User:Stevefor/sandbox

'''Stephen P. Forte

Executive Bio'''

Stephen Forte is an expert at rapidly growing small and large international businesses, and expanding companies into new markets and product segments. With an expertise in China and Asian markets, Mr. Forte’s skills and council are frequently sought by research firms, investment banks and private equity companies doing business in Asia. Mr. Forte has managed businesses ranging from entrepreneurial start-ups to multi-billion dollar matrix managed organizations, in industries from high-tech in Silicon Valley to low-tech in Shanghai, all with the common thread of Mr. Forte converting the businesses to high growth companies, expanding in new markets or categories.

Stephen Forte is presently Managing Director, Global Sales for Coats, based in China. Coats is the World's largest manufacturer of industrial sewing thread, and second largest in zippers. With sales of US$1.6B, 23,000 employees and operations in 84 countries, and a 250 year history of excellence. The Global Sales group manages $1B in global sales to the top apparel brands, retailers and large garment contractors worldwide. Stephen has led record growth for Coats, increasing brand business 14% in 2011. Stephen has also created a new services segment to the the global business that is expected to grow rapidly and contribute significantly to the Company’s trading profit.

Prior to Coats, Mr. Forte was Chief Executive Officer of YCC Group Company, LTD. YCC is one of the world's leading suppliers of zippers and fabric components to the apparel and luggage industry. YCC is growing rapidly, aggressively expanding globally and is the preferred supplier to many of the world’s best known apparel brands and retailers. In his last 12 months, Mr. Forte and his team grew YCC over 62%. In the year prior, existing customer sales were down over 31%, Mr. Forte expanded YCC markets internationally, adding 43% new customers and brands allowing for net growth of the Company through 2009 of 12% in one of the worst years for the apparel industry in recent history.

After upgrading the company’s manufacturing and supply chain, Mr. Forte passed brand audits, began supplying and received nominations for Walmart (including children’s programs), Marks & Spencer, C&A, Columbia, Carrefour, L.L. Bean, Saucony, Debenhams, Disney, Woolrich, Mothercare, NEXT, H&M, Zara, Kmart, PVH and others. Mr. Forte had also expanded the Company’s sales and operations into Southern China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, U.S.A., U.K. and Vietnam.

Stephen Forte was formerly Chief Executive Officer of Talon International, Inc., (OTC:TALN.OB). Talon is a publicly traded firm in the global apparel market based in Los Angeles, with operations globally. Mr. Forte joined Talon in October of 2005 to craft and lead a turnaround strategy for the Company's shareholders. Mr. Forte turned around the company's sales and operating activities, from losing almost $30MM in 2005 to an EBIT of over $2MM in 2006, while growing zipper sales and market share 50%, and reducing the Company's expenses by over $10MM annually. In addition, Mr. Forte lead the implementation of SOX compliance, refinanced a $15MM debt facility, settled or won 7 pending lawsuits, and recovered $6 million of delinquent receivables. Mr. Forte also expanded Talon’s sales organization throughout Asia, and led the shift to Talon’s outsourcing strategy in China, while closing inefficient manufacturing operations in Mexico, Guatemala, Dominican Republic and the U.S.A. At Talon, Mr. Forte developed his passion for the global apparel supply chain business, and has focused his career on dominating this market.

Prior to joining Talon, Mr. Forte founded Ascendent Systems Inc., in 1999, and created the Company's successful product, market and partnering strategy and led product development. Ascendent's technology and wireless solutions evolved from Forte's involvement with the nascent wireless industry in the early 90's. As the company's visionary and sales leader, Forte's sales and marketing leadership, technical and management expertise were instrumental in developing Ascendent's flagship PowerConnect products.

Forte's technology inventions gave mobile workers access to all the functionality of their corporate desk phones and integrated voice over internet technology. In addition, his inventions allowed users to maintain communications in the event of an emergency, evacuation or telecom outage. Ascendent products are the solution of choice for several major wireless carriers, including Sprint/Nextel, Cingular and TELUS Corp., and dozens of enterprises, including Fortune 500 corporations ranging from Disney and FedEx to General Motors and government entities from the U.S. Marine Corps to Veteran’s Administration.

