GJ Co-Founder Burke receives GMDC Lifetime Achievement Award

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – July 11, 2017 – Global Market Development Center (GMDC), an association that connects its members to advance innovation in the marketplace, presented its annual Lifetime Achievement Award to Vince Burke, partner at Burke Gillis Juliano Group (BGJ), during the organization’s annual General Merchandise (GM17) conference, held recently in Orlando.

“Vince is a longstanding and active member of GMDC and in the community, and he displays a genuine civic mindedness and strong commitment to all facets of the retail marketplace. Our industry has thrived as a result of his consistent thought leadership, creativity and innovation over the years, and will continue to as he shows value in new ways as a retail visionary,” said Patrick Spear, president and CEO of GMDC. “His success can be measured by the close business relationships he builds and his capacity to transform those into lifelong friendships. Vince is a true connector who enjoys bringing others together to form meaningful partnerships that benefit all in our rapidly disruptive industry.”

A retail industry veteran with more than 37 years of experience, Burke founded his global consultancy group in 2014. Focused on the supermarket, mass retail, convenience, drug and specialty channels, the BGJ Group’s offerings include executive management, market strategy, mergers & acquisitions, private equity, and business development. Much of Burke’s career was spent at Hallmark Cards Inc., the world’s leading social expression company. In his last role at Hallmark, Burke served as vice president, strategic relationships and business development, where he was responsible for initiating, developing, and maintaining strategic relationships with the highest level of leadership at retailers, key licensors, CPG companies and industry trade groups.

“Vince deserves this recognition because he has been and continues to be the consummate professional in the retail industry. His expertise, connections and overall approach to business continues to result in success for him and the people and organizations he works with,” said Jim Gillis, Principal at BGJ.

Added Rich Juliano, Principal at BGJ; “Vince personifies what is great about our business. I personally enjoy working with him and know that he positively impacts all around him He’s a real team player who appreciates the collaboration needed to make things happen in the retail industry.”

In addition to serving as GMDC’s membership advisory board chair and a member of the organization’s Education Leadership Council and General Merchandise advisory boards, Burke’s service includes roles with the Kansas City Sports Commission and CASA. In 2013, Burke received the prestigious MMR Seven People that made a difference award.

“It’s a true honor to be recognized with this award, and to be part of the GMDC family. Over the years I’ve built a lot of great relationships in this association, both on the supplier side and retailer side, and to be a part of this excellent organization that has transformed the industry means the world to me, ” said Burke. “My father always told me that an award is always a team award, and I’ve had the privilege to represent a great brand in Hallmark Cards for 34 years, and my wife and family have supported me in so many meaningful ways all along the way – I couldn’t have done it without them.”

GMDC’s Lifetime Achievement Award was created in 1994 to acknowledge the achievements of individuals who have made major contributions to mass market retailing with a focus on the general merchandise and health beauty wellness categories. Award recipients represent a cross-section of industry leaders including wholesalers and retailers, suppliers, trade press representatives and association executives.

 About Burke • Gillis • Juliano Group

Based in Naples, Fla., Burke • Gillis • Juliano Group is a global consultancy focused on the supermarket, mass, convenience, drug and specialty retail channels. Founded by retail and consumer products industry veterans Vince Burke, Jim Gillis and Rich Juliano, the firm offers executive management, market strategy, mergers & acquisitions, private equity, business development, product marketing, trade relations, executive search and related services to leading retailers, suppliers and vendors. Additional information is available at https://bgjgroup.com/.

 About GMDC

Global Market Development Center (GMDC) energizes members and the marketplace by advancing a culture of Connect-Collaborate-Create-Commerce. As the leading GM and HBW trade association, GMDC is dedicated to serving its ecosystem of more than 600 General Merchandise and Health Beauty Wellness retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and service/solution member companies by enabling consumer-facing innovation and retail reimagined. GMDC’s combined member volume represents more than 125,000 retail outlets and more than $500 billion in sales. To learn more, visit gmdc.org.

Media Contact:

Ronald Margulis

RAM Communications

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