October 16, 2008 09:30 ET

VCF and TPMA Announce Executive Team Expansion to Spur Next Phase of Growth

Diane Berry Named Chief Executive Officer

PARSIPPANY, NJ--(Marketwire - October 16, 2008) - The Vendor Compliance Federation (VCF), a leading organization focused on solutions, services and best practices for supplier-retailer collaboration in the sales-to-cash process, and Trade Promotion Management Associates (TPMA), the leading membership organization driving best-in-class process for global trade promotion management (TPM) and trade promotion optimization (TPO), announced recently the appointment of Diane Berry as the combined organizations' Chief Executive Officer, and the promotion of two key executives, Anthony Miano and Michael Kantor.

In her role as CEO of VCF and TPMA, Berry directs the organizations, their strategic initiatives and service and product offerings for their respective constituencies, who reside at the nexus of retail, manufacturing and related services worldwide. Berry has more than 20 years of experience in high-growth, innovative technologies serving Fortune 1000 and mid-market companies; and in publishing, advertising and associations. Prior to joining VCF, Berry was Chair of the Advisory Board and CMO of SelectMinds, a corporate social networking solutions provider; CMO of MIDI, a corporate compliance and ethics e-learning company; and Senior Vice President and Advisory Board Chair of Taleo, a leading workforce management solutions provider. Diane has also served as an executive in the publishing industry with both Ziff Davis and Journal Register Company.

"We are excited to have Diane join VCF and TPMA as we enter a new phase of expanded services to our membership and partners," said Kim Zablocky, founder and chairman of VCF. "Our organizations have grown by working to increase efficiencies in the supply chain: driving out costs, speeding goods to market, shortening cycle times and providing the platform upon which retailers and manufacturers truly collaborate. With the addition of Diane's leadership, our organizations are well positioned to drive our industry initiatives forward."

"I am looking forward to getting to know our membership and partners, to addressing the challenges, and developing solutions to foster collaboration and understanding in the trading partner relationship," said Berry. "VCF and TPMA have done great work in driving costs out of the manufacturer-retailer supply chain while optimizing the flow of goods. It is an honor to work with Kim, Mike and Anthony, and with the highly talented teams behind both organizations to help drive further value for our members and partners."

Management Promotions

Michael Kantor has been appointed as Director of Strategic Alliances for VCF, an expansion of his current role as Managing Director of TPMA. Kantor's additional responsibilities will help to foster tighter bonds among the VCF and TPMA communities.

As Managing Director of TPMA, Kantor has built the organization into the recognized go-to source for trading partners specializing in trade promotion management and optimization, as well as for research, metrics and best practices. Kantor began his career in retail advertising and operations as Senior Vice President, Drug World Pharmacies. He is an industry veteran with more than 20 years of retail and consumer products experience in marketing at retail, branding products, and integrating supply chains. Kantor's experience ranges from technology in TPM to senior marketing leadership in leading promotional firms such as NSI, Inc. and CoAMS. He is a frequent contributor to GMA Forum, Supermarket News, and CPG Matters.com.

Anthony Miano has been promoted from Director to Managing Director of VCF. Since Miano joined VCF in 2005, he has played a key role in serving VCF's membership by leading research initiatives and programming development. In his role as Managing Director, Miano will continue to focus on critical issues within the retailer-supplier dynamic. Miano has 20 years of supply chain and consultancy expertise with organizations including Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, as a Manager in their National Supply Chain Practice; MeadWestvaco, as manager, Supply Chain; and with the management consulting firm, S. G. Hart & Associates, as Executive Partner.

About VCF

VCF is the leading organization focused on solutions, services and best practices for supplier-retailer collaboration within consumer durables, ranging from fashion and cosmetics to electronics and home furnishings. VCF is an advocate for retailer-supplier trading synchronization and champions initiatives to increase strategic industry-wide productivity, profitability and growth. VCF serves a multitude of touch points in perfecting retailer-supplier execution to shorten cycle times and drive overall velocity in the supply chain. VCF draws participation from leading retailers and suppliers such as JCPenney, Nordstrom, Lowe's, Liz Claiborne, Estée Lauder and Kellwood.

About TPMA

TPMA is the leading organization driving best-in-class process for global trade promotion management (TPM) and trade promotion optimization (TPO). TPMA is dedicated to the effective and efficient use of trade promotion dollars and serves as a collaborative resource for research and metrics for companies such as Hormel, Dial, Del Monte, Cargill Meat Solutions, Hewlett Packard, Nintendo, Land O'Lakes, and Johnson & Johnson.