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| Our People |
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- Lalonnie Biggar
- Managing Director
- Born: Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Education: BA, University of Manitoba
- Joined Northern: 1998
- First Position: Vice President / General Merchandise Manager
Lalonnie is a seasoned professional with extensive executive management experience in multi-million dollar retail operations in both Canada and the United States. As Vice President and Chief Merchandise Officer, Lalonnie is devoted to the Northern Reflections customer and is focused on knowing exactly what her wants and needs entail. It is her ultimate function to make it simple for the Northern customer to find great fitting, easy care, easy wear, women’s clothing choices. Lalonnie leads all aspects of the creative and development process, identifying trends and business opportunities for future growth. A passionate people-person, Lalonnie finds constant inspiration from the people she works with and to her credit, she consistently matches them with equal amounts of passion.
There is a tremendous creative spirit within Northern Reflections. We are a group of talented, creative individuals who are passionate about building a brand that is focused on simple, natural, long-lasting clothing that ensures our valued customers look and feel good.
We all have the job of motivating each other when it comes to being responsible for the future of the earth.
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- William (Bill) Booth
- Managing Director
- Born: Victoria, BC
- Education: University of Victoria
- Joined Northern: 2000
- Other Position: Director of Allocation
Bill looks forward to the mental and physical challenges within the supply-chain environment at Northern Reflections. It is the unexpected changes which occur that keep him actively and passionately searching for ways to make the process even better. He is always working to satisfy the needs of both his customers - the stores sales teams for one, and the Northern Reflections shopper constituting the other. Thanks to Bill’s creativity and tenacity, the talented planning, allocation, and service centre (supply-chain) teams have made huge strides in cost efficiency and inventory optimization.
The difference between a successful person and others is not in a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather in a lack of will.
Enrolled in the Canadian Unrelated Bone Marrow Donor Registry, Bill enjoys running, cycling, and spending quality time with his wife, Susan.
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- Mario Chiofolo
- Director, Marketing
- Born: Montréal, Québec
- Education: Concordia University, International Relations/Graphic Design
- Joined Northern: 2005
As Director of Marketing for Northern Reflections, Mario’s job is to inspire creative ideas within the members of his team, combine them with his own, and make decisions based on what’s best for Northern. He is responsible for the overall brand management and shopping experience. This constitutes the leading and development of all marketing communication initiatives, including the creative process, the visual presentation, the management of the database, and online shopping. Mario has been instrumental in implementing Northern Reflections’ customer-centric approach to marketing. He loves the creative challenges involved in enhancing Northern’s position in the marketplace and in directing these ideas through to active fruition. He is a natural communicator possessing motivational and leadership skills which have led to a successful track record in building highly productive and performing teams.
Creative efficiency is what I strive for personally and for my team. It encourages the work/life balance that, to me, defines success.
Mario’s leisure time is spent with wife Tonie and sons Aidan and Ethan.
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- Colleen Elliott
- Director of Store Operations
- Born: Peterborough, Ontario
- Education: Fashion Merchandising, Centennial College
- Joined Northern: 1984
- First Position: District Sales Manager
Colleen is responsible for providing the store teams with the tools and information necessary to provide an exceptional experience to the Northern Reflections customer. She oversees all aspects of store operations, including communications, procedures, training and development, store reporting, and customer relations. The greatest benefit Colleen derives from working with Northern Reflections is the relationship she has developed with the customer. This relationship has been nurtured by a team that is not only committed to delighting the customer at every touch point, but who also actively reaches out to her.
I believe that our customer lives within the heart of the Northern Reflections brand and our ability to nurture and strengthen this relationship will continue to shape our future and our success.
Colleen enjoys family life with her husband and their two children. Their son is currently attending university and their daughter is preparing to attend. Colleen has recently taken up the game of golf and enjoys gardening in her spare time
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- Sylvain Houle
- General Manager, Logistics
- Born: Montréal, Québec
- Education: Université du Québec à Montréal, BA with marketing major
- Joined Northern: 1985
- First Position:Material Handler
Managing a 340,000 square foot facility with associates often nearing the 125 person mark, Sylvain welcomes the challenge with earnest enthusiasm. His passion for the Northern Reflections business makes him a success in managing the supply-chain process across Canada and into the United States. Part of this management includes Northern Reflections’ retail stores and delivery to private residences (a relatively new and always expanding area of multi-channel and e-commerce for which he is also responsible). Eager and a go-getter by nature, Sylvain is fuelled by the prospect of a “never a dull moment” philosophy, and the challenge of an ever-rising bar. He is honoured to serve Northern customers in the best possible way - by fulfilling all of their needs in a timely fashion.
