2011 Speakers

---

Tariq Farid

Founder and CEO, Edible Arrangements International, Inc.

Tariq Farid is founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Edible Arrangements International, Inc. (“EAI”), the industry leader in providing high quality, artistically designed fresh fruit arrangements. Tariq is responsible for setting the company’s strategic direction and for the licensing of new franchises across the United States and internationally.

Tariq launched the first Edible Arrangements® store in 1999 in East Haven, Connecticut. He was inspired by the convergence of three trends: Americans’ growing consumption of fresh fruit, the robust growth in the specialty food market and the increasing amount of money Americans were spending on gifts. Edible Arrangements® was named one of America’s fastest-growing privately held businesses in America by Inc. Magazine and has been ranked first in its category by Entrepreneur Magazine’s Annual “Franchise 500” Ranking for the past seven consecutive years. In 2011 Edible Arrangements was ranked 9th on Forbes.com ‘Top Franchises for the Money” listing. Tariq has several patents for proprietary fruit-cutting and preparation equipment and proprietary software that he designed.

In February of 2009, Tariq was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” for 2008 by the International Franchise Association, whose members include more than 1,300 franchise systems, 11,000 franchisees and 500 suppliers. This award is presented to an individual who is building a successful business venture, demonstrates innovative management skills and is active in the community.

In June 2009, Tariq was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2009 Award in the Retail and Consumer Products category in Metro New York. This award recognizes entrepreneurs who are building and leading dynamic, growing businesses and who demonstrate exceptional innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

Layla Mandi

Founder & CEO, OnePure

Canadian born spokeswoman and dynamic entrepreneur Layla Mandi, founder and CEO of OnePure, is a renowned pioneer of the growing Halal beauty industry. OnePure first came to market as a travel collection aboard Saudi Arabian airlines in December of 2009 and has since expanded to a range of 13 retail products that are available to consumers today, including at the prestigious French department store Galeries Lafayette. Ms. Layla has succeed in creating and sustaining an international buzz surrounding OnePure including interviews with L’Official, Marie Claire, Dubai Hot 100, BBC, AlJazeera, GeoTV, AFP, Gulf Economist, The National, Khaleej Times to name a few. Ms. Mandi has participated in a number of World Halal events – speaking on branding and marketing to the Muslim consumer and on the global opportunities in the halal personal care sector at Beauty World Middle East, the World Halal Forum in Malaysia, The Halal expo in Moscow, the Global Halal Congress in Pakistan and the Global Islamic Branding & Marketing Forum at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, England.

Ibrahim Abdul-Matin

Author, “Green Deen”

Ibrahim Abdul-Matin is author of the new book, “Green Deen: What Islam Teaches About Protecting the Planet.” For the past ten years, Ibrahim has been a passionate voice for transforming our pollution based way of life to one that prioritizes our planet and its people. Ibrahim’s dedication to the environment is rooted in his Deen – his religion of Islam. Ibrahim is an environmental policy consultant and has worked with Green for All, Green City Force, Interfaith Leaders for Environmental Justice, the Prospect Park Alliance, and the New York City Mayor’s Office of Long Term Planning & Sustainability. He has appeared on FOX News, ABC News’ “This Week,” and is a featured regularly on public radio’s morning news show, “The Takeaway.” His writing has appeared in The Washington Post, CNN.com, The Daily Beast, GOOD Magazine, ColorLines, Wiretap, and Elan Magazine. “Green Deen” has been featured on the Brian Lehrer Show, The Global Grind, Energy Now, the Center for American Progress, America.gov.

Peter Gould

Designer, Peter-Gould.com

His acclaimed work has reached many international audiences through design projects and art exhibitions.

Peter embraced Islam in 2002 while studying Design at the University of Technology, Sydney. After graduating with honors he founded a design studio commissioned by clients such as
Sony, Colgate, Vodafone & McAfee. He began travelling and photographing the Muslim world, being inspired by cities like Fes, Damascus & Mecca, resulting in a unique cultural fusion of styles reactive to a world of misunderstanding.

He leads a successful commercial design studio serving clients internationally including Yusuf Islam (Cat Stevens), Sami Yusuf, Zaytuna College and many leading multinational organizations. Peter has also designed his own clothing label, children’s books and is regularly invited to exhibit his contemporary Islamic artwork at events across the globe.

