Retail Success Strategies
Moderated by
Combining Customer Intell, Dynamic Products, and the Internet
Moderator: Mark Mishler
Panelists: Michael Mardy | David Marberger | Steve O’Connell
In a world dominated by retail, the internet has changed everything…some say for the better, others have differing opinions. In this exciting panel discussion, CFOs from Tumi, Godiva Chocolatier, and Lenox, will share their insights into how their companies leverage consumer loyalty to drive traffic to stores, how omni channels serve to integrate online and retail channels, maintaining customer loyalty in a connected world, similarities and differences of retail locations around the globe, how price transparency on the web and technology affect business.
Mr. Mishler’s career includes Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer, Controller, and Chief Information Officer leadership with publicly-traded and private equity companies. In 2014, he was a finalist for New Jersey Biz magazine’s CFO of the Year.
He has consumer products retail experience with Fedders where his responsibilities included product pricing, and retail fee, returns, and program management. As CFO of a General Electric Healthcare division, one of his businesses operated 96 patient medical diagnostic centers located in malls.
Mr. Mishler focuses on partnering with operating management to achieve growth, profitability, and cash flow objectives. He develops stakeholders’ confidence in his companies and has secured multiple debt and equity financings. He managed finance and accounting for 40 plants in 30 countries simultaneously. Leading strategic planning and business development, he completed more than 25 acquisitions and divestitures.
Mr. Mishler earned two Bachelors’ degrees in Chemistry and in Biology from Indiana University and his M.B.A. from the University of Michigan. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Management Accountant.
Mr. Mishler has been Adjunct Professor of Accounting and Finance at Seton Hall University for many years teaching graduate and undergraduate courses.
Michael Mardy
Tumi Holdings, Inc.
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Mr. Michael J. Mardy, also known as Mike, has been the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President at Tumi Holdings, Inc. since July 2003 and serves as its Principal Accounting Officer. Mr. Mardy has been Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Tumi, Inc. since July 2003 and serves as its Chief Technology Officer. From 1996 to 2002, Mr. Mardy served as an Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Keystone Foods LLC, a global manufacturer of food products. From 1980 to 1996, he served in various positions with Nabisco, Inc., last serving as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Nabisco Biscuit Company. Mr. Mardy serves as an Interim Chairman of TC Global, Inc. He served as an Interim Chairman of the Board at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. from May 2012 to December 12, 2012. He has been a Director of Tumi Holdings, Inc. since November 2011. He serves as a Director of ModusLink Corporation. He has been a Director of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. since April 3, 2007. Mr. Mardy also serves on the board of the Institute of Medicine and Public Health for New Jersey. He served as a Director of ModusLink Global Solutions, Inc. (formerly CMGI Inc.) since May 2003. Mr. Mardy is a Member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the New Jersey State Society of CPAs, and the Financial Executives Institute. Mr. Mardy graduated from Princeton University in 1970 with a B.A. in History and holds an M.B.A. in Accounting and Finance from Rutgers University in 1976.
About Tumi Holdings, Inc.
Tumi Holdings, Inc. designs, produces, and markets a range of travel and business products, and accessories. The company provides wheeled travel products and soft styles without wheels comprising satchels, garment bags, boarding totes, and cross-body bags; and business cases, including wheeled business cases, backpacks, messenger bags, day bags, and totes. It also offers accessories comprising wallets and card cases, as well as agendas and planners, passport cases, mobile covers, umbrellas, and travel accessories, such as electric current adapters, key fobs, packing accessories, toiletry kits, and foldable travel totes; and belts, outerwear, sunglasses, and eyewear. The company sells its products through a network of company-owned retail stores and outlet stores, partner stores, concessions, shop-in-shops, specialty luggage shops, high-end department stores, and e-commerce distribution channels. As of November 06, 2014, its products are is sold in approximately 280 stores in New York, Paris, London, and Tokyo, as well as in department, specialty, and travel retail stores in approximately 75 countries. Tumi Holdings, Inc. was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in South Plainfield, New Jersey.
David Marberger
Godiva Chocolatier, Inc.
