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About Us |
Claire Evans - President
Claire started in sales with Intel, winning sales person
of the year for four consecutive years. Sales Performance aside, her
spirited approach to serving the unique needs of each client earned
Claire exceptional customer loyalty.
Born in Zimbabwe, Claire was raised in South Africa, amidst a culture
that used natural architectural materials. She developed a fascination
for the feel, look and smell of thatching reeds and bamboo. Her love of
these things came with her when she moved to the U.S. after Intel
transferred her to Florida. In 1999, when she decided she did not want
to relocate with the company to cold weather climates in Seattle or
Toronto, Claire left Intel and took a job as Sales Manager with another
natural architectural firm.
In 2002, Claire opened amaZulu, Inc. to pursue her dream to develop a
natural architectural company that would introduce and develop new
innovations and sustain higher service standards in the industry. The
combination proved prudent and amaZulu secured accounts with Disney, Sea
World, and Outback Steak House, soon thereafter.
Applying imagination and resourcefulness to improve and expand industry
product options is one area of specialty amaZulu has excelled in. Claire
worked with the EPA and a vendor in Africa to develop a pressure treated
chemical that produced arsenic free Eucalyptus, received a golden seal
from the EPA for the effort. Today, with sourcing specialist, Michael
Spitler, the company has vendor-suppliers with unique capabilities in
Vietnam, Bali, Thailand, and China - with more overseas relationships in
development.
Under Claire’s leadership, amaZulu has been invited to do an Extreme
Makeover edition in St. Petersburg and has had products featured on
Trading Spaces. She operates the only natural architectural
materials/installation firm to be approved as a Certified Provider by
CEO IQ and received certification as a woman-owned operation in 2003.
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Anwar Latib - Sales Manager
Anwar spent five years working with two of South Africa’s largest timber
procurement and preservation industry leaders before starting his own
business in the same field.
As owner of a timber preservation plant, Anwar performed every dimension
of the industry, working with Creosote, Copper, Chrome, Arsenate and
Boron treatments. He serviced many government contracts and supplied
materials for projects in Africa and overseas, earning a reputation with
the Bureau of Standards for meeting the highest quality performance
measures.
After operating the business for 12 years, Anwar sold the company and
relocated to the United States. He worked with a competitor firm in
shipping, warehousing, accounting and finally in sales where he enjoyed
the opportunity to work with every type of customer: homeowner to
builder; landscaper to designer; architect to buyer. Anwar joined
amaZulu in 2005 as the company Sales Manager where his efficiency, work
ethic and product knowledge is a sensational complement to Claire’s
skill sets.
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Michael Spitler - Global Sourcing Specialist
After more than 15 years, Michael Spitler knows the new product
development process from the inside out. He has invented, designed,
developed and distributed an expansive variety of soft and hard line
products, from furniture to games, to clothing over the past 15 years.
He has several patents and trademarks and an international manufacturing
network that extends to some of the largest retailers and O.E.M.
partners in the United States.
Today, as amaZulu's Global Product Development Specialist, Michael
applies a tenacious manner to provide sensational service. Specifically,
maintaining the contacts that keep him updated on what products are
currently hot sellers, collecting the competitive intelligence it takes
to provide judicious guidance for his partners, and the installation of
quality control measures to ensure finished products are the very best.
His success is also due to his strong belief in doing all the necessary
work on the front end of a product so that there are no problems to come
back and undermine a project on the back end. Michael’s services include
concept design to packaging artwork.
No project is too large or too small; no product too inconsequential and
his willingness to effectively take on the tedious but essential project
details has earned him the admiration and respect of companies across
America.
Today, he invites you to use his superior product development services
and overseas sources to resolve any new product challenge you are
dealing with today to ensure a superior, trouble-free installation
project in the future.
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Rebecca Kelley - Faux Finish Expert
After receiving her BFA degree in 1993, from the Maryland Institute
College of Art, the oldest most prestigious art college in the nation,
Rebecca continued her education working for Faux Finishers. In 1995,
Rebecca divided her time between Faux Finishers and Twin Diamond Studios
in Baltimore.
She had the privilege of working with two notable designers from
Alexander Baer and Company, Jay Jenkins and Bill McGee – both known for
their innovative designs in residential and commercial settings. She
worked on painted Parquetry furniture, stenciled walls, Trompe l’oeil
floor cloths, wood-grained elevators, and gilded moldings.
Rebecca and her talented teammates can produce the remarkable - Ply vine
water borne products, ornamental leafing techniques, murals, French or
Italian Renaissance motif hand paintings – to any imaginable surface you
can imagine.
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Joel Robbins - Warehouse Manager
After serving 23 years in the U.S. Navy as a health care
administrator, Joel "Buddy" Robbins, retired in 1994 and started
teaching college level technical courses for several years before going
into the themed construction business.
Today Joel serves as amaZulu’s warehouse and shipping manager where he
has executed supply chain processes to develop superior order
fulfillment and stock management. His ultimate goal has been the
implementation of inventory control practices to maintain the highest
on-time driver and delivery standards. In addition to improving quality
standards at amaZulu, Joel oversees international container delivery and
the pre-fire retardant treatment of all products from application to
certification to packaging.
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MEGAN Graf - office manager
Megan is one of those rare breeds. A native of
Florida, her heritage, along with her schooling from the Florida
State University, make her a tremendous asset to our team. She
brings over 10 years experience working for small to mid-size
companies, serving six years as Office Manager for an audio visual
contractor.
Since joining amaZulu in 2006, Megan has served as
our office manager where she handles all administration,
accounting, and marketing management. She also heads coordination
of our trade shows, seeing that each one goes off without a
hitch. Megan is a bright and conscientious employee, who has
already created a good bond with her fellow employees, and is
great with our customers.
Scott Cook - Business Development Manager
Born in upstate New York and relocating to
Florida in 1988, Scott joined amaZulu in October 2007. Scott
quickly filled a new position with amaZulu in Business
Development. His 14 years experience in retail and sales with
companies such as Macy’s, Hallmark, and Time Warner, along with
his dedication to customer service, made Scott the obvious
choice for the amaZulu team.
In three months, Scott converted a 1600 sq ft
empty room into a high end show room and design center. He has
a great eye for decorating, and is a hands-on type of guy who
can help customers with their projects, small or large. Scott’s
love of our products and genuine character make him an asset to
amaZulu and our customers.
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