NICOLA CONTE
Manager and Leader with a 15+ years strong experience in International Sales & Marketing within EMEA. During my career, I had a significant success in leading one European and one Italian subsidiary of North American companies (Smith Optics and Oakley). I also structured the business in EMEA for a third American company (GoPro), driving them to 3 digit annual growth and full market control. In the Sport and Action Sport Industry, Cycling, Optical and Consumer Electronics I worked with World-class Brands and high-end products (action cameras, technical and lifestyle apparel, footwear, eyewear, ski and cycling helmets, accessories, etc.).
In the last 2 years, as an independent consultant, I specialized in helping start-up companies during their efforts to go-to-market, building up proper sales/marketing plans and structuring the sales network.
FRANCESCO PONTARA
Has a long/standing track record of professional experience as Operations/Plant Manager or Site Executive Officer for Italian and multinational companies, primarily in chemical, plastics and manufacturing, including textile spinning and the non-woven industries.
Francesco has held numerous positions in plant design, construction and start-up both in Italy and the Far East, as well as the turnaround of new organizations and portfolios. Has assisted in the start-up of companies on behalf of entrepreneurs, including also sales distribution advise in plant manufacturing (chemical and textile) mainly in Far East market.
Francesco has also been Project Manager working with MERP systems such as SAP and BAAN, either as customer or as process owner in a new project definition.
He has a longtime experience as an industrial Consultant and Temporary Manager particularly in Operations area, utilizing a strong Lean/6 Sigma and Change management approach.
Francesco holds a Chemical Engineering degree from the University in Padua (Italy).
ANTONINO LIBRICI
Born in Friuli in 1955, he graduated in Law.
After a career in Meie Assicurazioni – Captive IRI-STET Group as liquidator and attendant international reinsurance officer, he practiced for several years successfully the intermediary activities in insurance. Afterword he specialized in Risk Management, where – associated with ANRA- served several leading companies in different fields of industrial activity. He has expertise in civil buildings legislation and particular skill on landmark buildings and large properties. He is also member of ANACI Centro Studi Veneto. He deals with Clinical Risk Management in the Medical field.
With more than twenty years of experience, he operates internationally with a network of correspondents on the assessment of the damage and product differences, as well as insurance placement, always looking at the global risks of a business organization (strategic, financial and operation).
He operates closely with a professional engineering professional for all evaluations related to the risk of product certification and machine manuals editing, as well as regards the evaluation of the security risk assessment.
He also works in close contact with professionals in the area of Risk Analysis and financial statements.
His work is based on a mapping process analysis and evaluative assessment of risk. This route allows to increase the level of awareness of risks including strategic risks such as reputational damage.
He is able to propose and decide on possible preventive interventions that could reduce the frequency of adverse events. Last but not least he could suggest what is worth to insure and what could be excluded from an insurance cover to become subject to a constant monitoring activity, in order to optimize the related cost center.
ANGELO DAINESE
Experienced and skilled executive, specialized in the Motorcycle, Automotive Accessory and Sporting Goods industries.
He managed several top international brands in their International Market expansions, either as a Marketing/Sales executive or as Chief Executive Officer/Consultant.
After earning a Law degree from the University of Bologna, he was employed at Dainese SpA from 1991 to 2004. He covered multiple positions in the areas of Sales and Marketing, focusing on international sales growth strategies. He opened and managed key international subsidiaries (UK, USA) and ended his collaboration in 2004, having spent the last 4 years as CEO of Dainese Usa, Inc.
As a Consultant Angelo developed the OEM/Private Label Division for Dainese SpA, managed Jip Motor of Spain under its reorganization process, created a new production site and penetrated new markets for the Logicodesign/Momodesign worldwide helmet licensee and after managing Teca 25 S.r.l. (a tier 1 M/c accessory industry supplier) he joined Schuberth Helme Gmbh as Global Growth Strategy Officer. While at Schuberth he reported to the CEO and V.P. of Sales to re-launch the brand and its products through direct distribution in the EU as well as coached top management at Schuberth North America Inc. in realigning its business according to new management strategies.
Angelo has gained excellent experience managing companies in other industries such as: Automotive, Media, Medical, Mechanics, Hydro pneumatic and Agriculture.
He has also acted in an Advisory capacity to key companies and successfully assisted in closing M&A negotiations.
He represented the European MC Accessories Industries Association at the CEN, European Committee for Standardization, WG9, in order to study, create and evaluate the new PPE safety standards for motorcyclists.
He is married with two children.
PIERGIORGIO DAL SANTO
Has held senior strategic planning and management positions in sales, marketing, communication and licensing for top international luxury, fashion and accessory brands (Beauty, Leather Goods, Watches, Shoes, Children wear) such as Shimano, GAS e Mercer Management Consulting in Asia, Europe and the USA.
Since 2008 Piergiorgio has assisted many well-known international brands in entering and expanding their business and financial interests in emerging markets like China, India and Turkey. He has advised brands through market research, business planning, partnerships, joint ventures, acquisitions, licensing, communication, trade exhibitions, events and personnel training.
He is Chief Researcher and Educator for the Fortune Character Institute and Co-Secretary of the Luxury in China Summit (Shanghai), which presents the annual High Net Worth Individual consumer research called the China Luxury Report. Piergiorgio is also visiting professor in Luxury Brand Management and Fashion Marketing at major EU (Fondazione CUOA, University of Padua, IUM Montecarlo, IlSole24Ore Business) and China (Shanghai Jiao Tong University, UIBE Beijing) universities.
Piergiorgio holds a BBA degree in Marketing from Texas Tech University (USA) and speaks English, Italian, French and German.
GIORGIO CORTUSO
Grown professionally in management positions in Italian and multinational companies leader in the manufacture and distribution of irrigation products for golf courses, sport fields and residential/commercial turf areas. He uses managerial skills gained in over 30 years of experience in multidisciplinary fields such as commercial area, training and marketing.
For several years during his work at Rain Bird Europe, proven leader in its industry, he received both the “Sales Productivity Award” and the “Marketing Recognition Award” at European level. He made frequent and extended stays in the USA to focus and increase his managerial skills and obtained his master in “how to sell and negotiate service solutions.”
Speaker at many domestic and International seminars related to his competences; he has edited publications and articles in major industry magazines.
Today oriented to tune in and interact at a managerial level with all companies that need a business development support, increase their profits, reorganize business segments and generational shift, or where it is still needed strategic support or is still undergoing a strategic change.
Highly attentive to market changes and challenges he works into companies mainly in the following areas: corporate restructuring; drafting and verifying the correct application of annual business plans; creation, expansion and renovation of the distribution network; planning marketing strategies; market analysis; training and management of human resources.
To date these skills are enjoyable and included in a wider range of opportunities within the Dainese Consulting Office.
Married with one son.