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 Friday, March 12, 2010
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Our Staff
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 Susan Milhoan
President/CEO
smilhoan@retail-alliance.com
Susan L. Milhoan joined Retail Alliance in February 2007 as the organization's sixth president and CEO since its founding in 1903. In her role at the helm of the organization, Milhoan oversees 20 employees and provides strategic planning, management and leadership to the 2,000-member organization. She was previously the president and executive director of the Greater Jackson County (Michigan) Chamber of Commerce and the Jackson County (Michigan) Convention and Visitor Bureau. Milhoan has more than 30 years experience in organizational management and public relations. Prior to moving to Michigan in 1998, she served as vice president of the Jacksonville (Florida) Chamber of Commerce. She also served as corporate communications officer for a major bank, director of public relations for an advertising agency and the managing editor of a medical journal in Florida. She received the Accredited Public Relations Practitioner (APR) designation in 1985. She holds a master of business administration degree from the University of North Florida and a bachelor of science degree in journalism from West Virginia University. Milhoan also completed a six-year program for Chamber of Commerce Executives at the University of Georgia in 1996 and is a certified Covey facilitator.
Recognizing that the retail sector is the second largest employer in the Hampton Roads area, Milhoan is actively engaged in a diversity of efforts to enhance the community, including Peninsula Workforce Development, Norfolk Convention & Visitors Bureau Training Foundation, Red Cross of Hampton Roads, Greater Norfolk Corporation, and the Advisory Board of Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters.
 Raymond J. Mattes III
Executive Vice President
rmattes@retail-alliance.com
757-455-9321 (office)
Ray Mattes has a long history with the Retail Alliance, joining the organization in 1984. In his position, he oversees the Business Services arm of Retail Alliance; Equifax credit reporting and the HireVu pre-employment services. Ray is active in the community, serving as chairman of the Board of Directors for Child and Family Services of Eastern Virginia in 1998-99 and again in 2004-05. He also served on the Virginia Beach Education Foundation Board of Directors, and he is a former board member of the Tidewater Mortgage Bankers Association and the Great Neck Athletic Association and is past chairman of the International Credit Association. A native of Norfolk who now resides in Virginia Beach, Ray attended Tidewater Community College and Old Dominion University.
 Margaret Ballard
Vice President, Advocacy
mballard@retail-alliance.com
757-455-9395 (office)
Retail Alliance is the voice of retailers on the local, state and federal legislative fronts, and in her position, Margaret Ballard plays a key role in representing retailers. She brings more than 25 years of association/nonprofit experience to the job, with experience in legislative and marketing campaigns, business management, sales, media relations and community relations. She joined the Retail Alliance in 1998 as director of partnership development and was promoted to her current position in 2003. Prior to this, she was executive director of DRIVE SMART Hampton Roads for five years. She has also held positions as a CPA firm marketing director, vice president of a financial public relations agency and legislative director for a congressman. Margaret is very active in the community, serving as treasurer of the Board of Directors for the Norfolk Convention and Visitors Bureau Research and Training Foundation. She also serves on the boards of the D’Art Center of Hampton Roads and Norfolk United Facing Race. Margaret has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of North Carolina.
Margie Smith works in the accounting department and has been with Retail Alliance for 16 years.
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 Carlene Bowers
Director of Membership Development, Southside
cbowers@retail-alliance.com
757-455-9311 (office)
757-274-1964 (cell)
Carlene Bowers, Director of Membership Development, has 19 years experience in Association and Credit Reporting work. Carlene went to school in Maryland at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and then to Temple University in Philadelphia. As a Director of Membership Development, Carlene works directly with the retail community. She continually develops new membership opportunities for the Association in addition to working with the members to help facilitate growth and profitability through involvement with our services and programs. Her previous employment as a Sales Trainer and Operations Consultant for Sona MedSpa brings a wealth of experience in working with independent businesses owners and knowing the operational metrics which can lead to success. Her community involvement is working with the Olde Towne Business Association (Portsmouth), The Chesapeake Economic Development Advisory Committee and a Sunday School Teacher and Women’s Committee Member for New Life Suffolk Church.
 Debbie Puckett
Director of Membership Development, Peninsula
dpuckett@retail-alliance.com
757-926-5306 (office)
757-282-1476 (cell)
Debbie Puckett comes to Retail Alliance with over 32 years of sales, training and development experience. In her role as a Director of Membership Development, Debbie introduces businesses to the great benefits and rewards of being part of Retail Alliance and helps them build strategic partnerships leading to prosperity and growth. She comes to Retail Alliance from the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce and a previous career with Verizon Communications and owner of an art company. Debbie attended The University of New Mexico and Old Dominion University. Active in civic affairs throughout her career, she currently serves on the Board of Directors for Recovery for the City and facilitates DivorceCare for individuals in various stages of divorce or separation at Great Bridge Presbyterian Church.
 Janet Balestino
Director of Membership Development, Southside
jbalestino@retail-alliance.com
757-455-9324 (office)
757-406-9424 (cell)
Janet Balestino has 25 years of sales experience with small business owners. Prior to her employment with Retail Alliance, Janet was a
manufacturer's sales representative for Heinz, Mobil Chemical, & Nabisco. Her most recent experience was in nonprofit Association membership. Janet is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania & graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Marketing. She works closely with the members of Retail Alliance to assure that they are utilizing all the member benefits to increase their overall profitability. Janet is active in the community and currently serves on the boards of Dress for Success Hampton Roads.
 Juanita Thomas
Director of Membership Development, Smith Mountain Lake
jthomas@retail-alliance.com
540-719-7500 (office)
540-597-3932 (cell)
 Sallie Finch
Receptionist
sfinch@retail-alliance.com
757-466-1600 (front desk)
Sallie Finch joined the Retail Alliance team in 2006 as our receptionist. As a native of Texas, Sallie has lived in and out of the Hampton Roads area since 1972. Prior to working for Retail Alliance, Sallie owned and operated Art Studios in Virginia and South Carolina. She is one of 500 to become a member into of the International Guild of Decoupers. Sallie also worked closely in hotel sales with the NCVB in gaining business in the Retired Military Reunion Market. Sallie is currently the Chairman of the Tidewater After 5 Business and Professional Women’s Group.
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| Accounting Department |
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 Rhonda Zentkovich
rhondaz@retail-alliance.com
757-455-9308 (office)
Rhonda Zentkovich works in the accounting department at Retail Alliance and has been with the company for 16 years.
 Linda Lim
Investigative Team Leader
llim@retail-alliance.com
757-455-9333 (office)
757-466-7685 (fax)
Linda Lim has been with the company for 12 years.
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| Marketing Department: An Equifax Affiliate |
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 Yvonne Escalante
yescalante@retail-alliance.com
757-455-9326 (office)
Yvonne Escalante has represented Retail Alliance and Equifax products and business solutions since 1989. She covers the region from Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Suffolk to Petersburg and surrounding areas.
Born in Norfolk, Virginia Yvonne attended Indian River High School, then attended college in Sevilla, Spain and Cholula, Mexico where her focus was on the Spanish language and English literature. Prior to joining Retail Alliance, she worked 4 years for Volkswagen of Mexico in Puebla, Mexico - teaching plant employees English as a Second Language.
 Erica Scott
Equifax Account Executive
Escott@retail-alliance.com
757-455-9343 (office)
Erica Scott is an Equifax Account Executive representing banks, credit unions and mortgage companies throughout Southeastern Virginia to Northeastern North Carolina. Erica has been employed at Retail Alliance for 10 years. Prior to working for Retail Alliance Erica worked with an Equifax affiliate bureau. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management.
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 Beth Parsons
Executive Assistant to Susan Milhoan
eparsons@retail-alliance.com
757-455-9393 (office)
Elizabeth Parsons has a long history with Retail Alliance. Her recent titles include Mortgage Processor, Court Reporter, and an Equifax Account Executive. Beth is currently the Executive Assistant to the CEO. Working in the credit industry for 34 years, she has been a member of Credit Professional International for 23 years and through the organization, earned a Master Professional Credit Executive certification. Beth is a native of Hampton Roads and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Old Dominion University.
757-455-9309 (office)
757-705-9209 (cell)
Tanya Profancik joined the Retail Alliance team in 2007 as the Director of Marketing. She has a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts specialized in Advertising with a minor in Marketing from the University of West Florida. Prior to joining Retail Alliance, Tanya worked as a Marketing Coordinator for a local company.
Jen Webber joined the Retail Alliance team in September, 2007 as the Event Planner and Communications Coordinator. She graduated from Radford University in May 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in media studies with a concentration in advertising. Jen completed two internships after college, one being at Norfolk Fest Events and the other at Dave Iwans & Associates Public Relations Firm. As the event planner, Jen plans seminars, conferences, activities for members, and meetings. She works with the media in the Hampton Roads area to promote Retail Alliance, and gain visibility for the company. This is accomplished through writing press releases, putting together and distributing press kits, and encouraging the media to cover big events.
Adam Austin
Data Management Coordinator
Adam Austin has represented Retail Alliance since early 2005. Adam has recently left the HireVu department and is now responsible for data management. Prior to working at Retail Alliance, Adam was a Production Assistant for the Showtime movie channel with television personality, Montell Williams. He attended Kempsville High School and graduated from The University of Virginia in 2003 with a Bachelors Degree in Religious Studies.
Still unsure who to contact? Contact us at info@retail-alliance.com and we promise to respond to your request within two business days. This is just another way Retail Alliance demonstrates our commitment to responsive, quality service for Hampton Roads retailers.
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We are always growing! Please click here to receive an emailed listing of available positions at Retail Alliance and information about how to apply.
Vision and Mission History Board of Directors
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