Moose Scheib

CEO, LoanMod

Mr. Scheib is a business consultant specializing in loss mitigation, private placements, homeowner retention, and neighborhood stabilization. While serving as LoanMod.com’s Chairman & CEO, he co-founded Aleph Advisors, a boutique advisory firm focused on helping U.S. companies do business overseas. Prior to founding LoanMod.com, Mr. Scheib practiced corporate law at the international law firm of Proskauer Rose in New York City, clerked in the New York State Supreme Court, and interned at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York. He has been interviewed on Fox Business News with Neil Cavuto and featured in various publications includingForbes Magazine, Crain’s Detroit Business, America.gov (U.S. State Department Publication), the Detroit Free Press, and The Washington Post. Mr. Scheib received his bachelors in Economics and Management from Albion College where he played football and was a team captain for four years. He received his Juris Doctorate from Columbia Law School where he was a staff member of the Columbia Business Law Review. Mr. Scheib’s notable contribution to various articles and publications include: The Essential Role of Securities Regulation (Duke Law Journal, February 2006). He is the recipient of the 2004 Raymond Jallow Award for Public Service, the Arabian Business Magazine 30 Under 30 for 2010, the 2010 Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the American Arab Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of the Connecticut Bar.

Kamran Pasha

Hollywood Screenwriter & Director

Kamran Pasha is a screenwriter and director, and is one of the first Muslims to succeed in Hollywood. Kamran recently served as Co-Executive Producer and head writer for Disney’s new TRON animated television series. Kamran also sold his first television pilot, entitled ENIGMA, to Warner Brothers. Previously he served as a writer and producer for NBC’s television series KINGS.

His other credits include serving as writer and producer on NBC’s remake of BIONIC WOMAN, and on Showtime Network’s Golden Globe nominated series SLEEPERCELL, about a Muslim FBI agent who infiltrates a terrorist group. Kamran directed the short film MIRIAM, which won the Gaia Award at the Moondance Film Festivalin 2008. He is represented by William Morris Endeavor Entertainment and Untitled Entertainment.

Kamran is a published novelist as well. Simon & Schuster recently published MOTHER OF THE BELIEVERS, a novel showing the rise of Islam from the eyes of Prophet Muhammad’s wife Aisha. His second novel, SHADOW OF THE SWORDS, follows the conflict between Richard the Lionheart and the Muslim leader Saladin for control of Jerusalem during the Crusades. And Kamran has also made strides in the video gameworld. He recently wrote BLOOD ON THE SAND for Vivendi Universal, the sequel tohip-hop mogul 50 Cent’s bestselling game BULLETPROOF.

Maria Ebrahimji

Director & Executive Editorial Producer, CNN Worldwide

Maria Ebrahimji is the Director and Executive Editorial Producer for Network Booking at CNN Worldwide. In this position, she leads a team of editorial producers in guest coverage, newsgathering, and story planning for CNN’s special events, breaking news, and multi-platform programming. She is based at CNN’s global headquarters in Atlanta.

Ebrahimji has been an editorial producer for CNN International, where she worked on high-profile programs such as “Your World Today”, “Q&A”, “Diplomatic License”, and “Inside Africa.” She is the former lead editorial producer for CNN U.S. weekend programming, where she produced elements, researched, and wrote for guest segments on current and feature domestic news stories

In her twelve years at CNN, she has been an integral part of CNN’s award-winning programming. Her work on CNN Connects: The New South Africa garnered a 2007 NABJ Award of Excellence in the Television-Public Affairs Program. She is also the recipient of a 2006 Myers Media Innovation and Creativity Award for CNN’s Inspire Summit, a George Foster Peabody Award for CNN’s coverage of Hurricane Katrina, and an Alfred Dupont-Columbia Award for CNN’s coverage of the Asian Tsunami. At CNN, Ebrahimji serves as Vice Chair of the CNN Diversity Council and on the Turner Broadcasting Corporate Responsibility Council and Green Task Force.

Adnan Durrani

CEO, American Halal Company, Inc.

