Debra S. Butlerbutlerdebra55@gmail.com 1293 Poppy Ridge Dr. Eagle Point, OR 97524 541-499-8712

Summary

-I am equally a left/right brain thinker: creative, yet operational and highly organized. My attention to detail ensures that I am thorough when creating fixtures, concepts to implementation, and authored visual merchandising documents ranging from standards manuals to floor set directives.-I sell non-verbally. I create an atmosphere where the customer loves to explore and to discover, to leave a “visual mark” or brand image that is unique, that expresses what a brand has to share and be of service, and make a memorable shopping experience.-I am a team creator/builder. I believe that not one person can do it all; rather having the humility it takes to lead a team of people who believe that well intended collaborations create the best work and the best brand.-I have created stores from the ground up, managed the visual programs in multiple locations, project manager for remodels/store openings, and extensive field training.-I know the importance of partnering cross functionally with departments, being a liaison from corporate to field teams, have been charged with fiscal responsibility of projects/department operations. I believe in open/ honest communication that always puts the brand and its customers first and foremost.-I am seeking to secure a position with a brand provides meaning to the consumer, partners with the community, and will leave a legacy of honesty,integrity,and goodness.

Experience

Harry and David Corporate Visual Merchandise Manager (11/13–08/14)Established and guided the strategic Visual Merchandise and Visual In-Store Marketing communication to consistently articulate the visual brand messaging through monthly visual rotation, new store prototypes and seasonal pop-up stores.

Directed structured monthly rotation in-store presentations, working strategically with cross function partners of marketing, merchants, creative services, and store operations for best practices and deliverables for sales initiative/conversions, marketing programs, and brand imaging.

Designed internally and with external partners, new fixturing for seasonal pop-up stores, retro fitting new fixtures for existing outlet fleet.

Designed and implemented a next generation of stores with new brand imaging program complete with digital marketing to assist in new marketing initiatives, fixturing indicative of the new brand image, and for new merchandise assortment.

Field training to develop partnerships and provide better organization of floor set changes, visual standards and be a liaise from field to corporate.

Draper’s and Damon’s Corporate Visual Merchandise Coordinator (05/02-0/02)Well established third generation, three channel business, and clothing company targeting the mature customer in the RTW/Career/Active Sportswear categories.

Responsible for the development and implementation of the visual merchandise/presentation standards, policies, and procedures of 42 stores.

Authored and implemented a new visual merchandise standards manual. Authored and implemented a floor set directive package designed to compliment new

merchandise assortments, sales strategies, and in cadence with channel business partners. Designed seasonal trim programs which included installation/timeline guidelines, in-store

collateral, and budgeting. Field training of new manual roll out, seasonal trim installation, and floor set directive program.

The Great Indoors New Store Merchandiser (05/01-09/01) A division of Sears this company was created to compete in the home improvement industry with high end categories of home accessories, appliances, finishes, outdoor living, house wares, etc.

Directed the merchandising installation of 3 new stores in the home accessories category encompassing sales floor fixture placement, vendor fixture placement/installation, wall elevations, and stockroom set up, and support the visual merchandise/presentation standards/directives.

Partnered with merchants strategy, store operations/logistics, ad hoc construction, marketing and in-store collateral and creative services for brand imaging.

Illuminations District Visual Manager (04-00/01/01)Startup three channel company aiming to tap a niche market in home environments by leveraging trend right and sustainability business practices.

Responsible for district of stores to coach/train store teams of visual merchandise directives and standards, provide timelines for floor set installations, cadence of channel businesses to flow with retail strategies, and supervise new store openings.

Gottschalks Store Visual Manager/Regional Visual Trainer (09/96-04/00)Regional department store chain. Started position in a one store district that grew into 11 store district.

Designed and directed all visual merchandise/presentation initiatives of 250 sq. ft. store and later provided strategy for 11 store district.

Visual project management of store remodels, department relocations for seasonal strategies, and planned seasonal shop installations.

Responsible for visual department operations which included fiscal acumen, staff creation, liaison to store/district of corporate initiatives.

Promoted to Regional Visual Trainer to ensure compliance of corporate visual standards/directives, provide guidance for store remodels, and development of store visual teams.

Freelance Visual Merchandise (1992-1966) Motherhood Maternity, El Segundo, CA Room to Room Big Bear Lake, CA

Created floor set environments and implements window presentations on a bi-monthly basis.

Lane Bryant Regional Visual Manager Southwest Region (1990-1992)

Visual field training of 88 store region, SS, DSM, RSM. Participated monthly on corporate visual set directives. Developed new shop concept in intimate apparel and travelled nationally for its

installation.

EducationCalifornia State University-FullertonBA Art-Textiles1988