also been twice named to the Footwear News Power 100 list.
Marshal is also a regular contributor to many major media outlets. He is frequently quoted in publications like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Women's Wear Daily. Additionally, he appears on various television news programs including "Today," "Good Morning America," "CBS Sunday Morning," and has been a regular guest on Bloomberg TV and Radio. He is also a sought after speaker at key industry events such as MAGIC, The Fairchild CEO Summits, The National Retail Federation's (NRF) Annual Convention and The American Apparel and Footwear Association's (AAFA) Annual Executive Summit. Recently, Marshal was the only industry expert who appeared in the documentary, "God Save my Shoes," (godsavemyshoes.com) produced by Caid Productions.
Since joining NPD in 1999, Marshal has held a variety of positions analyzing and interpreting NPD's uniquely combined consumer and point-of-sale tracking services for the apparel, footwear, accessories, and sports industries. His career began in the training program at Bloomingdale's, where he worked his way up to merchandise manager. From there, he became president of WilliWear and subsequently president of Stanley Blacker. He was also founder, owner and president of Motive Marketing Group.
CX | Technology | Data Integration | Analytics
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Erik has worked for over 20 years in the field of marketing, analytics and customer experience. In his career spanning marketing strategy, innovation, technology, analytics and customer experience research, he has become an expert in how to create stable, state-of-the art, customer focused solution in the CX and marketing space. He has successfully moved insights programs to company wide engagement all the way from board level to front-line staff.
Most recently, he was CPO of Nepa US. He has during his whole career tirelessly worked with understanding organizational needs and capabilities and how to transform that knowledge into analysis and insights that enables actions and business impact through technology. Previously he was a partner at an Early stage technology investment firm giving him an unique understanding of the impacts technology can bring, but also how easy it is to use technology the wrong way.
Erik holds a degree in Marketing from University of Florida.
Rob is a principal with Deloitte, providing cyber risk services to clients across the Consumer Business industry. Rob lead's Deloitte's cyber practice for the retail, wholesale, and distribution industry sector, and has twenty five years of experience in cyber risk management and information technology.
Rob began his career as a software engineer, developing client-server systems in the telecommunications industry before moving into information security where he spent several years as an ethical hacker and security architect. Throughout his career, Rob has delivered projects across security strategy, governance, identity management, business continuity, disaster recovery, cyber due diligence for M&A, and privacy. Rob also spent several years as a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA), helping companies achieve compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).
In addition to Rob's broad industry experience in professional services, Rob has in-depth knowledge of the retail industry, having worked for many years as the Global Vice President of Audit for Technology and eCommerce at Walmart.
Rob has significant global experience having served clients throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia Pacific, including more than five years living in Sydney, Australia, where he was the Asia Pacific partner in charge of a global firm's cyber security practice.
Specialization -
Security strategy and program development, IT risk and controls, program management, compliance, identity and access management, governance, risk, & compliance (GRC), application security, data privacy and protection, enterprise security architecture, and cyber threat management.
Personal -
Rob is married with four children, loves music, and is a lead singer in a classic rock band out of Dunwoody, Georgia called Corporate Therapy.
Recognizing a trend in 2002 that retailers were increasing their expectations of the supplier base, Jim founded ERS to help improve the retail business acumen of suppliers. Over the last decade, ERS has vastly improved the decision-making capability of retailers, suppliers and licensors, enabling them to increase their sales, profit and inventory productivity.
As a former Buyer at JCPenney, he managed or bought key categories in men's, children's and home textiles throughout his 15-year career. He was honored several times with executive-level projects and sat on varying key company initiative task forces. Jim has been featured in apparel, home textiles and licensing publications, including License!, and has conducted seminars at industry associations and trade shows, including NEECOM, VCF, The Licensing Show and MAGIC.
Chico's FAS, is a cultivator of brands serving the lifestyle needs of fashion-savvy women 30 years and older. The brand portfolio currently consists of three brands: Chico's, White House Black Market and Soma.