Mr.Durrani is the CEO of American Halal/Saffron Road (www.saffronroadfood.com),the first halal product to be sold nationally in all Whole Foods Stores and now 4,000 other retail food stores. Mr. Durrani is also President of Condor Ventures. His entrepreneurial ventures have resulted in a successful track record of building niche-branded food companies, using grassroots marketing with natural food consumers to capitalizing on guerilla tactical distribution strategies with major supermarket chains. He founded Vermont Pure/Crystal Rock Water Co in 1991. Mr.Durrani was also a principal investor and financial partner in Stonyfield Farms, Inc. ($350 million) led its sale to Groupe Danone in 2001. He was also a principal of Delicious Brands, Inc., which he scaled, with the financial backing of Carl Icahn to become the 5th largest cookie brand in the U.S.

He is a Director for READ Global , funded by the Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation He also served on the Board of Social Venture Network and has been recognized as one who engineered “20 Ideas That Changed The Way The World Does Business”. The select list of these inductees include: Ben Cohen , Gary Hirshberg(Stonyfield Farms), Muhammad Yunus,and Steve Case(AOL).

Mr.Durrani sits on the Board Columbia Engineering where he is also Chairman of Entrepreneurial Advisory Board. Most recently, he was hosted by the Vatican and Ambassador to the Holy Sees (www.vatican.va) as one of only two American Muslims to be a speaker on “Interfaith In Business” in October 2010, in Rome, Italy. Mr. Durrani was also cited in 2011 as one of 100 Muslim Heros.

Rushdi Siddiqui

Global Head, Islamic Finance & OIC Countries Thomson Reuters

Rushdi Siddiqui is the Global Head of Islamic Finance at Thomson Reuters. Recognized as a thought-leader in Islamic Finance, Rushdi was a key force in the creation of the Dow Jones Islamic Index, and is now a leading advocate of the convergence between Islamic Finance and the Halal industry.

Mr. Siddiqui joined Thomson Reuters from Dow Jones, where he was Global Director for their Islamic Market Indices. Over 10 years there, he led Dow Jones Indexes entry and its global expansion into Islamic finance. His contribution has resulted in numerous awards from leading finance organizations and media outlets alike. Mr. Siddiqui has considerable experience in the financial markets having worked at a Wall Street investment bank and commercial bank in the 1990s.

Abdalhamid Evans

Director, Imarat Consultants

Abdalhamid Evans was appointed as the Director for the World Halal Forum in January 2011. He is the Senior Analyst at Imarat Consultants, a niche UK consulting agency that specialises in the Halal sector, and is also the founder of HalalFocus.com, a leading online news service for the Halal market.

Abdalhamid worked with KasehDia Sdn Bhd from 2004-07, during which time he participated in the development of The Halal Journal magazine and the World Halal Forum. He also provided consulting services during this period for the Malaysian government in their efforts to position Halal as an engine of growth for the national economy, and collaborated in drafting the Halal chapter of Malaysia’s 3rd Industrial Masterplan in 2006.

From 2008-10 he worked with the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources of Brunei Darussalam to assist in the development of their Halal agenda as well as their International Halal Market Conference and SME workshop programmes. He is also a founding member of the American Halal Association where he is working with Halal sector stakeholders to develop an accreditation infrastructure for the US Halal industry.

Abdalhamid is a seasoned writer and a regular contributor at Halal industry events around the world, and is widely regarded as a thought-leader in the global Halal movement. He has long been an advocate for the development of Halal as catalyst for a new commercial paradigm, and has lobbied for greater involvement from the Islamic Financial sector for many years.

Jane Carten

Director & President, Saturna Capital

Jane Carten, Director and President, joined Saturna Capital in June 1997. Ms. Carten graduated from Western Washington University with an MBA and undergraduate degree in Computer Science and Business. As President, Jane oversees Saturna’s daily operations and directs Saturna’s internal and external information systems, managing the technology and marketing activities. She also directs Saturna’s continuing education program and the philanthropic efforts of the firm. Ms. Carten is active in the Bellingham Bay Rotary and is a current board memeber of the Mount Baker Theatre; she is a former member of the Whatcom Museum Children’s Advisory Board. She is a founder and former director of the nonprofit OpenAccess Internet Services and is a Bellingham Sister Cities member and contributor. She enjoys her family, snow-boarding, and wildlife, as well as international travel and fine and theatre arts.

