Jim Rossi - Principal

Jim Rossi is a business and marketing strategist who has been a key player in several noteworthy new business launches as well as the repositioning and revitalization of a number of existing products and services both in the areas of consumer and business-to-business marketing.

Prior to founding SMM, Mr. Rossi served as Chief Marketing Officer for the global launch of XPO Network a global airport media company based in the United Kingdom.

In 1987, Mr. Rossi co-founded the Business Strategy and Marketing consultancy, MarkNet Partners, after serving as a Marketing Director for Xerox Learning Systems.

As a Founding Partner, Jim assessed, developed and implemented new business opportunities and marketing strategies for MarkNet’s impressive client list including:

American Express
AT&T
Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games
Busch Entertainment (Busch Gardens and SeaWorld)
Cendant Corporation Century 21, Days Inn
Gannett Newspapers USA Today
General Electric GE Financial
Hilton Grand Vacations
Home Depot
IBM Global Services
Lockheed Martin Corporation
MCI
MasterCard International
Montgomery Ward
Rayovac
SBC Communications
Wal*Mart.

As a pioneer in the area of customer loyalty management played a strategic role in the launch of several major loyalty programs including Air Miles, Frequent Shoppers Advantage (190 brands of packaged goods), and National Car Rental's Emerald Club.

Jim has authored, produced and directed several plays and performance pieces in the New York metropolitan area.

Jack Daley - Principal

Mr. Daley is an accomplished senior leader with a wealth of experience in the areas of licensing, sales, retail, operations, cooperative marketing and sponsorship programs.

Mr. Daley is currently the President and Chief Operating Officer of XPO and its various subsidiary companies. Daley oversees all operations, sales and marketing efforts for XPO, Saratoga Polo ~ Catering and Events, Green Fields Development and other projects. Focused on growth opportunities, Daley has successfully developed and managed the rapid growth of the organizations and the corresponding revenues generated for the XPO Companies, its constituencies and clients.

Prior to XPO, Mr. Daley was Executive Vice President of BondRewards, Inc., a membership loyalty program focused on helping Americans save. Daley still sits as an active Member of the Board of Advisors of BondRewards. During his tenure, Daley was responsible for all sales, marketing, public relations and client services for BondRewards. He successfully developed the sales packaging and personally landed BondRewards' first major clients.

Prior to BondRewards, Daley was with AwardTrack, a start-up company specializing in loyalty solutions technology and was instrumental in negotiating the sale of the company to 24/7 Media.  In his capacity of EVP he was responsible for Worldwide Business Development, Client Services and Marketing

Mr. Daley joined AwardTrack after leading Internet Business Development for MemberWorks, Inc.  He was responsible for identifying, developing, closing and managing strategic relationships.  During Mr. Daley's tenure, multiple relationships with major internet organizations were forged and the successful implementation of MemberWorks' product distribution on the internet was developed. 

Prior to joining MemberWorks Mr. Daley was VP Business Development at Cendant Corporation.  Hired to develop and implement cross marketing programs between the brands of HFS, he also worked on the operational integration between HFS and CUC to form Cendant Corporation.  Mr. Daley's efforts contributed programs that generated incremental revenues and demonstrated the synergies between the Cendant Operations.

Mr. Daley began his career in retail, culminating in the role of directing all retail operations for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta as the Director of Merchandising.  Mr. Daley is a recognized expert in retail concession operations and licensing and was responsible for all merchandise operations for the ACOG controlled properties and venues and was an integral part of the financial success of the Games.  The $100MM generated by the merchandising revenues far exceeded previous Games and expectations.  Mr. Daley successfully negotiated all contracts and managed relationships with Concessionaires and local Government agencies.  He oversaw operations of 100+ locations; staffs in excess of 1,500 and 18 owned and operated full service retail locations.  Mr. Daley developed the concept for Super Store in Centennial Park, which now serves as the benchmark for centralized retail operations at events.  In addition he was on the steering committee for the development and operation of Centennial Olympic Park and coordinated operations activities with venue management, food and beverage, ticketing, hospitality, security and sponsor relations.  Mr. Daley. Was critically involved in licensing program interaction, recommendations, negotiations and ongoing relationships.  In addition, Mr. Daley has consulted with Sydney Committee on coordination of merchandising efforts for 2000 Games and wrote a merchandising plan for NYC 2012 in its bid efforts for the 2012 Olympic Games..
 