The Chico's FAS Brands are all specialty retailers of private label women's apparel, accessories and related products. Currently, operating boutiques and outlets throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as an online presence for each of our brands.
As Senior Vice President Ms. Loughran's key accountabilities include: Leading the development, and execution of technology and digital strategies. Delivering world class technology & analytics services that promote business growth through continuous improvement, innovation and talent excellence.
Ms. Loughran has worked at Chico's FAS in numerous technology positions since April 2003 specializing in the areas of Technology, Digital Commerce and other business functions. Prior to joining the Company, Ms Loughran excelled as an ERP Implementation Specialist in the healthcare industry.
Ms. Loughran received a Bachelor of Science degree in Decision and Information Sciences at the University of Florida and is an autonomous presenter of technology and business content to the retail community. Additionally, Ms. Loughran is a graduate of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce Emerging Leaders Program and is an active member of the Board of Advisors for Supply Chain Management at the University of Florida.
Ms. Loughran, serves as Southwest Florida Chair of the American Heart Association for the Go Red for Women Movement.
Jennifer Pritchard is a transformational leader who helps her clients define their "purpose" and make it a reality through sound strategy development and executional excellence. She understands where opportunities exist through the organization and brings them together in a coherent manner by helping others extend their thinking in order to unlock material value across the enterprise. Respected as a credible voice and resource in decision making, finding the right eco-system partners to deliver value and establishing the governance to ensure success, Jennifer earns a seat at the table wherever she goes.
Currently, as Managing Director for Accenture, a publicly‐held, global consulting and technology company, Jennifer oversees a multi-million dollar client portfolio. She is responsible for managing a team of retail professionals with the responsibility for developing new and continuing business and ensuring we deliver above and beyond our client's expectations. She also serves as the Client Account Lead for two multi billion dollar omni-channel retailers where she is currently leading a merchandising transformation initiative on behalf of one of the COO's. This initiative will spearhead significant strategic shifts for transforming their merchandising organization from functional silos to an enabler of innovation and operational excellence through improved integration of marketing, global sourcing, finance, and the contract business.
Prior to ACN, Jennifer was a Partner with IBM where she led multiple initiatives such as utilizing Watson and AI technologies to transform customer and enterprise experiences within retail, developed retail mobile solutions with Apple, and was on the forefront of developing IoT solutions for retail. Previous to IBM, she was a Managing Director at Alvarez and Marsal leading Global Operations Initiatives and has held a variety of executive leadership positions at Chicos FAS, JCPenney, Carter's, VF Corporation, Russell Athletic, and Kurt Salmon Associates.
Jennifer holds a BBA from Salem College, Winston-Salem, NC. She serves on the Board of Trustees for Academy Preparatory Schools and is a frequent contributor to retail and consumer products publications
Dr. Sevilla partners with a dynamic team of faculty, administrators and stakeholders to create a best-in-class experience for over 5,000 undergraduate business students at UF. The Heavener team is driven by the opportunity to create transformation in the lives of the students they are entrusted to serve, by focusing on academic rigor, experiential learning, career readiness and leadership development.
From 2005-2016, Dr. Sevilla served as the Assistant Dean & Director of MBA Programs at UF. Under his guidance, Florida developed a unique market position for its MBA brand, which led to 110% growth in MBA enrollment and quadrupled MBA program revenue. His team's efforts helped the UF MBA earn a top tier position among the world's best MBA programs, as defined by U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and The Economist. In 2013 and 2014, the UF MBA program was recognized by The Princeton Review as the #1 Best Administered MBA in the U.S.
Dr. Sevilla earned his doctorate in organizational leadership from Pepperdine University. He teaches leadership courses for the Heavener School, speaks frequently across campus and engages with corporate organizations in the areas of transformational leadership, emotional intelligence, authenticity, leading teams, influence and leading change.
