Cameron Executive Network Mentor

Rick Barton

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Rick Barton is a seasoned CEO in the consumer space with five different CEO assignments over the last 25 years. His early career was classic consumer package goods Sales and Sales Management with blue chip companies such as Johnson & Johnson, International Playtex, and Hanes Corporation. This early background provided a solid foundation for future personal and professional growth. Rick then joined Simplicity Pattern Company as Senior Vice President of Domestic Sales and International. The international subsidiaries were in Canada, the UK, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia.His first CEO position with The Paper Magic Group, a major supplier of seasonal product to the mass market. Key requirements were developing innovative product and either manufacturing domestically or sourcing overseas. Here he doubled Sales and Profitability in three years. Following Paper Magic, Rick has had two stints as CEO at Leisure Arts in Little Rock, and as private equity backed CEO at BuyRite Designs. Most recently, he was CEO at BuySeasons, an internet retailer in the Party and Halloween category, and successfully positioned the Company for sale. Rick's more recent assignments have been troubled companies or turnarounds. Companies were either complacent, dysfunctional in culture, and/or requiring a strategic reset. Key to his success is the development of outstanding management teams

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