Consumer Returns 2016 (past event)
September 26 - 28, 2016
Contact Us: 1.888.482.6012
Speakers
Speaker
Steve Freemerman is the department head and manager of Global Reverse Logistics and Post Sales Service for GoPro. Steve is responsible for the global returns, testing, and disposition of GoPro products with an emphasis on the technical and operational requirements of the position. Steve’s previous experience covers 14 years in leadership positions of forward and reverse logistics programs related to enterprise telecom, consumer internet access, and mobility. Steve received his Bachelors degree from the University of Tennessee, The Supply Chain Professional Certification from Georgia Tech, and an MBA from The Robinson College of Business at Georgia State.
Leads a streamlined end to end returns team consisting of strategy, planning, credit issuance, refurbishment operations and remarketing for the Americas Region. Julie has been with HP, Inc. in various roles for 29 years.
Ms. Augustine has held the role of Manager of Reverse Logistics for U.S. Cellular® since September of 2013. In this role, she leads the team that is responsible for the strategy and execution of the reverse supply chain including repair of handsets and tablets and re-commerce of handsets and accessories. Ms. Augustine has held various roles within Supply Chain and has been with U.S. Cellular for 8 years. Prior to her work at U.S. Cellular®, Ms. Augustine spent 10 years in the consulting industry working for KPMG, BearingPoint and The Revere Group. Her focus has been on process improvement, project management, software implementations and business analysis. Ms. Augustine has worked in supply chain for both the public and private sectors.
Ms. Augustine holds a Bachelors of Applied Science from Miami University in Engineering Management with a Specialty in Manufacturing Engineering. She also holds an M.B.A. from Loyola University Chicago in Operations Management and International Business. Ms. Augustine received her CSCP certification in December of 2014 from APICS.
Ms. Augustine holds a Bachelors of Applied Science from Miami University in Engineering Management with a Specialty in Manufacturing Engineering. She also holds an M.B.A. from Loyola University Chicago in Operations Management and International Business. Ms. Augustine received her CSCP certification in December of 2014 from APICS.
Michelle has been at the Home Depot over 22 years and has held various positions since joining. She started in the stores, in the Tampa market, holding various operational positions increasing in responsibility. Michelle moved to Atlanta in 2005 and worked in the stores until 2007 when she transitioned to the Home Depot Innovation Center as a Project Manager. While working at the Innovation Center, she received her Project Management Professional Certification (P.M.P) in 2008. In 2010, she started working in Merchandising as a Merchant Assistant in select Electrical classes. In 2014, Michelle transitioned to Store Operations where she has been engaged with the RTV Vendor Liaison Team and currently working on the Salvage and Sustainability team.
Steve Koenig is the Director of Industry Analysis at the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). Koenig directs the CE MarketMetrics program, overseeing all strategic and operational aspects of the service. He also directs CEA's semi-annual CE Industry Forecast.
As part of the market research team at CEA, Koenig supports CEA's consumer research initiatives, from study design to data analysis. He is a frequent speaker at CEA conferences and other industry events; and serves as a media spokesman for the association.
Background:
Koenig brings 15 years of analytical and writing experience within the CE industry to his position and was recently named to Dealerscope magazine's 40 Under 40 list of industry executives. Prior to joining CEA, he worked as an analytic consultant for comScore Media Metrix and earlier as technology industry analyst and account manager at The NPD Group/PC Data Inc. In addition, Koenig was a senior editor at CMP Media's former Computer Retail Week. He also worked at ARS Inc. as a competitive analyst focused on the IT industry. A native Texan, Koenig holds a bachelor's of business administration in marketing from the University of North Texas. He currently resides in Fairfax, VA.
As part of the market research team at CEA, Koenig supports CEA's consumer research initiatives, from study design to data analysis. He is a frequent speaker at CEA conferences and other industry events; and serves as a media spokesman for the association.