Dr. Sevilla's passions center around helping others, life satisfaction, and family. He aspires to help others understand how their unique strengths apply to leadership and then use that awareness to advance their professional success, and more importantly, their life satisfaction. He considers himself fortunate to be able to immerse himself in these types of opportunities regularly, with students, mentees, alumni and professionals. In his free time, Dr. S loves to travel, hike, play guitar, attend music and sporting events, embrace new life adventures and spend quality time with his incredible family.
Amy Stevenson is the CMO at Designer Shoe Warehouse (DSW) where she leads overall marketing strategy and branding, digital marketing, customer insights, creative, customer marketing, offer strategy, marketing analytics and innovation for the DSW brand. Prior to DSW, she was the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Victoria's Secret. She received an undergraduate degree from Wittenberg University and MBA from The Ohio State University.
Michael is an EVP and Chief Customer Officer at Bloomin' Brands Inc. In this role, Michael partners with BBI's brands (Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse) to drive customer demand through digital, loyalty, media, and analytics efforts. Most recently before joining BBI, Michael was a Managing Director and Partner in the Consumer practice of The Boston Consulting Group. Michael received a BS in Business Administration from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Michael is a lifetime Carolina Panthers season ticket holder, an avid Bruce Springsteen fan, and a frequent but terrible Soul Cycle rider.
Jack Thomasson is President/CEO of The Home Department, Inc., and has been best known as "That Dream Home Guy" for HGTV for over 20 years. This acclaimed Professional House Planner and entrepreneur has a diverse background in all things home-related, including real estate, architecture, construction, landscape and interior design. At HGTV, Jack produced the HGTV Dream Home (the largest sweepstakes in cable television), the HGTV Smart Home, and the HGTV Urban Oasis. Before going primetime, Jack was the founder of Coastal Living magazine, which was acquired by Time, Inc.
Ashlee Weisser is Vice President, Analytics and Insights at Bloomin' Brands, Inc. In this role, Ashlee leads a newly created team responsible for business analytics, data activation, and strategic support for the Bloomin' Brands portfolio (Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse). Her team's mission is to synthesize knowledge and insights that illuminate possibilities to unlock growth and inspire crazy loyalty to our brands. Most recently before this role, Ashlee was the Vice President, Finance and Concept CFO for Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse. Prior to joining Bloomin' Brands, she held roles of increasing responsibility across Finance and Marketing at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews and Darden Restaurants, Inc.
Ashlee received a BS in Psychology (summa cum laude) from the University of Florida and an MBA from Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business. She is honored to have been was selected as one of the "40 Gators Under 40" in 2020.
Ashlee and her husband, Steven (college sweetheart and fellow UF alum), reside in Tampa, FL with their daughter, Reagan.
A proud UF Graduate, Todd Bavol has built a company that specializes on the staffing industry niche of serving large, high-volume fulfilment facilities of leading online and traditional retailers.
Todd has guided Integrity's growth at double-digit rates for every one of the 21 consecutive years since its founding in 1997, generating opportunity for over 1 million jobseekers.
In 2017, Integrity's national footprint grew to 110 client locations in 23 states and provided over 170,000 job opportunities for its associates at various client locations all over the country.
Integrity Staffing has been recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) as the 11th largest light industrial staffing and talent engagement firm in the U.S.
Susan Chronister has over 25 years' experience leading and driving sales of various dynamic electronics businesses. She currently leads sales and global business development for Element TV. Previously, Susan was AVP of Sales at TracFone Wireless where she led Walmart's multi- billion dollar private label Straight Talk wireless business. While at TracFone she received multiple awards from Walmart, including Multichannel Supplier of the Year Award and the General Merchandise People Performance Supplier of the Year Award. Prior to TracFone, Susan spent 4.5 years at Walmart, strategically leading the cross functional Family Toy and Video Game teams where she was a consistent high performing executive who increased market share year after year. While at Walmart, she was honored with 2 Gold Effie awards, WOW Award, Excellence in Big Bets, Merchandising Spark Award and the Excellence in Live Better Award, was a member of the Entertainment Merchants Association board and a Graduate of the Walton Institute. Prior to Walmart Susan spent 11 years in the Video Game business driving sales at EA, Atari, THQ and Mad Catz and another 6 years as a merchant in video games. Susan is a member of the Network of Executive Women and sits on the Mentoring Committee. Susan is a graduate of the University of Florida, was on the Student Retail Advisory Board, and worked at the Center for Retailing. Because of her experience at UF she is passionate about mentoring retail students and loves being a guest lecturer for the MAR2290 class. Go Gators!
