Manager Store

Hugh W. Jones

**** ********** **. ******, ** ****3 Cell: 409-***-****

***********@*****.***

www.linkedin.com/in/HughJones1

Senior Executive – Retail Jewelry Industry

Focus: Chief Operations Officer Vice President Director – General Manager

Entrepreneurial-minded senior executive with a 20+-year career that is showcased by continual advancement and achievements in delivering strong financial, market, and operational results for companies in the retail jewelry industry. Acknowledged as a startup and turnaround expert with exceptional capabilities in building businesses, growing brands, resolving problems, and moving initiatives forward. Maintain a “never give up” mentality and tenaciously do what it takes to get the job done. Adaptive, creative, and results-oriented.

P&L and Operations Management General Management Startup & Turnaround Leadership

Strategic Planning Budget Management Financial Forecasting Human Resources Management

Sales & Marketing Negotiations Team Hiring, Training & Management

Professional Experience

THE HOME DEPOT, Nashville, Tennessee July 2020 – Present

Department Head

GENESIS DIAMONDS, Nashville, Tennessee 8/2019 COVID 3/2020

GIA Diamond Certified sales

SISSY’S LOG CABIN- FINE JEWELRY, Little Rock, Arkansas August 2018- Dec.’18

General Manager

INTERNATIONAL DIAMOND CENTER, Clearwater, Florida Oct. 2016 – July 2018

Director of Corporate Development

ALTER’S Gem Jewelry, Beaumont, Texas Oct 2015- June 2016

Director of Sales

DIAMONDS INTERNATIONAL, Saint Lucia, West Indies 2001 – June 2015

Managing Director / Island General Manager

Instrumental in the setup, growth and success of company in a foreign country and in expanding its retail diversity. Define goals, build budgets and develop financial forecasting for all island operations. Direct sales, marketing, accounting and HR functions, and negotiate with governments, financial institutions and lease holders. Hold full general management authority and P&L accountability for 9 jewelry stores, a repair facility, a factory operation and corporate offices. Manage 6 direct reports and a 125+-person staff.

Revenue Growth. In 2014 opened new hotel and tourism venues which drove sales growth up 11% over 2013, meanwhile reducing costs by 15%. Historically, generated new store revenues in excess of $10M in the first 2 years of operation.

New Store Chains. Developed new chain of stores on the island by establishing Kids International (new children’s clothing store) and Italian Connection (branded clothing store for adult fashions).

Factory Startup. Envisioned and created Display Creations International Ltd., a manufacturing facility supporting all 140 units. Created business plan and negotiated lease purchase of a 20,000 sq. ft. facility to establish Display Creations as a factory designed to build showcases and wall displays.

Cost Reduction. Reduced costs through change of export fees of $300K, thereby creating several million in OTB for stores.

Recruiting. Ongoing recruiting, training and developing employees. Class work, coaching and mentoring new and established sales staff and managers. Conceived and set up a Diamonds International University. Hire and train expat sales staff for a four island region.

Hugh W. Jones Page 2

Government Negotiations. Negotiated with government to obtain Cabinet resolutions to allow for duty free exemption on equipment and materials for export and 10-year tax abatement as well as negotiating labor issues.

Market Development & Expansion. Accelerated market penetration in the cruise industry and in local markets by creating on and off-season advertising for 11-store retail operation on Saint Lucia. Drove expansion into local markets and export of specialty cabinets and wood products.

Liability Reduction. Reduced company’s liability $10M+ by structuring first-ever authorized customs bond agreement for the government of St. Lucia.

Professional Recognition. Highlighted on the cover of Business Focus Magazine and featured as a background story in the publication. (Issue #34, May/June 2006, Saint Lucia).

Unionization Halt. Successfully forestalled unionization for the retail sector. Negotiated with union, government

and staff, and mitigated effects of collective bargaining effort.

Previous Experience:

Regional Manager – FRIEDMAN’S JEWELERS, Greensboro, North Carolina (2000-2001). Directed store functions for 10 retail units in a chain of 700 stores for the third largest jewelry retailer in the country.

Director of Stores, Virginia – HENEBRY/SASLOWS JEWELERS, Roanoke, VA (1995-2000). Orchestrated successful turnaround of struggling region and spearheaded addition of 7 new stores. Supervised all store functions and managed financial forecasting/budgeting for the region.

Company General Manager/Chain Supervisor/Store Manager – WOOTEN JEWELERS, Statesville, North Carolina (1983-1995). Reduced debt by turning around, restructuring, and downsizing 15-store chain. Directed all aspects of corporate operations, including marketing, training, operational budgeting, and financial forecasting functions. Purchased loose and mounted diamonds, gold, jewelry and watches. Named as Manager of the Year after first year as store manager.

Military Experience: US Navy Submarine Service, Ballistic Missile Submarine – USS ALEXANDER HAMILTON SSBN 617, Top Secret SIOP/ESI Security Clearance. Received a Fleet Admiral’s Commendation and 7 Commanding Officer Commendations.

Education

Master of Business Administration, Business Management – ALMEDA COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY, Boise, ID

Bachelor’s Degree, Psychology & Sociology (Minor in Biology) – UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Albany, NY

Certifications / Professional Development

Jewelers of America

Diamonds and Diamond Grading- GIA -1985

Certified Store Manager – JA - 1995

Bench Jewelry/Watch Making

Electronics Certification, USN

Affiliations

President / Founding Member – American Chamber of Commerce, Saint Lucia (2008-Present)

32 Degree Mason – Masonic Lodge (1993-Present)

Member – Rotary International (1986-Present) / Past Charter Club Member, Committee Chairman and Spoke Editor

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