Mr. Daley has also held senior management positions at Callaway Gardens, Aramark (multiple retail concession operations) and began his career with John Wanamaker's Department Stores.

Mr. Daley earned his MBA from St. John's University and a BA from Villanova University .

Hal Buckland –Principal

Mr. Buckland has over 15 years of executive marketing, sales management and strategic planning experience with significant P&L responsibility. This includes managing budgets in excess of one hundred and fifty million dollars. Mr. Buckland’s accomplishments include:

Mexico Tourism Board – Strategic Marketing and Development
As director of economic resources for Volusia County, Mr. Buckland was responsible for Development and execution of strategic marketing relationships for the Country of Mexico in the North American Market. Last year this project was the winner of the Travel Trades world award for the most effective industry campaign in the world which resulted in tourism to Mexico increasing by 8%.

Volusia County, Florida - Executive Director
As director of economic resources for Volusia County, Mr. Buckland was responsible for its most important economic resources managing over one thousand employees in the following departments: The Daytona Beach International Airport, All of the Volusia County Beaches, the Ocean Convention Centre, An independent taxing district which funded the Port Authority, two police departments, and the counties Parks and Recreation department.

While with Volusia County, Mr. Buckland sold one of the first public private sponsorships in the Country with the Coca-Cola Company – which became a model for other municipalities and school boards around the U.S..

Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Director of Marketing – Games Services
While at the Atlanta Olympic Games Mr. Buckland launched and managed the most successful Olympic ticket sales effort in the history of the Olympic Games by leveraging strategic relationships, and the selling of sponsorships.
The leveraging of these strategic relationships increased our forecasted ticket sales from $250 million to over $400 million. This increase became a key element in helping to break the 1996 Olympic Games even financially.

Walt Disney World
Mr. Buckland managed the marketing for the Resort division. During his tenure we successfully doubled our hotel and meeting space inventory on property with minimum cannibalization. He also marketed, Pleasure Island, Down Town Disney, Ft. Wilderness, Typhoon Lagoon, all of the Disney owned Meeting & Convention Space, as well as all of the on property restaurants and Dinner Shows. Hal was also responsible for assisting in the creation and marketing of Disney’s on site “Destination Wedding” program, along with the development of a number of cooperative advertising programs with other on site

Sea World - General Manager Sea World Travel.
Mr. Buckland assisted in the creation, and ran the day-to-day operation of this wholesale travel company for 3 years before we sold the Company, then became Director of Marketing, for the Theme Park.

Dennis M. Despie - Principal

Dennis Despie began his career at Disneyland more than twenty-five years ago. As Vice President of Entertainment for the Walt Disney Company, he was responsible for all live entertainment worldwide, at Disneyland, Walt Disney World – including EPCOT Center and Tokyo Disneyland. This involved the creation and production of live talent shows, parades, special events, holiday programs and promotional tours. Additionally, he was responsible for the production of all live entertainment for the Walt Disney Company and its subsidiaries, i.e., motion pictures, tours, special events and parties.

In 1986 Mr. Despie formed his own production company (SELECT PRODUCTIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.) to produce and market spectacular events around the world. Some of his works include Super Bowl XI, XVIII, XXI, XXIV, XXVIII, XXXI, XXXV and XXXVI half time shows; Opening Ceremonies for the Tenth Pan American Games; White House Inaugural Ceremonies and Presidential Special Events; “Fantasy in Lights,” Callaway Gardens, Georgia; Disney Summer Magic at Radio City Music Hall. International clients and shows have included the Opening Ceremonies and all live entertainment for Lotte World, Seoul, Korea and Huis ten Bosch, Nagasaki, Japan, as well as all live entertainment for Ocean Park, Hong Kong; Opening Ceremonies, Batman Stunt Show, Voltin’s Country Show and Atmosphere Entertainment for Warner Bros. Movie World, Germany, show productions and consulting for Parque Espana, Japan and Asian Village, Singapore.

Some of the celebrity clients Mr. Despie has recently worked with include: Mariah Carey, Paul McCartney, Wynonna, Martina McBride, Mary J. Blige, U2, Aerosmith, Nelly, N-Sync, Britney Spears, and Janet Jackson.