James joined Pinch A Penny in 1992 as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President. In 2001, he became Chief Operating Officer. Jim's role includes management of all financial aspects, overseeing diversified day-to-day functions in the operation of all Pinch A Penny companies and developing the management team.
Prior to working with Pinch A Penny, James worked for KPMG Peat Marwick as an Audit Senior Manager. He is a CPA and holds a BS in Accounting from the University of Minnesota.
Eric Godet has called Greater Gainesville home since 1993, and he's played a wide array of roles – as a founder of RTI Surgical, owner of his business and a vice president of Haven Hospice. Godet currently serves as President and CEO of the Greater Gainesville Chamber of Commerce.
Steven Jamieson is general manager of The Mall at Millenia, The Forbes Company's distinctive, world-class shopping & dining destination in Orlando, Florida. Millenia was named as one of the 10 most productive shopping centers in the World. Jamieson oversees all Center operations, while working closely with retailers and the Orlando community.
Jamieson's successful career spans over 35 years and includes diverse experience in property management and retail, as well as training and development. He combines superb leadership skills with a customer-focused approach. Prior to joining The Forbes Company in 2002, Jamieson served as general manager at Orlando Fashion Square, a 1.1 million square-foot, super-regional mall, a position he was appointed to during 1998. He held the same position at Colonial Mall Myrtle Beach in South Carolina from 1996 to 1998, where he was named Property Manager of the Year by parent company Colonial Properties Trust. He gained additional experience through mall management positions in Texas and Kansas.
Jamieson began his retail career in 1983 as a manager and assistant buyer with Jordan Marsh in Miami, Fla., and later moved to positions of increasing responsibility in store operations, group merchandising and customer service for other national department store brands. His career track includes tenure with Bloomingdale's, working at two Florida locations in Boca Raton and Palm Beach Gardens, as well as at Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. In 1993, he joined that Mall's management team as manager of tenant services and Mall of America merchandise, where he honed his expertise in serving tourism-related retail markets.
Active in every community in which he has worked, Jamieson is currently on the Board of Directors for Visit Orlando. He served on the Board's Executive Committee and currently chair's the Audit & Oversight Committee. In addition, he is the past chair of the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association's, Allied Relations Council, and is currently a member of its Government Affairs Committee and an Ex-Officio Board member. He also served as a board member of the Orlando Economic Partnership and served on the Finance and Marketing Committees. Jamieson is also a past President of his Rotary Club, and a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). He became a certified Development Dimensions International (DDI) professional development-training instructor in 1993, earned a Certified Shopping Center Manager (CSM) designation from ICSC in 1999, and obtained his Florida real estate license in 2001.
Jamieson has been a Floridian since 1965, growing up in Hollywood, Florida. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and returned to South Florida to begin his career. Though taking a few years in other States in the mid-1990's to advance in his career, Jamieson pledged to return to Florida where he now proudly calls Orlando home since 1998. He and his wife Cheryl have two children and are residents of the Dr. Phillips neighborhood in southwest Orlando.
After earning a BSBA Degree from the University of Florida in 1977, Steve began his career as a CPA for KPMG, a global accounting and auditing firm. He joined Beall's, Inc. in 1984 as the Director of Finance and grew with the Company for more than 30 years, advancing through a number of leadership roles before being promoted to Chief Executive Officer in 2006. Steve was named Chairman in 2017, he is now Chairman and CEO.
Steve serves on the Boards of Publix Super Markets, Inc., the National Retail Federation, and immediate past Chair of the Board for the Florida Chamber of Commerce. On a more local level, he is a member of the Southwest Region Advisory Board for SunTrust Bank and is Director Emeritus of the Palmetto Youth Center in Palmetto, FL.