Background:
Koenig brings 15 years of analytical and writing experience within the CE industry to his position and was recently named to Dealerscope magazine's 40 Under 40 list of industry executives. Prior to joining CEA, he worked as an analytic consultant for comScore Media Metrix and earlier as technology industry analyst and account manager at The NPD Group/PC Data Inc. In addition, Koenig was a senior editor at CMP Media's former Computer Retail Week. He also worked at ARS Inc. as a competitive analyst focused on the IT industry. A native Texan, Koenig holds a bachelor's of business administration in marketing from the University of North Texas. He currently resides in Fairfax, VA.
Chuck is currently the Director of Reverse Logistics for The Home Depot ,responsible for all return and repair operations . Prior to that he oversaw the Reverse Logistics operations for Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Chuck has been involved in the Reverse Logistics industry for over 20 years and is considered the foremost expert in the field. Chuck serves on the Advisory Boards for all three major Reverse Logistics consortiums. He is a sought after speaker and considered one of the most innovative thinkers in the industry. In addition to his experience in the reverse space, he has led numerous Specialty Distribution Operations in his 23 years with Wal-Mart. Chuck now resides in Atlanta , Georgia . He has been married for 32 years and has five children. While at Wal-Mart, Chuck was responsible for the development of a profitable, “best in class,” Reverse Logistics organization that is still the benchmark for all other retailers . Under Chuck’s leadership, The Home Depot was able to improve the financial performance in the reverse and repair business by 48%. In just two years, the organization has grown to the second largest repair operation in the country.
Leads a streamlined end to end returns team consisting of strategy, planning, credit issuance, refurbishment operations and remarketing for the Americas Region. Julie has been with Hewlett Packard in various roles for 29 years.
Karla has been with Target for 23 years, holding various positions within Real Estate, Resource Recovery and Property Management. In her current role, she is responsible for leading the Unsaleables Reduction and Product Classification teams. The Unsaleables team focuses on improving profitability through enterprise strategies aimed at reducing the volume of damaged, defective and expired product Target marks out of stock. The Product Classification team is responsible for managing the process of properly classifying environmentally sensitive items to comply with regulations for waste disposal, transportation, storage and health/safety. Karla is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.
Jason is the Director for Target’s Non-Retail Supply Chain, with responsibility for Distribution, Transportation & Logistics for Non-Retail Goods (i.e. Fixtures, Displays, Marketing Signage, New Stores, Remodels) and all Retail Reverse Logistics. Jason has worked at Target for 14 years and has held multiple leadership positions within both Distribution Centers and HQ Operations.
Wendy Darling brings 15 years of supply chain experience within Retail and the Food Service industry; with expertise in supply chain analytics and systems. She has a BA from Penn State and a MBA in supply chain from Ohio State University. Currently she is a Senior Manager of Reverse Logistics at Target Corporation.
David Has been with Moen for four years as a project manager and senior project manager in the customer quality improvement department. His background includes mechanical engineering and design, communications, project management and warranty management. David’s current responsibilities include warranty management, defective returns management and cost improvement initiatives for the business.
Ryan Holden - Sr. Manager of Crtv for the Home Depot. Ryan has been with the Home Depot for 13 years, starting as a paint associate in a store. He currently has responsibility for return to vendor policies, secondary market sales and sustainability, warranty recovery, and after sales service contact center.
Mark has been with The Mazel Company for 21 years. He has worked in the industry for 30 plus years, specializing in partnerships in the secondary markets. Mazel group has become the largest and oldest in the U.S. for specialty opportunities. As Executive Vice President Mark’s duties include buying the merchandise as well as the disposition.
Tony has over 30 years of sales, marketing, and reverse logistics experience in the consumer electronics industry with manufacturers such as Philips and Sony. In 1998, Tony pioneered a Returns Management Department at Philips and focused on activities to drive down returns and associated costs. Tony worked with both external customers and internal business groups to devise and implement various returns and customer satisfaction initiatives that are still recognized as best-in-class industry practices.
