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As we have grown, we have been fortunate to assemble a team of senior store support leadership with tremendous experience. We are lucky to have such robust resources and expertise in the various disciplines that matter most to our stores and our partners—i.e., product development and purchasing; visual merchandise presentation and storytelling; store operations and inventory management; systems; accounting and finance; and human resources. Most importantly, however, our leadership team is a very passionate group that buys into our core values and purpose.
Larry Gilbert, President
Larry is involved in every aspect of our store operations and the cultural integration of all “Event Networkers” as we continue to grow. Prior to co-founding Event Network: Larry worked with Helen Sherman (below) as principals in Price Club’s international business pursuits. He has been an entrepreneur for 20 years.
Jerry Gilbert, VP of Marketing
Jerry is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships (including frequent communication) with Event Network’s partners; and works closely with each store team and the entire store support team to effectively do so. Prior to joining Event Network: Jerry was involved in various aspects of sales and marketing for a division of VF Corporation, a large apparel company.
Helen Sherman, EVP of Product
Helen is responsible for all product and product development (including branding). Prior to co-founding Event Network: Helen was responsible for the international import/export operations for Price Club (now Costco) and was previously a buyer for many years.
Lorna Davis, EVP of Stores
Lorna is responsible for the performance of our stores with a focus on the people and merchandise integration. She manages the regional store quality team and the store planning group. Store planning is an ongoing exercise to determine what product goes where and why in our stores so that we maximize per capita spending. Prior to joining Event Network: She led purchasing, product development and visual merchandising for an educational retail chain.
Jeff Jablonski, Regional VP West
Jeff is responsible for all of our store operations in the western half of North America. He has a support team of regional managers the help oversee and support the store teams each day. Jeff is based out of Chicago where he began his tenure with Event Network as the store director at the Shedd Aquarium. Today he is an actively involved in working directly with our teams and our partners to ensure that we are deliver on our Purpose and stay true to our values. Prior to joining Event Network, Jeff worked for Disney and The Gap.
Paul Flickinger, Regional VP East
Paul is responsible for all or our store operations in the eastern half of North America. Paul comes to us from the Smithsonian Institution, where he has been the chief operating officer of retail (responsibility for all of the Museums’ gift shop operations, food, beverage, theaters) for Smithsonian Enterprises; and the director of stores for the Smithsonian prior to that. He has an extensive retail background. Paul is based out of Washington D.C. and with support from a team of regionals, he works directly with our teams and partners to help us achieve continuous improvement at each of our partnerships and deliver on the spirit of GUSTO.
Merry DeMartino, EVP of Talent Development
Merry is responsible for the recruitment and cultural integration of our new team members; as well as all HR-related issues for our 1,000+ team members. Prior to joining Event Network: Merry led HR departments for two other companies.
Larry Eilers, Chief Financial Officer
Larry is responsible for our accounting and finance team. Larry has over 30 years of financial and operational experience and prior to joining Event Network has had positions in the real estate, manufacturing and retail industry.
Kurt Streitz, Chief Technology Officer
Kurt is responsible for all facets of IT/IS, including our team that keeps our systems operating on a day to day basis allowing for seamless data integrity amongst each of our partnerships and data sharing between the store support center and stores. Kurt has over 15 years of retail systems experience, including executive positions with Mervyns, Burlington Coat Factory, and Sports Authority.
Bill Feroe, EVP of Purchasing
Bill is responsible for managing our product supply chain. He works with our buying, planning, and freight teams to ensure that the right product in the right quantities is arriving at the right times to maximize sales. Prior to joining Event Network: Bill was a high level executive at AbsolutelyNew, Inc. and the Sharper Image. He has over 30+ years of retail experience.
Paul Hundhammer, SVP of Partnership Development
Paul is also responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with Event Network’s partners, working in collaboration with the rest of our store support team to ensure that we are maximizing the retail potential for our partner’s and exceeding expectations. Paul has over 25 years managing high level partner relationships. Prior to joining Event Network, Paul was in sales and marketing for an international sporting goods company.
Eric Flanigan, EVP Event Network Europe
Eric is responsible for all of our operations in Europe. Eric works directly with our teams and our partners to deliver on our Purpose and Values, as well as developing and maintaining new relationships with cultural attractions abroad. Eric is based out of our London office. Eric started with Event Network as the store Director at COSI, one of Event Network’s early partners. Prior to relocating to London to help oversee European operations, Eric was the regional vp of the east coast where he was responsible for overseeing all of our east coast store operations.
David Gerken, VP of Design
David is responsible for all store planning and design (new store construction and remodels) related to Event Network’s ever-growing portfolio of store improvement projects. Prior to joining Event Network: David has designed, built and merchandised beautiful stores for countless retailers for the past 30 years.