Sales Development

RONALD V. GALLO

*** ********** **** ***** ? Manhasset, NY 11030 ? abmzsl@r.postjobfree.com ? H:

516-***-**** . C: 516-***-****

MERCHANDISING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL

Highly motivated and skilled professional with experience in management,

sales, and direct operations seeking career advancement within dynamic,

high-growth organization that welcomes strong leadership, initiative, and

dedication. A confident self-starter and critical thinker, the candidate

possesses strong interpersonal and communication skills with the expertise

to train and manage an expert team of sales and support staff. Proven

ability to build a premier organization, grow businesses, and deliver

profits. Extensive background in the manufacturing of luxury products,

outerwear, woven shirts, structured tailoring, and denim. Exceptional

ability to excel under high pressure along with unmatched commitment to

meet, or exceed, goals and objectives of the organization.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

New Business Development Budgeting / P&L Goal Setting

Management

Key Account Management Design & Merchandising Acquisition Integration

Strategic Planning Generating Sales Costing & Pricing

Brand Building Global Sourcing Problem Solving

Marketing & Advertising Product Development Sample & Fabric

Development

SELECTED PROJECTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

. Spearheaded the successful sale of 2 companies in the last 7 years.

. Became skilled in multiple disciplines within the industry including

sourcing, product and brand development, merchandising, marketing and

licensing, and sales and account management.

. Created a new celebrity-based company with LL Cool J: luxury lifestyle

Todd Smith and bridge TS apparel brands. The brand is now sold

nationwide. Collaborated with President and CEO to establish overall

brand goals and objectives, including transitioning the brand from a

luxury to mass-market label with first season sales in excess of $15

million.

. Planned, managed, and executed the Todd Smith launch and fashion show

during the 2006 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at the Carlton Hotel in

NYC. Received critical acclaim in numerous publications worldwide.

. Seamlessly led a transition from a family-owned business to a public

company when Rose Cloak was sold to Donnkenny, Inc.

. Created the leading luxury outerwear company in the U.S. Negotiated

licenses for Regal and Bill Blass and expanded private label business

to include manufacturing for numerous prestigious brands, including

Kenneth Cole, Cole Haan, Calvin Klein, Jones New York, and Larry

Levine. Formulated and executed corporate strategy to acquire a series

of category-specific labels to increase market penetration. Increased

sales by 100% in 2 years and gross margins from 10% to more than 40%.

. Collaborated with DonnKenny's CEO to expand the company's brand

portfolio, including negotiating the licenses for Nicole Miller, Bill

Blass, and Drizzle in all coat classifications, with yearly sales in

excess of $10 million. Additionally, secured license for Nicole by

Nicole Miller Sportswear, an exclusive lifestyle collection for JC

Penney with first year sales in excess of $18 million.

CAREER PATH

DIRECTOR 2007 - PRESENT

Standard Fashion, LLC - New York, NY

. Responsible for providing comprehensive fashion merchandising and

branding consulting.

. Apply expertise in brand development, merchandising and retail

expansion from concept to completion. Past clients include: LL Cool J,

Todd Smith, Bill Blass, Elie Tahari and Nicole Miller outerwear.

Division President, Corporate Senior Vice President 2006 - 2007

Regatta USA, LLC - New York, NY

$320M Privately Held Multi-Brand Sportswear Company - Now a division of Li

& Fung, USA

. Oversaw Todd Smith & LL Cool J Lifestyle Brands, Men's and Ladies

. Established brand objectives and line plans to meet corporate

financial goals; instituted short- and long-term merchandizing goals,

pricing and margin objectives.

. Instrumental in identifying critical initiatives and creating a

cohesive product line.

. Directed brand and creative focus.

. Collaborated with merchandising, design, technical design,

forecasting, sourcing, and sales staff on design, fabric selection,

quality, fit, store-in-store sales concepts, sales planning, and

marketing strategies.

. Developed highly cohesive team through selecting, training, and

coaching staff on brand philosophy, image, and identity.

. Interacted with GMMs, DMMs, and buyers to present both men's and

ladies collections; placed product in Macy's, Parisian, Nordstrom -

Todd Smith, and Sam's Club (Wal-Mart - LL Cool J currently in

development).

