Feb 15, 2011

Pacific Trade International Names Julie Garza Kost Vice President of Sales and Elaine Hough Bauer Vice President of Merchandising

Pacific Trade International, the integrated global marketer of candles, home fragrance and home décor products and parent company of the Chesapeake Bay Candle brand announces the appointment of Julie Garza Kost, a seasoned sales executive with extensive experience in developing strong retailer relationships and consumer brands, to VP of Sales. Meanwhile, Elaine Hough Bauer, former VP of Sales at Pacific Trade International, transitions to the new role of VP of Merchandising to elevate product development and merchandising standards and processes and to drive consumer insight initiatives.

As Pacific Trade International prepares to open its first domestic factory in Glen Burnie, MD as well as debut a new premium line of home fragrance products called The CBC Collection at Hallmark, the company is focused on expanding distribution of its Chesapeake Bay Candle brand in the US and abroad. The appointments of Julie Garza Kost as VP of Sales and Elaine Hough Bauer as VP of Merchandising will strengthen the company’s sales, merchandising, and product development areas to provide comprehensive support for ambitious expansion plans.

Before joining Pacific Trade International, Garza Kost began her career at Estee Lauder Companies in merchandising, education, and sales, later moving on to branding and sales at Bare Escentuals, a highly successful skin-care and cosmetics company.

“We are thrilled to have an executive of Julie’s caliber join our organization,” said Mei Xu, Co-Owner and President of Pacific Trade International. “We know Julie’s arrival will bring renewed focus to strengthening relationships with our retail partners and developing our brands.”

“I am thrilled with the opportunity to work with Pacific Trade International and Chesapeake Bay Candle during this pivotal point in growth,” added Garza Kost. “I look forward to celebrating a long journey of success as we move forward to establish strong brand presence globally, enhance our relationships with our customers and refine our distribution strategy to support our expansion plans.”

In her new role of VP of Merchandising, Elaine Hough Bauer will focus on identifying and uncovering emerging consumer home fragrance needs and conceptualizing and developing product lines that will speak to consumer demands while delivering the Chesapeake Bay Candle brand promise.

“With this promotion, our merchandising department gains the experience of a retail industry veteran with broad fashion merchandising knowledge to support consumer research, product development, and retail merchandising efforts,” states Mei Xu, who has shared the successes of Hough Bauer at Pacific Trade International over the past seven years. With over 25 years of experience in the retail industry, Hough Bauer most recently held the title of VP of Sales at Pacific Trade International. Prior roles include Senior VP and General Merchandise Manager with Woodward & Lothrop Incorporated and its John Wanamaker subsidiary, Washington, D.C. and Divisional VP with Kaufmann’s in Pittsburgh.

About
Pacific Trade International and Chesapeake Bay Candle Pacific Trade International is an integrated global marketer of candles, home fragrance, and home décor products and the parent company behind the Chesapeake Bay Candle brand. Headquartered in Rockville, MD, the company has established vertically integrated operations with three manufacturing facilities in Asia. The company will open its first domestic manufacturing facility in Glen Burnie, MD in 2011.