EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION PROGRAMS - EXECUTIVE TEAM
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Ashley Fina
President
Ashley Fina
President
Ashley Fina is President of Michael C. Fina. Drawing on a strong background in global business development and international relations, she is expanding upon a successful family operation, in service for 75 years, that is dynamic, visionary and forward-thinking.
Ashley, a member of the third generation of the Fina family, has worked in all aspects of the business, from bridal and jewelry sales to managing the company's European headquarters. Ashley has evaluated and restructured operations both domestically and abroad, making them more streamlined and effective.
During her time as Vice President of International Business Development, Ashley developed and implemented a cohesive strategy to drive global expansion. She synchronized the processes between the European and U.S. operations and expanded the international supply chain system to extend Michael C. Fina's global reach.
Committed to personal and professional development as well as advancement of the overall industry, Ashley serves as President of Global Incentive Council of the Incentive Marketing Association, and is a member of the Women Presidents' Organization, Young Presidents' Organization, the Society of Human Resource Management, WorldAtWork, and Recognition Professionals International. She is also a Certified Recognition Professional.
Ashley enjoys travel and art history. She is a graduate of Tufts University, where she participated in the school's foreign study program in France, and speaks French.
George Fina
Chief Strategy Officer
George Fina
Chief Strategy Officer
George Fina has over 40 years of experience in the employee recognition industry, where he has recently transitioned from President of Michael C. Fina to Chief Strategy Officer. George, a second generation Fina, has led a successful family business in its expansion from a local New York retail jewelry store to a global operation that helps leading companies all over the world recognize their employees.
Along with his late brother Charles, George pioneered the modern employee recognition program, which incorporates lifestyle gifts along with more traditional keepsake items. He was instrumental in designing Michael C. Fina's noted "Magic Box," which has revolutionized employee recognition practices and has helped celebrate significant career milestones for decades.
Having established a successful operation in the United States, George led the company's expansion into the European recognition market by establishing a division in the United Kingdom. He also oversaw the design and implementation of the company's web-based recognition systems, which allow Michael C. Fina to celebrate employees in a consistent manner worldwide. Today, George works closely with the third generation of Finas to continue to shape the vision for Michael C. Fina and ensure its future growth.
Apart from his passion for helping companies provide a positive workplace where employees are recognized and rewarded for their successes, George believes in using his own success to help others in need. He is an active supporter of several charities, including Ronald McDonald House, the ASPCA, Meals on Wheels, the American Cancer Society and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He's also an advocate of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk, for which Michael C. Fina has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars as a national corporate sponsor.
George is also regarded as one of the country's leading experts on antique and estate silver. In his spare time, he is an avid diver and enjoys the ocean. He holds a degree in Business Management from Baruch College.
Jeffrey Fina
Chief Business Development Officer
Jeffrey Fina
Chief Business Development Officer
Jeffrey R. Fina is the Chief Business Development Officer at Michael C. Fina. Jeffrey has established a reputation for his ground-breaking approach to delivering recognition solutions that help organizations recognize the success of their employees. He's building upon a successful family operation, in business for 75 years, that is dynamic, visionary and forward thinking.
Starting his career as a sales consultant at the esteemed retail division of Michael C. Fina, Jeffrey quickly showcased his innovative thinking and rose to the position of Vice President of Sales & Marketing, gaining a solid foundation and exceptional understanding of customer needs. It was through these experiences that Jeffrey realized his aspiration to create a one-of-a-kind customer experience, and made a transition into his current role in the recognition division.
Most recently, Jeffrey has been credited with the re-branding and marketing of various recognition programs, launching of the new "Early Engagement" product (the most innovative initiative to engage employees during on-boarding available), as well as developing the popular Spark on-the-spot recognition solution. Apart from his dedication to enhancing recognition solutions, Jeffrey takes pride in his active role in customer relationships.
