Tom Gierlak Named Director, Special Projects For USA Baby

Furniture World Magazine

USA BABY, a leading specialty retailer of infant and children’s furniture and accessories, has recently hired Tom Gierlak as Director, Special Projects. Mr. Gierlak will work closely with Mr. Ron Eriksen, USA BABY’s CEO, to provide key support to franchisees within targeted areas in the United States and Mexico. Some of these specific areas of targeted support include updating computer systems, training procedures and various other items per Mr. Eriksen’s direction. Prior to this position, Mr. Gierlak was Regional Manager for The Baby’s Room (a USA BABY franchise with locations throughout Chicago), where he was responsible for much of the historic growth of The Baby’s Room’s multiple store operations in the Chicagoland market. Both USA BABY and The Baby’s Room were founded by Alan Levine, the current President of USA BABY. Mr. Gierlak anticipates continuing the current trend of growth in USA BABY by the ongoing implementation of effective programs that empower the franchisees. Regarding his new position, he says, “I’m really looking forward to this position… I’ve already been working with many of these same people. I believe I can help to grow the company and help the franchisees to develop and grow.” During the years from 1982-1994, Mr. Gierlak’s expertise was honed as a Retail Manager and Warehouse Operations Manager for The Baby’s Room. In 1994, he was promoted to the position of Director, Store Operations for the USA BABY stores in the Chicago area. Over the 10-year period, he witnessed an upsurge in customer sales and expansion in the overall product lines carried. Mr. Gierlak’s new position entails developing and increasing the effectiveness of USA BABY’s computer systems and training programs for the purpose of cultivating franchisee profitability and stability. He says, “This company has the potential to really grow the strength of our group and make it a bigger force in not only the franchise community, but also the furniture business.” The future of USA BABY, according to Mr. Gierlak, is positive and uninhibited, given the right training and development opportunities for the franchisees. His adage is: “As we strengthen each individual store, the entire group increases in strength.” Looking back at his past successes, Mr. Gierlak believes USA BABY’s future is unrestrained. The addition of Mr. Gierlak to USA BABY represents one more positive step that America’s number one infant furniture and accessories retailer is taking to ensure the success of their franchisees. For store information, call USA BABY headquarters at (800) 323‑4108, or visit USABABY.com.