LCI - Key Persons
Andrew knows retail - and our company - like few others in our company. His experience in customer management, merchandising and related fields dates back 20 years, and his tenure at LCI recently hit 17. In his current role at LCI - which, we should note, is not his first - he oversees all aspects of purchasing, pricing, and contracting. At LCI, his greatest joy comes from applying his skills to our mission.
Andrew majored in Communications at Mercer County Community College, and has completed courses in the Dale Carnegie and Dynamic Change management programs. He is married with two children.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Store Operations
Bill has worked in retail for almost his entire life. He got his first job in customer service at age 15, and worked for two other retailers before finally landing at LCI. After two promotions, he now serves as our Vice President of Store Operations, focusing on our base supply centers. He's come a long way from pushing shopping carts.
Leveraging his 45 years of experience, Bill has help add 34 stores to our program, relocated seven more, and directly oversees 53 stores and six hazmat operations. Bill holds two Bachelor's degrees in Business Management and Industrial Organizational Psychology from Moravian College. His proudest accomplishments, however, are his 34-year marriage, three children, and four grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Director of Order Management Systems
Understanding customers and their needs are at the forefront of any good business model. That's what Charles Howard focuses on in his role as Director of Order Management Systems at LCI. He believes that marrying customer requirements to processes that your organization and its employees find easily repeatable makes for a world-class organization. Charles leverages his problem-solving prowess developed during his time at North Carolina State University pursuing his degree in Mechanical Engineering, as well as his previous 15 years of experience.
Above all else, Charles' faith is a driving force in his life. He enjoys his free time with his wife and 2 children in Apex North Carolina.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Business Development
Few people understand AbilityOne like DuWayne Gilbertson. As our Vice President of Business Development, he brings valuable experience in government procurement with the Army, ACE, VA, GSA, and other federal departments and agencies. Prior to joining us, DuWayne spent fourteen years with National Industries for the Blind, where he provided strategic guidance for product development while overseeing a nationwide team of account managers.
At LCI, DuWayne oversees all product and service development, along with sales of our manufactured products and wholesale services.
Job Titles:
- Quality, Safety & Environmental Director
For any manufacturer, safety is a top priority. With decades of experience in hazmat and safety programs, few people are better suited to lead that effort at LCI than Eugene. He joined us in 2011.
Since graduating from NC A&T in 1994 with a BS in Occupational Safety and Health, Eugene has grown his passion for safety. He has led safety efforts in asbestos removal, chemical and gas production, and the Newport News Navy Shipyard - the largest industrial employer in Virginia. Experience with municipal and federal government agencies make him uniquely qualified to manage safety around our AbilityOne products.
Grace began her career in IT sales and she has continued to climb the ladder to the top ever since. With nearly 40 years of sales management and leadership under her belt, working with both federal and private sector business, Grace landed her newest role this past November: Director of Sales at LCI.
Over the course of her successful career, she has earned a reputation for retaining top talent and leading teams to success, especially during challenging times of organizational change or rebranding. Throughout her career, Grace has worked with her sales teams to deliver increased product and solution services revenue as well developing and implementing programs resulting in new revenue.
Grace and her husband Chuck have four grown children, Gracie, Jonathan, Mary and Rebecca.
Grace received her bachelor's degree from American University.
Navigating the world of public accounting is tough, but it's especially challenging while balancing a marriage and children. Hope has been doing just that for eleven years, and in her two years at LCI has steered our financial ship with confidence and forward thinking. As Controller, Hope directs and oversees the company's financial functions including payables, receivables, capital asset management, and all period end closing procedures. She maintains the general ledger, prepares and analyzes the annual budget and monthly financial results, and works cross-functionally within the organization on numerous projects.
Hope is a CPA and holds degrees from Catawba College and North Carolina State University.
Job Titles:
- Director of Project Management Office and Business Processes
Jason Blevins joined LCI distribution operations in 2007 and worked his way to his most recent position as Business Operations Manager. After leading as Business Operations Manager for six years, Jason was promoted to Director of Project Management Office and Business Process in 2019.
Jason brings a well balanced mix of technical and functional expertise, bridging communications and project portfolio management between multiple departments. In his current role, Jason oversees continuous improvement with business processes, systems, tools, and integrations. He also coordinates large scale projects while ensuring proper training and documentation. Jason's responsibilities span manufacturing, distribution, retail, IT, and corporate functions.
Jason resides in Raleigh with his wife and two children.
For the past 12 years, Kathryn Jones has served in human resource management roles across a variety of different U.S. cities and industries. As one of LCI's newest leadership team members, Kathryn brings a level of multi-functional expertise and management experience that is unmatched. In her role as HR Director, Kathryn is responsible for the overall administration, coordination and evaluation of the human resources function at LCI.
Kathryn received her BA in Hospitality Business from Michigan State University.
Marisa's career has taken her many places in the last thirty years, having dabbled in the classroom and customer service before landing at LCI. But one thing has always remained the same: a passion for diverse and interesting people. At LCI, she built a comprehensive HR program for 800 employees from the ground up using expertise in recruiting, performance management, compensation, and policy development. She is also our designated Compliance and Ethics Officer.
Marisa is active in community volunteer organizations, her church, and serves on the board of the Triangle Radio Reading Service. She lives in Graham, NC with her husband of 34 years.
Job Titles:
- Director of Manufacturing
Marlene has worked in manufacturing for 28 years and has had the opportunity to drive business results in a diverse array of industries. Her experience in planning, problem-solving, engineering and operational skills has been demonstrated through successful product launches, plant relocations, and numerous continuous improvement projects. Marlene enjoys manufacturing because of the vibrant, ever-changing, fast-paced, hands-on environment. Her number one goal is to ensure a safe work environment and to maintain a quality product that meets customer expectations while maintaining the company's core values.
Marlene has an engineering degree from Mississippi State University and has been with LCI for more than 20 years. Throughout her career, she has held various positions in engineering and management. Above all, Marlene's passion is the mission of LCI and the people we serve.
Job Titles:
- Chief Operating Officer
- President
Patrick joined LCI as Chief Operating Officer in October 2014. His primary role is to ensure the operations of LCI function in the most efficient and effective manner. This includes manufacturing, distribution, retail sales, and purchasing. Before joining LCI, Patrick had 22 years of experience in accounting and auditing, and was a general services Partner with a national accounting firm. Patrick is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants. He received his BS degree in Accounting from East Carolina University.
Scott Schrantz brings over 30 years of operational experience to the LCI team. As a respected, strategic thinker with a proven track record of success, Scott has consistently demonstrated his superior capabilities in recruitment, training and development of top performing talent. As Director of Distribution at LCI, Scott oversees all aspects of distribution, transportation, and facilities and capital equipment for LCI.
Scott earned his B.A. in political science from George Mason University.