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Derrick Thomas
Phone 773 612.3382
Email: DLT7013@sbcglobal.net
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Accomplished executive, sales, and organizational leader with a progressive executive career track and a
solid track record of success in building and leading organizations in highly competitive, high-growth
environments. Results-driven with extensive management experience in retail operations, brand
management, and commercial real estate development. Entrepreneurial culture and spirit with the ability
to lead organizations through important changes as necessary. Reputation for outstanding team
leadership and team building with proven ability to successfully lead and develop a multi-functional team
of professionals within a multi-location, growing enterprise. Demonstrated leadership skills in personnel
management, talent development, and process improvement. Adept at developing and improving talent
management programs and initiatives to facilitate operational efficiency. Customer-focused and
committed to providing quality customer experiences. Possesses a “student of the industry” mentality,
while also inspiring innovation within all ranks of the organization and a mindset that great products and a
high level of service will drive the business. Empowered with strong interpersonal and communication
skills. Personal characteristics that include quick-thinking and bright, energetic, congenial, fair, detail-
oriented, forward thinking, positive outlook on life, and creative with a good moral center. Proven track
record of building and maintaining profitable relationships with customers, vendors, and other
stakeholders. Recognized for effective “servant leadership” style, improving operations, increasing staff
performance and retention, and advancing organizational efficiency. Strong hands-on work ethic, with
spirited entrepreneurial zeal, intellectual capacity, an uncompromising commitment to excellence, a high
level of achievement, and passion for the business.
Core Competencies
 Developing Human Capital
 Sales & Profit Growth
 Business Development
 Strategic Planning
 Management Consulting
 Client Relations
 Leadership Development
 Employee Engagement
 Executive Coaching &Mentoring
 Commercial Real Estate Development
Achievements
 Leadership skills utilized in reorganizing and revitalizing the four state Midwest region resulting in
100% reversal and increased sales from $9 million negative to $15 million in profits.
 Progressive leadership increased responsibilities from managing operations of seven Starbucks
entities to overseeing 504 stores in the four states Midwest region within four years, generating more
than $500 million in annual revenues.
 Passionate about developing human capital, cultivating team synergy and creating future leaders
while empowering individuals to realize hidden potential. Introduced full accountability and
spearheaded incentives for employees resulting in 40% profit growth and 50% flow through to
bottom-line within one year.
 "Green Thumb" business development expertise. Effective strategic and tactical execution. Garnered
credibility while mastering various positions within the organization.

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Vice President, Retail and Licensed Store Operations
Argo Tea Company, Chicago IL 2014 – Present
 Leading and directing all aspects of Eastern and Midwestern operations with full P&L responsibility
 Driving and achieving sales growth objectives and goals
 Attracting top talent and building a strong team for the future
 Achieving consistent and successful new store openings as planned
 Championing commitment and consistent application of Argo Tea’s passion, vision, and non-
negotiables
 Ensuring operational excellence and flawless in-store execution in areas of customer satisfaction,
product quality, and operational standards
 Consistently achieving/exceeding both short and long-term company financial objectives by
responsibly growing unit sales and profitability
 Anticipating industry trends and continually evaluating Argo Tea’s strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, and threats to help improve overall company performance
 Ensuring execution and seamless integration of Argo Tea’s operations with product marketing and
development processes and rollouts
Operations Director
Dunkin Brands, Chicago, IL 2013 - 2014
 Led by supporting the team, assuming good intentions, championing ideas, taking responsibility, and
trying new things
 Prioritized appropriately based on business imperatives; identify what is urgent and what is important
 Coached Operations Manager team on restaurant success criteria and effective action planning to
include planning, assessing and recovering
 Addressed gaps between current leadership and required competencies and take initiative to engage
the organization on building skills through self-awareness and personal learning
 Increased franchisee accountability through analysis of business and engagement towards restaurant
excellence; ensured alignment between franchisor and franchisee
 Developed franchisee capability through partnership, education, and coaching
 Maintained focus on guest satisfaction, sales growth, and franchisee profitability
 Facilitated achievement of common goals through leadership of cross-functional market team and
collaboration across the organization
 Demonstrated competency in a fast paced, consumer brand organization, grew through changes in
markets, concepts, and raised the bar in performance and results
Principal
JB Legacy, LLC, Detroit, MI 2012 - Present
 Ensure the profitability of client businesses by operating for sales growth, food and labor costs, and
fixed costs
 Coordinate and implement current operations plans and company initiatives, and store marketing in a
profitable and timely manner
 Engagements include: A’int She Sweet Restaurant Consultant, Subway Restaurant Franchise Owner
(3), Commercial Real Estate Development Group Partner, Real Estate Investor
Senior Vice President, Midwest Operations
Advance Auto Parts, Chicago, IL 2008 - 2012
 Oversight for a business unit with over $2 billion in annual revenue
 Achieved 7% growth over the prior year with 12% operating income to the bottom line. Generated
approximately 40% of the company’s profit contribution
 Provided strategic direction and leadership for 1,200 units/stores and nearly 15,000 employees.
Responsible for a third of the company’s portfolio
 Managed direct reports, which included seven Regional Vice Presidents, one Commercial Vice
President, Director of Human Resources, Director of Asset Protection, Operations Director, Sales
Development Manager, Finance Manager, Executive Assistant, and 100 District Managers