Forte was the sole inventor of the Ascendent technology, and has personally drafted more than a dozen patents of his inventions for Ascendent's core technologies, including two that were accelerated by the U.S. Government for their homeland security applications. Mr. Forte also raised over $20MM in venture financing between 2000 and 2004 in arguably the most challenging venture funding market for telecoms in modern times. In addition, he also established and developed Ascendent's strategic partnerships with Nextel, Telus, Cingular, Toshiba, Sprint and others. Mr. Forte sold Ascendent to Research in Motion in 2005 for a significant multiple of sales. Ascendent’s technology is now a core part of the Blackberry Enterprise Server.

Before launching Ascendent in 1999, Forte founded Travelers Telecom (aka. Wilshire Cellular) in 1993, which was subsequently sold by Mr. Forte in 2000. Travelers Telecom was the Country's leading mobile phone rental provider and wireless carrier for short term users and government. Travelers Telecom was one of the first Mobile Virtual Network Operators in Southern California, and supported 140 locations nationwide. Travelers focused its efforts on the short term rental of mobile and satellite phones through third party locations, such as hotels, rental cars agencies and convention centers (most mobile phones could not roam domestically or internationally at the time). After acquiring several competitors, Travelers continued to market extensively overseas for foreign travelers visiting the U.S., with representatives in Japan and the U.K, and developed successful marketing campaigns with American Express and others. Travelers was listed as one of LA Business Journal's fastest growing companies in the mid 1990's, and grew to become to the largest rental provider in the country.

Prior to founding Travelers Telecom, Mr. Forte Co-Founded VinylChem International Inc. At VinylChem, Mr. Forte invented the first water soluble graffiti removal product. Previously, all graffiti removal products were keytone based products that were expensive and dangerous to handle requiring material safety data sheets and other usage and storage paperwork and safeguards. With Forte's Graffiti Out invention, school districts, cities, and property owners had the first alternative available not requiring special handling and disposal. VinylChem grew to a multi-million dollar company in several months, and was noticed by the chemical giants in the industry. VinylChem was subsequently sold by Mr. Forte to a large chemical company.

While earning his MBA, Mr. Forte has also worked in the investment banking field, developing several software programs for calculating capital budgeting and sovereign risk analysis for Third World capital budgeting and financing programs at the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. His work ultimately led to the funding of more than $500 million worth of foreign investment projects and foreign loan guaranties.

Forte started his career in the United States Marine Corp., with a full scholarship to the University of Southern California. With fluency in Russian language, Mr. Forte was a Soviet studies expert, and was extensively trained for Special Forces. After his discharge from the Marines due to a knee injury sustained in training, Mr. Forte briefly worked as a military and defense expert in the United States Congress prior to his transition to civilian life.

Forte earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California and an MBA from George Washington University. He is a frequent lecturer on entrepreneurship, innovation and business strategy, and currently serves on the Board for the School of Business at The George Washington University, serves as a mentor at the Marshall School of Business, at the University of Southern California, and is a member of the Young President's Organization. Mr. Forte currently resides in Hong Kong, and enjoys showboarding, Brazilian Jujitsu and Muay Thai kick boxing.

Patents Granted

7,680,511 - Method and apparatus for communicating via virtual office telephone extensions

7,440,561 - Method and apparatus for selectively establishing communication with one of plural devices associated with a single telephone number

7,305,079 - Method and apparatus for communicating with one of plural devices associated with a single telephone number

7,292,858 - Method and apparatus for communicating with one of plural devices associated with a single telephone number during a disaster and disaster recovery

7,274,782 - Method and apparatus for selectively establishing communication with one of plural devices associated with a single telephone number

7,257,205 - Method and apparatus for communicating with one of plural devices associated with a single telephone number during a disaster and disaster recovery

7,162,020 - Method and apparatus for selectively establishing communication with one of plural devices associated with a single telephone number