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C. Kelly Cofer brings over 25 years of expertise in retail real estate and economic development to his leadership at The Retail Coach. His experience spans market research, site selection, leasing, and property development for major national and regional retailers across 150+ U.S. cities. A CCIM designee and graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma, Cofer also holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M University.

FOUNDER & CEO

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Aaron Farmer brings extensive expertise in retail and marketing trends to The Retail Coach. His background includes marketing research and retail development for top brands like FedEx, Sally Beauty Supply, and Adidas. Aaron’s skills span trade area analysis to retailer recruitment. He holds a Marketing degree from Texas A&M's Mays Business School and an MBA from Texas A&M – Commerce.

PRESIDENT

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Caroline specializes in strategic planning and manages relationships with commercial real estate professionals and retail site selectors nationwide. Her experience in recruiting retail provides municipalities a competitive edge by assessing markets and anticipating retailer feedback. With an MPPA from Mississippi State University, Caroline understands public sector dynamics and approaches retail economic development from both consumer and retailer perspectives.

STRATEGY DIRECTOR

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Charles Parker brings over five years of expertise in economic research and entrepreneurship to The Retail Coach. As a Research Assistant at Mississippi State University, he studied the economic impacts of tourism and outdoor recreation on municipalities. A McKinney, Texas native, Parker holds a Bachelor of Science, an MBA, and a Master of Science degree from Mississippi State University.

PROJECT DIRECTOR

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Kyle brings over 4 years of experience in real estate and entrepreneurship to The Retail Coach. As Project Director, he leads the retail recruitment process, working with local officials, site selectors, brokers, and developers to drive economic development. Kyle is an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and regularly speaks at municipal leagues and webinars. He graduated from the University of Mississippi with a degree in Business Management and a minor in Real Estate and Entrepreneurship.

PROJECT DIRECTOR

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Kaleb manages relationships with retailers, site selectors, developers, and brokers involved in retail real estate for client communities. With experience aligning tenant real estate decisions with long-term goals and supporting corporate relocations, he focuses on driving community growth while maintaining exceptional customer service. Kaleb lives in Texas and holds a bachelor's degree from the University of North Texas.

PROJECT MANAGER 

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Lauren builds strong relationships with retailers, site selectors, developers, and brokers to support retail growth in client communities. With 8 years of experience at The Ritz-Carlton and a background in healthcare administration, she brings exceptional customer service and attention to detail. Lauren holds a degree in Resort & Hospitality Management from Florida Gulf Coast University.

RECRUITMENT SPECIALIST

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Jean Totten brings expertise in economic development and community leadership to her role as Recruitment Specialist. With a strong track record of collaborating with local governments and businesses, Jean drives growth and sustainable development. We're excited to see the continued impact of her leadership at The Retail Coach!

RECRUITMENT SPECIALIST

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New York native Matthew Lautensack brings expertise in critical theory and technology integration to The Retail Coach. He has streamlined internal workflows and developed key products and services for the company. Previously, Matthew was the Director of Information Technology at a natural soap company. A philosopher and self-taught programmer, he specializes in user experience, e-commerce, automation, digital advertising, and GIS.

DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

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At The Retail Coach, Nancy Herbert directs all administrative functions with efficiency and care. She is a number cruncher and a people person who loves getting lost in data. Nancy's extensive management and accounting experience encompass some of America’s favorite retailers, including Kirkland’s. Nancy's previous experience as a retail buyer and store inventory control manager provides helpful insight as she assists in the retailer research performed by The Retail Coach for each project.

DIRECTOR OF FINANCE

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Ty McConn is a Marketing major senior at Texas A&M University, graduating in December 2024. At The Retail Coach, he assists senior staff with data collection and analytics, aiming to refine his research skills and gain experience in retail development.

RETAIL ANALYST

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Sadie Stevenson is a Communications major at Mississippi State University with a 4.0 GPA. As President of Lambda Sigma Honor Society, she has been recognized for her leadership. Sadie has experience as an Engagement Specialist at the MSU Center for Entrepreneurship and is currently interning with The Retail Coach, bringing strong communication skills and a goal-oriented mindset to the team.

PROJECT INTERN

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Nick plays a vital role at The Retail Coach, supporting Project Directors in executing projects from start to finish, including market analysis, profiling, and retail recruitment, while maintaining strong relationships with clients and industry professionals. With a background in investment sales and a Texas real estate license, Nick brings valuable expertise to advising clients. A Texas A&M graduate with a degree in Finance, he combines strategic insight with hands-on experience to drive success.

PROJECT MANAGER

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Our Team Is Your Team

We take a partnership approach and become an extension of our client communities’ teams. With backgrounds ranging from retail site selection, real estate, and public policy experience, you can trust the experts in retail development and community planning and growth.

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Four people around a conference table looking at a map

Our Team Is Your Team

We take a partnership approach and become an extension of our client communities’ teams. With backgrounds ranging from retail site selection, real estate, and public policy experience, you can trust the experts in retail development and community planning and growth.

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Let's Talk Retail. Contact Us Today.

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