AIM maintains a roster of highly qualified home furnishings professionals located throughout the world. Each project is staffed according to the needs and cost parameters established by our clients. Our pool of personnel is large and may expand (or contract) based upon the scope of the individual project.

KEY U.S. ASSOCIATES

Robin K. Albing

Robin Albing is the founder and President of Albing International Marketing. Prior to the establishment of AIM, she spent 10 years with home furnishings corporate leaders, Lenox China and Corning Glass Works. As a specialist in strategic planning and business development, Robin has led major AIM projects for clients such as Lifestyle Furnishings Inc., Amway Corporation, Bernhardt, Waterford Wedgwood, and World Kitchen. She is currently spearheading AIM's new internet market research businesses. Robin received a Masters of Business Administration from the Amos Tuck School of Dartmouth College and a Bachelor of Arts from Lehigh University.

Nancy Neumann

Nancy Neumann, Senior Director, has worked with AIM for seven years. She has previously held positions as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Baccarat Inc., F. Schumacher & Co. and Steuben (a division of Corning, Inc.). She worked as CEO of Brielle Galleries, a luxury retailer acquired by a venture capital group, where her role was to transition the company from private ownership to a strategically managed business. Nancy's specialties include strategic planning, branding, product development and distribution strategy. She has managed projects in the US and abroad for WMF, Oneida Silversmiths, Lenox, Reed & Barton, Cartier, and many international clients. She holds Bachelor of Business Degree from Miami University and has continued her studies through programs at Harvard University, Simmons College and the Center for Creative Leadership.

Meri Pollak

Meri Pollak graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Economics. Her corporate experience included positions as Sales Analyst for CBS Broadcast Group, and Senior Financial Analyst for Elizabeth Arden, Inc. For over 20 years Meri has served as a market research and marketing consultant, directing market research projects for a wide range of corporate clients including American Express, Colgate-Palmolive, The Dallas Market Center, Lenox China & Crystal and Waterford/Wedgwood. She has been with AIM since its inception, as the Director of Market Research.

Lisa Paine

Lisa Burdett Paine has been a part of AIM since 1998. As Senior Consultant, she works on projects ranging from product development to promotional planning to public relations. A native of Atlanta and graduate of Princeton University, Lisa started her career at Grey Advertising. Her corporate experience includes Avon, Lenox and Waterford Wedgwood. In addition to client work at AIM, Lisa also leads our “Sky Blue” brainstorming sessions and our on-going research on the American Kitchen, "Kitchen Pulse".

Patricia Troy Cammerzell

Patricia Troy Cammerzell joined the Albing International Marketing team in 1995 as a consultant specializing in new product and new business development. She brings over 15 years experience in the marketing and product development of high end tabletop and home furnishings products to the group. Corporate experience includes a variety of marketing and design positions with Kirk Stieff Silver Company and Lenox Brands. Tricia graduated from Western Maryland College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing and Communications.

Mary Catherine Gonzalez

Mary Catherine Gonzalez has broad experience in merchandising and product management, including strategy and product concept development and implementation, team facilitation, consumer and competitive research, sales forecasting and promotion planning. Her corporate experience includes Pergo, a division of Sweden's Perstorp, AB, Inc., Management Horizons, a special practice unit of the Products/Retail Industry Group at Price Waterhouse, Steuben, a division of Corning, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Mary Catherine has worked on both strategic planning and product development projects with a range of major retailing and manufacturing companies in the home furnishings industry, including the furniture, tabletop and giftware categories. Mary Catherine graduated from Cornell University.

Gail R. Starr

Gail R. Starr joined Albing International Marketing in 1998, bringing more than 15 years of international and on-line marketing and experience. Gail's prior work experience ranged from classical brand management in Fortune 100 consumer packaged goods companies to senior management positions in international luxury products. Most recently, Gail was the Vice President of International Marketing for DMC, a leading French textile and crafts manufacturer. Before joining DMC, Gail enjoyed marketing roles with Steuben (a division of Corning), Nabisco, General Mills and Calvin Klein. She received her MBA from Columbia Business School and her BA from Washington University in St. Louis. Gail is also currently a member of the board of directors of Blossom.com, an internet start-up based in Boston, MA

Mary Ann Seymour

Mary Ann Seymour has worked as an associate with Albing International Marketing since 1995 conducting market research and analysis functions. Among the many AIM projects she has worked on are Universal Furniture/Lowe's, Wilton Armetale, Amway, Maitland-Smith, Corning, National Housewares Manufacturers, and Irish Trade Board. Prior to coming to AIM, Mary Ann had worked as a manager in health care for twelve years conducting product development and market research projects. She has a Masters in Public Health in Health Care Administration from Tulane University School of Public Health and a Bachelors of Science from Newcomb College of Tulane University.

Trish Yula

KEY INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATES

Michael Pfeiffer, Senior International Associate, Business School University of Giessen. Background: International Representative for the NHMA in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Consultant to Joyce Chen Inc., Taylor Precision Instruments, SHOPA, Chartpak Inc., Vance Industries and many other US companies (housewares and other consumer products).

Suniti Varma, Founder and President of KK Consulting in New Delhi, is AIM’s consulting affiliate in India. With a Master's degree in English literature followed by Marketing Management, Suniti has an overall experience of over 34 years. Ranging from marketing to market research to corporate planning, his experience makes him an ideal choice for clients who need end-to-end joint venture handling.

Linda B. Ravin, Eastern European Specialist (Stockholm) B.A. Columbia University, M.B.A. New York University, International Management Program, Stockholm School of Economics, Background: Tiffany & Company Grey Advertising N.W. Ayer Advertising