Profiles
Duane Jacobs, CEO:
With a distinguished background in the consumer package goods industry with such companies as Alberto Culver, American Cyanamid, and LAMAUR, Duane started Jacobs Marketing in 1982 and the company has had double and triple digit growth every year since its inception. His credentials include marketing and sales management at every level, and Duane’s aggressive entrepreneurial spirit provides a unique vendor/marketer perspective that serves the needs of both Jacobs Marketing principals and accounts.
Duane’s thirty plus years experience with accounts and manufacturers has continued to emphasize change as a friend, innovation as a key, and technology that keeps Jacobs Marketing at the forefront of representative agencies in the United States.
Gene Ringuette, President/Partner:
Joining Jacobs Marketing in early 1996, Gene was formerly Vice President of Sales for DowBrands Personal Care Division and was on the management committee of DowBrands Corporate Worldwide. His many years experience includes marketing and sales management positions at all levels on the manufacturing side and his expertise adds volumes for our principals and accounts.
While Gene's focus on Target is exemplary, he also directs the team that provides our vendors with a clear direction at accounts such as SuperValu and Best Buy. His multi trade class experience in FDM works well with our vendors' strategies as he helps them penetrate the various entities of purchasing, marketing, logistics, quality control and shipping.
Having served honorably in the U.S. Air Force, and a graduate of North Dakota State University, Gene's tenure with large consumer packaged goods manufacturers is the basis for his understanding of their needs, and his profound work ethic.
Jackie Gibney, Partner:
Early training as a merchandiser of Target Stores in high school and college set a rigorous introduction to the world of retail. Having graduated from Carlson School of Managment at the University of Minnesota, and an excellent experience with Kelloggs Company, Jackie joined Jacobs Marketing in 1994. Since then she has represented key vendors at Target and has grown in both position and experience in all phases of the business.
While being at the forefront of Category Management, she is very proud of Jacobs Marketing's award winning teams in a number of areas including Sales, Logistics, Analysis, and Strategic Planning. Jackie will continue to lead with a value based approach and a commitment to partnering with both retailers and vendors to create powerful results.
Kevin Spight, Account Executive:
As a Business Management graduate of the Daniels School of Business at the University of Denver in 1999, Kevin has spent the past eight years in sales and marketing with companies of all sizes. He gained valuable experience as a sales manager at Classic Sport calling on many major US retailers such as Target, Kohl’s, Toys R Us and Sam’s Club. Before joining Jacobs Marketing in 2006, Kevin worked on Procter & Gamble in-store marketing programs through The Integer Group in Colorado and was instramental in developing award winning programs at Safeway country wide.
He works closely with his Target teams to continue gaining opportunities for his vendors , and brings an enthusiasm and passion that builds the best programs and relationships possible.
Doug Kinneberg, Account Executive:
A strong retail background including several years in merchandising & buying with Target/Macy’s & Golf Galaxy has prepared Doug to aptly represent our vendor partners. His passion for the business has transcended a range of product lines from home hardlines, men’s apparel, sporting goods and health & beauty. He also has valuable experience in Product Management with Capital One helping to build the No Hassle Rewards program.
Doug utilizes his MBA from the University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Business as he calls on the Target account for multiple national brands. He also graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a double major in Marketing & Management.
Deb Tallarico, Account Executive:
Twelve years representing manufacturers in the Midwest have enabled Deb to secure distribution and promotions at a fair value to our vendor partners. She works comfortably with both branded and private label projects, and is very adept at assembling and executing all facets of the business including presentations, category reviews, planograms, administration, and account/vendor follow up.
Deb graduated with a double major in Business Management and Communication from Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, and uses both effectively while heading up the department that calls on such accounts as Target, SuperValu, and Nash Finch.
Brigid Laske, Account Executive:
Brigid brings an extensive background in the retail industry to her role at Jacobs Marketing. She began her career with Tommy Hilfiger where she serviced large department stores such as Dayton's, Yonkers, Bloomingdales and Macy’s. Brigid later worked for the Department Store Division of Dayton Hudson Corporation (later Target Corporation) where she enjoyed great success as a buyer for fashion accessories, tabletop giftware and gourmet foods. She has had a variety of cross-departmental experiences as a buyer and planning manager for Marshall Field's (later Macy's North), developing successful multi-tier assortment, pricing and marketing strategies while managing multi-million dollar businesses for over ten years.