Founded by then UF junior Sam Lewis in 2011, WearTheFund (also known as "WTF") has its headquarters and production warehouse in Fort Myers, FL. WTF is an authentic, mission-driven custom apparel company committed to changing the way the world does business - profit is not the bottom line - with high quality merchandise that "gives back" to the client's own charity or nonprofit of choice. Sam is known for his social responsibility and extensive charitable network, contributing close to $200,000 to diverse causes that achieve social good for the communities he serves. On the name, Samuel intentionally chose a moniker that could go by the letters, WTF, to spin a positive association on the common acronym for "what the…" (Actually, playing off his own "WTF" moment at UF re: questionable post-graduation plans, which sparked his idea for the brand and desire for intersecting entrepreneurship and philanthropy.) Sam graduated UF with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Business. He was on the UF Student Conduct Committee and member of Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity. With WearTheFund created prior to graduation, he decided to return to his hometown of Fort Myers and build the brand as a grassroots startup out of his dad's garage. Now in its 7th year of operation, he's generated 10-15% revenue growth year-over-year and more than $2.5 million in lifetime sales.
Sam has always had a passion for social entrepreneurship, which includes mentoring others who have the same. Patagonia and TOMS have served as his biggest inspirations. From being recognized by media and professional organizations, to partnering with national and local charities and for-profit companies, he's successfully launched a sustainable business model that has significant societal impact. www.facebook.com/wearthefund | www.wearthefund.com
Jon Reitz is the Regional Vice President, Walgreens Florida North/ Georgia. Mr. Reitz is currently responsible for localizing and executing on Walgreens strategy within region to integrate all Walgreens healthcare businesses offering products and services within the region, including daily living, retail pharmacy, clinics, specialty pharmacy, and other business units as appropriate. He is Responsible for 660 Walgreens stores/pharmacies in Central Florida and Georgia. Mr. Reitz is a registered pharmacist in 4 states and has made Orlando, FL his home for the past 4 years.
R. Scott Shalley currently serves as President & CEO of the Florida Retail Federation (FRF). For over 80 years FRF has served as the voice of Florida's immense retail industry. As President & CEO, Mr. Shalley maintains responsibility for all areas of FRF operations including oversight of Georgia Retailers, FRF Services, FRF Realty and other related ventures. He joined FRF in 2017 and has over 30 years of experience in lobbying, association management and private sector business management. Prior to joining FRF, Mr. Shalley served as Executive Director of the Florida Association of Counties. He has worked extensively with lawmakers and government agencies throughout Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C. Mr. Shalley previously served as Vice President/Director of Business Management for an internationally recognized bridge engineering firm. His responsibilities included contract negotiation and business development throughout the United States as well as in South America and Saudi Arabia. Mr. Shalley is a graduate of Florida State University.
Jack Thomasson is President/CEO of The Home Department, Inc., and has been best known as "That Dream Home Guy" for HGTV for over 20 years. This acclaimed Professional House Planner and entrepreneur has a diverse background in all things home-related, including real estate, architecture, construction, landscape and interior design. At HGTV, Jack produced the HGTV Dream Home (the largest sweepstakes in cable television), the HGTV Smart Home, and the HGTV Urban Oasis. Before going primetime, Jack was the founder of Coastal Living magazine, which was acquired by Time, Inc.
Tone Def is a student-run, service-based a cappella group at UF. Founded in 2012, Tone Def defines themselves as both a competitive and collaborative group. Tone Def has performed in several cities along the East Coast, including Atlanta, GA; Durham, NC; Tampa, FL; Orlando, FL; and of course, Gainesville, FL. They sing at community events around UF and the larger Gainesville area. They recently recorded their First Studio Album, SPECTRUM, coming out in Early November on most streaming platforms.
Houston has been entertaining audiences for over a decade as a standup comedian and stage actor. When he's not onstage, he's working in video production and education. Houston is thrilled to be able to share his thoughts with the Retail Smarter conference.
