Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JUNE 2015 76 B randSource CEO Jim Ristow has promoted two members of his executive team as part of an overall strategy to offer the merchandising group's 4,000+ members a variety of new opportunities for growth. Tom Bennett, former VP of sales, has been named BrandSource president and John White, former EVP of BrandSource and Expert Warehouse, is now CMO and EVP of appliances. The move is part of an overall strategy to boost member sales and recognize that every BrandSource store, regardless of size, is equally important to the organization. In the coming months, Bennett and White will organize several regional gatherings where members of different sizes can get better acquainted with each other, share ideas and lessons learned, and establish mutually beneficial working relationships. "We intend to make BrandSource the 'gold standard' for independent retailers of all sizes, and in all of the categories that we serve," said Ristow. "Tom and John are the best people in the business to help make this goal a reality and I have every confidence that 2015 will be a banner year for us." TOM BENNETT, BRANDSOURCE PRESIDENT In his new role as president, Tom Bennett will focus on boosting BrandSource membership by introducing new recruitment and retention programs designed to keep the organization resilient and competitive. "I'm extremely excited and honored to take on this new role with BrandSource, and it's a great time to be part of the new BrandSource Family," said Bennett. "We have a great core foundation of members and fantastic programs are in the works. Over the coming months, our field sales teams will increase regional visits to offer better support to our members. Our gatherings will include Power Dealers, who can offer valuable insights to smaller members looking to grow their businesses. Our focus, as always, is to do everything we can to help BrandSource members compete, increase foot traffic and boost profits." Bennett has more than 20 years of experience in the appliance industry, serving on the sales team at Maytag and overseeing brand and product development for Electrolux. He joined BrandSource in 2012 and was instrumental in helping BrandSource members adopt and utilize the BrandSource mobile app, which has held the #1 spot for appliance apps since launch. Bennett earned his B.S. and M.B.A. in business management from the University of South Dakota. JOHN WHITE, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER AND EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF APPLIANCES In his new role as CMO as well as EVP of appliances, John White will lead the creation and execution of all BrandSource marketing strategies across all product and service categories. A seasoned industry veteran with more than two decades of experience, White joined BrandSource in 2004 as GM of appliances and was promoted to executive VP of appliances in 2010. For the past four years, White has taken a lead role in developing marketing strategies for both BrandSource and Expert Warehouse, the industry's single biggest consolidation point for appliance and electronics goods. White, who hails from Woodbury, MN, earned a B.S. in Communications and M.B.A. at North Dakota State University. White said that his first order of business as CMO will be to help members improve the customer shopping experience in order to boost customer loyalty and encourage return visits. "I'm honored to take on the new role of chief marketing officer for BrandSource," said White. "Our first order of business will be to help our members attract new and returning customers by enhancing and improving look and feel of their retail space. In this highly competitive environment, independents can really stand out by creating an attractive and welcoming environment that awakens and appeals to the senses. The goal is to inspire shoppers so they want to spend time in the store. The sales will follow." Please visit www.brandsource.com or www.prosourceinfo.com for more information. B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S BRANDSOURCE PROMOTES SENIOR EXECS TOM BENNETT AND JOHN WHITE T O M B E N N E T T J O H N W H I T E RO

• Cover