At Jacobs Marketing, she is able to leverage both her analytical skills and her knowledge of Target’s systems and processes to assist vendors, buyers and business analysts in seizing business opportunities.
Sara Ronholm, Project Manager:
Sara joined Jacobs Marketing in July of 2007. Sara is a graduate of the University of Minnestoa's Carlson School of Management. She received her start in retail as a buyer of athletic apparel for a small retailer in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. After moving back to Minnesota in 2003, Sara joined Target Corporation as a Business Analyst at Marshall Field's. There she worked in the Children's Division and then was promoted to Senior Analyst in the Cosmetic's Division. After several years as a merchant, Sara decided to broaden her experiences in retail and joined the Merchandise Operations team, as a replenishment expert. There she supported merchants in running their day to day business and facilitated classes for new business analysts, teaching them how to run a successful replenishment program. As part of the operations team, Sara was also an intrical part in converting replenishment systems from May Company to Macy's
Sara works closely with several national brands and Target teams to manage order flow, inventory levels, and promotions. She uses her merchant background to analyze the business and make recommendations to keep growing our business.
Michele Penake, Category Manager:
Michele is a 1998 graduate from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa with a major in marketing. Immediately after graduation, she continued her early retail experience as a sales associate at Younkers Department Stores by joining their Junior Executive Retail Program where she learned the basics and fundamentals of retail buying, planning and merchandising. Later she continued her career development and passion for retail with other national department stores including the Department Store Division of Target Corporation, Macy's West, Marshall Field's/Target and Macy's North.
In March 2006, Michele joined Jacobs Marketing to continue and help grow their strong experience in category management with Target. Her solid background experience and strong analytical skills offer objective observations and recommendations on assortments, merchandising, and promotions to further develop and grow our category businesses at Target. Michele's partnerships with the business teams at Target (including Buying, Merchandise Planning, MPD, and Category Management) has enabled the successful implementation and execution of strategies developed in conjunction with Jacob's Marketing.
Michele helped developed and now manages Jacobs Marketing's new Market Research and Consumer Insight Programs. These research programs offer valuable information, data, and insights in order to provide up-to-date recommendations on opportunities for our Target Buyers and vendor clients.
Chris Gibney, Category Manager:
With over 20 years of retail sales and category management experience, Chris Gibney began in retail sales and merchandising with Drackett Products (a Bristol Meyers Company) in 1988. After promotions in 1991 & 1992 in Sales Administration, which included category management responsibilities for Wal*Mart, Gibney moved on to SC Johnson Wax (who had purchased Drackett), where he oversaw category management for Target, Walgreens, & Shopko.
In 1994, Chris accepted a position at Target Stores to develop & roll-out its own category management process to over 150 vendor category captains. During his six years at Target, he developed a set of analytical category management templates, held quarterly category management seminars for Target's vendor partners, and in 1998 was assigned additional responsibilities on the Partners Online business team.
Founding CPG Consultants, Inc. in 2000 has allowed Jacobs Marketing to actualize his experience into category management consulting and business planning initiatives. Currently, he provides category management support for a number of Target categories, as well as, working on special projects at the request of Target merchants.
Finally, Chris has spent the last eight years developing & enhancing Trieve-It™, the Data Analysis Application that organizes Target's Partners Online sales and inventory data so that it can be interpreted by business analysts, account managers and administrators.
Annie Borah, Category Manager:
Annie attended Concordia College of Moorhead where she majored in Business and Fashion Merchandising. She further developed her education in merchandising by completing extensive study abroad having studied with such icons as Vittorio Missoni and executives at Corneliani and Ferragamo.
Annie's retail career began as a buying intern at Vanity Corporation in 2005, and after graduation, held various positions in merchandise planning at Marshall Fields/Macy's. Annie's dedication and passion led to numerous awards including the SVP Award of Excellence, and Macy's Merchant Team of the Quarter Award.
Currently Annie continues her award winning ways as part of Jacobs Marketing's very highly regarded Category Management team. Her expertise in gathering data, interpreting analysis, and being a valued part of the support function to the buying team has proven to not only bring value to Target, but to Jacobs Marketing and its vendor's as well.
