Columbus Consulting’s Board of Directors represents over 180 years of retail, consulting and software expertise. This expertise guides the strategy and operational effectiveness of the firm. The Board is chaired by Jon Beck, CEO Columbus Consulting, Elizabeth Elliott, Charlotte Kula-Przezwanski, Vice Chair, Alain Krakirian, and Rich Pedott as the elected Board members. Rick Amari serves as Founder.


Jon Beck

CEO

Jon Beck is the CEO of Columbus Consulting. Jon is a retail specialist with over 25 years of experience working with retail, wholesale and manufacturing companies focused on improving corporate performance through better planning, execution and analysis. A highly motivated business consultant with broad global experience. Jon has successfully designed and implemented solutions for nearly 100 clients, spanning apparel, footwear and hard lines.

Prior to joining Columbus Consulting, Jon had his own consulting firm as well as being employed at Comshare, Planalytics and Predictix.  Through these experiences, Jon was involved in the design, development and implementation of many of today’s industry-leading planning and allocation software solutions, making him one of the most renowned experts in the industry.


Elizabeth Elliott

Board Chair and Partner

Elizabeth Elliott is Board Chair and a Partner with Columbus Consulting. Elizabeth is an accomplished retail executive with a proven track record of successfully leading and implementing large complex initiatives, while diving in deep and driving business process, change management, and ensuring people, process, culture and technology are aligned to deliver sustained results. Respected for leadership and change management skills, and ability to develop highly effective project teams capable of executing integrated process and systems initiatives. Strong ability to influence and build collaborative relationships across all functions of an organization, driving buy-in and ownership of strategic initiatives while managing day-to-day operations. Elizabeth’s expertise includes Omni planning, supply chain functions, marketing operations, merchandising, allocation and inventory management.


Charlotte Kula-Przezwanski

Charlotte Kula-Przezwanski

Vice Chair and Partner

Charlotte Kula-Przezwanski is a Partner for Columbus Consulting. Charlotte joined CCI in September 2013 to head up EMEA and grow this territory. Prior to joining CCI, Charlotte held senior positions in both software companies specializing in Merchandise Planning solutions; involved in design, development and implementation of many of today’s industry-leading planning and allocation solutions. and also large UK Retailers. A specialist with over 20 years of experience working with retail, wholesale and manufacturing companies focused on improving corporate performance through better planning, execution & analysis. An interesting mix of buying and merchandising expertise, twinned with systems implementation knowledge with deep experience in aligning the technological benefits of new systems. A proficiency in both the U.K. and international multi-channel retail. with a thorough understanding of a wide selection of product areas, differing retail models, channels to market and customer demographics.


Alain Krakirian

Partner

Alain Krakirian is a Partner with Columbus Consulting. He has extensive executive-level experience in retail and e-commerce, specializing in Merchandising and Planning/Allocation.

Alain has deep strategic and tactical experience leading the Planning, Forecasting, Allocation and Replenishment functions at several leading omni-channel retailers. He has an in-depth knowledge of the apparel specialty segment – wholesale, retail and e-commerce – including fast-fashion.

Alain has led several transformational projects involving business process, organizational design / roles & responsibilities, and systems design and implementation.


Rich Pedott

Rich Pedott

Partner

Richard Pedott is a Partner with Columbus Consulting. Rich has over 34 years of experience across multiple functional disciplines including: Planning and Allocation, Sourcing, Supply Chain Management, and Store Operations. He has led strategy, process, and systems development initiatives at several leading US and International Retailers and has a track record of successful implementations that deliver bottom-line results. He is the co-author of “Omni-Channel Retailing: How to Build a Practical, Effective Plan of Action”. His areas of expertise include Omni-Channel, Assortment Planning, Merchandise Planning, Product Lifecycle Management, Allocation, and Supply Chain. He was most recently the Chief Executive of the Retail, Direct-to-Consumer, and Wholesale operation for The Metropolitan Museum of Art.


Rick Amari

Founder

Rick retired in 2020 but serves on the Board and continues to assist our Strategic IT practice. Rick experienced many roles and opportunities in his near 40 year career in retail.

Prior to founding Columbus, Rick held various positions over a 12-year career with L Brands (formerly The Limited/Limited Brands) including CIO at Victoria’s Secret Stores and Group CIO with responsibility for the Information Technology functions at Express, Lane Bryant, Limited Stores,  Limited Too, and Lerner NY.  Rick spent 9 years in both Information Systems and General Management leadership positions at Food City Stores in Virginia during the 80’s.  Rick began his career with the Management Consulting Division of Arthur Andersen, which has become Accenture.

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