Chief Financial Officer and Head of Transformation, Global Procurement and IT
David S. Marberger is the CFO & Head of Transformation, Procurement & IT for Godiva Chocolatier, Inc. (Godiva). Godiva, with headquarters in New York City, is a leading manufacturer and supplier of premium chocolates throughout the world. Godiva makes and distributes chocolate concoctions including truffles, cocoa, ice cream, cookies, specialty coffees and liqueurs through over 600 boutique stores as well as through department, specialty stores, catalog, web and on-line mail order services.
In his role as the CFO, David has responsibility for financial analysis and budgeting, financial reporting and taxes, treasury and accounting operations and internal control. David is also responsible for Global Information Technology and Procurement at Godiva. David works closely with the CEO & Godiva Leadership Team in developing strategies that build long term shareholder value.
Prior to joining Godiva, David held the position of Executive Vice President & CFO of Tasty Baking Company, a $250mm public company traded on the NASDAQ stock exchange until its sale to Flowers Foods in 2011. At Tasty, David helped return the company to profitability after two years of losses. David led the finance department and company through several major initiatives to improve the financial position of the business, and he oversaw the implementation of SAP. He was very involved in helping to evaluate the Company’s long-term manufacturing strategy, which resulted in the company’s decision to build a new state-of-the-art bakery in 2009.
Prior to joining Tasty Baking Company in 2003, David worked at Campbell Soup Company for 10 years. David held positions of increasing responsibility at Campbell’s, including Vice President Finance for Campbell’s Away from Home foodservice division; Finance Director for the $2 billion U.S. Soup business; and Finance Director for the Campbell Bakery and Confectionary and International divisions. In addition, David was a Finance Director in Campbell’s corporate development department, where he performed financial analysis on various acquisitions and divestitures. He was also the Worldwide Audit Director for Campbell’s internal audit department.
David started his career at Price Waterhouse where he stayed for six years.
David is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting with a minor in Economics, earning the designation of Commonwealth Scholar. David also holds an MBA degree from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
David is married and has two sons and one daughter. David is active in children’s sports and education, where he serves as a coach and classroom teacher in his community.
David is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Pennsylvania and is a member of the PICPA and AICPA associations.
About GODIVA Chocolatier
GODIVA was founded over 85 years ago in Brussels, Belgium and has grown to become the global leader in premium chocolates. GODIVA is one of the most widely recognized chocolate brands in the world, and one that consumers universally associate with prestige, elegance and quality. From its famous truffles and shell-molded chocolate pieces to its European-style biscuits, gourmet coffees, and hot cocoa, GODIVA Chocolatier is dedicated to excellence and innovation in the Belgian tradition. Over the past few years, GODIVA has expanded into baked goods and desserts, delighting customers with innovative products such as brownies, chocolate dipped items and most recently the new Cake Truffles and Ultimate Dessert Truffle Collections, defining itself as the destination for chocolate.
Steve O’Connell
Lenox Corporation
Chief Financial Officer
Steve O’Connell has been the CFO of Lenox Corporation, a portfolio company controlled by Clarion Capital, since September 2009. Lenox, headquartered in Bristol, PA, is the leading branded tabletop china dinnerware and gift company in the US. Before joining Lenox, Steve was CFO and Chief Administrative Officer of Harry & David Holdings, Inc., which he joined in 2004 following the company’s acquisition by Wasserstein & Co. At Harry & David, Steve helped lead a successful $245m public debt offering, executed the $50m sale of Jackson and Perkins and led two add-on acquisitions, Wolferman’s and Cushman’s. Prior to Harry & David, Steve was a Managing Director of Wasserstein, and was employed by Wasserstein and its predecessor firm, Wasserstein Perella & Co., Inc. since 1997. At Wasserstein, Steve specialized in consumer brands and helped lead the successful investments in All-Clad Cookware and Odwalla Juice. Prior to joining Wasserstein, Mr. O’Connell was employed for seven years with EXOR America, the private equity firm controlled by Italy’s Agnelli family, and for the previous three years with Salomon Brothers in their investment banking group. Steve graduated from Princeton University and received an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School.
About Lenox Corporation
Lenox Corporation is a market leader in quality tabletop, giftware and collectibles. The company markets its products under the Lenox, Dansk and Gorham brands. A shared commitment to quality and design puts their brands among the best known and respected in the industry. Collectively, they span 340 years of tabletop and giftware expertise.