Meet Our Team

Today’s successful companies are fueled by talent, and we are no exception. Every member of our team possesses a rich knowledge of their field, an unbeatable work ethic, and most importantly of all, they love what they do. At the top in their respective fields, our people form the kind of team that, in the past, has been reserved for massive brands, at a high cost. No more.

Sales Leadership

Great leadership ensures success through understanding our clients and aligning their needs with each opportunity. Our sales organization is filled with industry experts having deep category experience you can rely on to drive strategic discussions, drive alignment internally and externally and ensure we maximize growth. Having boots on the ground provides your company the responsiveness, demonstrates your commitment to the business and possesses the account expertise required by your retail partners.
  • Jesse Hull
    Jesse Hull
  • Tim Lindt
    Tim Lindt
  • Steve Kaza
    Steve Kaza
  • Ashley Wiebke
    Ashley Wiebke
  • Rhonda Marsh
    Rhonda Marsh
  • Javier Zavala
    Javier Zavala
  • Tanner Kaza
    Tanner Kaza
  • Max Habereder
    Max Habereder
  • Kayla Brandstetter
    Kayla Brandstetter
  • Chris Rushton
    Chris Rushton
  • Zach Rogers
    Zach Rogers
  • Amanda Ward
    Amanda Ward
  • Sarah Moore
    Sarah Moore

Shared Services

  • Josh Weatherford
    Josh Weatherford
    Office Administrator
  • Austin Marsh
    Austin Marsh
    Facilities and IT Administrator
  • Haley Chitty
    Haley Chitty
    Staff Accountant
  • Jason Buschlen
    Jason Buschlen
    Customer Insights & Sales Analyst
  • Dawn Wilson
    Dawn Wilson
    Talent Enablement

Operations Team

Ultimately, execution is crucial to success. Our team of Business Support Managers are the hub between Sales and Analytics and they understand this maxim and ensure success by  managing all aspects of our projects, from client on-boarding, set-up and compliance all the way through to retail execution. The team makes sure everything is driven by process, bringing to bare the resources needed to work smoothly. Our team of Business Support Managers guide our clients through the often challenging retailer processes. Like the quarterbacks of our organization, operations is always working closely with the sales leaders and clients, and strive to move that ball forward.
  • Brittany Barker
    Brittany Barker
    Operations & Sales Leader - Trading
  • Sarah Cracraft
    Sarah Cracraft
    Project Manager – Trading
  • Erik Heller
    Erik Heller
    Business Support Manager – Agency
  • Kathy Davis
    Kathy Davis
    Business Support Manager - Agency
  • Todd Seaman
    Todd Seaman
    Business Support Manager - Trading
  • Amy Robinson
    Amy Robinson
    Business Support Manager - Agency
  • Garrison Roddey
    Garrison Roddey
    Business Support Manager – Agency
  • Reilly Donovan
    Reilly Donovan
    Project Manager - Trading
  • Brianne Tharp
    Brianne Tharp
    Business Support Manager - Agency
  • Matt Loveless
    Matt Loveless
    Business Unit Leader – Agency

Leadership | Client Success

This is the cornerstone of everything we do, it is our first principle. Our job is to create ways to win together. We do this by aligning our Client’s objectives and our Customer’s goals to create mutual opportunities where we can all be successful together. Our clients have entrusted us with their most strategic accounts and expect us to field the strongest team of professionals to maximize their value in the trade, this is where we define our value.
  • Clint Lazenby
    Clint Lazenby
    Head of Strategy
  • JD Hayes
    JD Hayes
    Organizational Leadership
Jesse Hull

“Jesse has 20+ years of experience in the retail and consumer products industry. His experience ranges from private entrepreneurial companies to multi-billion publicly traded corporations. Has a strong ability to think outside of the box and is recognized for driving Strategic Innovation and creating growth strategies, like new product categories and developing breakthrough business models generating significant new value for consumers and customers.

Jesse has successfully lead sales and customer strategy for companies at Target, Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club, Dollar stores along with channel responsibility for Home Centers, eCommerce (Amazon and others) along with direct-to-consumer. On the retail side, he has held a number of strategic roles in buying, logistics, strategy, operations and finance. His experience spans across the globe to the UK, Latin America, Japan, North American, and Chinese markets.

Jesse is an athlete and loves hanging with his family and friends…as long as they are not sitting still, so bring your soccer ball, mountain bike or skateboard to the meeting!”

