SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Senior Management Profiles

 

Jerry Spohn

A career dedicated to entrepreneurial business growth and management.  Over the past 25 years Jerry has nurtured the firm and helped guide it to be one of the leading  firms in the Military Exchange sales community, with a focus on consumer marketing, sales and customer service. Jerry has served as Chairman of Watt/Spohn Universal since 1993.

Sam Nelson

With more than 30 years of Consumer Product sales to the Retail and Catalog channels, Sam is a  veteran of Marketing Sony and other category leading brands to various retail channels since 1981, Sam has a diverse background of working with a number of category dominate, National retailers.

Sam career spans 17 years with WSU. The first 10 years as the Director of Navy Sales for WSU responsible for all of the firm's sales. Sam then assumed the role of Vice President of Sales at the Dallas HQ.  Since 2008 Sam has served as the firm’s President.

Steve Coyte

Steve began his career in the Military Resale Market in 1976 in the Northeast. Eventually he relocated to Dallas in 1985 as a VP of Sales with a major firm and then continuing on to Watt/Spohn – Universal.  Currently serving as Senior Vice President of Watt/Spohn – Universal.

Gene Jordan

Gene has spent over 30 years collaborating with the Military retail, manufacturers and customers. Gene’s expertise is in sales marketing  and understanding the needs and requirements of the military retail systems. Gene is currently serving as the Senior Vice President 

David Maiorani

David has 28 years of Sales and Service to the Military Exchange System. David brings a vast knowledge of the Exchange with more than 13 years of his tenure overseas.   David has been associated with a vast array of product categories and spent 10 yrs with Nike Inc. as a Strategic Account Executive in the Military Sales Div.  He is a University of Maryland Europe graduate & is a US Army veteran having served in the 1^st Armored Division.

 David has been with Watt/Spohn Universal since 2002 and currently serves as VP Corporate.

 

Donald Valade

Donald is a 15 year veteran of the Military Retail Exchange system. A graduate of University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science degree, Don spent 10 years with Anheuser Busch. Leaving Anheuser Busch he obtained a general MBA with a concentration in international business from the University of Texas at Dallas. 

Donald has been with Watt Spohn Universal for 11 years managing the Sporting Goods category and currently serves as VP Corporate.    

 

Cory Belkov

Working with the Military Exchange systems since 1983, Cory has a vast amount of experience and  is able to bring unique insights to Watt/Spohn Universal and their vendor partners.  

Cory is very active in the Resale community serving on the ALA Exchange Council and is a Board Member of the USO of Hampton Roads.   Cory has been with WSU since 2006 and is the Vice President of Business Development.

 

CORPORTATE HISTORY – TIMELINE

 

                1986 - The firm was founded by George Watt and Jerry Spohn as Watt/Spohn Military Sales specializing in Housewares, HBC, Consumer Electronics and Software. Multiple performance awards were received for business achievements and outstanding performance as the company brought a new perspective to the categories.

                1988 – The PC industry begins to evolve at retail and the company is one of the pioneers in PC marketing with the Military Exchange Systems

                1989 – The global footprint increases as an office is established in Germany and the expansion of the computer industry assisted in establishing a skill set in data analysis that remains a core competency of the firm today.

                1993 - The agency restructured as Watt/Spohn – Universal with the addition of Gene Jordan and Steve Coyte. The scope expanded to include leading Fortune 500 vendors in Sporting Goods, Outdoor Living, Hardware, Home Office and Automotive. Sam Nelson  joins the firm as the Director of Field Service – Navy.

                2000 – Don Valade joins the firm to manage the Sporting Goods and Outdoor Living Category.

                2002 – David Maiorani joins the firm to manage HBC and Housewares.

                2006 -  Don Valade and Watt/Spohn Universal wins its first Sales and Service award from AAFES.

                2008 – Sam Nelson is promoted to President .

2007 – 2009  Service excellance continues as WSU is awarded 8 AAFES Sales and Service awards.

2011 – Celebrating 26 years WSU continues to represent leading brands to the most valued customers in the world.

 

 Headquarters Sales

The Headquarters Sales Team is under the direction of Sam Nelson. With over 30 years of Retail sales experience selling to National retailers, Sam is a 17 year veteran of WSU. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position. Sam currently serves as President of Watt/Spohn-Universal.

Cory Belkov, Vice President of Business Development assists Sam with the structure and scope of each product category and service branch. Cory's 30 year tenure in Military Exchange agency management provides a high level of industry expertise and management oversight.

Our sales team is divided into management groups with specific category focus. The Headquarters calls are made by veterans of industry who understand the flow and style of the business with an in-depth knowledge of our customer.

• Our Brand Managers head up the Headquarters sales effort. With their extensive experience, they can address the AAFES Headquarters’ initiatives with knowledge and experience.
• NEXCOM calls will be coordinated under the Brand Manager through Lou Mungin. Marine Corps activity is also handled by Lou.
• Veteran's Administration buying offices are served by Stu Dunlop.
• Coast Guard sales efforts are directed by Cory Belkov.

As a company, we interact very effectively with the Headquarters teams. The call frequency will be driven by the opportunity, situation, season and need. It’s important to understand, however, that we are always “on call” only a few minutes away from the buyers and numerous other Headquarters departments and personnel.

Site Account Managers

Our 250 seasonally adjusted, site/base specific Merchandising Representatives possess similar skills and, because their position is focused only on one or two stores. Their knowledge of the localized military community is always of great benefit. They know store personnel, the store’s unique operating style, logistics factors and idiosyncrasies within the various departments.