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The strength of Renaissance Partners, L.C., is rooted in
the experience 1. Management Consulting THOMAS H. HICKS Tom has over 32 years experience in the retail and retail related industry, the past 28 years working in and with troubled companies. Since 1995 Hicks has operated Renaissance Partners, L.C. and developed successful turnaround, liquidation, value enhancement and financing strategies for Cato Corporation, Bobby Allison Wireless, Elder Beerman Stores Corp., Mettler’s, Montaldo’s, Toys International, Sundance Catalog, Welcome Home, Inc. and others. Previously, Tom helped create market capitalization, profit and cash flow gains for The Higbee Company, Cato Corporation, D.H. Holmes Co., Ltd., Butler Capital Corp. and Best Products Company, Inc. Hicks functioned at the CEO, COO and CFO levels in these assignments and is well versed in restructurings in and out of bankruptcy proceedings. Hicks previously served as CFO and in other senior financial management roles for divisions of Manhattan Industries, Inc., Borden Inc., Federated Department Stores, Inc. and Burroughs Corporation. Tom is a member of the Turnaround Management Association (“TMA”), American Bankruptcy Institute, Association for Corporate Growth, Atlanta Venture Forum, Florida Venture Forum, North Florida Venture Forum, National Retail Federation, Association of Insolvency and Restructuring Advisors and International Council of Shopping Centers and he serves on the Advisory Board of the Rogers & Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising (The Fashion School) at Kent State University and as a Director of the TMA – Florida Chapter. Hicks earned an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and completed Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program and the Strategic Planning in Retailing program at The College of William and Mary - Babson College. DENA P. McKINLEY Ms. McKinley has 25 years experience in the retail and consulting industries with significant emphasis on merchandise planning, allocation, distribution and information systems. Most recently she served on the Executive Committee of the Lane Bryant division of The Limited, Inc., as Vice President – Merchandise Planning and Allocation, improving regional inventory assortments, allocation and productivity. Dena previously served as Vice President – Merchandise Planning and Allocation at Sportmart and Vice President – MIS at the Rich’s/Goldsmith’s division of Federated Department Stores. Prior to joining Federated, Dena operated McKinley Associates, specializing in merchandise organization, process improvement, information systems, planning, software design and purchase. Her retail management background developed from positions as Vice President – Controller of the L.S. Ayres division of May Department Stores, Vice President – MIS at May Company – California and Vice President – MIS of Macy’s Midwest. Dena’s systems expertise includes Arthur, MMS, E3, Inforem, JDA and STS. Ms. McKinley began her career on the Executive Training Squad at Bamberger’s after earning a Master’s Degree at Temple University. Ms. McKinley is a member of the Board of Advisors of the Kent State University Rodgers and Silverman School of Fashion Design and Merchandising (The Fashion School). RAYMOND J. MILLER Ray has over 25 years retail experience in department, specialty and discount stores, where he has served as the Chairman of the Board, CEO, COO, CFO and CRO. For the past ten years Ray has focused on troubled companies, most recently serving as EVP-Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Acting CEO and Acting Board of Directors of Mars Inc., a musical instrument specialty store in 20 states and 41 locations with sales in excess of $345 million. From 1995 to October 2001 Ray served as CRO, CFO, COO, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Weiner’s Stores Inc., a discount specialty retail chain in five states and over 150 store locations in the southwest United States, with sales in excess of $276 million. Previously, Ray was EVP-Finance and Operations of Carlisle Retailers Inc., a $40 million specialty retail chain based in northeast Ohio. He also held the position of Vice President - North American Operations with Industrial Equity Pacific Limited, an international investment arm of New Zealand based Brierly Investments, after his career began with The Higbee Company, an Ohio based upscale department store with sales in excess of $300 million. At Higbee’s Ray served in various financial positions including Vice President - Treasurer. Ray earned an MBA from Cleveland State University and a BS from Youngstown State University, and is a member of Turnaround Management Association and Association for Corporate Growth. JOHN S. LUPO Mr. Lupo has over 30 years of retail merchandising, management, and operating experience in department and discount stores in the US and internationally, having served at the President, COO, EVP Merchandising and GMM levels for Wal-Mart, Higbee's, Dillard's