Tim Lindt

“Tim defines the term retail professional with 35+ years experience. His background includes Food, Mass, Drug, and C-store channels. For 22 years, Tim was a buyer in Grocery and Mass, and for another 18 years in Store Operations.

Tim joined the dark side 16 years ago and has never looked back while building a history of success and results that speak for themselves. Tim creates a priceless value to our clients with his experience across the whole process of sales, buying, store operations, merchandising, category management, category and consumer insights, pricing strategy, and private label management.

Tim has a track record in merchandising, and sales account management of outstanding sales growth, through data and insights which motivate the retailer to make decisions driven by the recommendations revealed via the data and insights.

Tim likes to spend his down time with his family and is always working on some kind of project.”

Steve Kaza

“Steve has 25+ years of sales experience. He has called on almost any account you have ever heard of and many you have not. Steve was a pioneer working with eCommerce and developing rent-to-own and Closeouts. Additionally, he has worked with Walmart and Sam’s Club for 20+ years.

Today Steve focuses on business development for new suppliers to all divisions of Walmart and is always seeking new and interesting products he can launch with Walmart. If you need help in Toys, Pets, Hardware, Sporting Goods or Lawn and Garden you know who to call.

Steve is an avid outdoorsman who enjoys spending time on the water with family and friends. Some say he is almost as good a sales leader as he is a fisherman!”

Ashley Wiebke

Ashley has 8+ years of club-based retail experience working on various initiatives for brick and mortar, as well as eCommerce at Costco Wholesale. She worked in operations for four years, and in the buying office for four years, so she has a balance of the two worlds. After working on diverse accounts from high tech like Microsoft, to home improvement brands such as Kohler she understands pallet-based business. Professionally Ashley is determined to drive sales and make relationships that last. Outside of work, her passions are in running her farm with her family where they raise Guernsey goats and trekking out on trails with their horses and mules.

Rhonda Marsh

“Rhonda has 20+ years of Sales and Account Management experience working with Fortune 500 companies supporting their Walmart and Sam’s Club accounts. Rhonda brings another level of insights for our clients with her experience in sales, marketing, team management, and training. Rhonda’s strengths are in her ability to build strong client and team relationships, project management, forecasting, and replenishment to keep our clients on track and in-stock.

Rhonda is a foodie who enjoys cooking and creating new recipes for her family and friends. She also loves learning about natural remedies and healing techniques.”

Javier Zavala

Javier is a sales and business development professional with 17 years of experience in building and capturing market share within retail and wholesale environments. Javier began his career as a corporate merchant for the world’s largest retailer, where he had P&L responsibility within seasonal, licensed team sports and apparel departments. Within the past 10 years, Javier managed mass retail accounts for a leading licensed merchandise business and ran the North American operation for a UK based toys, games and gifts developer, which involved opening an office, building a 25-person staff and developing distribution across various retail channels in USA and Canada.

In 2018, Javier founded his own retail and consumer product consulting business, Natural Bay, which was acquired by Legacy Retail Solutions. He joined Legacy as a Partner and Sales Leader. Javier’s successes are attributed to his industry expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, relationship cultivation and management.

In 2019, after 10 years in New York City, Javier and his wife moved to Bentonville, where they are currently experiencing life as new parents. Javier was an accomplished tennis player, competed as a student athlete in college and currently serves as a Board Member for The Peel Compton Foundation. You are likely to cross paths with Javier on gravel road rides in Benton County or exploring mountain bike trails in the Ozarks.

Tanner Kaza

“Tanner has spent 5+ years developing a deep skillset across the entire replenishment model, including Direct Import and Domestic Replenishment. He is heavily involved in all aspects of the supply chain and replenishment, including demand planning and store level planning. Tanner sees replenishment as core to drive the topline via forecast management and instock orders. He also is deeply involved in new product development, item setup and quoting processes. Getting on shelf is just the beginning of the journey according to Tanner. He ensures that our accounts are aligned and successful in all aspects of business from factory to shelf.

Outside of work Tanner is busy with his young family and enjoys hoops and the gym…you can often find him catching a high school soccer game.”

Max Habereder

“Max Habereder brings 20+ years of experience in Consumer Products and the Retail Industry having worked with some of CPGs largest and most iconic brands. He has success calling on numerous categories spanning both domestic and international markets. His knowledge and experience with data analysis, modular planning, category insights and retail execution enable him to look at opportunities with fact based selling insights and vision.

