Crains New York - April 8, 2013 - (Page 7)

BUSINESS PEOPLE 6.9% Columbia University’s 2013 undergraduate acceptance rate, down from 7.4% in 2012 Source: Columbia University EXECUTIVE MOVES buck ennis HIRE CALLING: David Klar quit religion and eventually started Just Solutions, which makes home gadgets. GOTHAM GIGS Design inspiration Rabbi seeks earthly riches in the good of small things Patents are good. ‘But ultimately it’s about being first to market’ David Klar’s spiritual journey begin at 14, when he left his New Jersey home to attend yeshiva, volunteer in Ukraine and eventually graduate from rabbinical school in Sydney. But the son of a rabbi answered a different calling. Now he designs toilet levers. ¶ “I wanted to experience the world in a different way,” he said. “If I found my calling indeed was to be a rabbi, then I would come back to it, and it would be a more educated decision.” ¶ Mr. Klar, 31, quit religion nine years ago to try his hand at business. The rabbi turned inventor earned his business chops with stints at shopping mall developer Westfield, and helped grow the popular organic beauty label Yes to Carrots from its small Israeli roots. When Yes to Carrots was bought by private-equity investors five years ago, Mr. Klar decided to start Just Solutions, which makes home gadgets. ¶ The company has 15 fix-it projects in the pipeline: a cereal bowl that keeps flakes from getting soggy, a toilet-seat handle that protects hands from germs, and a blow-up leg that maintains the shapes of boots. Another five inventions are coming out over the next three months at retailers like Duane Reade and Bed Bath & Beyond. ¶ Each item costs between $5 and $20, and Mr. Klar expects to rake in $3 million in sales for 2013. ¶ “Yes, we have patents in some cases, but ultimately it’s about being first to market,” he explained. ¶ He and his team of six employees are in talks with digital sites Zulily and Groupon, along with discounters Walmart and Kohl’s. ¶ “One of the most difficult aspects of the retail chains is they’re hard to get into—they don’t just take calls from anybody, even if you’re their brother,” said Mr. Klar. “You have to have strong relationships that take years to develop. I had a head start there, and we’re plowing along.” —adrianne pasquarelli BankUnited: Joe Roberto, 54, joined as president of New York banking operations and senior executive vice president. He was previously senior vice president at Capital One. Kelly Sheehan, 32, joined as senior vice president, team leader of commercial private banking, New York. She was previously senior vice president at Capital One. ChaCha: Dan Hodges, 59, joined the technology company as president. He was previously chief revenue officer at Verve Mobile. A.T. Kearney: Gary Singer, 58, joined the consulting firm as chief marketing officer and partner in its strategy, marketing and sales practice. He was previously founder and chief executive of Redline Results, and chief executive and founding partner at Buyology. Brickman: Steve Klein, 52, joined the real estate firm as chief investment officer. He was previously managing partner at JOSS Realty Partners, which he co-founded. Havas Worldwide: Laura Maness, 36, joined the integrated marketing communications agency as U.S. chief growth officer. She was previously senior vice president at Propane Studio. New York Institute of Technology: Alan Guarino, 53, was appointed trustee. He will continue his role as vice chairman of global financial markets at Korn/Ferry International. Hearst Digital Media: Fernanda Pucheu, 38, joined the publishing company as executive director of marketing services. She was previously vice president, interactive sales development and strategy, at Univision Communications Inc. Advance Realty: Michael Sommer, 39, joined the real estate development, investment and management company as managing director of community development. He was previously senior vice president at Premier Development & Affiliates. Year Up New York Alicia Guevara, 40, joined the nonprofit as executive director. She was previously executive director at Peace First. KPMG: Nader Karimi, 39, joined the accounting firm as managing director. He was previously global head of tax and product development at Goldman Sachs Fund Services. Grant Thornton: Kenneth Simon, 66, joined the accounting firm as managing director, a newly created position. He was previously managing director at Loughlin Management Partners + Co. Ryan Maupin, 33, joined as director. He was previously director in the special-situations advisory group at See EXECUTIVE MOVES on Page 8 April 8, 2013 | Crain’s New York Business | 7

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crains New York - April 8, 2013

IN THE BOROUGHS
IN THE MARKETS
THE INSIDER
BUSINESS PEOPLE
SMALL BUSINESS
OPINION
GREG DAVID
REPORT: BANKING
THE LISTS
FOR THE RECORD
CLASSIFIEDS
REAL ESTATE DEALS
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
SOURCE LUNCH
OUT AND ABOUT
SNAPS

Crains New York - April 8, 2013