SCOTT GERHARD

1615 Bainbridge Street Philadelphia, PA 19146 810-908-2375

PROFILE
Decisive and responsive Retail Executive with a proven record of success. Creat
ive, analytical and effective problem-solver who thrives on challenge and excels
under pressure. Accomplished team builder possessing outstanding communication
and interpersonal skills. Empowering hands-on leader, organized and thorough p
lanner; win-win negotiator dealing effectively across all levels of the organiza
tion. Accustomed to a fast pace and multiple projects; fulfills priorities and
understands competing agendas while maximizing business opportunities, relations
hips and profits.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE
X Development of strategic retail plans to increase short and long term profits
and capitalize on brand positioning
X Significant leadership and management experience, skilled at recognizing talen
ted individuals and promoting from within
X Recruiting, building, retaining and motivating a high quality team that are to
p and bottom line focused
X Start to finish program development, testing and implementation including sell
ing skills, recruiting and training programs
X Demonstrated strength in merchandising and marketing
X Establishment of functional policies, procedures and best practices for the op
eration of the retail stores
X Constantly investigating, developing, evaluating and implementing ways to stre
amline business and increase efficiencies and effectiveness
X Continually exceeding in delivering results on the financial performance of th
e retail stores based on standards and goals including:
Profitability measured against budget expectations
Growth measured by comp sales and comp gross profit performance vs. prior year
and budget
Expense control as compared to budget
Improved and enhanced customer service and customer experience
Shrink and inventory control

BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
MOTHERS WORK, Philadelphia, PA Multiple Positions 2001 V Present
The leading retailer of maternity fashion apparel with over 1,500 locations in N
orth America; brands include Motherhood Maternity, Mimi Maternity, A Pea in the
Pod and Destination Maternity.
Vice President of Stores February 2006 V Present
1,600 Retail Locations, $620 Million Annual Sales
Responsible for the profitable expansion of Mothers Work retail business in Nort
h America and the strategic expansion of all Mothers Work brands. Set the tone
and lead the development of field management team in defining the culture and en
vironment in store locations to ensure success in all aspects of customer servic
e, profitability, operations, people development, merchandise presentation and m
erchandise assortment.
X Establish, maintain, and develop a driven, professional and high functioning r
etail team
X Attain sales and profitability goals through effective use of short and long-r
ange planning, expense management and inventory shortage control
X Provide leadership and development to all field management through effective c
ommunication, awareness of morale, staff development, and communication of imple
mentation standards for selling and merchandise priorities
X Partner with internal groups to refine and implement a real estate strategy an
d execution plan for profitable retail expansion; member of the Real Estate Comm
ittee
X Design effective performance measures with role clarity to maximize retail org
anization performance
X Work with field management team and human resource executives to direct the re
cruiting efforts to ensure quality staffing
X Provide strategy to improve retention by emphasizing awareness of people devel
opment and career development
X Work with headquarters organization to ensure expense management is within bud
get and supports the region of stores
X Ensure consistent high standards of customer service through effective staff p
lanning, monitoring of training programs and timely communication of advertising
and special events
X Maintain standards of operation including visual presentation, security and sh
ortage control, human resources and operations
X Interface with all retail associates and numerous other departments within the
company including accounting, distribution, inventory, human resources, marketi
ng, merchandising, MIS and more
X Profit and Loss Statement responsibility for the retail stores
Director of Stores V Motherhood Maternity February 2004 V February 2006
1,200 Retail Locations, $400 Million Annual Sales
X Established training programs that improved standards, disciplines and consist
encies for Regional Managers and District Managers of the Motherhood Division
X Served in acting capacity as a Director of Stores for other brands and in othe
r regions to increase productivity and maintain controls
X Provided merchandise communication on fit, fashion, quality, and competition w
eekly to the Motherhood merchant team
Regional Manager - Motherhood Maternity November 2001 V February 2004
110 Stores, $40 Million Annual Sales
X Provided leadership to 9 District Managers to achieve sales results while main
taining strong operational controls
X Identified, hired, and developed brand-appropriate business leaders for the re
gion and the company
X Helped in the development of the District Manager store visit recap, identific
ation of leadership skills for manpower planning, and participated in a task for
ce for the annual review process
X Recognized at the 2002 Mothers Work National Sales Meeting for achievements in
the development of the Canadian business

PHILLIPS VAN HEUSEN, New York, NY Multiple Positions 1994 to 2001

Manufacturer and retailer of mens and womens apparel; worlds largest manufacture
r of dress shirts; brands included Van Heusen, Bass Shoes, Geoffrey Bean and Izo
d.
District Manager - Bass Division January 2000 to November 2001
14 Stores, $18,000,000 Annual Sales
X Directed a six month project identifying the best strategic allocation of labo
r to maximize productivity at store level and achieve the highest level of custo
mer service
X Hired, trained, developed and led team of 14 Store Managers
X Managed all aspects of policies and procedures, implementation of company prog
rams, and initiatives for improving sales trends
Area Manager - Field Apparel Division June 1998 to January 2000
X One year training program to become a District Manager
X Personally managed a store and supervised four additional locations within dis
trict
Store Manager - Van Heusen, Geoffrey Beene, Gant October 1994 to June 1998
X Managed 6,500 square foot Van Heusen prototype store while simultaneously mana
ging a 5,000 square foot Geoffrey Beene company store.

ADDITIONAL RETAIL EXPERIENCE 1986 V 1994

Manager Timbuktu Station Womens apparel retailer
Manager Mr. Bulkys Treats and Gifts Candy, snack and gift retailer
Sales Associate Seiferts Womens apparel retailer
Sales Associate ABC Warehouse Electronics and appliances retailer
Sales Co-op Fretter Appliance Electronics and appliances retailer

EDUCATION
Mott Community College Flint, Michigan Business & Management

SKILLS & INTERESTS

Proficient in C.O.R.E. Skills
Adept at Microsoft Office programs including Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Excellent organization, time, project and team management abilities
Strong and effective oral and written communicator
Guest speaker, Philadelphia University Business School