Haroon Mokhtarzada

Co-Founder & CEO, Webs Inc.

Haroon co-founded Webs.com in 2001 with his brothers Zeki and Idris while still studying Economics at the University of Maryland. Haroon continued to build the company while earning his J.D. from Harvard Law School. Starting with $2,000 and a single server in a closet, Webs is now the world’s largest website building solution serving over 40 million users, where anyone can easily create a website and get web hosting. In 2006, Haroon raised $12 million in capital for Webs.com. Haroon also co-founded SGN, the Social Gaming Network. SGN was spun out as a separate company in 2007 and in 2008 $15 million was raised in venture capital.

Aijaz Hussain

Vice President National Sales, University Islamic Financial

Aijaz Hussain has worked in the field of Investments and Islamic Banking for the last 15 years. For the first seven years Aijaz worked with UBS and Salomon Smith Barney (unit of Citigroup) in the area of Investment management. Areas of specialty included Islamic Investments, Hedge funds and Managed accounts. As part of the Private Client Group he consulted high net worth clients in the areas of investment management, hedging strategies, charitable trusts and estate planning.

In 2003, Aijaz joined Guidance Residential a startup Islamic Financing company and played a major role in its growth into a $2 Billion dollar company. Aijaz progressed thru the company first as a District manager then all the way to Vice President Sales. At Guidance, Aijaz was part of the Senior Management team responsible for Sales management and overall company strategy.

On April 1st, 2011, Aijaz joined University Islamic Financial a Michigan based Islamic Banking company in the capacity of Vice President National Sales. As head of Sales his responsibilities include Sales Management as well as improving overall efficiency within the organization. Aijaz has conducted over 200 seminars and written numerous articles on Islamic Financing over the years.

Nausheena Hussain

Director, Fund Development & Marketing, CAIR-MN

Nausheena Hussain is a marketing manager focused on developing segment marketing plans targeting the multicultural consumer. Currently, the focal point of her work is predominately the Latino customer and the Youth market. She is very passionate around diversity and inclusion efforts especially around the Muslim culture as well as the Muslim consumer. She has recently launched and is Co-chair of the Interfaith Employee Business Network chapter at Best Buy headquarters to enhance the work environment by showcasing how faith plays a role in the employee experience, the customer experience and the communities we serve. In 2004, shehelped found the Minnesota Youth Leadership Award, a scholarship program, and served as one of the Board of Directors. In 2009, Nausheena joined the Islamic Resource Group to educate and build bridges within the Twin Cities, Minnesota community through educational presentations on Islam. She also serves as the Marketing Director for IRG. Nausheena also helped start her husband’s business in urgent care by providing marketing expertise in driving awareness of the new business.

She graduated from the University of Minnesota cum laude in 2003 with her MBA and is pursuing her M.S. in Islamic Studies at the Islamic University of Minnesota. Married, with two young children, she lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Nausheena Hussain recently left Best Buy and joined the Council on American Islamic Relations, Minnesota Chapter to help lead fund development and marketing for the non-profit organization.

Susan Labadi

Editor in Chief, HalalConnect Magazine, American Halal Association

Susan Labadi is Editor in Chief of HalalConnect Magazine and American Halal Association Project Coordinator. She is a member of the ISNA Education Forum Planning Committee, an Illinois registered Professional Development Provider through her company Genius School, Inc., and serves on Accreditation committees for AdvancEd. Prior to her work with AHA and in Education, she started Actionnet Trade, Inc., an export trade company, and built skills in customer service and sales for Xerox, USA Today, MCI, and ADT Security Systems.

Through AHA, she is creating consumer awareness and connecting players in the Halal industries in order to unify Standards and to promote regulation of the term “Halal” to provide professionalism, integrity, and excellence.

Jalel Aossey

Director, Midamar Corporation

Jalel is a Director at Midamar Corporation, located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a family owned business that has pioneered the Halal food industry in North America since 1974. Prior to joining Midamar, Jalel worked with Prudential Financial Services.

Currently Jalel consults and speaks to organizations throughout North America and overseas on topics
including, “Understanding and Marketing to the Halal Food Industry,” and “Muslim Marketing.” Jalel’s main goal at Midamar is to further develop the strength and diversity of the Midamar brand in the global market.

