1. STEPHENC. DIESEL
2504 6th Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76110-2514
Cell: 817-522-8335
scdiesel@icloud.com
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Extensive Retail Buying and Management experience including omni-channel
purchasing; life-cycle management, price optimization, exclusive promotions,
forecasting, vendor relations, retail store operations, and multi-store
management. Entrepreneurial: helped launch three successful new businesses
within existing retail environments. Customer-centric thinker: using consumer
indexes and industry indexes and direct feedback to enhance retail landscape.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
RadioShack Corporation, Fort Worth, TX
6/23/2011-1/12/2015
Buyer: MP3s, Music Accessories and PA Equipment
 Managed $89m in revenue, increasing YOY sales +8% and GM% +19%
through new assortments and price optimization in highly competitive
consumer electronics industry.
 Designed successful promotional plans across multiple channels including
the 4,000 company stores, franchise dealers, B2B and the RSh website.
 Negotiated with key vendors - Apple, SanDisk, Belkin, and Monster.
Introduced high profile brands -Samson, Blue Microphones & Audio
Technica, increasing microphone sales by 10%.
Best Buy Co., Richfield, MN
2006- 2011
Sr. Merchant: Musical Instruments
 Grew business from 3 pilots to 100 stores with sales of $10+m.
 As first Senior Merchant of new Musical Instrument Department, purchased
all categories; developed planos, created ads and promotional events.
 Negotiated programs with essential new vendors: C.F. Martin, Schecter,
Taylor, Ovation, Gretsch, Samson, Marshall and Zildjian.
1995-2006
Senior Buyer, Music (CDs & music DVDs)
 Forecasted and exceeded sales goals; helping BBY to become the #1 US
music retailer with sales of >$1 billion by 2000

2.  Created print ads and exclusive added-value offers. Negotiated terms with
major vendors: Sony, BMG, EMI WEA and Universal.
1992- 1995
Regional, District (Retail Operations), and Store Media Manager (MN, OH, IN)
 As Regional Media Manager, hired, trained and supported six regions
 As DESM (District Manager) recruited and supervised 10 music managers
in Ohio.
 Launched Mega Music Department pilot (1992) as Buyer/Manager.
MusicVision, St. Louis, MO.
1990-1992
District Supervisor, Store Manager and Classical Music Buyer
 Supervised five stores and implemented turnover in three locations
 Bought classical music for both wholesale operation and 13- store chain
Washington University Campus Store, St. Louis, MO
1982-1990
Manager and Buyer for records, tapes and CDs
 Created music store within Washington University’s new Campus Store
 Bought all music categories in records, tapes and CDs. Hired, trained and
supervised student employees
EDUCATION
Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL
Graduate Study: English Literature
Metropolitan State University, Denver, CO
B.A. in English with Minor in Journalism, Magna Cum Laude
ADDITIONAL TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
Participated in international buying trips to Japan & China
Certified in Best Buy’s Corporate Management Series & “Train the Trainer”
Coursework in Business at Washington University, St. Louis, MO.
Tutor and Teacher ‘s Assistant in English as graduate student at SIUE
Won post-graduate Internship with Dept. of Health, Education & Welfare, DC
Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Oracle Essbase