SPECS 2017 update
Planning is well under way for the 53rd annual SPECS conference, which will be held at the Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, Fla., March 12–14, 2017. The event is produced by Chain Store Age and is attended by retail and foodservice executives involved in the planning, design, construction and maintenance of stores and restaurants nationwide.
Taking an active role in the planning of the conference is the SPECS Advisory Board, which is comprised of 45 industry executives from leading retail companies and key supplier organizations. The board members are charged with advising and directing the educational program for the 2017 conference, which will feature a packed slate of workshops, roundtables and panel presentations covering a wide range of emerging and evolving issues. The Board members, as industry insiders, are integral to the development of all these components.
Five veteran members were selected as Executive Advisory Board members, charged with team leadership and overall program direction. They include: Sara Craven, Avis Budget Group; Richard Elkins, Firehouse Subs; Craig Hale, HFA; Lisa Smola-Hollo, Ulta Beauty; and Kent Swank, The Home Depot. (Titles are given with listing on page 24.)
The SPECS 2017 Advisory Board met in Chicago in June to start planning next year’s sessions. The group is currently putting the finishing touches on the program.
The SPECS 2017 Advisory Board:
Bob Almond, chairman, NEST
Aaron Ancello, VP regional facilities manager lead, TD Bank
James Beale, managing partner, National Glazing Solutions LLC
Dan Beeman, senior director of construction, architecture & design, The Hertz Corp.
Sonja Berry, COO, Energy Design Service Systems
Dan Bilancia, business development manager, Johnson Controls/York
Jayson Burgess, director of construction, Smashburger
Jennifer Chambers, VersaShield architectural sales manager, Halex Corp.
Sara Craven, corporate design and construction regional director, Avis Budget Group
Dave Crawford, SVP store design and construction, DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse
David DiCarlo, Midwest regional director of construction, rue21
Greg DuChane, director, retail-restaurant national accounts, Trane
Richard Elkins, director of construction services, Firehouse Subs
Bridget Farrell, senior manager of architecture and building design, J.C. Penney
Mike Gordon, facilities maintenance manager, Fogo de Chao
Steve Hearon, president, BrandPoint Services
Craig Hale, AIA, CDP, associate, HFA
Al Hellaby, senior project manager, Wegmans Food Markets
Tom Helwig, director of construction, Target
Lisa Smola-Hollo, construction project manager, Ulta Beauty
George Holz, retail design/construction/facility professional
Lisa Johnson, VP, Interstate Signcrafters
Bob Keingstein, president, Boss Facility Services
Lori Koeppe, operations coordinator, The Buckle
Robin Baskin Ladner, VP sales, Global Facility Management & Construction
Sally Lee, market segment manager – retail, Osram Sylvania
Dave Magill, SVP program management, Ferrandino & Son
Steve Miller, senior manager, Major Accounts Group, Bose Professional Systems
Bob Moore, president, Retail Contractors Association
Kevin Nolen, director of retail expansion and facilities, Z Gallerie
Alan Norton, senior manager health/wellness innovations, Wal-Mart Stores Inc.
Jim Pagano, EVP, Boston Barricade Co.
Randy Pannell, VP construction, Hudson’s Bay Company/Saks Fifth Avenue division
Lisa Ploss, president, ProCoat
Kristen Roodvoets, senior manager retail store planning and development, Alex and Ani
Mike Rose, CEO, Academy Service Group
Eric Russell, director of construction, L Brands/Bath & Body Works
Amy Short, senior interior designer, Ashley HomeStores
Kent Swank, senior director of construction, The Home Depot
Parke Wellman, division VP store environment, Helzberg Diamond Shops
Wendy Whetton, senior facilities project manager, Harbor Freight Tools
Fran Windsor, SVP, legal and new store development, Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
Tracy Scanlan Zaslow, senior director of design and construction, Luxury Brand Holdings
Melissa Zimmerman, director of StoreCare, Walgreens
Ambassadors Club
SPECS has added a new component. Debuting this year is the Ambassadors Club, created to recognize 12 retailers who have made significant contributions to the industry and to SPECS throughout the years. The members of the Ambassadors Club will provide insights and guidance on overall programming for SPECS 2017, as well as serve as ambassadors to the event and participate in conference marketing efforts. Here are the inaugural members:
Sarah Amundsen, senior director of store design, Target
Robert Baek, VP business development and real estate, PizzaRev
Bob Bedard, construction manager, retail stores, Cole Haan
Bruce F. Brock, director of real estate, Hungry Howie’s Pizza & Subs
Bill Chaff, VP real estate and construction, Bd’s Mongolian Grill/Flat Top Grill
Amy Ciolek, AIA, director of store planning, Walgreens
Dan Garneau, site development manager, Kum & Go
Eric Johnson, director of store planning and efficiency, Brookshire Bros.
Erin Johnson, strategic sourcing manager, Gold’s Gym
Doug Pellock, VP construction and purchasing, The Marcus Corp.
David Shotwell, director of construction, Bojangle’s Famous Chicken ’n Biscuits
Renee Tobin, manager of procurement, Brookdale Senior Living