RONALD V.

GALLO
126 Bournedale Road North * Manhasset, NY 11030 * rg4ce66a@westpost.net * H: (51
6) 627-4772 C: (516) 729-5747
MERCHANDISING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROFESSIONAL

Highly motivated and skilled professional with experience in management, sales,

and direct operations seeking career advancement within dynamic, high-growth org
anization that welcomes strong leadership, initiative, and dedication. A confide
nt self-starter and critical thinker, the candidate possesses strong interperson
al and communication skills with the expertise to train and manage an expert tea
m of sales and support staff. Proven ability to build a premier organization, g
row businesses, and deliver profits. Extensive background in the manufacturing o
f luxury products, outerwear, woven shirts, structured tailoring, and denim. Exc
eptional ability to excel under high pressure along with unmatched commitment to
meet, or exceed, goals and objectives of the organization.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
* New Business Development * Budgeting / P&L Management * Goal Setting
* Key Account Management
* Strategic Planning
* Brand Building
* Marketing & Advertising * Design & Merchandising
* Generating Sales
* Global Sourcing
* Product Development * Acquisition Integration
* Costing & Pricing
* Problem Solving
* Sample & Fabric Development
SELECTED PROJECTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
* Spearheaded the successful sale of 2 companies in the last 7 years.
* Became skilled in multiple disciplines within the industry including sourcing,
product and brand development, merchandising, marketing and licensing, and sale
s and account management.
* Created a new celebrity-based company with LL Cool J: luxury lifestyle Todd Sm
ith and bridge TS apparel brands. The brand is now sold nationwide. Collaborated
with President and CEO to establish overall brand goals and objectives, includi
ng transitioning the brand from a luxury to mass-market label with first season
sales in excess of $15 million.
* Planned, managed, and executed the Todd Smith launch and fashion show during t
he 2006 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week at the Carlton Hotel in NYC. Received critica
l acclaim in numerous publications worldwide.
* Seamlessly led a transition from a family-owned business to a public company w
hen Rose Cloak was sold to Donnkenny, Inc.
* Created the leading luxury outerwear company in the U.S. Negotiated licenses f
or Regal and Bill Blass and expanded private label business to include manufactu
ring for numerous prestigious brands, including Kenneth Cole, Cole Haan, Calvin
Klein, Jones New York, and Larry Levine. Formulated and executed corporate strat
egy to acquire a series of category-specific labels to increase market penetrati
on. Increased sales by 100% in 2 years and gross margins from 10% to more than 4
0%.
* Collaborated with DonnKennys CEO to expand the companys brand portfolio, inclu
ding negotiating the licenses for Nicole Miller, Bill Blass, and Drizzle in all
coat classifications, with yearly sales in excess of $10 million. Additionally,
secured license for Nicole by Nicole Miller Sportswear, an exclusive lifestyle c
ollection for JC Penney with first year sales in excess of $18 million.
CAREER PATH
DIRECTOR 2007 - PRESENT
Standard Fashion, LLC New York, NY
* Responsible for providing comprehensive fashion merchandising and branding con
sulting.
* Apply expertise in brand development, merchandising and retail expansion from
concept to completion. Past clients include: LL Cool J, Todd Smith, Bill Blass,
Elie Tahari and Nicole Miller outerwear.
DIVISION PRESIDENT, CORPORATE SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT 2006 - 2007
Regatta USA, LLC New York, NY
$320M Privately Held Multi-Brand Sportswear Company Now a division of Li & Fung
, USA
* Oversaw Todd Smith & LL Cool J Lifestyle Brands, Mens and Ladies
* Established brand objectives and line plans to meet corporate financial goals;
instituted short- and long-term merchandizing goals, pricing and margin objecti
ves.
* Instrumental in identifying critical initiatives and creating a cohesive produ
ct line.
* Directed brand and creative focus.
* Collaborated with merchandising, design, technical design, forecasting, sourci
ng, and sales staff on design, fabric selection, quality, fit, store-in-store sa
les concepts, sales planning, and marketing strategies.
* Developed highly cohesive team through selecting, training, and coaching staff
on brand philosophy, image, and identity.
* Interacted with GMMs, DMMs, and buyers to present both mens and ladies collect
ions; placed product in Macys, Parisian, Nordstrom - Todd Smith, and Sams Club (
Wal-Mart - LL Cool J currently in development).
* Performed sales tracking and recommended merchandise distribution alternatives
; liaised with sales to ensure that merchandising mix addressed store and custom
er needs.

