Biz
“The best executive is one who has sense enough to pick good people to do what he wants them to do, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.” Theodore Roosevelt
MY BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
A Long and Winding Road: “From The Boardroom To The Barnyard”
The Concept Farm Partners
My journey to and through the corporate boardrooms took 38 years. I’ve been in the Barnyard at The Concept Farm about five years. In these five years I have been blessed with more meaningful work, productivity, personal fulfillment, determination, confidence, and humility than I could ever have imagined. In addition to my work at the Farm I have partnered with Dr. Kathy Cramer to create a best selling series of books, serve on the Board of the Founders Affiliate of the American Heart Association and First Ireland Spirits in Dublin. (You might enjoy reading my BlogCritics article , “From The Boardroom To The Barnyard” that chronicles this journey and some life lessons learned.)
Here’s a history of where my journey has taken me.
2004 – Present:
The Concept Farm, NYC. Co-founder and Partner – Founding partner of award winning creative communications company. Top 100 Agencies as listed in Advertising Age. Top 20 places to work, Crain’s NY.
1985 -1991, 1995 – 2003
McCann-Erickson, NYC – Vice Chairman, Retired. – Final position was one of two Vice Chairman responsible for the Global Management of the Agency and its largest clients. Held a number of top executive positions at this premier marketing communications company including Deputy GM of McCann NY, EVP Regional Director, McCann West Coast and Director of Global Accounts.
1991 – 1995
Capstone International, St. Petersburg, Fla. Founder & Owner – Independent developer, importer and marketer of prestige alcoholic beverage brands.
1984 – 1985
Bristol-Myers Squibb, Charles of the Ritz, NYC – Division President – Prestige personal care products company. Launched and managed Environmental Products Company and managed New Product Development.
1982 – 1984
Norton Simon, Inc., Somerset Importers, NYC – EVP & COO – Full operating responsibility for large prestige alcoholic beverage company with brands such as Johnnie Walker, Tanqueray and Pimms.
1980 – 1982
Brown Forman Corp, Louisville, KY – Division President – Full operating responsibility for Brown Forman’s prestige importing company. Brands included Martell cognac, Veuve Clicqot champagne, Old Bushmills Irish Whisky, Noilly Prat and Bolla wines.
1977 -1980
Ketchum Communications, NYC – President, Ketchum NY – CEO of this top tier communications agency with clients such as Japan Air Lines, Johnson & Johnson, and Squibb.
1971 – 1976
DKG Advertising, NYC – Senior Vice President, Partner – Named Agency of the Year by Advertising Age in 1975. Served as Director of Client Service overseeing all of the agency’s businesses.
1970 – 1971
Doyle Dane Bernbach, NYC – Vice President – DDB was one of the most creative and successful agencies of its time. At age 26, became the agency’s youngest Vice President. Responsible for the Gillette and Warner Lambert accounts.
1965 – 1970
Benton & Bowles, NYC – Account Supervisor: Started in the media department and became account executive on the Agency’s Procter & Gamble and General Foods businesses.
