Investor Relations - Management Team
Officers of the Company are chosen by the Board of Directors and hold office until they resign or are removed by the Board of Directors.
David Holmberg Chief Executive Officer, brings a wealth of leadership background with a number of key retailers. Prior to arriving here at ECCA in January 2008, he was the Executive Vice President of Operations for Jo-Ann Stores, Inc., a leading national specialty retailer of crafting, decorating, and sewing products. Preceding his key role at Jo-Ann's he was the President of Cole Licensed Brands which encompassed more than 1,200 Sears Optical, Target Optical, BJ's Wholesale Clubs, Pearle Vision Canada and Sears Optical Canada. He also held several key management positions at Zale Corporation, most notably as the Executive Vice President of Store Operations and President of Zale’s Canada. Mr. Holmberg holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Dallas and is also a graduate of the Harvard Business Schools Advanced Management Program.
James J. Denny has served as our Chief Operating Officer and President since December 2004. Mr. Denny's responsibilities include overseeing the management of all of our stores, real estate and construction. From June 2003 to December 2004, Mr. Denny was our Senior Vice President of Store Operations overseeing the management of approximately one-quarter of our stores. From June 1967 to March 1992 and again from January 1994 to December 2002, Mr. Denny held various progressive operations positions culminating in President of Sears Puerto Rico with Sears Roebuck & Co. From March 1993 to January 1994, Mr. Denny served as Region Manager with Circuit City Stores, Inc.
Jennifer L. Kelley has served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since January 2008. Prior to her appointment as CFO, and since December 2004, Ms. Kelley served as our Vice President and Controller. Ms. Kelley has been with us since June 1997. Prior to her employment with us, Ms. Kelley worked at Price Waterhouse LLP. Ms. Kelley is a certified public accountant in Texas.
George E. Gebhardt has served as our Executive Vice President of Merchandising since September 1996 when we acquired his former employer, Visionworks, Inc. Mr. Gebhardt assumed the responsibilities of our Managed Vision Care in December 2004. Mr. Gebhardt was responsible for our Marketing from September 1996 to December 2004 and since May 2006. Mr. Gebhardt was with Visionworks from February 1994 to September 1996 serving in various positions, most recently Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing. Prior to that, Mr. Gebhardt spent over 13 years with Eckerd Corporation in various operational positions including Senior Vice President, General Manager of Eckerd Vision Group. Mr. Gebhardt also spent 7 years working for Procter & Gamble serving in various positions including Unit Sales Manager of Proctor & Gamble's Health and Beauty Care Division.
Charles M. Kellstadt has served as Senior Vice President of Store Operations since June 2005, supervising the management of approximately one-quarter of our. From November 2000 to June 2005, Mr. Kellstadt served as a Territory Director, overseeing approximately twenty of our stores. From September 1999 to October 2000, Mr. Kellstadt served as a General Manager with Best Buy. From 1994 to September 1999, Mr. Kellstadt served as District Manager for various districts with Circuit City. Prior to 1994, Mr. Kellstadt held several positions with Montgomery Ward Holding Corporation.
Diana Beaufilshas served as a Senior Vice President of Store Operations since September 1998, overseeing the management of approximately one-quarter of our stores. From October 1993 to September 1998, Ms. Beaufils held various progressive operations positions culminating in Assistant Vice President with Circuit City Stores, Inc. Prior to October 1993, Ms. Beaufils held several operations positions with Montgomery Ward Holding Corporation.
Jim Carroll has served as a Senior Vice President of Store Operations since September 2006, overseeing the management of approximately one-quarter of our stores. From August 2005 to August 2006, Mr. Carroll served as a Territory Director, overseeing approximately twenty of our stores. From November 1998 to August 2005, Mr. Carroll served as a District Manager, Territory Director, and Regional Manager with Gateway Computers. Mr. Carroll served as General Manager and Market Leader for Music-Land from 1995 to 1998. Mr. Carroll earned a BA in Management and Human Relations from Trevecca University and a Network Technology Certification from Belmont University.
J.Richard LLanes has served as a Senior Vice President of Store Operations since December 2006, overseeing the management of approximately one-quarter of our stores. From October 1995 to December 2006, Mr. LLanes oversaw the management of our stores in Texas, primarily in the San Antonio and Austin markets. From joining us in 1988, Mr. LLanes held various progressive operations positions culminating in Assistant Vice President.
John Jordanhas served as a Senior Vice President of Store Operations since August 2007, overseeing the management of approximately one-fifth of our stores. From August of 1996 until July of 2007, Mr. Jordan has held the positions of Territory Director and Associate Vice President at ECCA, with responsibility for stores in the Ohio, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida markets. Prior to joining ECCA held various positions in the Optical Industry, Mr. Jordan earned a BS in Business from Indiana University.
Robert T. Cox has served as our Vice President of Human Resources since April 2002. From January 1999 through April 2002, Mr. Cox served as the Division Human Resource Manager for The Home Depot in the Phoenix, Arizona and surrounding markets. From December 1987 through December 1998, Mr. Cox held several human resources positions to include Regional Human Resource Manager with Western Auto Supply Co. (a division of Sears, Roebuck & Co.). Mr. Cox has over 20 years of retail experience.