Elissa L.

Shuck
2630 S. South Bahama Drive
Gilbert, AZ 85295
esee2804@westpost.net ::480.262.5058 mobile ::480.279.4635 office

OBJECTIVE
Obtain a challenging position with a progressive company
where my career skills can be utilized effectively toward
development of core strengths, expansion of the brand vision
and achievement of the organizational mission.

STRENGTHS SUMMARY
High caliber, entrepreneurial team leader with over 25 years
of diversified experience in sales and sales management,
business analysis, brand management and financial
sustainability. Motivated developer with a proven record of
building, coaching, and working on successful teams. A
demonstrated track record of achievement emphasizing
responsibility, maximizing strengths, and contributing to
positive environments and results. An innovative
collaborator who has been consistently successful in
building excellence in to every facet of business and
relationships.

MAJOR CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

Successfully co-founded a wholesale LLC; participating in
every facet of strategic planning and launch activities.
Hands on involvement included strategic planning relative
to short and long term sales / profit forecasting, P&L
budget and 3 year business plan as well as ERP solutions,
consultant relationships, product development, brand
strategy and distribution strategy. Provided research,
information and analysis to investors and Board of
Directors; maintain relationships with same. First full
year of operation resulted in $4 million dollars revenue
generated.

Proactively and effectively managed parent company

transition. Created my own position to develop reporting
processes, structure and metrics for increased
profitability and inventory efficiency. This resulted in
increased product margins, supply chain efficiency,
improved market deliveries and transparent communication
at all business levels.

Initiated e-commerce site for US division of a German

company. Envisioned, researched and developed best
practices model; worked closely with web developers and
in-house IT team. Provided rationale, direction and
training for internal customer service and operations
personnel. Result was successful extension of brand touch
points to loyal consumer base.
Envisioned and founded a non-profit organization to
support art education in local public schools. Developed
and communicated organizational vision, promotional
materials, and program curriculum / evaluation. Cultivated
successful relationships with local school administrators
and teachers. Worked directly with students and teachers
in instructor and consultant capacities; launched 9 week
art education program at the elementary school level and
5 week survey as well as one week "Art Infusion" programs
at the Junior High level. The artist residencies and art
education courses resulted in desperately needed support
to depleted public school programs, positive relationships
with schools, teachers and students as well as publicly
attended art exhibitions showcasing student work.

Successful buyer and manager at a major upscale retail

organization. Achievements included turning around poor
performing departments, building and motivating successful,
service oriented sales teams and initiating / maintaining
vendor relationships. Attained consistent, positive results
in the areas of product sales, profit and inventory
management in top volume stores. Consistently received
recognition as a top performer.

Certified consultant in the use of Professional DynaMetrics

behavioral strengths analysis tools. The DynaMetrics programs
provide insight and resources for matching candidate innate
strength traits to role requirements and are used for
motivation and development of team and individual
contribution. Organizations which utilize the PDP modules
experience increased hiring success, better communication
among team members and increased productivity and job
satisfaction at every level.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Weyco Group - Umi Brand

Manager Design & Development
05.10 to present
After successful acquisition of Umi, LLC - role adjusted to
focus on strictly on product design and development.
Includes all aspects of development from concept to delivery
as well as strategic planning for future categories and
collections. Responsible for supervision of design team and
ongoing relationships / communication with overseas
development and production partners as well as technical
details such as fit testing and review / approval of moulds,
lasts and upper patterns. Responsible for integrating Umi
product development into Weyco Group processes, quality
control and
commercialization.
Umi, LLC
Sr. Vice President - Product Development & Brand Management
09.04 to 05.10
Worked together with CEO to assess, target, and develop
vital industry relationships to launch new footwear company.
Worked directly with Board of Directors and provided
business intelligence, strategic planning and research
related to budget, sales forecast, product development and
distribution. Responsibility and oversight of sales staff
and product development including supervision of design team
and ongoing relationships / communication with overseas
development, production partners and technicians. Set
direction for pricing and profit margin targets as well as
negotiation with development partners to ensure targets are
achieved. Key partner in establishing important retailer
relationships and positioning Umi as an upscale brand among
competitive set in the top children's shoes retailers in
the USA and
United Kingdom.
Elefanten, USA
Sales Manager Key Accounts / Director Business Analysis
12.98 to 08.04
Worked aggressively to sustain and improve over all health
and profitability of USA division. Reported directly to USA
division president and maintained communication and
relationships with executive management and product
development teams in Germany. Lead sales team and directed
all activities related to key account / department store
retail partnerships including profit analysis, inventory
management and replenishment. Set and achieved improved
profit and inventory efficiency metrics. Worked
collaboratively with key retailers to establish appropriate
product assortments and achieve gross margin and inventory
turn objectives. Strategic research activities related to
product and distribution initiatives including e-commerce,
market trends, consumer profiles and competitive
intelligence.
Partnership for Art and Cultural Education (PACE)
Founder / Executive Director
04.96 to 05.00
Developed and established art education support in local
elementary and junior high schools. Strategic relationships
and collaboration with teaching staff to provide
opportunities to enhance school experience and develop art
awareness and skills of students. Conducted research and
program development, created general and customized art
education curriculum and program evaluations. Research and
familiarity with state and local art education standards
and metrics. Offered PACE post program support by consulting
with teachers regarding art related activities which could
be infused in to typical school subjects. Designed and
produced all organization materials, brochures; grant
proposals/fund-raising.
Nordstrom
Children's Shoe Buyer and Manager
03.90 to 12.98
Success driven by leadership and communication skills and
the ability to turn around poor performing departments
through employee development and cultivating teamwork in
an environment of mutual respect, service excellence and
sales success. Establish and maintain vendor relationships
including price, delivery and performance negotiations to
ensure product assortments matched consumer requirements.
Responsibilities also included budget and inventory
projections and planning, event proposals and coordination
and customer relations. Coached sales team in developing
strategic sales skills and consumer relationships to
execute Nordstrom core service values and ensure ongoing
objectives were attained or exceeded. Participated as a
key speaker in Nordstrom regional leadership
development program.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Professional / Seminars:
Certified DynaMetrics Professional, The Pacific Institute
Investment in Excellence, Patricia Seybold Group Customer
Scenario Mapping Seminar, Seven Habits of Highly Effective
People, Strengths Finder 2.0, Now, Discover Your Strengths,
Leadership is an Art, Business Think, Trading Up,
The Customer Revolution, customers.com, The 21 Irrefutable
Laws of Leadership, The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork.
Proficiencies:
Microsoft Office - Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint,
Publisher, Word.

EDUCATION
Arizona State University - Art Education
Admission with Distinction
Regents Academic Scholarship
Deans Honor List
Mesa High School - Graduated top 3% of students statewide
Scholastic Art Awards Blue Ribbon Finalist-Gold Key Awards