Kathie Gorski Professional Accomplishments Operations Leadership Rescued struggling $750 mil business from $64 mil in losses to break even in 3 yrs Closed 12% underperforming stores Reduced inventory losses from 4.3% to 2.1% Improved gross margin performance by 240 basis points Revitalized 45% of stores through remodels and remerchandising Resulted in 20% revenue increase Dramatically impacted inventory's affect on profitability Improved inventory turns by 50% Decreased interest on inventory by 25% Decreased average store inventory by 25% Eliminated slow moving products while introducing new lines Implemented new organizational structure Established clearly defined roles and responsibilities Instituted defined career ladders Established formal and informal associate recognition programs Human Resources Leadership Reduced associate turnover from 75% to 40% Established pre-employment criminal background checks Instituted mandatory 90-day new-hire performance reviews Established mentoring program and bench development strategy Integrated common HR strategies across all business formats Designed, developed and executed programs for: Talent Management Associate development Compensation Performance reviews Staffing Recruiting and training programs Associate relations Developed and executed company-wide Ethics Policies Key strategist in developing corporate succession planning Led the company's Human Resources Leadership Team Key member of corporation's Sensitive Investigations Committee Key member of Corporate Business Practices committee Managed the company retention and recognition programs Career History Sears, Roebuck and Co. Vice President/General Manager, Hardware Stores  (2001 to 2004) Responsible for 183 stores and 7,000 associates Managed marketing and merchandising for $750 mil organization Directly responsible for $200 mil operating budget  Vice President, Human Resources, Retail  (1999 to 2001) Responsible for HR management across all retail businesses Included 2,400 stores in 6 divisions Over 250,000 ourlyand executive associates Managed 100 corporate HR professionals and 1300 field HR managers Vice President, Human ResourcesChief Ethics Officer  (1997 to 1999) Responsibe for HR management for all corporate functions Managed 100 corporate HR rpofessionals Responsible for Office of Ethics and Business Practices Oversaw all HR compliance programs Oversaw corporate Wellness and Child Care Centers Managed temporary service providers and Vendor Relations Director, Compensation and Benefits  (1995 to 1997) Responsible for compensation and benefits programs for 850 retail stores Supported 250,000 associates Designed and implemented all compensation lans, including: Stock options, incentives, and executive compensation Managed corporate retructuring and headcount reduction plans Created corporate work-life balance programs National Manager, Human Resoures Planning, Training, Recruiting  (1994 to 1995) Store General Manager  (1993 to 1994) Manager, Compensation and Benefits  (1992 to 1993) National Operations Manager, Apparel  (1990 to 1992) District Merchant, Apparel  (1989 to 1990) Various Store/District Positions  (1971 to 1989) Youthland Academy, Inc.  Cincinnati, OH President/Owner  (1984 to 198) Education University of Akron, Akron, OH Bachelor of Science Business Administration Ray Vogue College, Chicago, IL Fashion Merchandising University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI Graduate, Global Consulting Alliance Professional Affiliations Member, Board of Directors National Employer Leadership Council National Retail Federation Voluntary Service partnership DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) Other Memberships National Welfare to Work Partnership (National Advisory Council) National Alliance of Business (Business Policy Council) Women's unlimited (Mentor) American Compensation Association Chicago Compensation Association Society of Human Resource Managementand Work/Life Alliance   Contact us today at: 813-634-5370 or by email: interested@johngmengelson.com