New Faces in Leadership | June 2024
June 18, 2024 | Uncategorized
New Faces in Leadership
We are thrilled to introduce two dynamic leaders who have recently stepped into pivotal roles within our organization, bringing with them a wealth of experience and innovative plans for the future. Please join us in welcoming Oscar Rodriguez, our new Director of Purchasing, and Mark Johnson, our new Director of Retail.
Oscar Rodriguez: Driving Efficiency and Innovation in Procurement
Oscar is eager to leverage his extensive background in operations and purchasing to enhance our procurement processes. With a keen focus on meeting internal customer needs while maintaining cost-effectiveness and quality, Oscar aims to lead initiatives that strengthen supply relationships and integrate advanced technologies such as Workday.
Oscar’s primary goal as he steps into this role is to thoroughly understand current procurement practices and identify areas for improvement. “I know I have some big shoes to fill, but I am confident that my experience will help me succeed,” Oscar shared. His immediate focus will be to set a solid foundation for future initiatives, ensuring that our procurement processes are streamlined and efficient.
Mark Johnson: Crafting a Cohesive Retail Strategy
Mark brings a diverse background in retail and hospitality to his new role as Director of Retail. His journey has taken him across the country, providing him with a unique perspective on managing retail operations in various geographies. From his beginnings at Barnes & Noble to his role at the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Mark has consistently demonstrated a knack for retail management.
Mark’s work with the Laura Bush Foundation began at Barnes & Noble, where his role included sponsoring the Texas Book Festival founded by the former First Lady. His successful collaboration led to his management of the George W. Bush Presidential Library retail efforts for five years. The photo in his interview video captures him shaking hands with President Bush (see below).
In his new role, Mark is excited to provide central leadership and streamline our retail operations across 37 units. “Guest Services has accumulated many retail units, but there hasn’t been a company-wide cohesive approach yet,” Mark explained. His goal is to foster communication between stores, reducing redundant efforts and maximizing efficiency. Additionally, Mark is focused on incorporating stewardship messaging, promoting products made in the USA, and sourcing items from environmentally conscious companies.
Mark is also spearheading projects to create a comprehensive operations manual for retail and launching a retail business plan for each store he visits. His dedication to enhancing our retail strategy is evident as he embarks on these initiatives to ensure consistency and efficiency across all locations.
As we welcome Oscar and Mark into their new roles, we look forward to the positive impact their leadership will bring to our organization. Their innovative approaches and dedication to excellence are sure to drive our operations to new heights. Stay tuned for more updates as they embark on their exciting journeys with us!