After receiving a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from The Haskayne School of Business at The University of Calgary in 1989, Mr. Elsey was invited to become a member of Beta Gamma Sigma, the honour society whose membership is the highest national scholastic recognition the school can offer. Beginning in 1989, Mr. Elsey held various sales and marketing positions within differing industries – Oil & Gas (ProGas), Information Technology (Crowntek) and packaged goods (Mattel Toys).
In 1995, Mr. Elsey joined Hewlett-Packard Canada in the development of the new Consumer Sales organization.
In 2005, Mr. Elsey joined Canadian Satellite Radio as Director, Retail Sales & Distribution, where he was instrumental in launching XM Satellite Radio in Canada. In 2007, Mr. Elsey joined TOMTOM Inc. as National Sales Manager, where, in 2008, he was promoted to Country Manager for Canada.
Throughout his career, Mr. Elsey has successfully developed mutually beneficial relationships at all levels with both national & regional retailers and distributors throughout Canada, including Best Buy Canada, Future Shop, Walmart Canada, Canadian Tire, The Source, Staples, Sears Canada, London Drugs, Toys R Us, Hudson’s Bay Company, Costco Wholesale, D&H Canada, Synnex, Ingram Micro, AutoMobility and GB Micro.
Kevin is a retail executive with over 35 years of experience and leadership in all aspects of retail including store operations, merchandising, global sourcing, private and captive brands, supply chain and eCommerce. Kevin held leadership roles with leading retailers including Hudson’s Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, and, most recently, The Source.
Kevin is known for his ability to transform businesses by creating a vision that is well communicated and easy to follow, while developing strategies for success. This is evident in the work he did most recently at The Source. Some key accomplishments include:
- transforming the Private label business,
- bringing in key brands such as Apple, Samsung, Canon, and Bose to name a few to the merchandise division,
- implementing several new initiatives in Supply Chain to reduce working capital, while driving in stock levels and turnover, and
- most importantly, doubling The Source market share during his tenure.
Kevin’s wide ranging reach and strong vendor relationships will be an integral part of growing the Odyssey Partners portfolio. Additionally, Kevin’s experience rounds out the knowledge base and over 70 years of combined retail experience that Odyssey Partners Inc. shares.
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