People

Eduardo Alvarez

Managing Director, Brand + Retail Strategy

Eduardo draws upon his wide range of global and financial expertise to help clients translate their brands in the retail marketplace. A true creative thinker, he was instrumental in the architecture of NewGround’s “Customer Journey” – a strategic map of targeted openings to communicate brand messaging throughout a retail space. Eduardo is a frequent speaker at financial and service industry conferences and a contributor to retail banking publications.

Alma Mater: Fordham University (yes, in the Bronx)
How I Unwind: A glass of Malbec helps.
Jumpstart: Quad-venti-non-fat latte
You’d Never Guess: I truly am Puerto Rican. Really.

Tom Auer

Senior Vice President, Architecture

With over 20 years of experience in areas as diverse as corporate architecture and retail design to owning his own architectural firm, Tom is a registered architect in all fifty states and is LEED Accredited. Tom's leadership of the NewGround design team focuses on delivering strategically driven architectural solutions that maximize our client's business objectives.

Alma Mater: Ohio State University, University of Texas
How I Unwind: Lunchtime workout
Jumpstart: Freshly-roasted, organic coffee beans from Whole Foods - ground fresh the night before.
You'd Never Guess: I met Buddy Hackett in his kitchen while he was making chili - circa 1999.

Gordon Baker

Senior Vice President, Build

Gordon leads the project development, estimating, purchasing and construction management within NewGround’s build department. Responsible for the oversight and leadership of each NewGround construction project, he leverages his thirty five years in the industry to deliver customized resources for our client’s project. Gordon brings a complete understanding of NewGround’s proprietary “customer journey” approach of designing and building unique retail spaces.

Alma Mater: University of Central Oklahoma
How I unwind: (My wife will tell you that I don’t) I would say “A long ride on my bike”
Words of wisdom: Life is full of abrasions, it’s up to you whether they wear you away….. or polish you!
Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere above tree line with my Backpack
I'll have my coffee: Venti Pike Place, two shots of vanilla
Fun fact about yourself: I used to race cars professionally

Frank Beardsworth

Vice President, National Retail Operations

With experience in the financial services operations, engineering, program and account management, and information systems sectors, Frank is responsible for leading the operations of NewGround’s National Accounts Retail Operations group. His overall focus is developing, managing, implementing and supporting large-scale, regional to national rollout programs for branding, environmental graphics and merchandising. Throughout his career Frank has worked with thousands of branch locations nationwide, ranging in scale from community to regional, super-regional and national.

Alma Mater: University of New Hampshire, Cornell University
Vacation Spot: Staycation
Jumpstart: Coffee with 2% milk and a corn muffin!
You’d Never Guess: At 6’0”, I’m the tallest family member on my father’s side, and the shortest on my mother’s!

Kevin Blair

President + CEO

With over thirty years of experience in the development and delivery of strategic retail distribution and corporate facility solutions, Kevin Blair directs and manages NewGround's entire operations. Assisting clients worldwide, Kevin has gained extensive experience in the development of literally thousands of projects and over his career has become one of the foremost experts in the industry. Kevin also is a highly sought after keynote speaker on topics ranging from retail distribution trends to creating multi-channel strategies.

Alma Mater: Niagara University
How I Unwind: Go for a long run
Jumpstart: Quad-venti latte
Words of Wisdom: “We become what we think about.”

Gina Bleedorn

Creative Director

As Creative Director of Adrenaline, Inc., NewGround's Creative Agency, Gina focuses on keeping creative efforts aligned with client goals and expectations. Her areas of focus include branded retail environments, brand strategy, brand identity and creative concept development. Adept in both traditional and interactive design, Gina has delivered outstanding design and merchandising creative for financial institutions and retailers around the country.

Alma Mater: Furman University
How I Unwind: With a run or a slightly dirty martini
Words of Wisdom: “Good is the enemy of great.”
Jumpstart: Venti non-fat no-water chai tea latte

Steve Clark

Senior Vice President, Business Development

Steve, a nationally recognized leader of outstanding client development and customer satisfaction, manages NewGround’s community business development team in the US. With a high level of industry experience in design, build, and consulting services, Steve’s focused approach on finding solutions to meet all types of challenges has resulted in increased growth, market share and improved efficiencies for our clients.

Alma Mater: Louisiana State University
How I Unwind: Walking, jogging, golfing
Jumpstart: Decaf with skim & Splenda
Words of Wisdom: “Never catch a falling knife.”

Ted Golitz

Chairman

Ted is the founder and majority shareholder of NewGround. A true entrepreneur, Ted owned several companies in the construction industry prior to forming NewGround. Through his extensive background and keen marketing insights, Ted developed the NewGround vision and business model, and continues in his leadership of directing our success.

Sean Keathley

Senior Vice President, Retail Programs

As Senior Vice President of NewGround’s Retail Division, Sean brings a wealth of experience from the worlds of marketing, business development, management, and client relations. Sean’s leadership ultimately integrates all of NewGround’s retail disciplines, from strategy and planning to design and implementation. His expertise lies in project development for retail design and brand enhancement projects that accelerate growth and build sustainable competitive advantage for our clients.

Alma Mater: University of Arkansas
Vacation Spot: Lake Tahoe
Jumpstart: Coffee with an extra shot of espresso
You'd Never Guess: I'm still in my thirties, despite all this gray hair.

Jim Kueneke

Executive Vice President, Digital

With over twenty five years of experience in advertising, marketing, and production development, Jim was on the forefront of incorporating digital merchandising to the financial services industry. Responsible for management of digital media services of NewGround, Jim’s expertise includes content direction and development, technology enrichment, and network expansion.

Alma Mater: University of Denver, Washington University, St. Louis University
Vacation Spot: Mountains in the summer
Jumpstart: Hot coffee is about all I require.
You'd Never Guess: I have owned more than ten two-seater sports cars, am a pretty decent cook, have taken classical guitar lessons, sang in college, and am a devoted fan of the state of Colorado.

Geoff Walters

Managing Director, National Accounts

An industry leader in the financial services consumer product and delivery management sectors, Geoff manages the business development activity for NewGround’s retail services division. With over twenty five years of experience, Geoff’s core competencies include program development and implementation, branch distribution strategies, and channel merger integration programs.

Alma Mater: Wake Forest University, Temple University
How I Unwind: Playing golf
Vacation Spot: Bermuda

Skip Zaegel

Executive Vice President + CFO

A Principal of NewGround, Skip has been Chief Financial Officer of the NewGround companies since 1990. In addition to his financial and legal responsibilities for NewGround, Skip works directly with clients on unique long range planning and financial matters. He was instrumental in the development of the industry's first comprehensive projection model used to evaluate the financial impact of projects.

Alma Mater: Saint Louis University
Jumpstart: Ice cold water – and lots of it!
You’d Never Guess: From high school to college, I worked as an usher at Busch Stadium, The Arena, The Arch, and Powell Symphony Hall.