CO-MANAGING DIRECTOR, PRINCIPAL / TODD SMITH BRAND 2005 - 2006

Standard Fashion, LLC New York, NY
Startup Company Formed to Leverage, Market and Promote branded and private label
apparel
* Partnered with LL Cool J to provide overall guidance and regarding sales, mark
eting direction, and merchandising at point of sale and to the media.
* Responsible for full P& L management.
* Organized new licensing opportunities, including identifying, approving, build
ing and managing partnerships.
* Successfully developed and implemented licensing strategies for Todd Smith fra
grance and jewelry products.
* Directed day-to-day operations of company, including product development of me
ns, ladies, and accessories collections, with direct oversight of design, techni
cal design, production, and fit.
* Presented collections directly to CEOs, Regional Presidents, GMMs, DMMs, and B
uyers.
* Achieved placement in Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Parisian, B
loomingdales, Macys, QVC, HSN, and big box retailer Sams Club.
* Analyzed and provided retail feedback for product development and brand buildi
ng, including market research, advertising, design, and merchandising.
* Organized and executed all brand-related marketing, personal appearances, even
ts, concerts, and public relations for mens and womens lines.
* Collaborated representatives of William Morris talent agency and Def Jam Recor
ds to promote the Todd Smith brand and create synergy between apparel and LL Coo
l J music at POS.

DIVISION PRESIDENT, CORPORATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBER 2003 - 2005

DonnKenny, Inc. New York, NY
Publicly Traded $100M Company
* Personally responsible for negotiating the asset sale of Rose Cloak and Suit C
ompanys 75-year old Coat Division to Donnkenny, Inc. in 2003.
* In charge of daily operations including staff management, design, fabric selec
tion, marketing strategies, budgeting, cost sheet analysis, and pricing.
* Originated and designed DonnKennys first ladies outerwear division, bringing i
n Bill Blass, Drizzle, and Nicole Miller labels; worked directly with Ms. Miller
to set the tone and identity of the brand and provide uniformity with the visio
n and philosophy of her label.
* Successful in establishing a private label division to manufacture outerwear f
or Tahari and Calvin Klein.
* Coordinated and prepared SEC filing confirmations and Sarbanes-Oxley affirmati
ons.
ADVANCING POSITIONS 1989 - 2003
Rose Cloak & Suite Co. New York, NY
Licensed/Branded Mens & Ladies Outerwear Company
Executive VP, Product Development & Sales
* Developed expertise design, textile, and apparel manufacturing at the mill and
factory level through extensive travel in Europe and Asia.
* Established an exclusive agreement with luxury Italian mill Loro Piana, S.p.A.
for the use of Storm System, a patented waterproof fabrication technology.
* Responsible for negotiating licenses for Regal ladies luxury outerwear label a
nd master license for all Bill Blass ladies outerwear merchandise, including all
classifications (wool, precious fiber fur trim, leather, suede, shearling, rain
wear, and activewear); utilized Loro Piana S.p.A. Storm System fabrications excl
usively in Bill Blass branded merchandise.
* Collaborated directly with Mr. Blass to set style and establish overall vision
and branding philosophy of his label.
* Expanded lines into Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomi
ngdales, Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, and other select retail and specialty stores.
* Established cohesive teams and strong infrastructure directed.
Vice President Sourcing & Product Development, Product Development Specialist
* Oversaw structure of the product development process and expanded resource bas
e.
* Conceptualized and applied formal time and action calendars; liaised with sale
s and merchandising on framework creation to meet design expectations and profit
margin requirements.
* Attended bi-yearly European tradeshows (Premier Vision, Moda In, Prato Expo) t
o identify trends; collaborated with sales and merchandising to develop new fabr
ications and trims.
* Identified and developed new vendors in Italy, Poland, and Belarus; actualized
competitive bidding process for all vendors and factories; streamlined all proc
esses.
* Established joint venture with two Italian mills that ensured consistent flow
of fabric and on-time production.
* Liaised with production, technical design, and operations to provide support d
uring pre-production and production to mitigate problems during the cut/sew proc
ess; monitored flow of all inbound merchandise.
Manager, Warehousing, Distribution, and Logistics
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science 1987
Long Island University, Brookville Campus
Brookville, NY
EXCEPTIONAL REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST