Keune Welcomes New Team Members
By Keune | August 31st, 2016
Keune Haircosmetics North America is growing so rapidly that we are hiring new team members every month. Please welcome these pros, who will help us take Keune to a new level of success in North America.
Rachael Hoffman joins Keune as Vice President of marketing and brand development, a new position for the company. In leading the initiative to transition Keune into a marketing-driven company, Rachael directs and manages all North American marketing, promotions, public relations, social media and advertising strategies, activations for all product lines and the Keune Advanced Academy. In addition, she works with Keune’s corporate headquarters in The Netherlands as well as Keune’s North American sales and education departments to synchronize all marketing initiatives, including new product introductions, to ensure strong and consistent brand messaging around the world. Prior to arriving at Keune, Rachael spent the last 15 years helping brands such as Coca-Cola, Scion, Red Bull and Starwood Hotels showcase their own “true beauty” through unique marketing activations and clear brand messaging. It was this lasting commitment to her creative calling that initially drew the Keune team to her doorstep, bringing her on as a marketing strategy consultant before hiring her for this full-time position.
Joining Rachael’s team is Gabriella Arenas, who comes on board as Marketing Administrator. Gabriella recently graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Public Relations. Over the past 13 months, Gabriella worked as an intern at Go Fish Digital and MEC, where she gained experience in content creation for digital media plans and interacted with customers regarding their product and goals. In her new position, Gabriella is responsible for seamless integration of all marketing activities, working in conjunction with other departments to ensure smooth operations and enhance brand awareness in the marketplace. Reach Gabriella at garenas@keune.com.
Also joining the marketing team as Graphic Designer is Lauren Bellamy. Lauren, also a graduate of the University of Georgia, has worked in a creative role for six years. Most recently, she was a digital designer at Case-Mate, creating e-blasts, web design and countless gifs. Lauren launched her career in Washington, D.C., where she spent five years working as a designer and art director for various publications, including The Washington Post Magazine and Fashion Washington. Her passion for all things fashion and beauty make Lauren a perfect fit for Keune. Reach Lauren at lbellamy@keune.com.
On the sales side, Jamezell Ottinger is Keune’s new Director of Special Markets. In this position, he will identify, cultivate and develop new business relationships with independent regional chain salons, cosmetology schools and key market-leader salons; strengthen relationships with key partner salons; and develop Keune’s National Market Leader Salon expansion plan. Jamezell also will create and implement the Keune Concept Salon strategy and help take the Keune Academy concept across the country. In addition, he will develop and strengthen Keune’s relationships with leading industry associations, such as the American Association of Cosmetology Schools, the American Board of Certified Haircolorists, the Career Educators Alliance, Intercoiffure North America, the International Salon/Spa Business Network, the Professional Beauty Association and others, as well as Club Intrigue, the Atlanta-based group focused on stylists educating stylists. His multi-faceted career spans 40 years in the beauty industry as a senior sales and marketing executive, salon owner and hair stylist. Reach Jamezell at jottinger@keune.com.
Keune’s support in the field continues to grow with several new regional positions. Frank Prescuitti joins the Keune team as a Regional Sales Manager in the Northeast. He reports directly to Mark Webber, Vice President of Sales and Business Development. Frank’s solid experience in sales leadership includes working as new business development director, sales and leadership of Pure Beaute. Previously, Frank also served as a regional manager and vice president for 15 years with John Paul Mitchell Systems. Reach Frank at fprescuitti@keune.com.
Suzie Manofsky is a Regional Sales Manager. Her career in the professional beauty industry spans more than 25 years in sales, sales management and brand management. She has worked with salons, large distributors, boutique distribution and national chain accounts with a focus on hair care and nails. Suzie will partner with key distributors and sales consultants in the Southeast to help them grow professionally and financially through Keune. Reach Suzie at smanofsky@keune.com.
Tobey Brinkman joins Keune as Regional Salon Specialist in the Northeast. She is a licensed cosmetologist with extensive experience working with distributor sales consultants. From in-salon focus to sales meeting facilitation to beauty school support, Tobey’s varied background holds promise for an immediate contribution to Keune. Reach Tobey at tbrinkmann@keune.com.Watch movie online The Transporter Refueled (2015)
Brett Kuri is Keune’s new Brand Specialist for Paramount Beauty Systems. Brett graduated from The Long Island Beauty School in Hauppauge, New York, in 2007. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where he resides. Brett has had extensive color training and experience with various lines, and after 10 years behind the chair, he has decided to shift his focus and work solely with Keune. His editorial work has appeared in Vogue Italia Online, Zink Magazine, Tattoo Life and Ink Masters.
On the corporate side, Bruce Laurente-Solano and Chibuzor Chiazor (Zora) are Keune’s new part-time accounts payable/accounts receivable clerks. They report to Trayce Suppes, Accounting Coordinator, and will support the accounting group with day-to-to-day operations, as well as various projects. Bruce is enrolled as a business major with an accounting concentration at Georgia Gwinnett College and anticipates graduating in May 2017. He is bilingual in English and Spanish. Contact Bruce at accounting@keune.com. Zora is a senior at Georgia Gwinnett College majoring in accounting and anticipates graduating in May 2017. Reach her at accounting@keune.com.
Abigail “Abi” Sweitzer recently joined Keune as an Administrative Coordinator. She reports to Jennifer Hammond, Director of Finance and Operations. In this role, she will answer the phones, greet guests, schedule meetings and conference rooms, coordinate catering for internal meetings and provide backup and administrative assistance as needed.
Tim Megel is Keune’s new Warehouse Assistant. He will work with the warehouse team to fulfill customers’ orders efficiently and accurately. Additionally, he will be packing, stocking and organizing products in the warehouse; monitoring inventory; and managing and handling shipping. At his previous position as Warehouse Manager at a local lighting company, he managed warehouse activities, including determining distribution costs, coordinating shipping and receiving and maintaining inventory.
In the field, Keune has created a new position—regional education manager, which is designed to elevate sales and support Keune’s vision of developing the highest level of educational activities. Each will work within an assigned geographical region to oversee and manage all Keune educational activities and be responsible for managing the educational resources that support those regions. Those promoted to the new position and their territories include Jamye Coffman, Central Region for Premier Beauty, Twin State and National Salon Resources; Linda Evanoff for the Western Region; Tiffany Hannah for the Southern Region; Karen O’Dell, Central Region for Salon Service Group and R Stafford; and Leah Scherer, North East Region.
In addition, we’d like to congratulate these recently promoted Keune team members: Donna DiNapoli, National Store Business Development Manager; Angie Pita, Education Support Administrator; Rita Rubenstein, Education Support Manager; Heather Stanko, Internal Operation Coordinator; and Trayce Suppes, Accounting Manager.
As our team grows and advances, our brand becomes stronger and supports a bigger footprint in the marketplace as a full-line company.