CHUCK LEE

Atlanta, GA.
M: 404.374.2838
chucklee2000@comcast.net
www.linkedin.com/in/chucklee2000

Creative leader that has delivered measurable results and added value in designs for
retail, consumer products, and the US military. Led and inspired internal and external
creative teams to deliver real world, best in class results. Created retail environments,
merchandising programs, and a variety of consumer and military products that increased
sales, customer loyalty, and R.O.I. Professionally recognized for a unique blend of
creative skills, technical expertise, business acumen and a passion for fulfilling customer
needs.

• Extensive background in creating new store formats, individual departments, and

display programs for U.S. and International markets.
• Skilled at directing creative teams, projects, budgets, design methodology, and
manufacturing to achieve success.
• Considerable knowledge of retail operations, customer behavior, in store marketing,
and how to blend these with effective design to increase the profitability of a retailer.
• Adept at navigating corporate complexity across multiple business lines in order to
build relationships.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

CHUCK LEE DESIGN – Alpharetta, GA Design Services 2008- Present

Principal
Design consultancy providing complete design and engineering services to retailers, architects,
product development companies, display companies, civilian and military product design firms.
• Clients include Target, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Brookstone, Department 56, Philips Design,
Schlotzsky’s Deli, Graco Baby Products, nParallel, Back Lot Productions, TNT Fireworks,
Pelatron, and many others.

HOME DEPOT INC. – Atlanta, GA Home Improvement Retailer 2006- 2008

Sr. Manager of Store Design, New Concept Development
Responsible for creating and developing new retail formats to provide future growth opportunities .
• In one-year period, involved in designing three new retail formats to exploit new markets.
• Created new shopping experiences for Kitchen, Bath, Outdoor Living, Millwork, and other
product categories.
• Responsible for opening 7 Small Market stores including construction, fixturing, graphics,
and product merchandising.

BEST BUY COMPANY – Richfield, MN. Consumer Electronics Retailer 1998- 2006
Director of Display Design 1998- 2004
Responsible for all aspects of Best Buy display and fixture program including design, cost, and
impact on the brand.
• Expanded creative staff from 2 to 13 to meet increased demand for design services.
• Managed $3 million yearly department budget to meet priorities and maximize revenue.
• Directly influenced $45 million yearly fixture spend.
• Managed vendor base of 30+ suppliers to improve quality and decrease TCO.
 • Led Display Design team to numerous industry design awards.

Sr. Sourcing Manager - Retail Environment 2004- 2006

Responsible for reducing capital costs on all items relating to the store environment.
• Saved $2.5 million a year by leading initiative to migrate from custom fixturing to high
volume fixturing where appropriate.
• Generated additional $5 million yearly savings through restructuring fixture buying process
and e-sourcing activities.
• Spear headed initiative to reduce store opening costs by 44% in order to penetrate new
markets.
• Saved 50% on Geek Squad store fixturing program.

GAGE IN STORE MARKETING – Minneapolis, MN. Marketing Firm 1994- 1997

Design / Engineering Director
Responsible for translating client-marketing direction into retail point of sale programs.
• Designed, engineered and delivered single point of sale programs as large as $6 million.
• Directed all aspects of design and engineering for displays and graphics.
• Responsible for client presentations

HARBOR INDUSTRIES – Grand Haven, MI. Custom Design/Manufacturing Co.

Designer
Responsible for designing, illustrating and engineering point of sale programs.

CHICAGO SHOW – Chicago, IL. Custom Design/Manufacturing Co.

Design Engineer
Responsible for engineering P.O.P displays for a variety of clients.

THOMAS A SCHUTZ CO. – Chicago, IL. Custom Design/Manufacturing Co.

Design Engineer
Responsible for engineering P.O.P displays for a variety of clients.

EDUCATION / TRAINING
B.F.A., Industrial Design – University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
LEAN and Six Sigma process trained to identify and eliminate waste and improve outcomes.

Experienced with a wide variety of CAD and other programs used for design, illustration and
engineering.

Completed Best Buy Co. Certified Training Courses including Team Management and Team
Building, Leadership, Coaching, and Consumer Technology.

SPEAKING INFORMATION
Public Speaker at numerous Trade Show and Vendor Conferences. Subjects included:
“Retail and Consumer Trends”, “Adapting Store Formats to a Variety of Locations and
Demographics”, “Cost Effective Design Practices”, “Put Your Money Where the Customer Notices”