Over the years with Midamar, Jalel has been quoted in numerous media stories including features in the Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and several overseas publications. In 2007, Jalel was asked to speak before US government bodies on the topic of the Halal and Muslim markets.

Gwendolyn M. Kelly

Senior Marketing Manager, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Gwendolyn (Gwen) Kelly is responsible for managing marketing initiatives for the world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. With more than 20 years of experience,Gwen is a veteran marketing professional who injects strategic insight into multiple areas of marketing process.

Previously as a client-side marketer, she managed the multicultural advertising initiative for American Family Insurance.

Through a variety of advertising agency media management roles including AssociateMedia Director for Burrell Communications Group in Chicago, IL where she was responsible for the media management of the Proctor & Gamble and Sears accounts. She has also worked at other leading advertising agencies including E. Morris Communications, Wells Rich Greene, Tracy Locke and DDB/Needham. Gwen brings a tremendous amount of expertise, insight and leadership to her current position.

A diverse group of non-profit and civic organizations have been the beneficiaries ofGwen’s talent, time and commitment to community. She has served in leadership roles and on the boards of a number of local and national community service organizations including Girl Scouts of the USA.

Gwen is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (B.S. in Broadcast Communications), attended Illinois State University for graduate study in Mass Communications and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration degree atWebster University.

Fazal Bahardeen

Founder & CEO, Crescentrating

Fazal is the Founder & CEO of Crescentrating, which setup the world’s first Travel portal dedicated to the Halal conscious travelers and launched its’ Rating (Crescentrating) system to rate travel and tourism services for their Halal friendliness.

Prior to this, he was with Alcatel-Lucent where he held senior management roles based in Europe and Asia. During this period, he also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Alcatel-Fujitsu Joint venture for 3G technology and was a member of Alcatel University Asia Pacific International Branch Advisory Board.

Fazal is also a member of the Advisory Board of the SAMI (Socially Acceptable Market Investments) Halal Food Index and the SAMI Halal Participation Index (compliant with AAOIFI criteria); the world’s first Halal Food indexes, which bring together the Halal Industry and the Islamic Finance Industry.

Fazal completed the Executive Program from Stanford University & National University of Singapore, Strategic Leadership Development Program from Ashridge Management School and International Management in Telecoms Industry from London Business School.

He has an International Masters in Management from Management School of Lyon, in addition to the Masters Degree in Computer Applications and Bachelors Degree in Telecommunication Engineering from the Beijing University of Post and Telecommunications.

Fazal also has a Diploma in Islamic Banking and Finance from the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM). He is a Corporate member of IET (UK) and a Chartered Engineer (CEng) (UK).

Camille Conley

Consultant, MONITOR Insights, The Futures Company.

Camille Conley is a Consultant in MONITOR Insights with the Futures Company. She supports accounts and provides clients with consultation and analysis of consumer lifestyle trends. Her clients include several leading financial services, media and advertising, consumer packaged goods, food and beverage, and retail companies. Over the last several years, Camille has also been heavily involved with the development and implementation of the annual Multicultural MONITOR and consults with clients, offering actionable marketing insights for the African American and Hispanic markets.

Camille earned her B.S. in business administration along with a minor in Spanish from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Rafi-uddin Shikoh

CEO & Managing Director, DinarStandard

Rafi-uddin Shikoh is leading the development of DinarStandard™, a marketing services, research, and business media firm specializing in the Emerging Muslim markets. Since 2008, Rafi-uddin has been advising startups and multi-nationals on market expansion analysis, investment planning, and marketing campaign execution in the Halal/ Muslim Lifestyle, and Islamic Finance markets globally.

As an emerging expert on Muslim markets, Rafi-uddin has presented at prestigious industry conferences at Oxford University, Harvard University, IIUM Malaysia and others. He has also been interviewed in media such as The Economist, Forbes, LA Times, BrandChannel, Arab News (Saudi Arabia), Khaleej Times, Sabah (Turkey), Star (Malaysia), Geo TV (Pakistan) and many more.

Prior to DinarStandard, Rafi-uddin had been a Vice President with Marsh Inc, a global risk-brokerage firm, where he led and successfully delivered multi-million dollar knowledge management and marketing technology related initiatives. He had previously served as a Senior e-Business Consultant at a Boston based firm. In addition, he has also served as a Marketing Director for a communications training and sports media consulting company.