Deeply involved in and committed to the industry, Jeffrey is a member of the Society of Human Resource Management, Incentive Marketing Association, and Recognition Professionals International, where he sits on the marketing committee.
Jeffrey is a frequent guest lecturer at the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida, his alma mater. He is a dedicated husband and father who enjoys fishing and rooting for his beloved Florida Gators.
Michael A. Fina
Chief Operating Officer
Michael A. Fina
Chief Operating Officer
With a strong background in technology and systems development, Michael has helped his successful family business, with 75 years of service, become a respected, dynamic, and forward-thinking operation.
Michael is the eldest member of the Fina family's third generation, and has spent most of his life working in all aspects of the family business, from operations and customer service, to quality control and systems development. In each role he demonstrated his ability to enhance the overall customer experience by integrating new technology into existing processes.
Michael is noted within the organization and the industry for designing and implementing Michael C. Fina's cutting-edge web-based recognition systems, as well as launching and enhancing the industry's leading recognition programs for numerous Fortune 100 companies.
A respected thought-leader in the industry, Michael frequently speaks at events and shares his insight on recognition solutions, technological implementation strategies and celebration leadership strategies. He also authored a book in 2009 titled Perspectives on Managing Employees, providing his view on various topics that affect managers and their teams.
Michael demonstrates his commitment to growth by his membership in Recognition Professionals International, the Incentive Marketing Association, the Society for Human Resource Management, and WorldatWork. He is also actively affiliated with The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the Better Business Bureau, the Grand Central Partnership, the Queens Chamber of Commerce, and the Long Island City Business Development Corporation.
In his spare time, Michael is a proud husband and father of two children. He serves as a volunteer fireman in his hometown of Long Beach, and proudly helped the recovery efforts at ground zero following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Michael earned a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Hofstra University.
Steven Fina
Executive Vice President of Retail Operations
Steven Fina
Executive Vice President of Retail Operations
Steven Fina, Executive Vice President of Retail Operations at Michael C. Fina, is an innovative retailer with a strong background in management and customer service. Steven has helped diversify a successful family operation that is dynamic, visionary and forward-thinking.
Having spent most of his life learning and enhancing the retail business, Steven held numerous positions prior to joining the executive management team in 2002. Since then, Steven has overseen the management of all aspects of the retail business, including tabletop and jewelry sales, customer service, marketing, and operations. Steven is also noted for initiating and revamping the Michael C. Fina retail website to promote online sales.
Steven's jewelry expertise has made him an invaluable contributor to the day-to-day operations of the retail business, and a well-respected source within the industry. Since the introduction of fine and couture jewelry, engagement rings, and wedding bands at Michael C. Fina, Steven has hand-picked esteemed designers, spearheaded production of a Michael C. Fina line and the purchasing of diamonds, and successfully forecasted trends.
Committed to the industry and his community, Steven is affiliated with the Natural Colored Diamond Association and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. He received a BS from Hofstra University and graduated from the Gemological Institute of America.
Joe Marotta
Chief Information Officer
Joe Marotta
Chief Information Officer
Joe Marotta is Chief Information Officer at Michael C. Fina. An information technology veteran with more than 20 years of experience, Joe oversees all application development, including programming of the company's proprietary database and all customer-facing technology. He is also responsible for the company's robust I.T. infrastructure, which enables the creation of more efficient, cost-effective, secure and environmentally friendly employee recognition programs and solutions.
Prior to joining Michael C. Fina in 2009, Joe served as Chief Information Officer for Fortunoff and Lord and Taylor. He previously led enterprise-wide I.T. organizations for companies such as Coach, Nine West Group and Lenox. He also worked as Manager of Supply Chain Systems for Henry Schein, a leader in healthcare products distribution, and was a Senior Technical Specialist at Tambrands, a Fortune 500 manufacturing company. Joe began his career as an Application Developer for Wall Street brokerage firm Arhnhold & S. Bleichroeder.
