Key Strengths: Dorsey Sparks offers a distinctive perspective steeped in over 20 years of experience in secondary education, where she held numerous mentoring and leadership positions. Her notable contributions were recognized with a feature in a PBS documentary on team teaching. Dorsey’s career trajectory then transitioned into financial services, with a focus on wealth building for the education sector. She also serves as a subject matter expert in health and wellness. This diverse background equips her with a fresh outlook on providing top-tier service to retail partners, optimizing logistics, product assortment, and promotions. Dorsey excels in creating value for GPO’s supplier partners by strategically addressing location, assortment, merchandising, and pricing.

Industries: Education, Financial Services, Health and Wellness, Retail, Distribution, Logistics, Merchandising

Full Bio: Dorsey Sparks holds the esteemed position of Vice President, Distribution Division, at GPO Plus. With a career spanning over two decades, Dorsey’s journey is marked by a unique blend of experiences that contribute to her dynamic perspective on entrepreneurship and business leadership.

Dorsey’s professional foundation was built in the field of secondary education, where she dedicated more than 20 years to teaching and educational leadership. During this time, she assumed multiple mentoring and leadership roles, making a significant impact on the education landscape. Her contributions were so noteworthy that she was featured in a PBS documentary on team teaching, a testament to her commitment to educational excellence.

However, Dorsey’s career took a transformative turn as she transitioned into the realm of financial services. Here, her focus centered on wealth building, particularly within the education market. This transition allowed her to leverage her educational background to create meaningful financial opportunities for educators and educational institutions.

In addition to her educational and financial expertise, Dorsey is a recognized subject matter expert in health and wellness. This facet of her knowledge adds a unique dimension to her role at GPO Plus, where she contributes to providing best-in-class service to retail partners. Her multifaceted skill set enables her to excel in areas such as logistics, product assortment, and promotion, ensuring that GPO Plus remains at the forefront of the industry.

Furthermore, Dorsey’s strategic thinking extends to creating value for GPO’s supplier partners. She accomplishes this by optimizing factors such as location, assortment, merchandising, and pricing. Her ability to align the interests of all stakeholders underscores her capacity to drive mutual success and growth within the distribution division.

In summary, Dorsey Sparks is a seasoned professional with a diverse background in education, financial services, and health and wellness. Her wealth of experience and unique perspective make her a valuable asset to GPO Plus, where she plays a pivotal role in enhancing service delivery to retail partners and optimizing relationships with supplier partners. Dorsey’s commitment to excellence and her ability to foster collaboration position her as a key contributor to the organization’s continued success.gpoplus.com

Key Strengths: Kiernan Nevitt is an accomplished executive-level merchandiser known for her expertise in product development, international omni-channel merchandising, strategic growth analysis, and analytics. Her skills encompass business analysis, long-range planning, pricing strategy, and promotion optimization.

Industries: Merchandising, Analytics, Retail, Product Development, Strategic Growth

Full Bio: Kiernan Nevitt is a highly accomplished executive in the field of merchandising, renowned for her analytical prowess and deep expertise in various facets of the industry. With a career spanning over a decade at Orvis, Kiernan’s journey has been marked by continuous growth and a relentless commitment to excellence.

During her tenure at Orvis, Kiernan evolved through various roles, progressively expanding her influence and contributing significantly to the company’s success. Her journey encompassed product development, international omni-channel merchandising, and a pivotal role as a strategic growth analyst. Kiernan’s distinctive approach to her responsibilities, which included conducting in-depth business analyses, formulating long-range plans, optimizing pricing architecture, and fine-tuning promotional strategies, played a pivotal role in driving Orvis’s growth and market presence.

Drawing upon her extensive experience in merchandising, Kiernan’s most recent position was as the Senior Merchandise Manager for Duluth Trading Company. In this role, she assumed responsibility for identifying and capitalizing on new business growth opportunities, rationalizing SKUs (Stock Keeping Units), and providing visionary leadership for specific product categories. Her contributions at Duluth Trading Company showcased her ability to drive strategic growth and optimize merchandising operations.

Kiernan’s rich skill set and multifaceted experiences have been instrumental in contributing to the remarkable growth trajectory of GPO Plus. Her strategic insights and analytical acumen have laid a solid foundation for the company’s future growth and expansion.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Kiernan is known for her diverse interests and hobbies. An avid skier and fly fisher, she finds solace and inspiration in the great outdoors. Additionally, Kiernan has a passion for cultivating cut flowers, showcasing her creativity and appreciation for the finer aspects of life.

