Expert Details
Retail Industry Expert
ID: 740276
Florida, USA
Previously, Expert served as Director of Operations at Smyth Automotive Parts and Paint Inc., where he managed 36 retail stores, four distribution centers, and multiple call centers, ensuring consistent revenue growth and customer satisfaction. His background includes extensive experience in P&L management, talent development, and strategic planning, which he applied effectively as a Senior District Manager at Harbor Freight and Regional Manager at Burlington. His results-oriented approach has earned him numerous awards, including “District of the Year” and “Store Manager of the Year,” recognizing his impact on sales, customer service, and operational excellence.
Expert is also a certified trainer in talent optimization, leadership, and motivational speaking, equipping him with the skills to inspire and develop high-performing teams. His dedication to community service is evident in his years as a volunteer missionary in Latin America, where he led efforts in education, agriculture, and sanitation. A dynamic leader, Expert combines operational expertise with a commitment to fostering growth and excellence in all his professional and community endeavors.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 2015 | Degree: BBA | Subject: Business Administration | Institution: Purdue University Global |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2020 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Owner/President | Department: |
Responsibilities:Owner / Operator of two companies focused on 1) Real-Estate, Land Development and Construction and 2) Retail.Providing the following business and consulting services: Start-Ups, Liquidations, Business Analysis, Business Planning, Business Strategies, New Business Development, Project Management, Change Management, Executive Coaching, Leadership Development, Team Building, Merchandise Strategies, Pricing and Markdown Planning / Strategies, Store Refresh / Remodel, Recruitment / Human Resources, Operations Management, Loss Prevention, Inventory Management, Signing Packages, Visual Presentation, On-Site Surveys, Assessments, Action Plans, KPI Development, Merchandise Flows / Adjacencies, Merchandise Assortment, Policy and Procedures SOP, AP / AR / Payroll / Inventory Technologies and Personal Development etc. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2018 to 2020 | Employer: Smyth Automotive Parts / Paint Inc. | Title: Director of Operations - Corporate & Field Retail | Department: |
Responsibilities:Specializing in aftermarket auto parts, paint, and services. Responsibilities included:• Responsible for 36 retail stores, 4 hub distribution centers, 1 corporate distribution center, 2 call centers, 2 retail machine shops, and 8 retail paint stores with annual Sales of over $100 Million. • Supervision and development of 20 territories, 36 store managers, 2 business development managers, 4 district managers, 1 regional manager, 1 call center manager, 1 special projects manager, 25 corporate office personnel, and 500 non-exempt associates. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2016 to 2018 | Employer: Garon's Consulting Services and Solutions LLC. | Title: Owner/President | Department: |
Responsibilities:Owner / Operator of a dynamic real estate, construction and consulting company operating three offices in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida.• Bought single family homes, duplexes, land and acreage from sellers, foreclosures, auctions, and tax liens. • Responsible for ground up construction, remodel, landscaping and interior design and consulting with annual sales over $10 Million. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2011 to 2016 | Employer: Harbor Freight Tool Company Inc. | Title: Senior District Manager | Department: |
Responsibilities:Stores located in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Metro Houston specializing in Hardlines merchandise. Responsibilities included:• Maximizing sales, KPI’s, and profit in a four-state district with annual Sales of over $150 Million. • Full P&L • Supervision of 25 exempt and 600 non-exempt associates. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2009 to 2011 | Employer: Burlington Stores Inc. | Title: Regional Manager | Department: |
Responsibilities:Stores located in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Metro Houston, and Puerto Rico specializing in hard and soft lines merchandise. Responsibilities:• Maximizing sales, KPI’s, and profit in a five-state district with annual Sales of over $150. • Assisting Area Vice President of Stores with various projects. • Supervision and training of 10 district managers, 50 exempt, and 800+ non-exempt associates. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2007 to 2009 | Employer: Wal-Mart Stores Inc. | Title: Super Center Senior Store Manager | Department: |
Responsibilities:Stores located in Maryland, Delaware, and Canada specializing in hard and soft lines merchandise. Responsibilities:• Maximizing sales, KPI’s, and profit in a $130 Million dollar super center. • Full P&L • Supervision of 12 exempt and 300+ non-exempt associates. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2005 to 2007 | Employer: Sears Holdings Corp. | Title: General Store Manager | Department: |
Responsibilities:Stores located throughout the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico specializing in hard and soft lines merchandise. Responsibilities:• Maximizing sales, KPI’s, and profit in a $100 Million dollar full line store with two Sears auto centers. • Full P&L • Supervision of 12 exempt and 200+ non-exempt associates. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1999 to 2004 | Employer: Gordmans Stores, Inc | Title: Senior District Manager / Regional SOP Auditor - Operations / Merchandising | Department: |
Responsibilities:Stores located in Iowa, Illinois, and Midwest. Responsible for corporate store roll outs, regional operations, merchandise auditing, full P&L, and standard operating procedures.• Maximizing sales and profit in a 15-store district with annual sales over $75 Million. • Full P&L • Supervision of 12 exempt and 200+ non-exempt associates. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1992 to 1999 | Employer: Stein-Mart Stores, Inc. | Title: Senior District Manager / Region Trainer / Troubleshooter | Department: |
Responsibilities:Stores located in LA, MS, AL, and FL. Responsible for training and development of all new managers within a two region market, operational audits, new store set ups, merchandise mix, staffing, construction oversight and full P&L. |
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Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| • Gerson Lehrman Group - Councils / Consulting - Society of Industry - Leaders / Consulting • Coleman Research Group - Executive Form / Consulting - Congo link Network - Specialists / Consulting • The Emotional Intelligence - Network / Retail USA - Retail Executive Network - Harvard Business Review • Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, Machine Learning - Linked: HR (#1 Human Resources Group) |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| • Zig Ziglar Corporation - Certified Trainer / Choose to Win Coaching System • The Predictive Index - Certified Trainer / Talent Optimization / PI Behavioral Assessment • Dale Carnegie - Certified Trainer / Leadership / Motivational Speaker / Personal Development • Mohr Learning Management - Certified Management Consultant / Coaching and Training • Eagles Flight / Experiential Learning AI - Certified Trainer / Leadership / Effectiveness |
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| • Most improved District of the year. (Sales, Shrinkage & Profit) • District of the year (Customer Service Award) • Mystery shopper store of the year. (#1 Out of 255 Stores) • Store Manager of the year. (#1 Out of 263 Mgrs.) • Best improved turnover for a New Store. (Chain 293% to 38% in one year) • Best Shrink Store of the year (#1 Out of 235 Chain -2.53% vs Store. -0.64%) • Region of the year. (Sales & Shrinkage) • Store of the year. (Sales, Shrinkage & Turnover) • Award of Outstanding Performance (Policies and Procedures) • Award of Excellence (Recruitment and Training / Development) • Best Audit of the year. (New Stores / non-comp) • Merchandising Audit of the year (All Stores) • Excellence Stewardship Award (Roll out of New Stores) |
Fields of Expertise
retail management, business consulting, business development, project execution planning, Executive & C-Level Leadership, sales management, employee training, executive recruiting, business startup, B2B marketing, B2C marketing, loss prevention, inventory control, buying & procurement, employee motivation, business improvement, business management, store layout, talent management, call center operation development