. Performed sales tracking and recommended merchandise distribution

alternatives; liaised with sales to ensure that merchandising mix

addressed store and customer needs.

Co-Managing Director, Principal / Todd Smith Brand 2005 - 2006

Standard Fashion, LLC - New York, NY

Startup Company Formed to Leverage, Market and Promote branded and private

label apparel

. Partnered with LL Cool J to provide overall guidance and regarding

sales, marketing direction, and merchandising at point of sale and to

the media.

. Responsible for full P& L management.

. Organized new licensing opportunities, including identifying,

approving, building and managing partnerships.

. Successfully developed and implemented licensing strategies for Todd

Smith fragrance and jewelry products.

. Directed day-to-day operations of company, including product

development of men's, ladies, and accessories collections, with direct

oversight of design, technical design, production, and fit.

. Presented collections directly to CEOs, Regional Presidents, GMMs,

DMMs, and Buyers.

. Achieved placement in Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom,

Parisian, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, QVC, HSN, and big box retailer Sam's

Club.

. Analyzed and provided retail feedback for product development and

brand building, including market research, advertising, design, and

merchandising.

. Organized and executed all brand-related marketing, personal

appearances, events, concerts, and public relations for men's and

women's lines.

. Collaborated representatives of William Morris talent agency and Def

Jam Records to promote the Todd Smith brand and create synergy between

apparel and LL Cool J music at POS.

Division President, Corporate Executive Committee Member 2003 - 2005

DonnKenny, Inc. - New York, NY

Publicly Traded $100M Company

. Personally responsible for negotiating the asset sale of Rose Cloak

and Suit Company's 75-year old Coat Division to Donnkenny, Inc. in

2003.

. In charge of daily operations including staff management, design,

fabric selection, marketing strategies, budgeting, cost sheet

analysis, and pricing.

. Originated and designed DonnKenny's first ladies outerwear division,

bringing in Bill Blass, Drizzle, and Nicole Miller labels; worked

directly with Ms. Miller to set the tone and identity of the brand and

provide uniformity with the vision and philosophy of her label.

. Successful in establishing a private label division to manufacture

outerwear for Tahari and Calvin Klein.

. Coordinated and prepared SEC filing confirmations and Sarbanes-Oxley

affirmations.

advancing positions 1989 - 2003

Rose Cloak & Suite Co. - New York, NY

Licensed/Branded Men's & Ladies Outerwear Company

Executive VP, Product Development & Sales

. Developed expertise design, textile, and apparel manufacturing at the

mill and factory level through extensive travel in Europe and Asia.

. Established an exclusive agreement with luxury Italian mill Loro

Piana, S.p.A. for the use of "Storm System," a patented waterproof

fabrication technology.

. Responsible for negotiating licenses for Regal ladies luxury outerwear

label and master license for all Bill Blass ladies outerwear

merchandise, including all classifications (wool, precious fiber fur

trim, leather, suede, shearling, rainwear, and activewear); utilized

Loro Piana S.p.A. Storm System fabrications exclusively in Bill Blass

branded merchandise.

. Collaborated directly with Mr. Blass to set style and establish

overall vision and branding philosophy of his label.

. Expanded lines into Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth

Avenue, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, and other select

retail and specialty stores.

. Established cohesive teams and strong infrastructure directed.

Vice President Sourcing & Product Development, Product Development

Specialist

. Oversaw structure of the product development process and expanded

resource base.

. Conceptualized and applied formal time and action calendars; liaised

with sales and merchandising on framework creation to meet design

expectations and profit margin requirements.

. Attended bi-yearly European tradeshows (Premier Vision, Moda In, Prato

Expo) to identify trends; collaborated with sales and merchandising to

develop new fabrications and trims.

. Identified and developed new vendors in Italy, Poland, and Belarus;

actualized competitive bidding process for all vendors and factories;

streamlined all processes.

. Established joint venture with two Italian mills that ensured

consistent flow of fabric and on-time production.

. Liaised with production, technical design, and operations to provide

support during pre-production and production to mitigate problems

during the cut/sew process; monitored flow of all inbound merchandise.

Manager, Warehousing, Distribution, and Logistics

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science 1987

Long Island University, Brookville Campus

Brookville, NY

EXCEPTIONAL REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Contact this candidate