and Bassett Furniture. During his tenure with Wal-Mart International, Mr. Lupo directed merchandise and operations worldwide, with stores in Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Argentina, China, and Germany. Previously at Wal-Mart, John served as SVP-GMM for apparel and accessories. He directed the establishment of the Wal-Mart private label apparel business in 1993, developing the Kathie Lee, Catalina, White Stag, Basic Equipment and Faded Glory lines. Mr. Lupo served as President of The Higbee Company, having risen through the ranks from trainee through department manager, buyer, store manager, DMM, GMM, and EVP Merchandising. John also recently directed the development of the Bassett Furniture Direct Stores. John is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio. He serves on the Board of Directors of Rayovac, Office Innovations, Style Solutions, and on the Advisory Board of ThreadExchange.com and the Kent State University School of Fashion Design and Merchandising (The Fashion School). DAVID FORELL, CPA Dave as over 20 years experience in retailing, most recently serving as Executive Vice President – Chief Operating and Financial Officer of Catherines Stores Corporation, a 540 store, $400 million specialty women’s apparel retailer. At Catherines, Mr. Forell was responsible for finance, accounting, credit, treasury, tax, store operations, distribution and logistics, information technology and merchandise planning and allocation. During Forell’s 12 year tenure at Catherines he led an IPO, growth from 212 to 432 stores and revenue increased from $114 million to over $300 million. These gains led to the sale of Catherines to Charming Shoppes Inc. for a 50% premium to market price. Dave directed the sale process including due diligence, contract negotiations, accounting and investment banking relationships. Previously Mr. Forell was Vice President – Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Hutzler Brothers Company, a $120 million regional department and specialty store chain. He also held financial and accounting positions with BATUS, Inc. and Marshall Field & Co. after beginning his career with Arthur Andersen LLP where he as an Audit Manager specializing in retail, consumer products and health care clients. Mr. Forell earned an MBA and BSBA from Northwestern University (Barker Fellowship, Austin Scholar) and he is a CPA. GRAYDON D. WEBB Mr. Webb has over thirty-three years experience in restaurant and franchise retailing, where he served as Chairman of the Board, CEO, Managing Director and Vice President-Franchise Sales. For the past eighteen years Graydon has focused on food and food related technology companies as Managing Director of The Auric Group. Clients have included Rally’s/Zipps Drive Thru, Inc., Bojangles, Inc., Wendco, Inc., G.D. Ritzy’s, Inc., TouchChoice Systems, Inc., OneDentist Resources, Inc., The Great American Bagle and AutoCafe Systems, Inc. Mr. Webb has also participated in management recruitment, corporate development, strategic planning, financings, concept direction, revenue enhancement and acquisition strategies for the above plus T.J. Cinnamons, Kenny Rogers Roasters, Pudgies Famous Chicken, I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt, Long John Silvers, KFC, Taco Bell, Clucker’s, Rax Restaurants, Java Coast, Johnny Rockets, Inc. and Au Bon Pain/St. Louis Bread (Panera). From 1980-86 Mr. Webb served as Founder and Chairman of the Board of G.D. Ritzy’s, Inc., a chain of over 100 locations throughout the U.S. This nationally recognized “contemporary diner” restaurant concept features award winning food and premium ice cream that was recognized by People Magazine, Town Square (Kansas City), Ohio Magazine, Orlando Magazine, Philadelphia Magazine, The Columbus Dispatch and Columbus Magazine. Graydon led three equity offerings totaling $20 million. Graydon previously held the position of Vice President – Franchise Sales for Wendy’s International, Inc. from 1971-80 where he initiated and grew U.S. franchise sales planning and support to 2,000 restaurant locations. He also defined and executed franchise agreements for international expansion including Canada, the Caribbean and Japan. Mr. Webb earned a BA degree from The Ohio State University. BERNARD M. ZINDLER Mr. Zindler has over 42 years retail experience in upscale apparel and accessories dominated department stores and specialty department stores, where he has served at the CEO, Chief Merchandising Officer and General Merchandise Manager levels. Bernard has served as President and CEO of B. Forman Co., Chairman and CEO of Charles A. Stevens, VP – Women’s Retail Group at Hartmarx Corporation and in various senior management assignments at Manhattan Industries, Inc., Swanson’s Kansas City, Joseph Magnin Co., Gus Mayer Stores, Neiman Marcus and Filene’s. Zindler is a graduate of the Wharton School of Finance, University of Pennsylvania. JERRY M. MONAHAN Mr. Monahan has 36 years experience in sports and
entertainment management with particular emphasis in racetrack management.
