GERS Retail Systems Announces Several Key Additions To Its Executive Management

Furniture World Magazine

GERS Retail Systems is announced the addition of three very senior Information Technology executives to its management team. Don Vander Beke, formerly of Simione Central and IBM, has joined the company as Executive Vice President of Marketing & Support Services, Onagh Ash comes aboard from SAP as GERS' Executive Vice President of Sales & Services and Jerry Blanford joins GERS from Richter Systems, Inc. as GERS' Vice President of Sales. "In the last few months, GERS has experienced some exciting changes required to position the company to take advantage of the tremendous growth opportunities that are available in the solution software industry," commented GERS President Jim Henderson. "Our new management team brings us the most talented and experienced executives to help manage our current and future growth opportunities.' Vander Beke, Ash and Blanford join Jim Henderson, who was named GERS' President and CEO in June of this year. Additionally, Gary Reif remains as the company's Chairman of the Board. In his new position Vander Beke will oversee the company's marketing efforts, strategic business partnerships and the ongoing customer support programs. VanderBeke comes to GERS with a wealth of experience. He began his career at IBM and spent 21 years in various sales, product and support management positions. During his tenure, Vander Beke was also responsible for business partner relationships and complimentary sales distribution systems at Dun & Bradstreet Software, and National Data Corporation, where he was a General Manger of one of their divisions. Most recently the Industrial Management graduate of Purdue University was Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Simione Central in Atlanta. Ash will be responsible for GERS' sales management team for all divisions and will also oversee the company's Professional Services department. With 25 years of experience in the software industry, Ash began her career in software at MSA (DBS), and later held senior positions at Ross Systems and Oracle. Recently she spent six years at SAP America managing and directing a new business line. A mentor and frequent speaker to organizations that promote Women in the High Tech Industry, she has had significant exposure to direct sales, sales management, consulting, customer satisfaction programs, as well as working with strategic partners in developing new markets and new ideas. Blanford will oversee the day-to-day management of the GERS General Retail Sales force and its major accounts. He will report to Ash. In his 17 years in the industry, Blanford spent eight years at Richter where he served as the Vice President of Eastern Regional Sales, performing all Sales management activities within a 30 state territory, including managing a staff of ten with a quota of $12 million in license fees. Prior to that he was the Midwest Regional Sales Manager at Concepts Systems Incorporated (CSI) and a Sales Manager for Jonas & Erickson Software Technology, Inc. As part of the executive management restructuring, Dennis Conforto, former VP of Sales & Marketing, has decided to leave GERS, after 18 years with the company, to pursue other interests, including authoring a book and opportunities outside the software industry. "As a corporate officer, Dennis made significant contributions to GERS and was responsible for much of its growth," adds Henderson. "He will be greatly missed and we wish him well in his endeavors." Henderson continues. "As GERS positions itself to be the industry leader of Information Technology for retailers in the coming millennium, we remain very committed to both our customers and employees. This will be evident by our ongoing focus on providing industry-leading, quality-based products and services, supported by the most dedicated and talented professionals possible." Built within an Oracle relational database to facilitate optimal growth and flexibility, the GERS System, a comprehensive management tool, alleviates retailers of manual tasks by providing real-time automation of integral daily tasks such as sales, inventory, merchandising, and accounting. Optional modules allow retailers to expand their system to incorporate hot new technologies including Radio Frequency Warehousing, and Sequel Truck Routing Interface. San Diego-based GERS Retail Systems provides fully integrated, Open Systems computer solutions software, hardware, and comprehensive training for hardlines, softlines, department stores, Home Furnishings retailers, and Consumer Electronics/Wireless retail operations. For more information on GERS e-mail at gersinfo@gers.com