Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JANUARY 2017 40 ANNUAL TRIBUTE AWARD DINNER Mr. Crutchfield has been appointed by both Republican and Democrat governors of Virginia to numerous boards, commissions and councils. Additionally, he has served on many other local, regional and national boards, commissions and councils. Mr. Crutchfield is an active pilot and in 2012 was presented with the Federal Aviation Agency's Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award. It recognizes pilots who have over fifty years of accident-free flying. During the Vietnam War, Bill Crutchfield served in the United States Air Force as a commander of a Titan II missile crew and as a Strategic Air Command senior instructor. For his distinguished service, he was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal. Mr. Crutchfield separated from the service in 1970 holding the rank of Captain. His accomplishments have earned him inclusion in Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World. Bill Crutchfield's wife, Scheline, is a former banking executive who now serves in leadership capacities with several not-for-profit organizations and pursues her talent for painting. From a former marriage, Mr. Crutchfield has an adult daughter and son. AMERICAN HERITAGE AWARD HONOREE Jim Ristow As chief executive officer of AVB, Inc./Brandsource, Jim Ristow is highly respected by his colleagues for his ability to offer strategic thinking and passionate insight on the latest retail and industry trends. His tremendous leadership has developed BrandSource as the top buying and marketing group for independent retailers. Beginning in 1994, Jim established and grew a successful TV, audio and car audio retail chain called Appliance & Electronics World in Wisconsin. After joining the BrandSource group as a member, he went on to be one of the founding members of Home Entertainment Source (HES) and held a position as an AVB National Board Member. He was recognized early on as part of the 'Top 40 Under 40', which is an honor given by Dealerscope to exceptionally hard working individuals in the industry under the age of 40. Following the successful sale of his retail business, Jim went on to become executive vice president of HES. Under Jim's leadership, HES grew from a small CE division of AVB Inc. to a multi-billion dollar powerhouse, and completed the merger of HES and Pro Group; which is now known as ProSource. During Jim's first year and half as CEO, he has transformed AVB into the gold standard organization for independent retailers in the appliance, electronics and home furnishings businesses. Originally from Oshkosh, Wisconsin and a graduate of St. Norbert College, Jim and his wife Lisa along with their 2 rescue dogs Lexi and Charlie enjoy boating, grilling and entertaining friends and family at his lake house in Pelican Lake, Wisconsin. Pictured below (L to R): Honorees Jim Ristow,

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