Nazia Hussain Du Bois

Director of Global Cultural Strategy, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide

Nazia joined Ogilvy & Mather to set up the company’s offer in Cultural Strategy in 2008. Since then, she has co-founded Ogilvy Noor, Ogilvy’s innovative Muslim marketing practice. Prior to joining Ogilvy & Mather in London, she had worked in Dhaka, Dubai, Istanbul, Moscow and Shanghai.

Cultural Strategy at Ogilvy is a specialist consulting practice that uses cultural anthropology to uncover the deeper cultural contexts behind consumer choices in order to develop more resonant global communications for brands. Nazia’s focus is on unpacking the cultural contexts that inform peoples’ behaviour as consumers the world over. Being of Muslim roots with a childhood spanning Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh, in 2010 Nazia found herself perfectly poised to set up Ogilvy Noor, a practice that helps brands effectively engage with young Muslim consumers globally. Her clients have included the Coca-Cola Company, Unilever, Nestlé, British Airways, Diageo, Reckitt Benckiser and the Pentland Group. In 2010, She is lead author of the award-winning Ogilvy Noor study ‘Brands, Islam and the New Muslim Consumer’ (2010).

Nazia graduated from Oxford with a First in English. Her passion for China then led her to an MPhil in Chinese Art, Literature and Cultural Anthropology, during which time she lived in Beijing and became fluent in Mandarin. In 2011, she learned Portuguese to spend six weeks living in the favelas of northeastern Brazil, developing communications for the grassroots education sector. Nazia uses her interest in people and cultures to inform all aspects of her work as a cultural planner in the marketing and communications industry. She is a regular speaker at conferences worldwide.

Sarab Al-Jijakli

Account Director, Ogilvy & Mather

Sarab is a seasoned marketing professional with over a decade of experience solving business challenges on behalf of numerous Fortune 500 clients. He joined Ogilvy & Mather in 2010 as an Account Director, managing an integrated Global Advertising Technology Account. Prior to joining Ogilvy, he worked at Digitas leading several Relationship Marketing and Digital accounts.

In the fall of 2010, Sarab joined the Ogilvy Noor team (the world’s first bespoke Islamic Branding practice, offering expert practical advice on how to build brands that appeal to Muslim consumers, globally) and helped lead the public launch of the practice in North America. In addition, Sarab recently founded Ogilvy Doonya, an internal professional network where employees can further understand Islamic values, customs, and interests.

Sarab is also an active leader in the Network of Arab-American Professionals (NAAP), co-founding the NY chapter and sits on the national board. He is a key driver in strategic community development and capacity building efforts across the national NAAP network.

Manny Palomo

Strategic Marketing & Communications Director for Latino Initiatives, Best Buy

Manny has a diverse background in advertising and marketing that spans almost 25 years. He is currently the Strategic Marketing and Communications Director for Latino Initiatives for Best Buy, Co. Inc. His responsibilities include the creation and execution of relevant and in-culture strategies and campaigns for the largest and fastest growing segment in the US. Consumer and field insights combined with innovative and results based strategies are what fuels the connection to this important segment. Best Buy recently completed their biggest and most comprehensive World Cup campaign targeting Latinos that was a result of Palomo’s small but nimble team, and their agency and vendor partners.

Manny’s started his professional career working as a copywriter for men’s fashions for one of the biggest retailers in the US—Sears, Roebuck and co in the mid eighties. He moved his way through a variety of categories and responsibilities that included both soft lines as well as hard lines. He joined Ambrosi Black Dot as Creative Director in 1991. And then moved to his current employer, Best Buy, as Group Creative Director in 1995. Manny has been involved in creating consumer connections in practically every channel from direct marketing, visual merchandising, insert and FSI’s, TV, radio and online with a focus on promotional advertising. In 2008 he made a career shift into marketing so he could be further upstream in the strategic process where the big thinking starts.

Manny graduated from BGSU with a BFA in Writing and Graphic Design. He is on the Retail Advertising & Marketing Association board. He currently lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota with his wife Angie and their three teenage sons Dakota, Antonio and Nico and their 5 pets. He enjoys UFC fights, action movies, and being the ghost author of his dog Louie’s Facebook page.