Our Team

Gary is the President-Group I of Consumer Connection, Inc. He founded Consumer Connection, Inc. in January 1982.

Gary specializes in all aspects of the consumer packaged goods industry and in all facets of sales and sales management. He has successfully staffed fortune 500 companies and helped small startup businesses find the leadership necessary to compete in today's market. His expertise encompasses senior management team leadership, national accounts, trade marketing, category management, and all strategic staff planning. He has spent over 30 years building sales teams in direct, brokered, distributor and DSD distribution models. Notable clients are Del Monte, Georgia Pacific, Revlon, Nestle, Chiquita/Fresh Express and numerous others.

Prior to 1982, Gary managed a local search firm. He also has sales management experience in the Toy and Hobby industry.

Gary has four daughters and three grandchildren. Gary resides in Newcastle, Washington.

Howard is the President-Group II of Consumer Connection, Inc.. He joined Consumer Connection in 1984 and became a partner of the firm in 1990.

Howard specializes in consumer packaged goods sales management recruiting, including trade and category management, national accounts, broker management, private label and direct store delivery. Howard's clients range from Start-up companies to Fortune 500 companies in categories including grocery, beverage, frozen, health & beauty, cosmetics, confection, bakery-deli, and natural.

Howard is a member of the NACDS and IDDBA. He participates at Expo West, NNFA, FMI and WAFC.

Prior to 1984, Howard spent eight years at Johnson & Johnson's Personal Products Company. He held a series of increasingly responsible positions in field sales in the Los Angeles and Seattle Markets. He managed a Pacific Northwest District, supervising a team of 12 employees over a five-state area.

Howard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from The Ohio State University.

Howard and his wife Susan reside on Mercer Island, Washington.

Susan is Vice President of Sales recruiting for Consumer Connection, Inc. She joined Consumer Connection, Inc. in 1989 as a sales researcher and became an Account Executive in 1994. She was promoted to Vice President of Sales in 1996.

Susan specializes nationally in consumer packaged goods sales management recruiting, including trade and category management, national accounts, broker management, private label and direct store delivery. Susan's clients range from Start-up companies to Fortune 500 companies in categories including grocery, beverage, frozen, health & beauty, cosmetics, and tele-communications.

Susan is a member of NACDS, CEW and Network of Executive Women.

Prior to 1989, Susan spent four years as Director of Advertising for a Seattle based chain of drug stores.

Susan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Advertising from the University of Washington.

A native of Portland, Oregon, Susan has resided in Seattle, Washington for 20 years.

Adrien is Vice President of our consumer marketing division. She joined Consumer Connection, Inc. in 1994 as a Researcher and became an Account Executive in 1996. Adrien was promoted to Vice President in 1999.

Adrien specializes in consumer packaged goods brand management and consumer marketing recruiting. Her clients include Fortune 500 companies in food, health & beauty, beverage, high tech and telecommunications.

Prior to 1994, Adrien spent several years at Coopers and Lybrand as a Staff Accountant within their audit practice.

Adrien holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Washington.

Adrien resides on Mercer Island, Washington with her husband, Jay, their two daughters, Alexis and Alyssa, and Treeing Walker Coonhound, Paxton.

Todd is a Senior Account Executive. He joined Consumer Connection, Inc. in 1993.

Todd specializes in the beverage and food service categories in national accounts, sales management, trade marketing, field marketing, and category management. His clients include major wine, beer, spirits, and non-alcoholic suppliers in beverage recruiting. He also works with regional and national manufacturers, distributors, and brokers in food service.

Prior to 1993, Todd's work experience was in distribution at Coca-Cola and Ocean Spray.

Todd graduated from the University of Washington in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and was the Intercollegiate Recruiting Assistant for Husky Athletics.

Todd resides in Sammamish, Washington with his wife, Wendy, daughter Cassie, and son Carter.

Peter is a Senior Account Executive. He joined Consumer Connection, Inc. in 1997.

