Jim Long

Jim Long is a proven driver of growth and performance, who helps high-potential businesses remake themselves, reach strategic milestones, and produce measurable results. He is a tested executive with 15 years of in-depth experience in all facets of strategic planning, budgeting, cost management, operations, technology, sales and marketing, process improvement and organizational development.

In his roles as Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President and Member of the Board of Directors of the Tiffen Company from 1997-2002, Jim helped Tiffen become a strategic partner to Kodak, HP, Mattel and Toshiba. Through these efforts, the company grew to a $70 million worldwide manufacturer and distributor of photographic and digital photography accessories. Customers ranged from the photographic specialty market to mass-market retailers Wal-Mart, Circuit City and Target. This position developed and executed strategic direction, with operational and P/L responsibility for manufacturing, distribution, information and telephony, customer service, human resources, e-commerce, product development, direct marketing, and business-to-consumer sales. While COO, Tiffen grew 5-fold through acquisitions, licensing, and new product development. He participated in multiple-funding "road shows" to secure private placement and major bank financing to support a 100% annual growth.

While serving as the Director of Continuous Improvement, member of Executive Management for MSC Industrial Supply from 1987-1997, Jim helped MSC 2003 revenues exceed $800 million as the industry-leading catalog and retail distributor of 500,000 items to manufacturing plants nationwide. This unique position, reporting to the CEO, redefined the culture and business process from the receiving dock to the executive suite of this fast growth multi-location company. As a member of Executive Management, he helped set strategic direction and executed fiscal and administrative controls. The results supported 10-times growth from $35 to $350 million over a ten-year period, and a listing on the NYSE. In addition to executive duties, this position undertook multiple functional turnaround roles required to improve operations. Each assignment lasted 1-3 years:

• Director of IT Development and Operations 1995-1997
• Director of Marketing and Advertising 1992-1995
• Director of Sales and Customer Service Operations 1989-199
• Human Resources and Organizational Training Manager 1987-1989

Jim holds an MBA from Hofstra University and a BA in Economics from Montclair College.