Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM MAY 2016 56 B U Y I N G G R O U P N E W S RO INDUSTRY VETERAN JEANNETTE HOWE JOINS BRANDSOURCE AS DIRECTOR OF MEMBERSHIP BrandSource is pleased to announce that Jeannette Howe has accepted the position of Director of Membership for the appliance, furniture, mattress, and consumer electronics buying group. A veteran buying group executive with over 25 years in the industry, Jeannette brings her vast experience in retail to BrandSource. "I am very excited to be playing a meaning- ful role at BrandSource. I left Home Entertainment Source [now ProSource] a decade ago and I feel like I have come home! We have tremendous momentum coming off the BrandSource Summit in Orlando. I am so excited to be engaging with Brand- Source members, vendors and service partners," said Howe. "I have spent my entire career working with the independent channel and am eager to continue that crusade." Jeannette got her start in the retail business as an audio buyer and sales consultant in Boston, Massachusetts during the 1980's. In the proceeding years, she earned several sales and marketing positions at a variety of electronics companies and retail associations. She has since become a prominent name in the industry through a mix of determination and an unbridled commitment to company growth. Rather than slowly acclimate herself into her new role, Jeannette is hitting the ground running by setting goals and offering her enthusiastic take on the future of BrandSource."Our goals include growing the BrandSource family with the right dealers and increasing our relevance with the vendor community," said Howe. "BrandSource is experiencing a new day and has become an assertive force in the appliance, furniture, mattress and home technology space. We have a smart, energized and motivated team in place - ready to take the entire BrandSource community to the next level." Tom Bennett, president of BrandSource, shares Jeannette's enthusiasm over her hiring. "The BrandSource management team is quite impressed with Jeannette's extensive industry experience and we are thrilled to have her on board," said Bennett. "Her deep understanding of the national buying group landscape will be a tremendous asset to BrandSource. She knows the independent dealer community and genuinely enjoys working with them." Along with her valuable experience, Jeannette has held several prominent positions with the Consumer Electronic Association. She was a member of the retailer council of the association as well as a board member of the audio division and the advisory board. She has also received numerous industry accolades. In 2012, she was recipient of the Women in Consumer Electronics Legacy Award. A year later, she was recognized as a CE Pro Master by CEPro Magazine. Finally, in 2014, she was inducted into the Dealerscope Hall of Fame. She graduated from Boston University with a bachelor's degree in English literature and art history. She currently resides in San Clemente, California and has one son. In her spare time, she indulges in gourmet cooking. Please congratulate Jeannette on her new position! KEVIN WERNER PROMOTED TO BRANDSOURCE DIRECTOR OF FIELD MANAGEMENT Longtime BrandSource employee, Kevin Werner, has been promoted to Director of Field Management. An industry veteran with three decades of retail sales experience, Kevin worked his way through college at Suburban TV & Appliance Center, Inc., an appliance and electronics store. While maintaining his studies, Kevin immersed himself in the delivery, installation, sales, and accounting aspects of the business. After graduation, Kevin continued on with the company, which eventually joined AVB in the late 1980's. He later became part- owner after being offered shares of stock in the business. After assisting in the store's expansion to four outlets, he sold his ownership stake and went to work at AVB/BrandSource in 2002 as the Great Plains Region Manager. His new position will involve working with BrandSource members while leading the Region Manager team in order to maximize benefits and increase group membership. He will report to Tom Bennett, BrandSource president. Kevin earned a bachelor's degree in business, economics, and accounting from Kansas-Wesleyan University. He lives in Wichita, Kansas. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, watching college sports, live music, and traveling. Please congratulate Kevin on his well- deserved promotion! JEANETTE HOWE KEVIN WERNER

• Cover