He specializes in Consumer Marketing/Brand Management, Market Research, and Business Development Recruiting. He brings over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing management in the consumer packaging goods industry. He has spent 17 years at Quaker Oats Company, receiving seven promotions and earning many awards and accolades. He was also a Vice President of Marketing with a company in the Nutraceutical Industry and a Senior Vice President of Marketing in the Advertising Specialty Industry.

Peter holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing and Finance. He graduated Magna Cum Laude and has completed extensive post-graduate work.

Peter lives with his wife, Dyanne, and two Jack-Russell Terriers in Renton, Washington.

Heather is a Senior Account Executive. She joined Consumer Connection, Inc. in 2006.

Heather specializes in the consumer products industry, with an emphasis on consumer electronics, hardware, housewares, toys and general merchandise. Her area of expertise includes sales management, trade and category management, and national accounts.

Prior to joining Consumer Connection, Inc., Heather lived in Los Angeles. She worked for Creative Artists Agency booking national tours.

Heather holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications with a concentration in Media from the University of Washington.

Heather resides in Seattle, Washington.

Jeff is an Account Executive. He joined Consumer Connection, Inc. in 2001.

Jeff specializes in consumer product sales and sales management recruiting.

Prior to 2001, Jeff managed the technical and professional branch of Staffmark, a staffing firm in Portland, Oregon. He also spent a year assisting with recruitment in the Human Resources department of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. in Renton, Washington.

Jeff holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management from the University of Washington.

Jeff resides in Normandy Park, Washington with his wife, Carrie, and their daughter Maya.

Steve is an Account Executive. He joined Consumer Connection, Inc. in 2002. Prior to 2002, Steve recruited in the Engineering industry.

Steve specializes in strategic sales and sales management recruiting for the consumer packaged goods industry. This encompasses trade marketing, category management, and all field sales management positions.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Western Washington University with a concentration in Human Resource Management.

Steve and his wife, Nicole, reside in Woodinville, Washington with their two boys Gage and Reid and their dog Bella.

Cierra is an Account Manager. She joined Consumer Connection, Inc. in the fall of 2010.

Cierra specializes in consumer packaged goods sales and sales management. This includes trade marketing and category management.

Cierra holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration, with concentrations in Finance, Law and Public Policy, from Gonzaga University.

A native of San Diego, California, Cierra now resides in Seattle, WA.

Javier is an Account Manager. He joined Consumer Connection, Inc. in 2008.

Javier specializes in consumer packaged goods brands management and consumer marketing with a focus in health and beauty care, beverage and grocery companies.

Prior to joining Consumer Connection, Inc., Javier lived in Northern California. He worked for a national consulting firm in sales, marketing and consulting in the Legal and Conveyance Industry.

Javier holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelors of Science Degree in Agriculture Economics from Washington State University.

Javier resides in Covington, Washington.

Candice is an Account Manager. She joined Consumer Connection, Inc. in August of 2010.

Candice specializes in strategic sales and sales management recruiting for the consumer packaged goods industry. This encompasses trade marketing, category management, and all field sales management positions. Her clients include Fortune 500 companies, small to mid-sized manufacturers and startups.

Prior to CCI, Candice spent 6 months interning for KOMO 4 news as an investigative reporter. She also spent a year and a half with Janet Wainwright Public relations coordinating promotions and creating marketing plans for Columbia/Sony Pictures in the Portland and Seattle areas.

Candice graduated from the University of Washington in 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. Candice Lives in Seattle, WA.

Kathleen is an Account Manager. She joined Consumer Connection, Inc. in 2010.

Kathleen specializes in consumer packaged goods brand management and consumer marketing recruiting. Her clients include Fortune 500 companies in food/grocery, health & beauty, beverage, natural products and high tech.

Prior to joining Consumer Connection, Inc. Kathleen was in Retail Management at Nordstrom and a Resident Assistant at Gonzaga University.

Kathleen holds a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from Gonzaga University. Go Bulldogs!

Kathleen resides in Seattle, WA.

Bear is Chief Canine Officer.

Bear has worked at Consumer Connection since November, 2003. He has logged over 6000 hours of candidate interviews.

He is a market researcher for pet food clients.

His hobbies include herding cattle and sheep.