Max started his career at E&J Gallo Winery carrying a bag in the Los Angeles wine market and after early success moved into the Trade Development team. Max later moved to Bentonville AR to call on Walmart International in the infancy of Walmart’s International development push. From there Max moved to the Coleman Camping Company on the category management team where he was the Category Advisor for Sporting Goods at Walmart. Since that time, he has had success selling and managing items in numerous categories including Lawn & Garden, Sporting Goods, Wine & Spirits, Homewares, OTC, and Grocery.

Max is a former division 1 athlete and coach. When not at work he enjoys traveling, camping, doing charity work and rooting on FC Bayern Munich!”

Kayla Brandstetter

Kayla has 5+ years of experience in the retail and consumer products industry working with some of the largest CPG manufacturers in the world such as Nestle Purina and SC Johnson. She has an entrepreneurial spirit with a unique background working across several channels such as Mass, Specialty, Drug, DIY, and Pure Play. Kayla is most well known for her unique ability to create category expansion opportunities by identifying and creating commercialized strategies around product development, with specific expertise in the Pet Category.

When Kayla isn’t working, she enjoys spending time on Lake Minnetonka with her family, traveling to new destinations, running, and volunteering with and assisting young entrepreneurs.

Chris Rushton
Zach Rogers

Zach has 25+ years experience working for Walmart. He has knowledge of in-store operations, replenishment, supply chain, pricing, and human resources. With his variety of knowledge, he knows how and why things need to work together to satisfy the needs of customers. Due to his experience with Walmart, he has learned to build a positive relationship with clients. Zach looks for ways to challenge the norm. He believes it is his responsibility to make sure a product is successful. It is important to work with a company from product development to make sure customers will proudly take home the product.

When not working, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends. You will often find him sitting on a bucket, catching his youngest daughter pitching, for her travel softball team. Or using his “spirit fingers” to show support for his oldest daughter, as she cheers for high school games.

Amanda Ward

“Amanda has 10 years experience working for Walmart through various roles: Inventory Control Specialist in the stores, Order Specialist focusing on training, item creation, and writing orders, as a Replenishment Manager she drove process improvement for reporting and supplier accountability. Her final role within Walmart was a Project Manager, developing OMS functionality for the supplier community and Supplier Training. She then transitioned to the supplier world as a Replenishment/Sales Analyst, Sales Manager, and National Account Manager, as it relates to. Her skills include flawless execution of replenishment, forecasting, inventory management, remedy tickets, item set up, training, etc.

When not working in the office, Amanda can be found spending time with her family, working on her old truck, or hosting charity events in the off-road 4×4 community.”

Sarah Moore
Josh Weatherford
Office Administrator

Josh started his career out in Hot Springs, AR where he worked in consumer sales for Verizon Wireless. After many years in that field he decided to move to Northwest Arkansas, in order to, make a career change to office and administration management. During this time, he gained a keen ability to manage administrative processes. His time management skills are top notch and he is always ready to help our clients with any needs that may arise. Josh has had the opportunity to learn a great deal about Walmart’s retail link system and is proficient in e-commerce item setup and requirements. Customer compliance and process management are just a few of Josh’s strengths. When Josh isn’t in the office, he enjoys spending time with his friends and family, camping in the spring and summer, and researching the automotive industry.

Austin Marsh
Facilities and IT Administrator

Austin moved to Bentonville in 2004, where he grew up, playing games, watching movies, and making art with his family. He has had an interest in photography since he was a kid so, when he saw there was an opportunity to learn photography and digital design through his high school, he jumped on the opportunity. While there he discovered his passion for graphic design and how it goes hand-in-hand with photography. He learned his skills there and is excited to put those skills to use here at the Traverse Group.

Haley Chitty
Staff Accountant

Haley has more than six years of experience as a Staff Accountant for an eCommerce startup, where she was instrumental in developing processes and standards. Prior to that role, she spent more than a decade in administrative and customer service roles, giving her a breadth of experience and strong understanding of the eCommerce and retail industries.

Born and raised in Northwest Arkansas, her background in small business is deeply rooted in her family’s local boat business, which ultimately led her to pursue a career path helping small businesses thrive.

Outside of work, you can find Haley hanging out with family and friends, watching sports (Go Razorbacks! Go Chiefs!), spending time at the lake, playing pickleball, cooking, and curating the best playlists.

Jason Buschlen
Customer Insights & Sales Analyst

“Jason has spent 20+ years working with Fortune 100 companies to develop long-term, sustainable growth strategies with key retailers.

