EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE
Strategy Tested in the Real World
For more than four decades, my work has crossed retail leadership, merchandising, product development, global sourcing, consulting, and entrepreneurship in the United States and Asia.
From leading major business units and building international supply relationships to working with Arnold Palmer—designing and manufacturing the Arnold Palmer Golf Collection—and later creating China Silk Wines in China, for the US market, I learned that strategy becomes meaningful only when it can be translated into people, capabilities, execution, and measurable value.
Arnold Palmer Golf Collection
A golf apparel collection I designed and manufactured for Arnold Palmer
LEADERSHIP, CONSULTING & MARKET DEVELOPMENT
Building Businesses, Brands, and Markets
My executive career began in retail, where merchandising decisions had to connect customer needs, brand positioning, product strategy, inventory, presentation, and financial performance.
In vice-presidential leadership roles with Emporium-Capwell—then part of Federated Department Stores—and later MainStreet and Eddie Bauer, I led major business categories and learned how disciplined merchandising could translate market opportunities into products, programs, and measurable value.
I later applied that experience through retail and market consulting with Central Department Stores, Supersports, Nike, and Adidas in Thailand and China; supporting Sbarro’s China market entry; and developing special programs involving the San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, and the NFL. These assignments reinforced that strong brands create opportunity only when strategy, timing, stakeholders, and execution work together.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & GLOBAL SOURCING
From Concept to Global Execution
Product development required more than creating an appealing design. It meant translating customer expectations and brand standards into materials, specifications, quality requirements, production capabilities, delivery schedules, and commercially viable costs.
At Eddie Bauer, I worked closely with GORE-TEX as a major technical-material supplier to develop performance outerwear using Gore-Tex products, construction requirements, and specialized manufacturing processes.
My design and manufacturing work also included apparel for DKNY, Eileen West, and Disney Store; flight-attendant and pilot uniforms for Western Pacific Airlines; shopping bags for Emporio Armani’s global distribution; and furniture for Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Federated Department Stores. Each assignment required coordinating design, sourcing, manufacturing, quality, and delivery across an extended value chain.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP & BRAND CREATION
China Silk: From Xinjiang to International Recognition
China Silk began with a question: could wine produced in western China be developed, positioned, and presented successfully for international markets? I created the brand in Xinjiang, combining regional wine production with international product development, packaging, promotion, and export strategy.
Working with Suntime Managing Director Fred Nauleau and Australian winemaker John Weeks, I helped guide the blending and development of wines designed for international consumers while building a distinctive identity around China’s Silk Road heritage.
On our first competition submissions, Marco Polo Red earned two bronze medals in San Francisco, and Dragon’s Kiss Riesling received a bronze medal in the Dallas Morning News wine competition. China Silk became the first Chinese wine brand to achieve this recognition—demonstrating that an unfamiliar origin could become a competitive advantage when product quality, storytelling, and execution worked together.
Developing Award-Winning Wines in Xinjiang
Dr. Steven Clarke with Suntime Managing Director Fred Nauleau and Australian winemaker John Weeks during a China Silk wine-development and blending session.