The efficient mind sees the benefit in expending the extra effort necessary to achieve the absolute best results possible.
Sylvain strives on challenge and possesses an equally passionate zeal for time spent with his wife and two daughters. He is an avid sport-enthusiast, and enjoys travel.
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- Karen Lynn
- Vice President, Human Resources
- Born: Shenandoah, IA
- Education: BSc, Fashion Merchandising, Iowa State University
- Joined Northern: 1984
- First Position: Assistant Manager
Karen’s character and dedication to Northern Reflections were well illustrated in her response when asked for a brief biography for this page. She could not help but add the following statement to the end of her summary: “We would love to hear from our associates on what we can do to ensure you have a great experience with us at Northern Reflections.” Her love of retail, selling, training, and the never-ending ways she finds to best serve the customer each and every day also deserve mentioning.
Passion and energy can make an associate extraordinary!
Karen is married and has a young, energetic son. Karen loves searching for antiques, enjoys baking and gardening.
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- Hope Ogilvie
- Senior Director, Real Estate
- Born: Oakville, Ontario
- Joined Northern: 2000
- First Position: Director of Leasing, US
Hope is passionate about what she calls “the art of the deal.” This love is credited to the deal’s composition of the two sciences she knows so well - acquisitions and dispositions. Her extensive knowledge of Canadian markets and her expertise in market and capital planning give her the edge as a skilled negotiator. Northern Reflections’ locations thrive thanks to Hope’s site selections. Hope has Northern Reflections to thank for giving her the opportunity to do what she loves best - working with sterling integrity to seal the best deal.
Hope subscribes to the well-known Henry Ford axiom: “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re probably right.”
Hope has completed the Breast Cancer 60km weekend twice. She travels much of the year, so time spent with family and friends is precious.
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- Michael Stanek
- Company Advisor
- Born: Buffalo, NY
- Education: BS Accounting, Rochester Institute of Technology
- Joined Northern: 2001
- First Position: Chief Financial Officer
Michael’s focus at Northern is to grow the company’s core Northern Reflections brand into North America’s lifestyle destination for women. Michael was named as one of the “40 Rising Stars under 40” in 2004 by Chain Store Age Magazine, and was named one of the “15 Most Influential People in Retail” by RIS Magazine in 2004 and 2005. He is a member of the Turnaround Management Association, American Institute of CPA’s, and the National Retail Federation’s Financial Executives Council. He is an avid speaker at such events as the NRF Annual Conference and the Retail Executive Summits on merchandise optimization, merchandise analysis and the Northern success story. Michael is a member of various corporate and civic boards and advisory committees.
Michael believes in working hard and playing hard; exemplifying his motto of - “never a dull moment!”
Michael is married with three little ones still at home and one currently attending University. Michael is an avid downhill skier, water skier and snowmobile enthusiast.
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- Mark Stevenson
- Director, IT
- Born: Ottawa
- Joined Northern: 1979
- First Position: Store Operations and Marketing
As Director of Information Technology, Mark oversees all of Northern Reflections systems including stores, distribution centre, store support centre, and overseas office. He ensures that processing is accurate and timely. Mark is responsible for the continuous improvement of the information technology platform and the proper alignment with the company’s strategic goals. His insight into store operations has kept his focus on the customer and the value that technology can provide her. Mark has spoken at several retail conferences on technology-related topics, including the impact of technology on the business of retail.
Mark subscribes to the Samuel Smiles adage, “The chief evils from which working-people suffer are those which only themselves can cure.”
Mark and wife Bonnie live in Dufferin County with their two sons. The family is active in local sports and Mark and Bonnie love to cheer the boys playing for the local hockey teams. Mark enjoys fly fishing and can be found on the Grand River during the spring and early summer.
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- Sherry Teeple
- Vice President, Sales
- Born: Brantford, Ontario
- Education: Conestoga College, Business Administration/Accounting
- Joined Northern: 2000
- First Position: District Sales Manager
Sherry’s prime responsibility is to ensure consistent customer focus and to deliver the Reflections sales plan across the entire country. No small feat considering the over 170 stores she visits each year. A tribute to her energetic personality is her consistent success in ensuring that the best people are leading the Northern teams in all locations. That entails coast to coast travel and total dedication to the task at hand. It also grants Sherry a network of friends and like-minded, successful associates across the country. She considers it a privilege to interact with exceptional women, ranging from Northern customers to store teams. Success for Sherry means constantly growing and changing, while forging relationships in the communities in which Northern operates, adding value to those women and those communities.
I believe the key to success in business is passion for the product coupled with an unwavering commitment to exceeding customers’ expectations.
From Victoria to St. John’s, Sherry inspires and coaches others to achieve their personal best.
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Canada