Joe attended graduate school at Hofstra University and the University of Connecticut, where he studied Business Administration, and holds Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, summa cum laude, from St. John's University. He resides in Chestnut Ridge, NY, with his wife, and is the proud father of two daughters.
Walt Jenkins
Senior Vice President
Walt Jenkins
Senior Vice President
Walter "Walt" Jenkins is Senior Vice President at Michael C. Fina. An industry veteran with more than 22 years of service to the company, he is responsible for driving business development with large multi-national accounts and Fortune 500 companies. Since joining the company in 1987, Walt has been a catalyst in growing the organization into one of the most respected and forward-thinking operations in the industry.
With a diverse background in transportation, accounting, sales administration and field sales, Walt's unique business perspectives have been instrumental in driving new business opportunities for the company. In addition to recruiting, training and mentoring the company's exceptional sales force, Walt has been integral to Michael C. Fina's international expansion. He previously coordinated and integrated the company's UK operation while seamlessly transitioning numerous multi-national customers to the expanded global platform. Today, he is also responsible for new business development for the European market.
Walt's superior understanding of the employee recognition business makes him a key resource within the company. He helped change the way corporate America recognizes and celebrates employees through the introduction and selling of Michael C. Fina's signature presentation piece, the "Magic Box." Walt previously served as Vice President of Corporate Sales, where he developed operations and systems to support customers, and initiated merchandising and procurement policies and practices that revolutionized the recognition gift selection process.
A graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University, Walt holds a Bachelors degree in Marketing, and received a Certificate Awards from The Academy of Transportation in New York. He is an active member of WorldatWork and SHRM.
When not at work, Walt's leisurely pursuits include travel and photography. He resides in New Jersey with his wife, and enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Timothy Lorenz
Vice President of Operations
Timothy Lorenz
Vice President of Operations
Tim Lorenz is the Vice President of Operations at Michael C. Fina. With broad-based experience in operations, logistics, manufacturing and supply chain management, Tim is responsible for the facilities, recognition assembly, resource planning, data and distribution functions at the company.
Prior to joining Michael C. Fina in 2008 as Senior Director of Director of Program Coordination and Planning, Tim was the Director of Distribution at Blue Tulip, a gift retailer. He spent seven years with The Vitamin Shoppe in a variety of positions that include Manager of Planning & Control, Director of Distribution and, most recently, Director of Vitamin Shoppe Brand, Customer Care Center and Corporate Facilities. He also gained valuable Six Sigma certification working with General Electric Appliances as a Six Sigma Black Belt/Quality Project Leader.
Tim's career started with United States Army. Following graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering, he served as an Infantry Officer at Ft. Campbell, KY and Mannheim, Germany.
Tim resides in Marlton, NJ with his wife and two children.
Sheila Sheldon
Director of European Operations
Sheila Sheldon
Director of European Operations
Sheila Sheldon serves as Director of European Operations for Michael C. Fina. She is responsible for overseeing operations at the UK headquarters in Wokingham, England, as well as operational management for all regions outside North and South America. In her role, she ensures best practices that reflect consistent, appropriate and efficient employee recognition programs to Michael C. Fina's multi-national customers.
Sheila joined Michael C. Fina in 2005, when her employer, Longservice.com, was purchased by the company. She began with Longservice.com in 1990 and held several positions, starting as a part-time Sales Associate and Account Manager, and later serving as Office Manager and, most recently, Operations Director.
With an extensive background in HR, her previous experience includes tenure as an HR Generalist for British Airways, as well as work in the Telecommunications industry. She began her career with an engineering company, where she met her husband.
Sheila was born in Taplow and educated at St. Bernard's Convent School. She achieved her degree in Business from Thames Valley University.
Married with two daughters, Rebecca and Laura, Sheila enjoys cooking and entertaining with family and friends, and dreams of someday owning a "Michelin Star" restaurant.
