Partners
Gregory C Stephenson
President and Executive Search
Greg leads the Apparel practice for 101 Solutions. He supports the Supply Chain and Private Equity practice to help drive improvements in operations, supply chain and product development for clients. Greg has worked in a variety of industries including personal care, medical, automotive, footwear, accessories with a specific focus in apparel and textiles. Becoming the President of WWA, during the merger with 101 Solutions has been a delight. He brings his knowledge alongside Walter’s Legacy to continue the pace of excellence.
Walter Wilhelm
Board member
With over 30 years of apparel and footwear experience, Walter T. Wilhelm is widely recognized as one of the most innovative and “connected” executives in the softgoods industry, and one of the pioneers in creating and implementing technology to streamline the product design and development processes. He has held senior positions in Retailing, Manufacturing and Technology Sales & Development. Walter has extensive experience domestically as well as internationally, having opened six offices in Europe and four in Asia.
Former positions include: Co-founder of Microdynamics; President of Animated Images (Ai); Co-founder of Wilhelm-Leslie Associates; General Manager of Hughes Aircraft Company’s Apparel & Footwear Automation Systems.
Business Unit Leadership
Janet C. Ydavoy
Global Sourcing, International Trade and Customs Compliance
A retail executive with a record of P&L responsibilities driving growth and earnings. A visionary leader with highly developed technical skills in textiles, apparel, footwear, accessories and home goods. Janet’s sourcing background combined with an extensive knowledge of international trade strategies provides a unique skill to influence cost efficiencies and sustainable sourcing practices throughout the supply chain. Ydavoy has recently published the first in a five part e-book series on how to apply International Trade Strategies to optimize cost savings for apparel and home textiles. Former positions include Vice President of International Operations and Customs Compliance, Jones Group; Divisional Vice President of Global Sourcing and Compliance, Beall’s Department Stores; Vice President Global Sourcing and Corporate Compliance, Chico’s; Director of Western Hemisphere Sourcing and Production, MAST Industries.
Jim Sinor
Manufacturing Refinement, Business Strategy, and Executive Search
Passionate senior executive with extensive domestic and global experience in
diverse areas of apparel and textile manufacturing, sourcing and engineering. Proven
ability to implement operational initiatives that result in increased efficiency and
profitability. Strong leadership and team development skills that contribute to alignment of
strategic plans with business goals. Former positions include: President, ArtGun Division
of Delta Apparel; VP Internal Manufacturing Mexico/Latin America, VF Corp.; VP
Manufacturing, Carhartt; VP Manufacturing, Engineering and Sourcing, Jockey.
Advisors
Amy Grable
Amy Grable has seven years of leadership experience at Gap Inc. with proven expertise in driving strategies that increase productivity, enhance quality, increase speed and improve cost effectiveness. Amy’s strengths lie in strategic & operational planning, implementation, process re-engineering, change management, and process & technology project management. Former positions include: Sr. Director of Product Integrity at Gap Inc.; Director of Product Research & Assessment at Gap Inc., Sr. Manager of Textile Mill Relations at Gap Inc., and Manager of Textile Inspection at Gap Inc.
Carla Tomson
a talented, innovative designer with unique skills in both silhouette creation and material innovation. Carla is a creative thinker with curiosity for new ideas. Co-founded, managed, and sold 2 apparel brands in the -0 million sales range – Instinct in the ‘80’s and Solitude in the 90’s. Co-Founder and Chief Designer for Krazy Kreatures, a kids apparel brand. Free lance design work for many of the major outdoor industry companies. Created a special collection for Brooks Sports as an Advisor with WWA. Most recently committed to purpose driven work … Officer and Board Member of Channelkeeper, an environmental non-profit in Santa Barbara and an Ambassador for Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation supporting children and families of children with cancer. Currently living in Montecito, California with her surfing legend husband, Shaun Tomson and son Luke.
Danielle Jin
Danielle Jin has 15+ years of experience in all phases of the apparel industry from design and merchandising through to international sourcing and production. She has “done it all” and has strengths in product development, technical design and sourcing. Former positions include Product Development Manager, Production Manager, and Technical Designer for Oxford Industries, Kellwood, Fredrick Atkins, Animated Images (Ai) and others. She was also one of the first Associates helping to develop the concept for services in WWA.
Gabrielle Sampietro
Global Sourcing and Supply Chain Refinement
A creative, innovative industry executive with an excellent track record developing and managing the entire process from concept/design through development to delivery in apparel and accessories in the apparel, activewear and action sports industries. Strong organizational and team building skills. Exceptional experience in global sourcing. Fluent in five languages. Gabrielle is an entrepreneur that started, developed and ran her own New York based fashion company. Former positions include The Safariland Group, V.P. Product Design; Burton Snowboards, V.P. Apparel; Kellwood Ivy/AJ Brandon Division, E.V.P. Operations; Ashworth, V.P. Operations; Reebok International, General Merchandise Manager; Gabani, Founder/Partner.
Jill Mazur
IT Strategies and Implementations
Jill has twenty years of experience in the apparel industry and consulting. Her expertise is in project management, business operations and systems selection/design/implementation. She has a diversified systems background with a proven ability to effectively analyze business processes and systems requirements. Previous employment includes: Director Business Processes, Quiksilver (SAP Implementation); Director for Michael Stars (including NGC ERP implementation); Project Manager for Warnaco’s SAP evaluation and implementation; Project Manager for Guess? for IT business system and QRS (EDI), Practice Manager with Kurt Salmon Associates Technology Group; Systems Consulting Manager for Stonefield Josephson; and Assistant to the President for Deena-Lucie Ann (intimates company wherein Jill was responsible for implementing the Wal-Mart Retail Link).
Shaun Tomson
Shaun Tomson founded, managed, and sold 2 apparel brands in the -0 million sales range – Instinct in the ‘80’s and Solitude in the 90’s. He has held positions with both Patagonia and O’Neill and is a current board member of Surfrider Foundation, the world’s largest surfing environmental group. He is a best selling author (Surfers Code), an award winning filmmaker (Bustin’ down the Door) and a World Professional Surfing Champion. He is an inspirational speaker on positive values and overcoming challenges and his clients include General Motors, Price Waterhouse, Cisco, Disney and Toys R Us. He is a business finance and administration graduate from the University of Natal in his hometown of Durban, South Africa. He lives in Montecito, California with his wife Carla and son Luke and still finds time to chase the perfect wave.