His most recent clients include: National Football League, Sony, Clear Channel Entertainment, Fox TV, Tournament of Roses, MTV, CBS, and Warner Brothers.

Mr. Despie has been a member of the Advisory Board of the California Museum of Science and Industry and a member of the Board of Directors for the Orange County Committee of the Arts. He has served as a member of the Tournament of Roses Parade Association for fifteen years and has been honored as a judge for the world famous parade. He currently serves as a consultant for celebrations festivals and events throughout the world and has been the recipient of numerous awards for his shows including the distinguished “Freedom Award” from the Freedom Foundation of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.

Michael Bucci - Principal

Michael Bucci is former president and CEO of Armored Motor Service of America (AMSA), a Rochester-based company he started in 1977. By growing the company from one truck to over 400 with 1,300 employees he has helped create one of the largest armored car companies in the Northeast. The company provided service to banks, retail and financial institutions as well as the Federal Reserve Bank. This success resulted in his appointment by Governor Pataki as chairman of the Armored Car Advisory Board for the State of New York.

Bucci has invested 30 years into the creation and operations aspects of national businesses. In 2003, he was recognized by the Rochester Community Foundation as Entrepreneur of the Year—cited for bringing the vision to create a company focused on a spirited entrepreneurial approach to development.

Bucci is a Siena College alum, Class of ’73, and currently serves on the institution’s board of trustees. He has hosted many Siena College alumni receptions and focus groups around the country. He has also worked with Siena's admissions office, recruiting dozens of students from the Rochester and Long Island areas and helping students with job placement and mentoring their career development. Bucci used his talents to chair the Siena College Board of Associate Trustees' resources committee. He has also sponsored the Sarazen Golf Tournament and Siena Day at Saratoga for many years.

Bucci also serves on the boards for Sigl Sports and Roc.

Vincent Lambert - Vice President Finance

Headquartered in Saratoga Springs, New York, XPO Enterprises, LLC is the parent company of Saratoga Springboard Management, Green Fields Development and Saratoga Polo ~ Catering and Events.

Mr. Lambert is a Financial Management expert. A Certified Public Accountant, he is adept in all facets of finance, accounting, and business including planning, forecasting, analysis, reporting, budgeting, and modeling. Mr. Lambert’s experience includes ten plus years’ in repositioning multi-million/billion corporations, ventures, and businesses for greater prosperity through sound financial and business management planning. Lambert oversees the financial elements of XPO and its subsidiary companies.

Prior to XPO Lambert served as Chief Financial Advisor for The ITB Group, a strategic financial and business solutions company that provides consulting services to multiple clients. During his tenure, Lambert served as acting Director of Finance and Business Analysis for Barnes and Noble Ventures, developed business models and forecasting tools for Investors and Independent Theatre Operators, he devised the financial plan for Fanfare Communications, and, he developed detailed economic models for The Disney Channel.

Before joining ITB, Lambert was Senior Manager – Planning and Finance for Southern New England Telecommunications (SNET) where he designed comprehensive financial models for the internet, cable and publishing divisions. In addition he orchestrated financial planning, budgeting and forecasting of Pac Bell Internet and Southwestern Bell’s internet customers.

Prior to his promotion to Senior Manager at SNET, Lambert was Manager – Financial Operations and Manager – General Accounting at SNET.

Lambert’s career began with positions at Lightnet, Inc., Network Technology and SNET Wireless.

Lambert earned a BS in accounting from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, CT and an MBA concentrating in Finance from the University of New Haven in New Haven, CT. He is a Certified Public Accountant, MD. Affiliate Member CSCPA, CT

Margie Craig - Principal

Margie Craig has been working in various digital design disciplines for the past two decades. Over the years she has developed a diverse client base ranging from large insurance companies to Internet start-ups. Her projects include print, identity programs, multimedia presentations, website development and computer based training CD ROMS. Over the past decade she has created numerous websites and aided new businesses in launching e-business strategies. Clients include Cigna Insurance Group, The Hartford, ClearChannel, SSIMED, Homelink, Reuters, and American Distilling. She holds a BA from Skidmore College and MLS from Wesleyan University.