Business at Florida Podcasts - Retail Systems and Management (Video)

Retail Systems and Management

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 09:00:00 -0500

2007 Guest Speaker - John Cassimus, President & CEO, Zoe's Kitchen

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 08:59:11 -0400

John Cassimus, President & CEO of Zoe's Kitchen, graduated from the University of Alabama in 1990, where he had a successful football career, his team winning a Southeastern Conference Championship, and playing in 4 bowl games. Since graduating, he has been an award winning insurance and securities producer for Pittman Financial Partners, started his own imprinting sportswear company called J-Rag, Inc., and had successes in acquisitions and venture capital consulting. Over the years John has also enjoyed working with several television networks including ABC Sports in New York, College Sports Southeast and local ABC, NBC, Fox and CBS affiliates in Birmingham. John has served as a sideline commentator as well as a live, on-air football analyst. He has also been a frequent guest on local sports talks radio shows, JOX 690 AM and WERC 960AM.

In 1999, John decided to plant his roots in Birmingham, where he opened the 2nd location of Zoe's kitchen, the first being founded in 1995 by his parents, Zoe and Marcus Cassimus in Homewood, Alabama. Zoe's is a quick-serve casual concept featuring homemade recipes made daily from fresh ingredients. The menu features salads and sandwiches with a Greek flair. Currently, there are 12 locations in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Spanish Fort, Destin, Phoenix, Memphis, Montgomery and Nashville. There are plans to open approximately 50 stores within the next five years.

2007 Guest Speaker - Mary Stoddart, Territory General Manager, Best Buy

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 08:59:14 -0400

Mary Stoddart is the Territory General Manager (VP Officer) of the southeast region for Best Buy Co., Inc. Raised in New England, Mary received her bachelor's degree from Mount Holyoke College. She has been in retail management for a total of 20 plus years. She has been with Best Buy for over 12 years, holding multiple retail management roles.

Mary has been very active in various programs for women in business, including Best Buy's Women of Leadership Forum (Wolf) Program, the Women's Leadership Business Forum and Simmons School of Management. She is also a participant and mentor in the Menttium Mentor Program.

2007 Guest Speaker - Sandra Soto, Operational Vice President of Talent Acquisition, Home Shopping Network

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 08:59:16 -0400

Sandra Soto, Operational Vice President of Talent Acquisition, Home Shopping Network

HSN delivers its merchandise across a full spectrum of platforms, including TV, where the network reaches 89 million households and is the 4th largest cable network in the U.S. and online, through hsn.com, which also features value-added video-on-demand and podcasts of products, shows, and tips.

2007 Guest Speaker - Steve Jamieson, General Manager, The Mall at Millenia

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 08:59:18 -0400

Veteran retail and real estate executive Steve Jamieson, CSM, is the General Manager of The Mall at Millenia, The Forbes Company's distinctive, super-regional shopping destination in Orlando, Florida. Mr. Jamieson oversees all the Center operations, while working closely with retailers and the Central Florida community.

Mr. Jamieson earned his bachelor's degree in economics from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His successful 22-year career includes a diverse experience in property management and retail, as well as training and development. He combines superb leadership skills with a customer-focused approach. He began his retail career as a manager and assistant buyer with Jordan Marsh in Miami, later moving to positions in store operations, group merchandising and customer service for other national department stores. His career track includes tenure with Bloomingdale's, and the Mall of America.

Active in community, Mr. Jamieson is currently Board Chair of the National Academy Foundation Executive Committee for Orange and Seminole County Public Schools' Academies of Finance, Information/Technology and Hospitality/Tourism magnet programs, and a member of the Orlando regional Chamber of Commerce, and Rotary International. He is a Certified Shopping Center Manager (CSM), a Development Dimensions International (DDI) training instructor and a licensed real estate salesperson.