Jerry has spent the last 14 years in restructurings and new development in
that industry segment. Since 1999 Monahan has served as Vice President –
Racing Operations and Senior Vice President of Colonial Downs, Virginia’s
first pari-mutual racing operation. Jerry spearheaded a liaison between his
company, state and local governments for development of inbound and outbound
simulcasting operations at Colonial Downs, its six in-state off-track
facilities and at other out-of-state venues, while also managing all racing
activities for thoroughbred and harness racing meets.
2. Information Systems DONALD A. POIRIER Don is a 27 year veteran of retailing, distribution, warehousing and information services consulting. Since 1995 Mr. Poirier has served as President of Strategic Technology Integrators, Inc. where he has led multiple IS engagements in the areas of decision support, data warehousing, application systems development and implementation and operations management. Previously, Don served as Vice President – MIS at Safelite Glass Corporation, where he also held Manufacturing and Special Project positions; Vice President – Retail Operations and Director – MIS at Micro Center, Inc.; Director – MIS of the Lane Bryant and Lerner divisions of The Limited, Inc. and as Senior Manager at Anderson Consulting. JUDY NEWDOM Ms. Newdom has over 25 years experience in retailing, with information technology experience in department stores, hardlines, softlines, shoes, specialty, off-price, catalog, mass merchandise, grocery, furniture, convenience and e-commerce channels in North America and international markets. Judy’s background includes assessment and development of IT strategy, enterprise requirements analysis, systems development and implementation in merchandising, planning and allocation, distribution and warehousing, finance, point-of-sale and store systems, e-business, customer relationship management, labor scheduling and human resources. Ms. Newdom held the positions of CIO at Bradlees and Senior Director – Applications Development for Meldisco (div. Melville Corporation). She served as Director – Systems and Programming for Federated Department Stores, responsible for the design of the SABRE / FSG systems and managed all IT needs related to their Chapter 11 case. Most recently, as Executive Consultant with IBM and CSC, Judy assisted clients such as Godiva Chocolatier, Office Max, Chevron, Hills Department Stores, Sportmart, Avnet, Charrette, Europe Online, L.L. Bean and Michael’s Stores. Ms. Newdom is a member of IMRA, was Vice Chair of the IMRA Financial and Technology Conference and authors articles for retail industry publications. DONALD C. SMITH Don is a 17 year IT veteran of the general merchandise retail, restaurant and consulting industries. During that period Mr. Smith owned and operated Business Applications Engineering, Inc., his own network integration and application software development company that wrote, packaged and installed fast food point-of-sale software. Prior to entering the IT arena, Don operated his own apparel retail chain for 15 years. Mr. Smith has functioned as CIO, Director – Information Services, IT Director, Project Manager, Business Analyst, Systems Developer and Project Designer in firms such as Retail Media Systems Networks, 2Connect Express, Inc., American Express, The Alexander Proudfoot Co., Burger King Corporation and Tutor Time Learning Systems, Inc. Don is a graduate of Gannon University. ADVISORY BOARD Renaissance Partners, L.C. and its’ clients derive significant value from Advisory Board counsel, which includes Dr. David T. Kollat (Chairman, 22, Inc., co-founder of Management Horizons Retail Intelligence System, ex-President of Victoria Secrets Catalog and Director of Limited Brands, Inc., Big Lots, Inc., Select Comfort, Inc., and Wolverine World Wide, Inc.); Wayland H. Cato, Jr. (co-founder and retired Chairman of Cato Corporation, a leading women’s specialty apparel retailer with over 1,250 stores in the U.S.; Bruce S. Foerster (founder and CEO of South Beach Capital Markets Advisory Corporation, Director of Cabrera Markets, Inc., former Governor of Philadelphia Stock Exchange, former Director Pilgrim Mutual Funds and visiting lecturer at University of Florida Business School); Peggy L. Montgomery (CEO of PLMShop, an international merchandising, marketing, product development and branding consultancy and former Vice-President Merchandising at Life Uniform, Senior Vice-President Merchandising and Marketing at Levenger, and Vice President Merchandising and Marketing at J.C. Penney); Charles Krallman (founder and CEO of ROI Retail Strategies, a worldwide consumer research and analysis firm); and Marshall E. Felenstein (President of New York based real estate advisory firm Felenstein Was & Associates). |