Jason has successfully led teams across shopper insights, category management, and analytics, working with some of the world’s most iconic brands. Jason’s category experience spans a diverse group of products in food, beverage, household products and health & beauty. His expertise is in “connecting the dots” across disparate sources of information and communicating insights through visual storytelling that lead to action. Jason is deeply curious, thrives in ambiguity, and intensely focused on delivering positive outcomes.

Outside of the office, Jason enjoys connecting with friends and family, traveling to interesting places around the world, going to live music events, and spending time at the lake.”

Dawn Wilson
Talent Enablement

Dawn has spent the last 20 years of her career in Administrative/HR roles supporting executives of all levels and staff members. Dawn has found her passion for employee development to be the biggest driving force. Watching staff members grow on all levels – mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually brings true joy to Dawn all while assisting them in their career growth as well. Outside of work you can find Dawn with her two daughters, at the Gym, doing DIY projects or on her Harley.

Brittany Barker
Operations & Sales Leader - Trading

“Brittany has 10+ years experience across retail including Account Management with key retailers such as Target, Walmart, Costco, and Sam’s Club. Brittany has extensive experience in other areas such as Project Management, Compliance, Analytics, Strategic Sales, Modular Planning, Category Insights, and Go-to Market Strategies.

She has a demonstrated history of working in the consumer goods industries and many US Retailers as well as Canada. She has been recognized for her proven ability to lead colleagues through change while maintaining focus on teamwork, responsibility, and quality results. Skilled in Microsoft Excel, Customer Service, Sales, Retail, Strategic Planning, Retail Link, POL at Target, BPM at Costco, & more.

Brittany has a keen eye for interior design and enjoys doing that in her spare time.”

Sarah Cracraft
Project Manager – Trading

Sarah Cracraft has 10+ years of experience in the Retail industry. She has been servicing Walmart since 2014 and working with multiple brands to merchandise their products within Walmart since 2018. Project management and business development have been two key areas of focus to help clients build their brands. Sarah strives to expand her knowledge to strengthen herself and others around her. It is always a good time to learn.

Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, finding and creating art, and exploring the outdoors.

Erik Heller
Business Support Manager – Agency

Erik’s background in retail has taken him from a managerial role with a regional outdoor lifestyle store with $2 million in annual sales to a supply chain operations role with an international cycling brand with $12 million in U.S. Sales. At the core of all the roles, Erik has taken is a passion for customer service that results in improved working processes and creative customer-centric solutions. Erik grew up in Jonesboro, AR, and moved to Little Rock after graduating from Arkansas State University. During Erik’s free time he enjoys running, riding his bike, and visiting the state parks with his wife Kathryn.

Kathy Davis
Business Support Manager - Agency

Kathy has a lifetime of retail background, growing up in a successful family-owned business in Bentonville, Arkansas with a core value of Customer Service and Satisfaction.

She found there was a growing need for Vendor Support in the NW Arkansas area and began working with various Food vendors to help prepare their products for meetings and presentations to Walmart. This led to several years of providing Vendor Support, offering an array of services including meeting setups, sample deliveries, and working in the LayOut Center, and eventually joining the Vendor community full time in 2004 supporting one of the top Celebration and Crafts suppliers in the department. She built strong working relationships with the buying teams, product testing facilities, and manufacturers, stayed on top and in front of current and new trends and regulations in the craft industry, and eventually branched out to Sporting Goods, Toys, Infant and Juvenile categories, utilizing her replenishment and forecasting skills.

Customer Service and Satisfaction has remained a core value for her in the vendor community. Building trust and strong relationships with the customer and merchant allows her to provide the best possible support and profitability.

Todd Seaman
Business Support Manager - Trading

Todd has 15+ years of professional experience spanning across retail store Operations, Transportation, Supply Chain, and Project Management. Raised in Bentonville, he started his career with Walmart Stores while still in school and eventually moved into Transportation at the Walmart Home Office. He would spend a decade with one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies where he managed multi-billion-dollar projects expanding out fiber optic internet services across the country. Todd then went on to oversee Walmart supply chain operations with Procter and Gamble working with brands like Gillette, Venus, and Braun across the shave category.

When not in the office, Todd can be found spending time with his family, smoking various meats, or playing guitar with his heavy metal band.

Amy Robinson
Business Support Manager - Agency

Amy has been married for almost 28 years to Kenneth. They have a son Will (26) and a daughter Lacey (25). Amy has 2 granddaughters Harper (3) and Callie (2) that they love spending time with and laughing at all the expressions and things they say and do!!

