Hollywood, Fla. (Oct. 29, 2009)—The Association for Retail Environments (A.R.E.) is proud to present its council of retail advisers for the new year. These leading retailers help guide the association's retail-focused programs, such as the annual A.R.E. Design Awards, the A.R.E. Buyers Guide and Membership Directory, A.R.E.'s retailer web site (www.retailfix.com), our seminar track and booth at GlobalShop, and future retail-oriented programs and campaigns. A.R.E.'s council is now 60 retailers strong.

Executive Committee of A.R.E.'s Retail Council:
Mitch Abbott, Global Retail Development Manager, The Rockport Co.
Shanna Busman, Vice President/Creative Director, Aeropostale Inc.
Michael Cape,  Michael Cape Consulting (Formerly of JCPenney and Old Navy)
Richard Hamori, General Manager-HBC Store Planning, Construction & Design,
   Hudson's Bay Company (HBC)
Danette Kroll, Director-Store Planning, Foot Locker Inc.
Brad Lenz, Vice President-Shop-in-Shop and International Stores, Liz Claiborne Inc.
Chuck Luckenbill, Vice President-Visual Merchandising, OfficeMax Inc.
Anthony Mancini, Senior Vice President-Capital Improvements, MGM MIRAGE Design Group

A.R.E.'s 2009-2010 Retail Council: 
Sergio Barbi, Franchising Manager, O Boticário
Christine Belich, Vice President-Visual Merchandising, Sony Style
Judy Bell, Group Manager-Group Insights, Target Corp.
Bevan Bloemendaal, Director-Visual Merchandising, The Timberland Company (Retail)
Jackie Bonic, Vice President-Store Development & Real Estate, Liquor Control
   Board of Ontario (LCBO)
Timothy W. Brannon, Executive Vice President-NexCen Franchise Management,
   NexCen Brands
Mark Brodeur, Senior Director - In-Store Presentation/Customer Experience, Walmart Stores
John Cassimus, President and CEO, Zoe's Kitchen USA
James Damian, Senior Vice President-Enterprise Design Group, Best Buy Co.
Elizabeth Dowd, Store Planning and Fixture Design Manager, Recreational
   Equipment Inc. (REI)
Aaron Duncan, Senior Vice President and Creative Director, Global Licensing,
   Playboy Enterprises Inc.
Ray Ehscheid, Senior Vice President-Store Design & Merchandising, Bank of America
Elsom Eldridge, Director-Visual Merchandising, RadioShack Corp.
Joseph P. Flaherty, Operating Vice President-Construction, Macy's Inc.
Jason Floyd, Director-Store Development, GameStop Holdings Corp.
Jim Francois, Vice President-Director of Visual Marketing, JCPenney
Andrew P. Gallina, CMO, Hillwood
Richard M Geist, Founder and CEO, Uncle Sam's Army Navy Outfitters
Ron Gerard, Manager-Store Fixtures and Retail Merchandising, Sprint PCS
Joe Goodbaum, Vice President-Retail Stores, TELUS
Ignaz Gorischek, Vice President-Stores, Visual, Planning, and Design, The
   Neiman Marcus Group Inc.
Jim Harte, Director-Retail Environment, Stride Rite Corp.
Janis Healy, Assistant Vice President-Visual Merchandising & Store Design,
   Orchard Supply Hardware Stores
David Hicks, Vice President-Store Design and Merchandising, Canadian Tire Corp.
Bob Higgins, President, Kira Plastinina
James Hilyard, Customer Experience-Director of Signing, Sears Department Stores
Brenda Houston, Consultant, Brenda Houston Consulting
Marc Jamieson, Director-Merchandising and Store Design, TELUS
Rob Jordahl, Senior Vice President-Store Planning & Construction, Belk Inc.
Tom Jowett, Vice President-Design and Development, Bass Pro Shops
Lynn Knutson, Retail Development Manager-Merchandising and Visual Standards,
   Harley-Davidson Motor Co.
Linda Lombardi, Vice President-Global Store Design and Visual Merchandising,
   Godiva Chocolatier Inc.
Paul O. Loux, Vice President, Environmental & Visual Design, Sephora USA Inc.
Erin McKenna, Senior Manager-Retail Design & Architecture, Coldwater Creek Inc.
Michael McTamney, Assistant Vice President-Property Management, The Pep Boys -
   Manny, Moe & Jack
David Meekings, Strategic Programme Manager, HAMLEYS
Thomas Mendes, CMO and Founder, plaza too
Karen Meskey, Senior Vice President-Store Design & Planning, Macy's Inc.
Russell Nishimoto, Concept Design Manager-Global Design, Starbucks Coffee Co.
Leatrice O'Neal, Visual Merchandising Manager, New Balance Athletic Shoe
Jose Raul Padron, Global Visual Merchandise Manager, Godiva Chocolatier Inc.
Al R. Rodgers, Vice President-Store Planning, Dollar Tree Stores Inc.
Christine Russo, Group Vice President-Store Design and Development, Kenneth
   Cole Productions
Paul Schleef, Director-Store Fixtures, Michaels Stores Inc.
Lee Svet, Director-Visual Merchandising, Helzberg Diamond Shops Inc.
Steve Szumlanski, Senior Manager-Store Planning, Chico's FAS Inc.
Michelle Tomlinson, Senior Director-Visual Merchandising, Pacific Sunwear
Michael Trowbridge, Director-Construction Sourcing, GAP Inc.
Bob Waddell, Vice President-Construction/Purchasing Operations, Limited Brands
Jennifer Zedic, In Store Marketing Director, Zellers Inc.
Bink E. Zengel, Senior Director-Design, Luxottica Retail
Bill Zuercher, Creative Director-Graphics and Visual Presentation, Shopko

Our sincerest appreciation goes out to these individuals for their commitment of time and expertise.

Note for editors: Photographs and biographies of council members are available online, as well as information on becoming a future retail council member.

Click here to download the Press Release (48 KB)

About A.R.E.
Members of the Association for Retail Environments are retail environments professionals and proven industry leaders--companies that are well known for excellent craftsmanship, topflight service, and cutting-edge innovation. Member companies offer a full range of products and services for retail environments, and include store fixture suppliers, retail design firms, suppliers of visual merchandising products, and suppliers of materials and equipment for the retail environments industry. Member capabilities include importing, exporting, consolidating, installing, project management, engineering, design, and more.