Yale T. Dolginow
Èlanstrategic LLC, Minneapolis, MN
Principal, February, 2005 – Present
Strategy Perfection, Execution & Implementation
- Serve as Trusted Advisor for a variety of companies, helping them develop strategies that increase profitability and value
- Objectively evaluate business operations, review best practices, identify problems and opportunities, provide solid solutions
- Lead management teams through strategic evaluation planning process
- Develop execution, action and accountability plans
- Re-engineer company structures, including growth, transitions and wind-downs
- Coach and mentor executives through career transitions
Drop Shop Midwest LLC, Minnetonka, MN
President & CEO, February 2004 – October 2004
Based on a “franchisee” relationship with Drop Shop Inc., five drop-off stores were opened for clients who wanted to sell personal merchandise on e-Bay, but did not have skills to handle the creative, accounting or management tasks involved.
- Developed the due diligence, strategic/financial, and business plan to open five stores within a 90 day period
- Stores did not achieve plan results and developed immediate closing strategy
Target Corporation Inc., Minneapolis, MN
Merchandising & Marketing Consultant, January – May 2004
- Project included analysis of their current business strategy in party goods and their competitors
- Reviewed their merchandising and display
- Developed list of opportunities for further enhancements to the category
Paper Warehouse Inc. – St. Louis Park, MN
Chairman, President & CEO 1986 – 2003
A party goods retailer started in 1983. The Company grew from 3 local stores to a chain of 156 stores in 19 states (company owned and franchise), and from $1.0 million to $165.0 million in top line sales. Stores sold paper plates, greeting cards, and other plastic party merchandise for all celebratory occasions. Typical store was 7,500 to 12,000 sf.
- Developed strategy and managed growth from privately held to post-public offering by opening 38 stores during fiscal years 1998 and 1999 (including 9 corporate stores in the new market of Seattle)
- Installed the new JDA Inventory Management and Accounting System, which gave Paper Warehouse the most sophisticated computer system in the party goods industry
- Managed a due diligence process for further acquisitions
- Managed the development of a new retail prototype for the party goods industry
Developed defensive strategy against mass merchandisers and other party goods retailers during aggressive expansion into Paper Warehouse markets - Managed various strategic capital projects with banks, investment bankers and venture capital firms
Developed corporate structure as a chain with corporate headquarters and district managers - Managed profitability every year from 1987 through 1996 with consistent double digit comparable store growth
- Designed growth strategy, IPO, taking company public in late 1997
- Due to over-expansion and 9/11, handled complete wind-down of the corporation, plus sale and distribution of assets through business sale and bankruptcy in 2003
Carlson Companies – Minneapolis, MN
Carlson Catalog Showrooms
CEO & President 1982 – 1986
Leading this retail catalog showroom business involved management and operation of 56 stores and $500.0 million in sales volume.
- Merged Mattingly Stores with Carlson Companies, Ardan Catalog Showroom
- Developed business plans and fully managed Carlson Companies’ catalog showroom business
- Reported to Curt Carlson, CEO of Carlson Companies
Mattingly Stores, Lexington MO
CEO & President 1981 – 1983
- Acquired discount and variety retailers located in Missouri and Iowa.
- Managed and operated this 52-store chain.
Dayton-Hudson Corporation, Minneapolis, MN
Assistant to President, reported to Kenneth Macke 1980 – 1982
- Assisted in strategic and manpower planning and other administrative duties
- Studied merchandising trends
Modern Merchandise Corporation, Minneapolis, MN
President & COO 1976 – 1980
- Managed all functions of the company’s growth from 22 stores to 69 stores, $690 million in sales with strong profitability
- Chief operator with total responsibility for 69 stores, 3,500 associates
Dolgin’s Inc., Kansas City, MO
President & CEO 1967 – 1976
Family-owned catalog showroom with entrepreneurial management style. Dealt with all issues relating to a family-owned and operated business. Business grew from 10,000 to 600,000 sf and $1.0 million to $61.0 million in sales. One of first in United States to operationally use POS/Bar Code and IT for business management, e-commerce and internet business experience.
Per Women’s Wear Daily, “Dolgin’s is the most sophisticated retailer along with Mervyn’s of California.”
- Developed a senior management team, including coaching of family members to bring them up through ranks of management
- Orchestrated aborted public offering and ultimate sale of company to Modern Merchandise
EDUCATION
- Harvard Business School, O.P.M. 2012 – 2014
- Bachelor of Arts, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 1960 – 1964
- MBA, University of Kansas, Lawrence Kansas, 1964 -1966
- TEC (Vistage), The Executive Committee, 1999 – 2004
VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS & BOARDS
- Lillehei Heart Institute – University of Minnesota, Advisory Board Member
- Normandale Community College Foundation, Bloomington, MN – Board Member
- University of Kansas, School of Business, Lawrence KS – Advisory Board
- Oak Ridge Country Club, Minneapolis, MN – Board & Building Committee
- Bet Shalom, Minneapolis, MN – Founder, Board & Executive Committee
- Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation, Minneapolis, MN – Past Board Member
- Richfield Bank & Trust, Richfield, MN – Past Board Member
- Synergistic Communications, Kansas City, MO – Past Board Member
- Boatmen’s Bank & Trust Co, Kansas City, MO – Past Advisory Board Member
- Mt. Sinai Hospital, Minneapolis, MN – Past Board Member
- Menorah Medical Center, Kansas City, MO – Past Board Member
- Rockhurst College, Kansas City, MO – Past Board Member
- Mark Plaza Bank, Overland Park, KS – Past Board Member
- American Royal Stock Show – Kansas City, MO – Past Board Member