Retail Store Merchandising Display Expert Witness

EDUCATION:

New York Institute of Tech. 1966-1970 (Bach of Science in Architectural Technology)
Courses: Strength of Material, Statics, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Wood Engineering Design, Concrete Eng. Design, Steel Eng. Design
Architectural Design and working drawings. Business Practice including safety in design.

CCNY 1970-1972 (City College of NY – Bach of Architecture , 30 credits above BS, Professional Degree )
Courses: Thesis Con Ed Educational facility and recreation center. Davids Island, New Rochelle, NY

INDUSTRY Associates & AWARDS:

• American Institute of Architects (AIA)
• SHOP Association – Creative Counsel Committee (12 members) (Retailers, Display Manuf. Designers)
• American Bar Association – Individual Associate
• National Retail Federation (NRF) Industry Associate
• POPAI Award in the Display Industry for Revlon Sunglass Display
• POPAI Award in the Display Industry for Foster Grant Sunglass Display
• Institute of Store Planners ( I.S.P.) Best Specialty Store Design- Lorese
• Visual Merchandise Store Design ( VMSD) Best Specialty Store Design -Curacao
• National Associates of Store Fixture Manufacturers (NASFM) Best Store Fixture Design -Successories
• Fellow Honorarium into the Industry Trade organization (ISP) Institute of Store Planners
• Globe Award from Display Design Ideas (DDI ) Magazine -best marketing at Global Shop Retail Industry show
• Treasurer of National Institute of Store Planners Organization
• Member of Mayor Bloomberg’s Adapt a Company (911 Pro Bono for retailers in need at ground zero)
• Corporate Counsel Magazine – 2017 Retail Expert of the Year
• Lawyer Monthly Magazine – Nominated 2018 Retail Expert of the Year

SPEAKER at Trade and Industry Shows

• NASFM- National Associates of Store Fixture Manufacturers
• NRFA- National Retailers Federated Association
• ISP- Institute of Store Planners
• IBM- National Sales Meeting
• SPEC Show- Store Planning and Equipment Counsel
• Walmart Regional meeting

Published Articles and Media

• DDI- Display Design Ideas, Contributing Editor, 20+ Articles on design, manufacturing, customer shopping habits published
• VMSD- On Trade Board of Advisors
• Nominated 1 of 40 Top Industry Leaders by DDI
• Firm listed as Top 50 in the country
• Editor of the ISP Professional trade magazine
• WWD- Article published on Store Design
• Salon- Article published on Store Design
• Retail Image- International Trade Journal article published
• New York Magazine- Feature Story on NYC store design
• Featured Designer article in DDI Magazine

Trade accomplishments

One of six firms from 1997 to 2003 selected to present a 1000 S.F. Store of the future at Global Shop the International Retail design and display Show in McCormick Center, Chicago. Demonstrated custom new innovative design and display techniques and samples engineered prototype of futuristic displays.
Sector Watch – Accessories
Goody Products HBA
Everest Communications IT Internet, Cable, Telephone
Smiley License – Brand Licensing
Design through Computer Technology
Accessory Store of the Future
Canal Jean Appareil

Work Experience:

Bodner Products Industries 1967-1970
Position Held – Quality Control Engineer
Responsibilities: In charge of inspecting government gauge plastic components to verify meeting tolerances of +/- .005” prior to and after embedding wire and lights, backlight screening, for U.S. government subcontractors, such as Sikorsky, Bendix, Boeing, GE and Philco.

Franklin Stores: 1970 – 1975
Position Held: Director of Store Planning
Responsibilities: In charge of all new construction design and construction review. Coordinated vendor display submittals to be placed into our stores. Worked with buyers and merchandisers to determine department size, types of displays required, graphics, store layout, and controlling the product inventory capacities on display. Responsible for 17 Shopping Center and Mass retail 60,000 S.F. Store construction and display acquisition located in the N.E. and 50 Specialty Ladies Stores 1000 S.F. to 2500 S.F. located in the S.W.

