Welcome to
Retail Relates
Where we explore the heart of retail through the personal journeys and lessons of industry influencers, from rising talents to revered icons. We invite you to discover the human stories and diverse perspectives that illuminate global commerce, transforming every insight into a relatable and deeply personal narrative. Join us to connect with the true spirit of retail, where every story resonates and inspires..
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Gautham Vadakkepatt
I am an Associate Professor of Marketing at UCF College of Business, where I bring my 10+ years of experience in academia and industry to advance the field of marketing and retail transformation. My mission is to explore the intersection of product market strategy, non-product market strategy, and emerging technologies, and how they affect customer mindset metrics, firm value, and social impact. I have published multiple papers in top-tier marketing journals and received prestigious awards such as the 2021 Davidson Award and the 2015 MSI/H. Paul Root Award.
I am also passionate about teaching and developing the next generation of marketing leaders. I have created and taught courses on marketing analytics, emerging technology and strategy, retail/ecommerce management, and business model innovations, and received outstanding teaching awards in 2017 and 2021. I currently serve on Coresight Research's AI Advisory Council and Rethink Retail’s Advisory Council. As the founding director for the Center for Retail Transformation at George Mason University, I built innovative private-public partnerships with companies and trade associations on research, teaching, and thought leadership initiatives. I am recognized as a top retail influencer by Rethink Retail (21, 22, 23,, and 24), Coresight AI Influencer (2023) and an initial contributor to the Universal Principles of the Conscious Attention Economy.
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Rich Honiball
Rich Honiball is a seasoned executive with a proven track record of developing & executing long-term growth plans, creating impactful marketing strategies, and building world-class teams. Currently serving as the EVP, Global Chief Merchandising & Marketing Officer for NEXCOM, Rich is responsible for marketing, merchandising, planning, & execution for the $2.4B worldwide retail division, the Navy Exchange. He is also responsible for global marketing and brand leadership for the NEXCOM business portfolio, including the NEXCOM Hospitality Group, Ships Store Program, Uniforms & NEX Connect (Telecommunications). Rich also serves as an Adjunct Instructor at George Mason University, teaching Retail & E-Commerce at the Costello School of Business.
Rich founded PDB Advisory Group & the Brand(Co)Lab, working with established and start-up brands to develop strategic marketing efforts and purpose-driven branding. Rich held executive positions at Haggar as the SVP of Marketing, Licensing & E-Commerce, where he led a significant brand refresh attracting a new generation of customers, and at JC Penney as the VP of Men’s & Kid’s Private Brands, where he led the design, product development & trend teams that drove an annual sales volume of over $2.7 billion.
Rich holds an MBA from William & Mary's Mason School of Business and a B.S. in Marketing from SNHU, graduating with honors from both programs. Rich has earned multiple honors throughout his career, including being named a CMO Club Award winner for both Customer Experience and Innovation, an ONCON ICON Top 100 Marketer of the Year, and was named by RETHINK RETAIL as one of the Top Retail Experts. He is married to his high school sweetheart. They have a daughter who is attending college, and when not working, teaching, or writing, Rich loves to travel, having visited all 50 states and over 65 countries (and counting).
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Paula Gean
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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