John Matthews

About John Matthews

I am the president and CEO of Gray Cat Enterprises, responsible for the management of all…

Experience

1. President & CEO

   Gray Cat Enterprises, Inc

   Apr 2004 — Present

   Founder and CEO of Gray Cat Enterprises, a firm that specializes in retail consulting for multi-unit operations; interim general management; multi-departmental project management; and strategic management consulting. • Concurrent Interim Executive Manager of six (6) divisions for Deluxe Corporation (DLX). • Wrote Offering Memorandum and was lead negotiator and principal for InfoSec Inc- a mainframe security software company - and completed its sale of its eTrust Cleanup for CA-ACF2 and eTrust Cleanup for CA-Top Secret Security to Computer Associates (CA). • Senior Strategist for Global Partners stores) overseeing the negotiation of the $350-million wholesale distributor RFP. Launched Project Renaissance overseeing the discretionary Capital Investment including new store builds and remodels as well as capital management procedures. Developed the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) template for daily operations. Coordinated the category management and merchandising annualized strategies. • Strategic lead for The Body Shop (300-stores) to create cohesive management for all of their key initiatives for the upcoming budget cycle. Coordinated dependencies across all departments. • Project lead for Burt\'s Bees (natural, personal care products) to develop a strategic pitch book and eventual launch for a new retail initiative. • Project lead for Potbelly Sandwich Works (300-stores) to create, construct and open a centralized catering kitchen in Chicago, servicing 23 store trade areas. • Project lead for Sylvan Learning Centers managing a local marketing Pilot Market study (37 centers) identifying and quantifying the best practices for local marketing. Former and Existing Client List: Global Partners, Quiznos, Sara Lee, The Body Shop, Sylvan Learning Centers, Burt\'s Bees, Safeguard Systems, Beck Suppliers, Englefield Oil, InfoSec, Potbelly Sandwiches, Chester’s Chicken International, Starbucks, Which Wich, Kehe Foods, OxiBrands, Vienna Beef.

Education

• Michigan State University

  BA, Communications

  1980 — 1984

Skills

• Income Statement
• Merchandising
• Business Planning
• Strategic Partnerships
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Market Research
• Strategic Thinking
• Business Development
• Field Marketing
• Restaurants
• Brand Development
• Coaching
• Competitive Analysis
• Profit & Loss Management
• Corporate Communications
• Negotiation
• Integrated Marketing
• Social Media
• Program Management
• Lead Generation
• Enterprise Software
• Marketing Strategy
• Executive Management
• Market Planning
• Budgets
• Leadership
• Strategy
• Retail
• Food Service
• Marketing
• Creative Direction
• Fundraising
• Profit
• Franchising
• Budgeting
• Direct Marketing
• Time Management
• Management
• Pricing
• Consumer Products