I started my retail career in 1977 working part time at Kmart. Over the last 40 plus years, I have had the opportunity to work very closely with some of specialty retails biggest leaders: Joe Scarlett (Tractor Supply), John L. Morris (Bass Pro Shops) and many lesser known independent retailers within the Mid- States Farm & Ranch Channel like Stew Mills (Fleet Farm), John Murdoch (Murdoch's Ranch & Home), Brian Atwood (Atwoods), Gary Melvin (Rural King), Dennis Reed (Runnings) and Buzz Wheelers (Coastal, Wheelers, Country General).

Further, my career has taken me on a wonderful road from Store Operations & Loss Prevention, to Merchandising, Information Technology and the Executive Suite. Becoming a mentor to specialty pet retailers would allow me to more quickly learn the Specialty pet industry whilst sharing my knowledge of the best and worst practices used by some of today's most iconic retailers.