As Founder and Chairman of VCF, Kim leads member and sponsor acquisition and program content and direction. Previously, Kim served as President of The New York Credit and Financial Management Association from 1993-2003, the oldest commercial credit association in the United States and an affiliate of the National Association of Credit Management. Kim has served on the Strategic Planning Committee of the National Association of Credit Management. He holds a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York in Political Science.

Susan Haupt is responsible for VCF operations, membership development, and client services. Prior to joining VCF, Susan held various positions with leading textile and apparel firms in both IT and Sales Management. Susan holds a BA and an MBA from Farleigh Dickinson University.

Victor Engesser brings over 25 years of retail expertise into this position, where he will assist in the development of VCF programs and facilitate the retail portion of VCF events. Prior to joining VCF, Victor was the VP of Vendor Relations at Circuit City, managing multiple areas that supported the corporate relationship between Circuit City and over 400 vendor partners. He also served as VP Merchandise Manager - PC Solutions Group, with the responsibility for annual sales performance exceeding $3 billion. During his career, Victor has also held numerous senior merchandising positions and was a founding member and senior merchant of the Shop Television Network, which became JCPenney Shopping Channel.

Evie Hooper is responsible for the management and development of VCF's internet applications, notably the VCF Compliance Clearinghouse and TPNexus. Prior to joining VCF, Evie was Customer Relations Supervisor for Haggar Clothing Co. where she was responsible for the interpretation and communication of retailers' business requirements and contributed to broader supply chain execution initiatives. Evie brings to VCF a vast knowledge of compliance experience.

Sheri Kurdakul is Sales Manager of Alliances, Advertising, and Exhibitors. In this role, Sheri has responsibility for development of the service provider partnerships for the organizations, which reside at the nexus of retail, manufacturing, and related services worldwide. Sheri, with over fifteen years of experience, was previously Sales Manager, Project Manager, and Specialty Media Manager for Hannover Fairs, which managed the largest technology event in the world, with 7,000 exhibitors and sponsors. In addition, she has agency and print media management experience.

As Manager of Events Diane is responsible for conference management. Prior to VCF, Diane spent 13 years in various positions developing, managing and implementing corporate conferences and events from conception to completion. Diane holds a BS from Michigan State University.

Robert Prather has managed Accounts Receivable for over 20 years and is the former President of A/R Management Services, an A/R and Chargeback Consulting/Outsourcing Firm. A/R Management Services had been in business for nearly 20 years, providing its clients with professional assistance and quality results. He has served as former President of the Textile Professional Club and is actively involved with the California Fashion Association, The City of Hope, and The National Jewish Medical Foundation. His work and advice has been published and he has given numerous seminars and workshops on the effect dilution has on cash flow/profitability as well as establishing best practice protocols in the area of resolution and recovery of deductions.

Bob Houk has worked in trade promotion marketing since 1971, being involved in hundreds of programs. He has seen co-op, MDF, rebates, and other trade support programs from every perspective - he has managed programs for manufacturers, filed claims and taken deductions as a retailer, sold media using trade funds, worked as an ad agency account exec running a manufacturer-driven trade program, and he has been in the middle, working with both retailers and manufacturers on distributor-based pass-through programs. There is no significant category of product or service, nor any channel of distribution, in which he has not handled trade promotion programs.

The diversity of his experience has given him unique insights into the goals and problems of all the participants in trade programs, and into the strategy and tactics driving trade promotion, which he has incorporated into numerous articles, presentations, and seminars on the subject. He has published three books, including Trade Promotion Marketing, released last year by the Association of National Advertisers.