K&M Jewelry 1975 – 1980
Position Held: Vice President of Store Design and Display
Responsibilities: Designing over 20 displays a year and manufacturing over 1500 of each to be distributed into 200 retail chains across the country. Jewelry, Hair Goods, Wallets, Scarves, and Cosmetic cases were placed on my display designs made from injection molded plastic, fabricated plastic, wood, metal both permanent and knock down (KD). Visited eight manufacturing plants to see the quality and safety of the displays were followed in the production phase. Managed the display inventory, worked with 200 retailers to meet their display specifications and requirements. Responsible for field staff set up of displays and corrections if required to retrofit existing displays in field.

R.N.Koch Inc. 1980 -1984
Position Held: Vice President of Store Design and Display
Responsibilities: Designing over 20 displays a year and manufacturing over 1500 of each to be distributed into 200 retail chains across the country. Jewelry, Hair Goods, Wallets, Scarves, and Cosmetic cases were placed on my display designs made from injection molded plastic, fabricated plastic, wood, metal both permanent and knock down (KD). Visited eight manufacturing plants to see the quality and safety of the displays were followed in the production phase. Managed the display inventory, worked with 200 retailers to meet their display specifications and requirements. Responsible for field staff set up of displays and corrections if required to retrofit existing displays in field.

Consulting Group 1985 – Present
Position Held: CEO
Responsibilities: Responsible for all Store and Display Design, detailing, manufacturing coordination, client relations, new business, approvals of all staff design and details. Took the business from Zero to $4 million dollars in sales within five years. Top 50 Retail Design firm in America according to VMSD and DDI trade magazines. The focus of the business is to serve both Retailers and Product vendors with innovative retail design and displays that will generate the volume anticipated in the business plan. Clients include the largest Forbes 100 retailers and manufactures to single location entrepreneur retail stores. Consulting in retail business and product start-up companies and address Retail Safety, graphics, packaging, merchandising and overall visual merchandising needs.

Retail Clients over 25 years (partial list) :

• Macy’s, Walmart, Kmart, Sears, JC Penney’s, May Co., Saks 5th Ave.
• Walgreens, CVS, Eckerd, Duane Reade,
• Pathmark, A&P, Kroger, Safeway,
• Ringling Bros., Crayola, Children’s Place, Baby R Us, Kaybee Toys, Disney,
• Teletouch, Successories, Everest Communication, Bell South, Radio Shack
• Canal Jean, Dor L Dor,
• Fleet Center Boston, Busch Stadium St. Louis, Ice Palace, Tampa
• Total Fitness, Omni Fitness,
• Boat Stores, Medical Equipment, Electronics,
• Ben and Jerry’s interactive kiosk
• Isaac Mizrachi, DKNY, Abboud, Mudd, XOXO
• General Mills, Pepsi, Frito Lay, Campbell’s Soup
• Fed Ex, Spaulding, Crayola,
• Goody Products, Conair, Cuisinart, Stanley Tools, Master
• Hallmark, Foster Grant, Jewelry, Wallets, Backpacks
• Barbie, Route 66, Nine West, London Fog, Candies Shoe, Kathy Lee
• Warner Bros., Disney, Time Warner, Wilson, NYPD, NYFD
• Fieldcrest, Canon, Burpee, Norman Rockwell, First Years,

Vendor Clients over 25 years (partial list) :

• Jordache, Guess, Isaac Mizrachi, DKNY, Abboud, Mudd, XOXO
• General Mills, Pepsi, Frito Lay, Campbell’s Soup
• Fed Ex, Spaulding, Crayola,
• Goody Products, Conair, Cuisinart, Stanley Tools, Master
• Foster Grant, Newell, Wilson, Major League Baseball
• NYPD, NYFD, Smiley Licensing, No Excuses, Candies Shoes, 9 West
• Barbie, Disney, Warner, Nickelodeon, Marvel, Dora,
• Conair, Cuisinart, Olivet Luggage, Fantas Eyes, Accessory Network,
• ES Originals, John Deere, Norman Rockwell License, Smiley License,
• Sector Watch, Seiko, Armitron,
• Solar N More Products, Verizon, Bell South,
• Betsey Johnson, Big Buddha, Maidenform, Gold Toe,