In summary, Kiernan Nevitt is a seasoned executive-level merchandiser with a distinctive talent for analytics and a proven track record of success. Her multifaceted skill set, honed through years of experience in product development, omni-channel merchandising, and strategic growth analysis, has made her an invaluable asset to GPO Plus. Her visionary approach and commitment to excellence position her as a key contributor to the company’s continued growth and success.

Carol Wiese is an accomplished Planning, Merchandising, Supply Chain Executive, and Entrepreneur with extensive experience across strategic and financial planning, inventory management, and product lifecycle management. Specializing in forecasting, allocation, and team development, Carol has proven expertise in steering organizations through transformative growth and operational excellence. Her leadership is marked by a robust track record in developing and implementing innovative merchandising and inventory strategies that significantly enhance sales performance and profitability.

Career Highlights
Co-Owner and President, Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming, Lake Norman Area, NC (Current): Spearheads operations at two franchise locations, leading all aspects from staffing to financial bookkeeping. Under her leadership, both locations outperformed comparable new store sales by over 20% in the first year, garnering local awards and recognition for excellence in service.

Senior Director of Supply Chain, Phillips Pet Supply, Charlotte, NC: Managed a team of 30, focusing on driving customer satisfaction through strategic supply chain initiatives. Implemented critical inventory strategies and fostered strong supplier partnerships, enhancing overall operational efficiency and effectiveness.

Consulting Vice President of Planning, The Orvis Company, Sunderland, VT: Directed significant changes within the Planning organization, setting a robust foundation for future growth. Her strategic oversight was instrumental in streamlining planning processes and enhancing team capabilities through advanced training and development initiatives.

Group Vice President of Merchandise Financial Planning, Belk, Inc., Charlotte, NC: Led the financial, vendor, and assortment planning for a $1.2 billion division, achieving substantial improvements in profitability and vendor relations. Her strategic acumen was pivotal in launching several private brands, significantly boosting sales and market positioning.

Carol’s strategic acumen and leadership expertise are central to her consistent achievement of exceptional growth and operational enhancements. Her entrepreneurial approach and comprehensive understanding of the industry position her as a crucial player in driving GPO Plus toward realizing its objectives. Carol excels at navigating market shifts and spearheading business successes with forward-thinking strategies and robust team management. These qualities underscore her potential to make a significant impact on GPO Plus’s ongoing growth and long-term profitability.

Outside of work, Carol indulges in baking and cooking, often sharing her homemade treats with friends, neighbors and as part of the meals team for a local church. When she’s not in the kitchen, Carol loves spending time with her two dogs, exploring nature trails or relaxing at home.

Key Strengths: Bryan is a highly accomplished marketing and technology professional with years of experience in development, systems administration, online marketing, e-commerce, and proven leadership. He excels at enhancing efficiency and productivity through a methodical and data-driven approach to system development; lowering costs, increasing revenues, increasing profits, and improving corporate culture with Technology.

As a trained statistician, Bryan puts his trust in the data and believes having quality analytics in order to make calculated decisions is the best approach to a great technology and the pathway to a strong ROI.

Industries: Marketing, Technology, Development, Systems Administration, Data Science.

Full Bio: Bryan Garabrandt is the Lead Technologist for GPO Plus, a role that places him at the forefront of marketing and technology innovation. His career is a testament to his prowess in driving brand success through strategic marketing and technological expertise.

As a seasoned entrepreneur and marketing communications professional, Bryan has honed his skills in the realms of digital media, data analysis, and marketing psychology. He approaches brand enhancement and reputation building with a meticulous and analytical mindset. His commitment to data-driven decision-making is underscored by his background as a trained statistician. Bryan firmly believes that quality analytics are essential for making calculated marketing decisions that yield impressive results and a robust return on investment (ROI).

Bryan did his undergraduate studies at The College of Wooster, where he earned degrees in both Psychology and Cultural Studies. Equipped with a strong understanding of the psychology of marketing, communications, and media, Bryan entered the workforce as a technical writer, specializing in developing Business Plans for small business start-ups and expansions. He continued to advance his career at Live Deal (Now Live Ventures), a NASDAQ-listed company (trading under the stock symbol LIVE) where he contributed as a valuable member of the Search Operations Team.

Driven by a passion for assisting entrepreneurs in achieving their dreams, Bryan co-founded SEM Exposure in 2009. This boutique digital marketing agency focused on web development, social media marketing, and search marketing. In 2012, he successfully sold the agency and continued his career as a digital consultant, collaborating on projects with notable organizations such as Exotics Racing, SureSale (the first used car warranty program offered to auto dealers), and SPEEDVEGAS (a purpose-built Las Vegas racetrack for exotic supercars).

Outside of his professional life, Bryan finds joy in spending time with his family. He is a fitness enthusiast who enjoys swimming, sport shooting, golf, and is an avid fan of all sports.

