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Marti Morenings
Founder, Chairman
Universal Companies Founder Marti
Morenings learned how to run a company from the ground up, beginning in
1982 with a business she and her father created. In the late 1980's the company
began to distribute skin care and esthetics products, and in 1991 Marti created
the first company catalog and one-stop-shop for estheticians and spas around the
world. Since then, she has developed several proprietary brands and created strategic
alliances with well-known brands.
In 2006 Marti served on the Travel and Tourism Panel for the 21st
Annual Entrepreneurship Conference at Harvard Business School. Day Spa Association
and the International Medical Spa Association also named Marti the 2007 Spa Philanthropist
of the Year in 2007 for her success raising funds to benefit breast cancer awareness.
Roger Shomburg
Executive Vice President
Roger Schomburg was retired with more than
37 years in retail marketing and management when he came to Universal Companies
in 1997. Seeing an exciting entrepreneurial opportunity to help build a unique company,
he was eager to offer his expertise in business planning and senior management.
Roger's current focus is on company operations and business development, including
acquisitions and future expansions.
Before joining Universal, Roger served as Senior Vice President of International
Cruise Shops for a duty-free company operating on 50 ships. Roger's previous experience
also includes VP Director of Ohrbach's Department Stores and VP General Manager
of a group of Memphis-based stores. Roger graduated from Hofstra University with
a degree in Marketing Management.
Alfredo Carvajal
Senior Vice President, Sales & Operations
Alfredo Carvajal joined Universal Companies
in June 2008 and is Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and Product Development.
He brings 19 years of experience in hotel and spa operations, management, service
development, and strategic planning to the organization. Alfredo oversees Universal's
Sales, Marketing, and Merchandising departments, and is responsible for developing
the domestic and international resort and day spa market segments.
Alfredo previously held management and executive positions with Royal Caribbean
Cruise Lines, The Walt Disney Company, Ritz Carlton Hotels and Canyon Ranch Health
Resorts. Alfredo holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and several
professional certifications.
Brenda Elliott
Senior Vice President & CFO, Universal Companies
Prior to joining Universal Companies in
2008, Brenda Elliot worked to build and maintain the financial infrastructure of
American Classic Voyages, a cruise, hospitality, and travel organization. She worked
her way up from Director of Accounting to Vice President of Finance, and eventually
served as Senior Vice President of Finance and Passenger Services. In time, Brenda
accepted a position as CFO/COO of Vacation.com, where she partnered with an entrepreneurial
team and venture capitalists to conduct due diligence on M&A opportunities.
She also integrated financial and operational aspects for 10 entities.
Brenda understands the importance of integrated business planning, financial controls,
and having well organized, efficient systems and procedures. She acquired her MBA
in 2006 from George Mason University.
Cathy Andersen
Director of Human Resources
Cathy Andersen is a seasoned human resource
professional with over 20 years of human resource management experience. She joined
Universal Companies in 2005 after working as a Human Resource Consultant and Vice
President with SESCO Management Consultants in Bristol, Tennessee. Prior to that,
Cathy spent several years as a Human Resource management professional with other
organizations such as Pepsi, Raytheon, and Ingersoll Rand.
Cathy acquired her BS in Organizational Management in 1997 from Virginia Intermont
College in Bristol, Virginia. As Universal's Director of Human Resources, Cathy
realizes the importance of attracting and retaining key talent. She is responsible
for all aspects of human resources including: planning and development, compensation
and benefits, employee relations, recruiting, and retention.
Debra Vittone
Vice President Corporate Sales
When Debra Vittone, Vice President Corporate
Sales joined Universal Companies in November 2007 she brought 25 years of experience
in the prestige beauty industry to her position. Prior to coming to Universal, she
worked with Lancôme Paris Cosmetics, Guerlain Paris, Cosmopolitan Cosmetics, and,
most recently, PUIG Prestige Beauty.
Kelly Wilson
Director of Marketing
Kelly Wilson brings 25 years of experience
to Universal Companies. With a Master of Fine Arts degree she taught design, printmaking,
and photography for Belhaven College, Jackson Mississippi, and achieved full tenure.
Kelly relocated to Northeast Tennessee in 1991 and accepted a position as Corporate
Director of Marketing and Public Relations for a large healthcare system. While
there, she managed a budget of more than $2.5 million.
In 2006, Kelly earned her Master of Business Administration, and joined Universal
Companies as Director of Marketing. Leading a full marketing team, she is responsible
for the development of the annual Spa Resource Book, direct mail, advertising, email
blasts, literature pieces, equipment manuals, the company's website, and participation
in tradeshows.
Nadean Booher
Director of Distribution
Nadean Booher joined Universal Companies
in 1998. As Controller she managed the Accounting Department, as well as Purchasing,
IT, and the warehouse. Prior to coming to Universal, Nadean was employed by a pharmaceutical
company, where she worked in the IT Department and was involved with clinical trials.
She also prepared financial statements and tax returns for an accounting firm. Nadean
worked with Universal Companies for five years under contract in that position.
Nadean has served Universal Companies as Director of Distribution since 2003. She
is responsible for the management of the Shipping and Receiving Departments, inventory
control, literature distribution, shipping, literature distribution, repairs and
returns, and traffic/logistics. Nadean also coordinates OSHA and hazardous materials
compliance and training.
