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Experienced Professionals Alvin B. Wight President/CEO - Strategic Decisions Al Wight's hands-on business management and marketing experience, along with his research background, bring a practical results-oriented approach to analyzing and addressing business issues. With a BA in Economics from Emory University and advanced study at Harvard University Graduate School of Business, Mr. Wight has a broad background in business ownership, management, consulting, and client services. For twenty years Wight was an owner of a multiple store retail operation and for more than 15 years has been a principal and owner of national research and consulting companies. He has been active in national and regional trade associations of the industries he serves and has spoken widely on business issues and solutions. His understanding of business concerns, marketing planning and execution, and research provides Strategic Decisions' clients invaluable expertise in analyzing their information needs and applying that information in their organizations with profitable results. This expertise has aided retailers, manufacturers, and service companies in a wide variety of industries and geographic areas to develop and implement successful marketing solutions using accurate research-based information. Ernie C. Smoake Consultant-Strategic Decisions Ernie Smoake combines significant experience in the area of managing furniture design and development and a proven record of developing successful furniture brands with a number of major manufacturers. Ernie has held a number of senior management positions for furniture manufacturers including: Stanley, Henredon, Pennsylvania House, Knoll International, Singer, Intercon, Universal and Pulaski Furniture. In each case, he brought his talent for using proven sales, merchandising and presentation skills to develop product concepts and implement plans to achieve a competitive advantage in a home furnishings category. Ernie is a graduate of the University of North Carolina in English and Harvard Business School with a Master in Business Administration degree. He served as a Captain in the United States Air Force and received a Bronze Star. David R Corbin Senior Vice President - Strategic Decisions David Corbin brings a wealth of experience in brand management, corporate management, strategic integrated marketing, and new product and process management to clients of Strategic Decisions. With a BA, from Princeton University and an MBA from Harvard University he has held classical marketing and brand management positions with such companies as Procter & Gamble and Ralph Lauren, served as President and CEO of his family's successful clothing manufacturing and marketing company and analyzed business opportunities and operations for a large investment firm with holdings in the home furnishings industry. For the last several years he has served as chief marketing office for major companies within the home furnishings industry and worked closely with Strategic Decisions in developing, launching and managing major licensed branding initiatives using consumer driven testing and marketing to create and launch very successful new products and marketing programs. David has been named Entrepreneur of the Year by Inc Magazine and brings a level of experience, judgment, and energy to a wide variety of business situations and challenges. M Scott Ballard Associate - Strategic Decisions Scott Ballard has a background that bridges both retailing and vendors in the home furnishings business. There are few individuals who can truly be classified as a top "merchant" and that best describes Scott. His training and experience provides Strategic Decisions' clients with talents in the areas of merchandising, retail and vendor sales management, product development, marketing, and sourcing. With a BA, from Rhodes in business administration from Rhodes College Scott began in retail management with Rich's Department Stores in their home furnishings operations. Other retail experience followed in developing and implementing successful new store formats such as Haynes Furniture's The North Carolina Company. Vendor experience followed in marketing, sales and product development with Henredon and Lexington. His in-depth experience with product development and sourcing continued with the founding of his own sourcing management company and spending considerable time in Asia working with US and Asian companies to flow quality and competitive products. |
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