Vanguard Leadership
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Chris Kelsch
President & Co-Founder
“Smart retailers know that – in order to sell more high-end merchandise – they need to help consumers select a product by enabling them to experience all the features.”
Chris Kelsch, the president and co-founder of Vanguard, has over 20 years experience in loss prevention, fixture design, and retail merchandising. Chris has learned the retail business from the ground up from sales associate to merchandising manager where he was responsible for fixture design, display materials procurement, corporate identity, and loss prevention for a 300 store retail chain.
Early on at Vanguard it was Chris who was responsible for engineering and marketing our patented power alarm system, which has made us a leading global provider of retractable cable systems. He recognized the potential profits available to retailers by enhancing the consumer shopping experience with fully functional displays where sales associates could more effectively demo and “sell-up” more high-end merchandise with powered features. Thanks to Chris’ insight, over the years, Vanguard’s retail clients have realized a decrease in shoplifting and an increase in profits.
Contact Chris Kelsch: (813) 855-9639 |
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Michael LaVilla
General Manager
As an accomplished marketer of consumer services, especially in the wireless telecommunications industry, Mike's spent more than 10 years building and leading effective cross-functional work groups creating a positive impact on the strategic aspects of retail distribution, project and product management.
Before joining Vanguard as our general manager, he was senior director at AT&T Wireless Services and prior to that product marketing manager at McCaw Cellular Communications. Mike's been particularly successful in environments that exhibit a high rate of change and practice methods of empowerment. He received a B.A. from Villanova University.
Contact Michael LaVilla: (813) 855-9639|
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Pat Rosato
National Sales Manager
“Being a consultative salesperson and getting close-to-the-client -- in order to deliver outstanding services and solutions -- is the only way to sell.”
Pat Rosato is Vanguard’s director of sales. He manages our new business development program, sales and marketing strategies, opportunities, and client satisfaction program. His additional responsibilities include revenue attainment and growth.
He is a senior level sales executive with over 15 years experience providing business consulting services. Prior to Vanguard, Pat has worked for several leaders in their field like IBM and Keane, Inc. managing sales office operations in Connecticut, Wisconsin, Florida, and New York.
Contact Pat Rosato: (813) 855-9639 |
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Jack Figh
Director Of Engineering
“Clients expect a design solution that works, looks good, secures, and sells products with minimum maintenance and minimum expense.”
Jack Figh is a graduate of Auburn University with a degree in electrical engineering focusing on microelectronics, integrated circuit design, microprocessor hardware design, and software development.
He has spent almost 20 years in the point-of-sale fixture industry as head of engineering and product development. His innovations have resulted in several patents. In 1985, he designed the first battery-powered, shelf mounted, point-of-sale, market research computer to evaluate consumer preferences and attitudes.
Jack has gained extensive knowledge and experience in retail marketing techniques and in-store fixture design from working with some of the world’s most prestigious retailers. He continues to be the backbone (the innovation) behind Vanguard’s market position -- Innovation in Loss Prevention.
Contact Jack Figh: (813) 855-9639 |
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John O’Bryan
Director Of Operations
“No order leaves our facility unless it meets all required specs. That’s my number one priority. Making your required delivery on time is a priority ‘1-A.’”
After 18 years in the transportation industry, John O’Bryan was hired by Vanguard to oversee their warehouse operation and inventory management program. He is currently responsible for all aspects of the day-to-day operation of our shipping, receiving, inventory management, production scheduling, and purchasing.
John’s developed solid relationships with the right import brokers and freight forwarders in addition to refining our domestic shipping strategies through negotiations with UPS package delivery and FedEx Freight LTL. His efforts have helped to control shipping costs while shortening lead times to better service our valued customers.
Since 2004 John’s managed the completion of two separate warehouse/office expansion projects, which have more than tripled Vanguard’s overall building capacity plus two major distribution projects including Sears/G3 rollout in 2004 and the Circuit City G3 rollout in 2005.
Contact John O'Bryan: (813) 855-9639 |
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Jim Araki
Director Of Accounting
“Solving a client problem politely with correct and timely information today will bring satisfied clients (and their repeat business) back tomorrow.”
Jim is charged with the task of maintaining the books for Vanguard. He oversees all invoicing of sales orders and ensures proper payment of accounts payable invoices as well as the posting of cash receipts and reconciling all general ledger accounts.
Jim and his assistant also answer and assist both customers and vendors regarding any questions or issues regarding invoices. He also provides the management team with financial reports for planning, goal setting, and budgeting purposes.
He also has responsibility for in-house IT systems and functions and coordinates with outside technical services when necessary to install and implement new systems.
Jim has a BBA in accounting from the University of Hawaii.
Contact Jim Araki: (813) 855-9639 |
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Mari Howe
Operations Manager
“Every shipment - small package or truckload, domestic or international - receives our commitment to quality, accuracy, and on time delivery.”
Mari Howe has been with Vanguard through many of its early growth years. She has spent that time developing acute organizational, administrative, and accounting skills in Operations and Customer Service. She was recently promoted to Operations Manager.
Mari studied foreign languages at Illinois State, which has helped enhance her communication skills with those clients and their staff whose primary language is not English.
Contact Mari Howe: (813) 855-9639 |
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Robyn Wiltcher
Customer Service Manager
“Our goal is to provide the best customer care in the industry. Speaking to a live person who can give customers timely, accurate information is the best way to achieve that goal.”
Robyn Wiltcher has been with Vanguard from the beginning. For seven years she helped develop our customer service philosophy and reputation. As a result of her commitment to customers and company, she has been recently promoted to customer service manager.
Robyn studied marketing at Southeastern Louisiana University. That, along with her initiation into Vanguard’s culture of innovation and versatility, contributed to her understanding and appreciation of not only winning customers but the special attention it takes to keep them.
Contact Robyn Wiltcher: (813) 855-9639 |
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