Bob is Founder and CEO of Naples Ventures, LLC, a specialty investment firm.
The firm owns Landmark Stores, LLC, operator of People’s Pottery stores in New York
and Florida; and Naples Direct, a direct marketer of motorcycle accessories &
parts via its Competition Accessories, Tire Express, Helmut Express and ATV Supply
brands. Naples Ventures also has investments in other retail and support businesses.
He is a Director of Ulta Salon, Cosmetics and Fragrance, Inc. Bob has lectured
frequently at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Business
School, in addition to other educational institutions on a pro bono basis.
Until January 2002, Bob ran Borders Group Inc., as Chairman from November 1999 and
Chairman & CEO from the beginning of 1994. Bob joined Borders (then called
Book Inventory Systems) as CEO in January 1989. At that time, the Company
had just opened its fifth bookstore, and achieved retail sales of $17 million.
He and his team developed a plan to expand the Borders concept into America’s major
markets. Under his leadership, Borders Group floated a public stock offering in
May 1995, tracking on the New York Stock Exchange as BGP and eventually reaching
the Fortune 500. Since the public offering, the Company expanded throughout
the US and internationally, with stores in Singapore, the United Kingdom, Ireland,
Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia, as well as the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico.
Prior to joining Borders, Bob was President and CEO of Hickory Farms, Inc. and previous
to that was recruited as Vice President of Marketing - Little General Stores in
Tampa, Florida a division of General Host. Bob began his career with
Acme Markets, Inc. (American Stores) where he held several positions, ending as
Director of General Merchandise for the chain. From 1968-72, Bob served in
the U.S. Navy achieving the rank of Lieutenant. As an Aviator, he spent more than
three years in the Far East based at Atsugi, Japan, flying 250 missions throughout
the Far East, including 175 in the Viet Nam theatre.
Bob received his B.S. from Drexel Institute of Technology and his M.B.A. from the
Harvard Business School in 1968 and 1974.