Bio
Jack Surrette serves as the Executive Director of Surrette Associates LLC, a business consulting firm specializing in marketing. He and his network of professionals have provided services to a broad array of industries since 2006 from his office located in Ormond Beach, Florida. He’s a seasoned professional with practical advice to startups and established firms. Although sales growth is usually at the heart of his assignments, projects often focus on strategic corporate design, product and packaging development, or new channel expansion. Sometimes the mission is as basic as a business plan. His consulting services occasionally overlapped with his corporate commitments to Product Quest, SkinHealth Technology and Hawaiian Tropic.
As the Vice President – Brand Division of Product Quest Manufacturing, Jack build brands within the infrastructure of a contract packager from 2015 to 2017. It was fertile ground for development and a number of successful lines were introduced in a various classes of trade. For instance, he led Thayers® natural OTC remedies into traditional F/D/M. Dozens of individual SKUs were created and taken to market. When PQ was acquired and the new management team chose to focus on core manufacturing, the division was closed.
From 2009 to 2012, Surrette was the Executive Director and largest shareholder of SkinHealth Technology LLC. The company focused on the development of high performance topical applications for the dermatological profession that addressed difficult skin conditions. The enterprise which also included a dermatologist and a master chemist--built a portfolio of innovative and often patent-pending formulas and medical devices. SkinHealth Tech was sold in late 2012.
Surrette served as Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Hawaiian Tropic® for 17 years and was considered the driving force in building a small, Florida-based marketing/manufacturing company into the number two supplier of suncare products in the Western Hemisphere. His direct responsibilities grew during his 30-year career to managing global marketing and all R&D/QC functions, while serving an instrumental role on the Corporate Executive Committee administering all supply chain and manufacturing operations. Reporting to Ron Rice – Hawaiian Tropic's founder/owner, Surrette balanced entrepreneurial fervor with disciplined decision-making through both lean and prosperous years.
Mr. Rice often referred to Jack as the "idea guy" and business "genius" who nurtured and shaped the brand. He parlayed the famous "Ron Rice rags-to-riches success story" into one of the most respected participants in the skincare industry. The company was sold to Playtex Products for $108 Million in April 2007. Playtex was subsequently purchased five months later by Energizer Holdings.
Surrette's notable career includes diverse experiences and proven success in consumer products marketing, business building, and broad-scope management. He directed a senior team of four Vice Presidents, was responsible for 125 associates and shared management of 175 additional associates. From pure marketing and international distribution to managerial stewardship and establishing corporate policy, he generated positive bottom-line results. As an example, Jack initiated streamlining and cost saving methods resulting in a $1.2M savings in 2007.
Jack graduated with High Honors from the University of Florida at Gainesville and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Jack is considered a skincare industry authority and has been quoted in most major media including CNN and the Wall Street Journal. Keynote speaking engagements include Suncare Conference (ECRM), Society of Cosmetic Chemists and University of Florida's marketing program. He has acted as an expert witness in legal proceedings associated with the skincare and suncare categories and startup enterprises.