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Selected Accomplishments
 Grew total revenues from $1.5 billion to $1.8 billion over a two-year period
 Earned the highest overall comparable sales growth and profit growth 8% and 12% respectfully for
two consecutive years. 40% of the company’s total operating income and 60% of the company’s total
new store growth
 Implemented area succession plan “Next Level Development Group” comprised of high potential
internal district managers and support team members
 Gained highest overall market share in 2009/2010
Consultant
The Grove, Inc., Chicago, IL 2007 - 2008
 Served as a member of the leadership team.
 Increased company revenue via acquisitions and brand expansion in domestic and international
airports
President/CEO
Emerging Market Restaurant Group, Chicago, IL 2007 - 2008
 Led a concept to expand the fast-food restaurant chains Al’s Beef and Nancy’s Pizza from seven to
two hundred stores over a five-year period
 Served as a member of the leadership team
Regional Vice President
Starbucks Coffee Company, Chicago, IL 2001 - 2007
 Oversight of 504 stores in Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Indiana
 Held full profit and loss accountability for more than $500 million
 Provided strategic leadership and direction while accelerating the growth in the region
 Led a team of seven Regional Directors. Also, responsible for providing strategic leadership
impacting 50 district managers, 600 store managers and over 10,000 employees
 Contributed corporate-wide decisions, site selection, strategic planning, annual operating plan, growth
plans, succession planning, regional management staffing while ensuring corporate goals and
objectives were met
 Oversaw all aspects of Midwest store openings averaging 100 stores per year
 Pioneered a number of customer loyalty and retention initiatives
Selected Accomplishments
 Revitalized the four-state Midwest region originally lagging $9 million in the red. Within first year,
region had 100% reversal and increased from $9 million negative to $15 million in profits, aggregating
to a $24 million shift
 Delivered growth and measurable productivity improvements, hitting company records for sales
volume. Grew the market from 225 to 504 stores in a 2-year period. Increased corporate revenue for
four-state region from $200 million to over $500 million. Instrumental in developing growth plan to
open 100 additional stores per year over a 36-month period
 Launched initial Diversity Program and fostered corporate culture change toward supporting the
corporate diversity guiding principles. Program positively impacted hiring decisions, working
relationships and customer experiences. Recognized as a diversity leader and subject matter expert
within the organization
District Manager
Kinney Shoes/Footlocker 1991-2001
 Recognized and promoted as a result of highest sales gains of 20% incrementally for three
consecutive years and managing volumes up to $6 million annually
 Developed leaders and promoted over 10 assistants to store managers and over 20 associates to
assistant mangers
 Awarded Rookie Manager of the Year 1994 and Store Manager of the Year three consecutive
years

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EDUCATION
Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
Wayne County Community College, Detroit, M
Business Management & Finance
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Finance for Non-Financial Leaders
University of Detroit, Detroit, MI
Certified Mentor
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Servant Leadership Certification
Situational Leadership Certification
Center for Creative Leadership Certification
IHE-Increasing Human Effectiveness Certification
State of Michigan Real-Estate License
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Illinois State Chamber of Commerce Board Member
Jump Start Children's Program Board Member
Link Unlimited (High School Mentor Program) Board Member