DEBORAH M. EDWARDS

**** *********** *****

Calabash, NC 28467

203-***-****

abngrr@r.postjobfree.com

WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/IN/DEBEDWARDS

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

A dynamic high level professional, experienced in tackling and simplifying complex problems to achieve

specific measurable goals. Change agent focused on turnarounds, innovation and new products. Key

skills include strong team leadership and motivation, vision & strategic planning, goal setting, branding,

organizing for change, new product development, advertising and communications. Successfully

developed and introduced new products to meet emerging consumer needs, both nationally and

internationally, delivering volume and profit targets.

EXPERIENCE

VP Marketing, CMO

TWO SISTERS GOURMET, Orlando, FL 2007-

2009

A Division of Blyth Inc. (BTH) – A direct selling, party plan food company

Member of turnaround management team, reporting to President

• Clarified Brand position, refined product architecture

• Prepared integration plan with merger company

• Created and implemented metrics of promotions

• Churned product line 20% every six months; increased volume

• Developed continuous stream of new items consistent with food trends

• Improved margins by consolidating suppliers, case pack improvement, and pricing

• Produced cohesive, themed marketing, communications and training material

• Produced leadership and national conference for Consultants

VP Marketing, CMO

LORNAMEAD, INC, Stamford, CT

US Division of privately held global heritage CPG Company.

Member of management team reporting to President, built Marketing function 2006-2007

• Introduced US platform for Lypsyl Brand, lip balm

o Designed, created and sourced from China, 45% Contribution Margin item

o Introduced in Wal Mart test of 46 stores, expanded to 643 based on performance

• Stabilized Finesse Shampoo brand, slowing decline from -40% to -8%

o Redefined brand platform

• Developed corporate website and PR program and highly successful web contest for Finesse

Principal

EDWARDS CONSULTING, LLC, New Canaan, CT and London, England

Built affiliate group of consultants to service client needs

1989-2006

• Defined brand potential and introductory marketing strategy resulting in 25% annual sales growth

for Avcomm International

• Developed brand Identities, PR materials, Product characters and new business concepts

• Agent for sourcing new products and gift Items from Asia

• Developed strategic plans, marketing plans and needs assessments

• Obtained grants from foundations for non-profits

• Established Brand Value as expert witness for IRS

• Created internal and externals communications tools

• Clients include Karp Associates, Da Kidz Computer Software, Golflink.com, United Way,

Campbell’s UK, McCann Erickson, Del Monte Foods International

Elected Board Member, Chair

NEW CANAAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS Board of Education, New Canaan, CT 2001-

2008

• Managed approval of Town-wide education budget of over $50 Million

• Generated approval to commence, hired architects and construction professionals, gained State

approval and brought to fruition a $72 M high school construction project

• Advisory Panel on School Administrator Standards for the State of Connecticut

• Advised on district technology plan and established school computer program

• Instrumental in negotiating 3-year teacher and administrator contracts and health insurance

DEL MONTE FOODS: RJR NABISCO 1983 -1989

Special Projects Manager

DEL MONTE FOODS EUROPE, Staines, England

• Expanded 3 product lines throughout Europe

• Developed information memoranda for management buy out of DMFE

• Liaison to investment bankers regarding sale

• Identified pan-European new product opportunities

DEL MONTE FOODS, USA, San Francisco, CA

Director of Marketing - Snacks and Beverages Unit; $150MM sales

• Developed and implemented line restage

• Led team to develop proprietary/patented snack product and marketing plan for test

Strategic Business Unit Director, Snack Group, $80MM sales

• Introduced first new product cross-sold by Nabisco, developed sales materials and marketing

program

Group Product Manager – Frozen New Products

• Developed project through environmental assessment, manufacturing feasibility, and concept

development

Group Product Manager – Hawaiian Punch, $270 MM sales

• Managed business lines including RTD cans, glass bottles, frozen, powdered, and liquid

concentrate forms

• Developed first valuations for Return on Assets

• Introduced two new flavors and new form; first aseptic drink box

THE CLOROX COMPANY, Oakland, CA 1981-

1983

Brand Manager – Soft Scrub; $45MM sales

Brand Manager – New Product Development

• Managed portfolio of 30 projects, 10 active

• Developed corporate criteria for selecting projects and setting priorities

GENERAL FOODS CORPORATION, White Plains, NY 1977-1981

Product Manager – Country Time Lemonade - $150MM in sales

Product Manager - Tang Instant Breakfast Drink - Product Manager; $95MM sales

Product Manager – Awake, Orange Plus, Postum - $90MM sales

Associate Product Manager - Tang Instant Breakfast Drink

Associate Product Manager – Kool Aid Soft Drink Mix

Assistant Product Manager - Tang Instant Breakfast Drink

EDUCATION

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION; The Wharton Graduate School, 12/76

University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Major in Marketing and Finance

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE; Northwestern University, 12/74

Evanston, Illinois, Major in Speech and Language Pathology

Personal

Enjoy reading, travel, scuba, kayaking, skiing

Contact this candidate