Stuart M. Needleman

Director
Years with Phoenix: 1
Years of Turnaround Experience: 10
Office location: Boston, MA

Stuart Needleman is a Director at Phoenix with over 35 years of senior management experience in retail and manufacturing operations. He joined Phoenix Management Services in 2006. Mr. Needleman’s particular expertise includes business model assessment, Chapter 11 reorganizations, operational reviews and improvement. He is a seasoned leader with the ability to successfully operate in a wide variety of retail, manufacturing and distribution arenas. Mr. Needleman has successfully led two companies through Chapter 11 filings, with both firms emerging in less than twelve months by building consensus among a wide range of constituents, leading to the operational turnaround of each company. He was able to navigate each company through the bankruptcy process and ultimately was instrumental in the sale of both companies, where they continue to grow and contribute to their parent company’s profitability.

With his engineering training and extensive industry experience, Mr. Needleman is able to solve sales and profit challenges that have been impediments to optimizing shareholder value. He has been able to significantly improve or, when necessary, turn around a wide variety of retail companies ranging from big box discount chains to a variety of catalog, Internet and specialty formats. Some of his particular strengths are: operations, distribution and transportation, product and channel management, e-commerce, maximizing the use of both human and capital resources, strategic planning, process improvement, sales and customer service maximization and management team building.

Phoenix Management Services Experience

• Turnaround Management
• Crisis Management
• Operational Assessments
• Financial Forecasting

• Cash Management
• Strategic Advisory
• Bankruptcy Advisory
• Due Diligence Reviews

Industry Experience

• Catalog and Call Center Operations
• Discount Department Stores
• Home Décor and Custom Picture Frame Manufacturing
• Men’s Specialty Stores
• Retail

• Electronics Manufacturing
• Internet Start-up
• Large Scale Logistics and Distribution Organization
• Large Scale Systems Sales
• Work Wear and Uniform Sales and Service (Retail and B2B)

Prior Experience

Prior to joining Phoenix, Mr. Needleman spent considerable time as a senior executive and leader at companies including CompUSA, Inc., J.Baker, Inc. (Work ‘n Gear Division and Casual Male Big and Tall), and Zayre Corp. His past positions at an electronics manufacturer, big box discount distribution and retailer, men’s specialty retailer, work wear and uniform sales company (selling to both consumers and to businesses), a technology catalog and Internet retail sales organization (selling to both consumers and business to business), and a home décor specialty retailer operating with stand-alone and leased departments allow him to quickly identify operational issues and clarify key business drivers.

Revenue Growth

In addition to his successes in the Chapter 11 arena, in his role as CEO, President, or COO, Mr. Needleman has: increased revenue in organizations ranging in size from $25 million to over $300 million; developed business growth strategies; built and motivated strong management teams; and produced successful results in both small start-up businesses as well as multibillion dollar corporations. He has successfully managed multi-location retail operations with up to 3,000 associates, 200 brick-and-mortar outlets and seven distribution centers.

Education/Affiliations

Mr. Needleman is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a BS in Industrial Engineering and Northeastern University with an MS in Industrial Engineering. He is active in the Turnaround Management Association (TMA). He has also been active in a number of charitable foundations, including: The Children’s Miracle Network, Project Bread, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and Project Joy.