Amy has over 20 + years of experience in Retail holding various roles in Walmart. She started with workers comp and medical insurance, later landing at the H.O ensuring new stores had their orders. Expanding into item & PO creation across multiple departments. Amy facilitated several of the Merchant Leadership courses including MU/MD, Supplier Relations, and Negotiations. Her last stint at Walmart was responsibility for shrink reduction for the Electronics Pad US. She took this experience into her next 2 roles with DiSa, and Scorpion Security continuing to find ways to secure product to allow for an improved Customer Experience, while securing the product from theft. Amy holds a lot of knowledge in Retail, Account Management, Shrink, and Business Development.

Outside of work Amy enjoys spending time with family outside or inside playing games!

Garrison Roddey
Business Support Manager – Agency

Garrison worked for The Walt Disney Company & United Technologies prior to consulting with small to medium size CPG companies selling to big box retailers. Outside of work he enjoys biking and running and watching his two daughters dance.

Reilly Donovan
Project Manager - Trading

Reilly’s professional journey includes tenure at a startup where she excelled in scaling operations. Her expertise extends to constructing and refining customer success departments, where she strategically incorporated customer feedback to enhance overall operational effectiveness. A key contributor to the organization’s success, Reilly implemented comprehensive company-wide training protocols, ensuring that new employees were well-prepared for their roles.

Her role also involved spearheading market expansion initiatives, showcasing her ability to navigate and establish the company’s presence in new markets. Through a meticulous focus on metrics, Reilly successfully identified and implemented operational efficiencies, contributing to the company’s growth and sustainability. Despite being in the early stages of her career, Reilly is eager to broaden her understanding of the retail sector. Her goal is to leverage her well-honed skills to foster successful client partnerships, bringing a valuable blend of operational excellence, customer-centric approaches, and strategic thinking to her future endeavors.

In her downtime, Reilly enjoys running and hiking with her dog, watching football, participating in equestrian events, and actively seeking new ski resorts for exciting adventures on the slopes.

Brianne Tharp
Business Support Manager - Agency

Brianne’s 15 year professional career has crossed over multiple industries giving her a unique background. She has experience in retail, merchandising, marketing, manufacturing, wholesale planning, account management, analytics and commercial construction. Her work has allowed her to partner with and service brands such as; Target, Macy’s, Gander Mountain, Illume, Anthropologie, William Sonoma, Trader Joes, TJ Max and Home Goods.

Outside of her professional life, Brianne is focused on her family. She loves living an active lifestyle, photography, interior decorating (especially for the holidays) and enjoying the outdoors. If she’s not moving, you will likely find her lost in a book or taking photos.

Matt Loveless
Business Unit Leader – Agency

25 year WMT career in Merchandising, Operations. Matt served 7 years in agency side of the house in serving clients. Matt thrives in a team environment and gives him great joy to see others succeed and customers Win. Consummate team player. Enthusiastic, positive leader. Matt thrives in finding solutions for clients and leading others to success. Matt has three adult children, a daughter 27, and two sons 26 and 18. Outside of work Matt loves the outdoors, Beaver Lake and Razorback sporting events and high school athletics (passion that comes from his late Father coaching High School Basketball for 30 years). Matt has lived in Northwest Arkansas for 34 years. Matt is a people focused leader seeking to serve others. Matt loves the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Celtics and Dallas Cowboys. Go Cards Go!!!

Clint Lazenby
Head of Strategy

“Clint spent 20+ years working in Fortune 100 companies to develop and ensure the business health with the top retailers across the world.

His category experience spans across food, consumables and hardlines and he has worked with both Branded and Private Brand portfolios. His career is characterized for bringing creative solutions to complex business challenges and developing the top teams to address strategic customers. Clint has held a number of strategic roles in these organizations responsible for understanding and driving digital strategy, new formats, global customer development and new market expansion.

Clint enjoys both the thrill and challenge of life through activities like crushing the ski slopes or a 100-mile bike ride just to name a few. He and his wife might be the only people you will ever meet that specifically went to North Korea for vacation.”

JD Hayes
Organizational Leadership

“JD has 20+ years experience delivering vertical sales growth across a variety of categories. He works with companies to create internal alignment to drive results. He has extensive knowledge in the area of 3-tier distribution systems, as well as, branded and private label program development.

Across the industry, JD is known for building sustainable businesses in emerging or under-performing categories by finding unique promotional methods and modular improvements.

Outside the office JD takes pride in his civic involvement, engaging with his family and finding ways to work baseball into all parts the day…now you know it’s a crack of the bat in the background of your call!”