About Us
Dick Abbott- Co-Founder, Abbott Jewelry Systems, LLC
Dick has a diverse background that spans over 40 years in computer system design and programming, design manufacturing, insurance claims processing, credit reporting and consumer marketing systems. The last 20 years has been devoted to producing management software for independent retail jewelers. Dick is well known for his knowledge of inventory management and has addressed many jewelry groups at regional and national trade shows, conferences, and conclaves. His methods for increasing the performance of inventory have been proven over time and are an integral part of The EDGE software. He is passionate about his work and gets his motivation from knowing his work is helping jewelers to compete and prosper in a new age of retailing. Together Dick and Joe have combined their unique skills and expertise to develop the industry's market leading software according to "The Big Survey" of InStore Magazine.
Joe Shapiro- Co-Founder, Abbott Jewelry Systems, LLC
Joe's talents and skills started at an early age when he worked as a computer programmer to put himself through college. With two diplomas in hand (Computer Science and Applied Mathematics) from The State University of New York, Stonybrook, Joe immediately went to work as a consultant and contract programmer. He applied his skills for many different clients on many different projects. Each contracted work required Joe to jump right in and quickly become the "expert" for the client. Joe specializes in two specific areas- user interface design and emerging technologies. Before founding Abbott Jewelry Systems in 2001, Joe managed and directed the software development for companies serving the retail banking and grocery industries. It was during this time that Joe developed programming skills in the area of "Point of Sale" Systems. Joe also was the sole proprietor of a web design company.
Tom Meyers, Founder and Chief Strategy Officer - Drive Media, LLC
With an MBA from one of the nation's top 10 ranked business schools and 20 years of senior level executive marketing experience, Tom has developed a unique set of skills that has produced outstanding business results for brands like Mizuno, Maxfli, Taylor Made, and Russell Athletic. His work has been featured in many trade and consumer publications including Brandweek, Golfweek, Sporting Goods Business (SGB), Street & Smith’s Business Journal and DNR. Most recently, his strategy and brand management work moved the Russell brand 19 spots in the SGB annual rankings of the most widely recognized sports brands- the largest one-year leap of any brand. Rising up through the ranks to VP of Marketing and garnering national awards along the way including the coveted "2003 Southeast Award for Magazine Excellence (SAMMY Award) for Best of Show,” Tom found himself wondering if there was something better out there. Something that would re-ignite the fire in his soul - the same fire that fueled him early in his career. Thus was born DRIVE Media.