Manufacturer Council

As a 35 year veteran of the professional beauty industry, Bruce has spent his entire career with Zotos/Helen Curtis. As Vice President of Core Brands at Zotos, Bruce is dedicated to seeing distributors grow their business and to giving salons the education necessary to succeed.

Bruce has been a partner with ABA and PBA, serving on the board of the former and new association for over 15 years. He strives to continue to make the professional beauty industry the place to be.

Gary Udell is co-principal in one of the leading Manufacturer Rep Firms in the professional beauty industry, Gerry Udell, Inc. His firm, which has been in business for over 45 years, represents some of the most prestigious lines in the beauty industry. Gerry Udell, Inc. has been instrumental in pioneering many innovative products.

Gary is the only manufacturer's representative in the Northeast to serve on the board of the former BBSI. Gary is currently the only manufacturer's rep to serve on the PBA's Manufacturer Leadership Council. Gary is the author of numerous articles and has participated in a number of industry seminars.

Ray has over 30 years of experience in the beauty industry, including 20 years as Vice-President/General Manager for L'oréal Professional Division. Ray is currently a consultant for the beauty industry, serving clients such as L'Oréal and Conair.

Ray has been actively involved in the beauty industry, serving on the former ABA board and current Manufacturer Leadership Council of the PBA for 17 years. Ray was honored by the industry as a City of Hope honoree in 2001.

Brian Graham is Chief Executive Office of NIOXIN Research Laboratories, Inc., the worlds' leading manufacturer of natural solutions for fine and thinning hair. In 2003 he assumed the responsibilities of CEO for NIOXIN. Prior to assuming this position, he served as Vice President of Marketing for 8 years.

Before starting his career with NIOXIN, Brian worked in the field of medical rehabilitation. His natural attraction to NIOXIN stems from his passion for helping others look and feel their best.

Brian received his Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia Southern University and then completed his P.M.D. at Harvard University.

Brian is the eldest son of Eva Graham, founder and Chairman of NIOXIN, and lives in Atlanta with his wife and three children.

In January of 1997, Heffner joined Creative Nail Design as Vice President of Sales and Marketing and since then has played an integral part in managing Creative's impressive growth and reinforcing its leadership position in professional nail care. In March of 2000, he was named President and became CEO in 2005. In addition to his responsibilities at Creative Nail Design, Heffner is a passionate supporter of the professional beauty industry, having served on numerous committees.

A 19 year veteran of Proctor and Gamble, Kevin joined the professional salon industry in March 2006 to provide strategic focus to the business, as well as to create a set of integrated strategies across the different businesses to utilize P&G's scale to benefit the salon customer.

As owner and CEO/President of Orly International, Jeff has been revolutionizing the nail care industry since 1975. Over the years, he has been dedicated to inspiring beauty care professionals around the world with specialty products including nail care treatments and lacquers. One of Jeff's true passions has been designing timeless and innovative nail looks. As the creator of The Original French Manicure, Jeff brought the first classic nail look not only to the nail care industry, but to the world of fashion. 25 years and countless innovations later, Jeff introduced the patented, ergonomic Gripper Cap. Sculpted from soft rubber, this progressive instrument ensures ease of opening and flawless coverage. The Gripper Cap is an essential tool for the professional nail technician.

The American Beauty Association has honored Jeff's achievements with 12 ABBIE awards, recognizing his overall excellence in the beauty industry. In 2005, Jeff celebrated Orly's 30th Anniversary and the launch of SpaRitual, the first luxury nail care line designed exclusively for professionals.

George Schaeffer has built OPI Products Inc., the world's leading professional nail care company, through an acute business sense and an extraordinary commitment to the professional beauty industry and its needs.

Born in post-World War II Hungary, the only child of concentration camp survivors, Schaeffer immigrated to the United States in 1956 with his family to escape that country's Communist regime.

After moving to California with his family in 1981, George's path to the beauty industry started in the most unlikely of places - a dental supply business that Schaeffer purchased called Odontorium Products Inc. Schaeffer soon realized that the acrylic "porcelains" used to make dentures were similar to and, in fact, even better than the materials used by nail professionals for crafting acrylic nails. Seizing upon the opportunity, Schaeffer applied his knowledge of Dental Technology to the nail industry to formulate superior products for nail technicians.

Under Schaeffer's guidance, OPI has grown over the last 25 years by continuing to keep nail professionals and their clients on the forefront of innovation with an entire range of state-of-the-art quality products for hands and nails.

Schaeffer is a former member of the Board of Directors of the American Beauty Association and a founding member of the Professional Beauty Federation. He is a past Secretary/Treasurer of the Manufacturer Leadership Council of the Professional Beauty Association and a past member of its Governing Council. In addition, he is on the Board of Directors of the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association and was elected a Director of the International Nail Industry Federation of Japan.

Jack Storey is the President, co-founder and Chief Financial Officer of the Scruples Company.

Jack began his industry career as a Distributor Sales Consultant in Nebraska. He is a licensed hairdresser, who owned a salon for 27 years. His manufacturing career began with Redken, LaMaur (20 years). Soon, Jack will be celebrating 25 years with the Scruples Company.