Key Strengths: Mary Moxley is a highly skilled and detail-oriented administrator with a strong background in enhancing team productivity and driving organizational success. She is known for exceptional problem-solving skills, discretion, and the ability to anticipate the needs of executives before they arise. A proactive communicator and multitasker, Mary thrives in fast-paced environments, delivering high-quality administrative support while maintaining the highest level of professionalism.

Industries: Office Management, Operations, Customer Service, Accounting, Banking, Auditing, Lending, Investments.

Full Bio: Prior to joining GPOPlus, Mary worked as an administrator, where she played a key role in refining operations, auditing systems, and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. Passionate about one-touch office streamlining, Mary’s commitment to enhancing productivity through strategic support and process improvements allows the team to focus on higher-value work.

Mary is a dynamic and results-driven professional with a strong entrepreneurial background. As a former startup business owner, she possesses a deep understanding of the unique challenges that companies like GPOPlus face. Her proactive mindset, coupled with her adaptability and strong drive, enables her to support the team with confidence.

With extensive office and customer service experience, Mary is competent with all administrative duties and continuously pursues professional development to stay ahead in the evolving landscape of executive support.

Her experience working for leading financial institutions, including TD Bank, BMO, and Deloitte, has provided her with in-depth knowledge of lending, investments, underwriting, and compliance. Her ability to navigate the intricacies of the financial sector makes her an invaluable asset to any leadership team.

Mary is an energetic and well-rounded individual with interests that fuel personal growth and community engagement. A dedicated weightlifting enthusiast, Mary enjoys the discipline and strength-building aspects of fitness. A music lover, Mary plays the piano, embracing the creativity and expression it offers. Additionally, she has a keen interest in languages, continuously seeking to expand her linguistic abilities and connect with people from diverse backgrounds. Beyond personal pursuits, she is committed to animal welfare, regularly fostering animals from multiple shelters to provide them with a safe and loving environment.

In short, Mary Moxley is a highly skilled and detail-oriented administrator with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. With her wide-ranging skills including office management, operations, and finance, she excels at optimizing efficiency, overseeing complex workflows, and providing high-level executive support. Mary’s proactive approach, problem-solving skills, and resourcefulness make her a valuable asset to GPOPlus.

Michelle Nolen brings over 25 years of experience in operations, facilities management, and retail to her role as Warehouse Operations Manager. She has a proven track record in overseeing multi-site operations, with notable achievements including managing facility operations for 47 locations at Champion Xpress Car Wash, leading safety and compliance initiatives, and directing inventory, purchasing, and maintenance activities. Her career highlights also include serving as VP of Field Operations where she focused on enhancing customer service across multiple sites, and roles in retail management where she excelled in merchandising and team leadership. Michelle is skilled in operational leadership, safety compliance, inventory management, and ERP systems. She holds a High School Diploma from Bullard High School. Her commitment is to foster growth in employee relations and customer satisfaction, utilizing her extensive background to drive operational excellence in our warehouse management.

Key Strengths:  Global expert and speaker on Entrepreneurship, an Attorney, Investment Banker, Coach and Consultant who has spent a significant part of his career providing extensive consulting and guidance to small institutional investors throughout Europe, the USA and Asia

Industries:  Capital Markets, Legal, Securities, Entrepreneurship,

Full Bio:  Michael Fugler is a Creative Critical Thinker, Rainmaker, Negotiator, Consultant, Attorney, Investment Banker, Motivational Speaker, TV & Radio Personality, Wine Aficionado, Avid Swimmer and Private Pilot.

Michael helps entrepreneurs start, acquire, grow, build and sell companies and is frequently brought into difficult situations to help with outside the box problem solving, successfully negotiating, structuring and executing the delivery of high-quality advice, creative financing solutions, strategic planning and corporate finance. Michael’s hands-on, real-life experience sets him apart from other Investment Bankers, Attorneys and business consultants advising today’s entrepreneurs. His goal is to concisely and constructively solve problems, grow companies and guide entrepreneurs to their next level of success.

For decades, Michael practiced criminal, personal injury, international law, international trade and finance as well as securities law. In each of these areas he rose to prominence, successfully handling some of the highest profile cases in the country.

Michael held FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, 79 and 99 Licenses and has been a partner in or owned multiple FINRA Broker Dealer firms, taking companies such as TASER and Reeds public. Michael established offices and provided extensive consulting and guidance to small institutional investors throughout the USA, Europe and Asia.

Michael has planned, advised, managed, co-managed, underwritten and been a syndicate member or participant in hundreds of offerings, raising hundreds of millions of dollars for hundreds of clients, listing many on the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange, NASDAQ, over the counter and foreign exchanges in Europe and Asia.