Bruce Nelson, Director, Customer Support Services for Ricoh USA, Inc., leads the customer support model for Ricoh’s Services organization, including the Technology Services Support Center (TSSC), Call Center Operations, Ricoh Managed Services Support Center (RMSSC), and Technology Services Parts Administration.
Nelson has vast knowledge and deep expertise in developing, launching, and improving processes and procedures that support Ricoh products and services, both working directly with customers as well as with internal resources.
Nelson has been with Ricoh for more than 20 years holding various positions within the Services organization, including Director of Business Development, Vice President of Field Operations and Vice President of Support Services. He holds an Executive Education Certification from Emory University and has presented at Oracle Open World, IQPC and Field Service events.
Nelson has vast knowledge and deep expertise in developing, launching, and improving processes and procedures that support Ricoh products and services, both working directly with customers as well as with internal resources.
Nelson has been with Ricoh for more than 20 years holding various positions within the Services organization, including Director of Business Development, Vice President of Field Operations and Vice President of Support Services. He holds an Executive Education Certification from Emory University and has presented at Oracle Open World, IQPC and Field Service events.
Former Texas State Police Lieutenant with 23 years of service 16 years specific fraud investigations experience Certified Fraud Examiner since 2004 BS from the University of Houston, American Jurisprudence Major joined Dell in 2013 to build and operate Warranty and Service Fraud Team
Alexandra heads commercial strategy and purchasing of new, pre-owned and EOL product categories, working directly with PCS's Tier1 Carrier, Retail and OEM partners for the closed market division of PCS Wireless, which processes over 1 million devices annually.
Founded in 2001, PCS Wireless is one of the world's leading mobile equipment distributors to the global open market, with more than 2,500 direct active customers in more than 80 countries.
Prior to joining PCS Wireless, Alexandra worked as an architect, earning her Master of Architecture from Parsons School of Design. She is a native of Minnesota and holds an undergraduate degree from University of MN with time spent at Columbia University in New York City (where she currently resides).
Founded in 2001, PCS Wireless is one of the world's leading mobile equipment distributors to the global open market, with more than 2,500 direct active customers in more than 80 countries.
Prior to joining PCS Wireless, Alexandra worked as an architect, earning her Master of Architecture from Parsons School of Design. She is a native of Minnesota and holds an undergraduate degree from University of MN with time spent at Columbia University in New York City (where she currently resides).
Paul Baum, CEO and Founder of PlanITROI, Inc. is an entrepreneur to the core. Paul has a 25 year proven track record of creating “sustainable green value” in the Reverse Logistics Industry, specializing in Value Recovery. Paul has spent his entire professional career perfecting the industry leading asset value recovery model he calls the “Closed Loop Value Recovery System™.”
Since 2001, PlanITROI has been the recognized leader in the reverse logistics asset value recovery industry by Gartner, Reverse Logistics Association and IAITAM. PlanITROI helps OEM’s and retailers to uncover and recover the highest possible value from their supply chain by refurbishing and selling directly to the next user through our major retailer partnerships.
Paul has a BS degree in Business Management from Ithaca College where he was recognized as the “1990 Entrepreneur of the class" & 2010 Graduate of MIT’s Sloan School of Entrepreneurship’s Birthing of Giants Program.
Since 2001, PlanITROI has been the recognized leader in the reverse logistics asset value recovery industry by Gartner, Reverse Logistics Association and IAITAM. PlanITROI helps OEM’s and retailers to uncover and recover the highest possible value from their supply chain by refurbishing and selling directly to the next user through our major retailer partnerships.
Paul has a BS degree in Business Management from Ithaca College where he was recognized as the “1990 Entrepreneur of the class" & 2010 Graduate of MIT’s Sloan School of Entrepreneurship’s Birthing of Giants Program.