Shain Chappell
Director of Finance
Shain Chappell began his career in 1991
as an insurance billing clerk with Quality Transportation Services, the largest
medical transportation company in Tennessee. Within one year he was promoted to
Corporate Controller and was instrumental in setting up the first statewide medical
capatation contract in the United States. In 1997, Shain went to work as Corporate
Controller for a national shipping company with a customer base of 2,500 accounts.
In 2000, Shain joined Cendant Corporation and as Finance, Planning, and Analysis
Manager he helped establish a corporate-wide bonus system for 20,000+ employees.
Since joining Universal Companies in 2002 as Director of Finance, Shain has used
his experience to help the company prepare for the future and continued growth.
Brian Paris
Director of Operations
Brian Paris joined Universal Companies
in January 2009, and contributes over 19 years of design, development, consulting,
and FF&E sourcing experience, including 11 years devoted to the spa, medical
and hotel/resort industries. He is a specialist in the areas of spa development,
design, and sourcing for spa owners, hotel/resort companies, developers, architects,
and medical spas.
During his years as a spa consultant, Brian served as Corporate Operations Manager
for LaBelle Spas and was recruited by actor Robert Redford for the conception, creation,
and development of his signature project, The Spa at Sundance Resort. He remained
with Redford as Director of Programming for Sundance Resort. The Spa at Sundance
has been featured in Bernard Burt's spa industry review "100 Best Spas of the World."
Teddy D. Lester
Director of Sales
Teddy Lester graduated from Emory and Henry
College in Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and a Bachelor
of Arts in Geography. After working for six years as a pharmaceutical sales specialist
and trainer, Teddy joined Universal Companies in 2006 as an outside sales representative
for the School Partnership Program. As Director of Sales & Education, Teddy
understands the importance of building long lasting relationships with clients and
is dedicated to helping Universal Companies' sales team provide excellent sales
and customer service. Teddy is also committed to working with Universal Companies'
education team to develop a best in class educational outreach program for our customers
and to further developing our Advance with Education website offerings.
"Building strong relationships and forging long-lasting partnerships are most essential
to my philosophy for working with clients. I look forward to helping you achieve
your vision for training exceptional future spa professionals."
EMAIL: TEDDY@UNIVERSALCOMPANIES.COM
PHONE: 276-591-4106 office | 276-591-7329 mobile
J. Patrick Campbell
Chief Executive Officer
Following his distinguished investment banking career of 26 years, Mr. Campbell served as President of The Nasdaq U.S. Markets, Chairman of software company Digital Focus Inc., interim COO of The American Stock Exchange, and most recently President of Grantham University. Mr. Campbell has joined Universal Companies as the Senior Executive of the company’s management team, where his focus is on maintaining tight operational efficiencies and developing solid infrastructure.
Cynthia Thompson
Creative Director
Cynthia Thompson joined Universal Companies in July 2009.
As Director of Creative Development, she brings over 25 years of experience in design, graphics,
photographic art direction, direct mail/catalog advertising knowledge, and web design to her role
with the organization. She manages a creative team to develop brand awareness through the publication
of a wide variety of printed and web pieces, including one of the most comprehensive resources available
to spas—Universal Companies’ annual Spa Resource Book.
“I am very excited to be working with the leading supplier in the spa industry, and look forward to
helping grow and expand Universal Companies as a brand.”
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Marti Morenings
Founder, Chairman
Marti Morenings is the Chairman of Universal Companies, Inc., the leading international distributor of equipment, products, and supplies to the spa and skincare industry...
read more
 J. Patrick Campbell
Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Campbell has joined Universal Companies as the Senior Executive of the company’s management team, where his focus is on maintaining tight operational efficiencies and developing solid infrastructure.
read more
Brenda Elliott
Senior Vice President & CFO, Universal Companies
Prior to joining Universal Companies in 2008, Brenda Elliot worked to build and maintain the financial infrastructure of American Classic Voyages...
read more
Alfredo Carvajal
Senior Vice President, Sales & Operations
Alfredo Carvajal joined Universal Companies in June 2008...
read more
 Kelly Wilson
Director of Marketing
Kelly Wilson brings 25 years of experience to Universal Companies. With a Master of Fine Arts degree she taught design, printmaking, and photography...
read more
 Cathy Andersen
Director of Human Resources
Cathy Andersen is a seasoned human resource professional with over 20 years of human resource management experience. She joined Universal Companies in 2005...
read more
 Nadean Booher
Director of Distribution
Nadean Booher joined Universal Companies in 1998. As Controller she managed the Accounting Department, as well as Purchasing, IT, and the warehouse...
read more
 Cynthia Thompson
Creative Director
As Director of Creative Development, she brings over 25 years of experience in design, graphics, photographic art direction, direct mail/catalog advertising knowledge
read more
 Shain Chappell
Director of Finance
Shain Chappell began his career in 1991 as an insurance billing clerk with Quality Transportation Services, the largest medical transportation company in Tennessee...
read more
 Teddy D. Lester
Director of Sales
Teddy Lester graduated from Emory and Henry College in Virginia with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Geography...
read more
 Brian Paris
Director of Operations
Brian Paris joined Universal Companies in January 2009, and contributes over 19 years of design, development, consulting, and FF&E sourcing experience...
read more
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