Chris Blevins is the global leader of Services, Engineering and Product Development at ReverseLogix. He is a technical leader with Business Development, Partner Management, Operational Excellence and Executive acumen. An 8 and ½ year veteran of the United States Air Force Chris has been working in technology since enlisting in 1994. He has held operational IT and IT sales jobs in both startups and Fortune 50 companies. Most recently he was a Global Technical Director at Microsoft and before that ran a Business Intelligence and Data warehouse team at Wells Fargo. Chris has a passion for identifying business process improvements and organizational efficiencies and creating dynamic teams and processes to implement the technology and organizational changes needed to deliver world class products. Chris has a BA in Business Administration, an AA in Liberal Arts and an AS in Aerospace Science.
Kevin Graf is head of the Dell Outlet for North America, where he oversees sales, marketing and operations for Dell products that are returned, damaged and/or excess inventory. The Dell Outlet is responsible for optimizing recovery, customer satisfaction and inventory management on Dell products from all product categories - including consumer, commercial and Enterprise. He has been with Dell for 19 years, serving in marketing, product leadership & business planning roles. Kevin is a proud alumni of the University of Texas and has called Austin home for almost 30 years !
Mike Leach is the Vice President, Device Operations for HYLA and is responsible for supply chain strategy and optimization. He and his team lead the efforts to provide rapid, accurate, and efficient device processing in order to maximize yields and residual value of the devices.
Mike has 20 years of experience in supply chain management focusing on performance optimization and revenue maximizing solutions. Prior to joining HYLA, Mike was Director of North America Customer Service at Singer Sewing. Prior to that experience Mike spent 13 years at Asurion, most recently as a Sr. Director Operations, responsible for creating and optimizing reverse logistics and repair of mobile devices using Lean Manufacturing processes.
Mike earned his BA in Communications from Oakland University.
Mike has 20 years of experience in supply chain management focusing on performance optimization and revenue maximizing solutions. Prior to joining HYLA, Mike was Director of North America Customer Service at Singer Sewing. Prior to that experience Mike spent 13 years at Asurion, most recently as a Sr. Director Operations, responsible for creating and optimizing reverse logistics and repair of mobile devices using Lean Manufacturing processes.
Mike earned his BA in Communications from Oakland University.
Nikos joined CoreCentric Solutions in 2008 and has served the company in various management capacities including process development, operations, business development and strategy. Prior to joining CoreCentric, he held supply chain and reverse logistics positions for the Hellenic Air Force and the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Nikos holds a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering and an M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, an M.Sc. in Management Science from Lehigh University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Jim serves as the President of Liquidity Services’ Retail Supply Chain Group, which helps hundreds of the world’s top retailers and consumer OEMs maximize return for overstock and returned inventory while enhancing and protecting their brands through multi-channel remarketing, return to vendor outsourcing, and product refurbishment. Under his leadership, the team provides clients with better service, scale, and results than any other provider, ensuring the full value of their surplus is captured. Jim previously served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Liquidity Services from 2005 to 2015. Liquidity Services has grown more than 10 times in top line sales and acquired a total of eight companies in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K, since Jim joined the Company. Jim holds an MBA from the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland and a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University. He is a CPA and serves as a founding member on the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business Strategic CFO Roundtable.
Walter Alcorn
Vice President of Environmental Affairs and Industry Sustainability
Consumer Electronics Association
Vice President of Environmental Affairs and Industry Sustainability
Consumer Electronics Association
Walter Alcorn is vice president of environmental affairs and industry sustainability for the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)TM, the trade association representing more than 2,200 companies. CTA also owns and produces CES® - the world's gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technology. Mr. Alcorn is responsible for legislative initiatives impacting electronic product recycling, design, eco-labeling and hazardous materials restrictions. Previously Mr. Alcorn was a nationally recognized environmental consultant specializing in electronics recycling systems. Walter has authored and co-authored numerous studies and research products on e-waste issues.