NAPLES, Fla. — Retail consultancy Burke Gillis Juliano Group (BGJ) has hired former Unilever executive Jerry Brown as an associate in the consulting practice.

Jerry Brown

BGJ Group said Friday that Brown brings more than 40 years of experience in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) sector to the firm. Most recently, he served as vice president of industry and customer development at Unilever.

Working for four different companies within Unilever and, before that, two divisions within Johnson & Johnson, Brown has a diverse range of knowledge in the retail CPG arena, spanning health and beauty, fragrances and cosmetics, and grocery, BGJ noted.

“Jerry is well-known throughout the retail industry as a consummate professional,” stated BGJ principal Jim Gillis. “He has the expertise needed to guide our clients through the clutter and onto success. We’re delighted he’s joining the team.”

Brown has been an active member of several trade organizations and has served as a chair or member of committees and boards, including the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, Retail Industry Leaders Association, Food Marketing Institute, Grocery Manufacturers Association, Global Market Development Center, Consumer Goods Forum, National Grocers Association IGA Students in Free Enterprise and Black Executive Exchange Program. He has also received awards for achievements at NACDS, RILA and Mass Market Retailer magazine.

At BGJ, he joins recent addition Jim Wonderly as consultants focusing on the general merchandise and health and beauty aids categories.

“I’m looking forward to working with Jim Gillis, Vince Burke, Rich Juliano and the other professionals at BGJ,” Brown commented. “They are doing a great job helping companies realize their potential in the retail value chain, and my skills and network of connections will add to that capability.”

Naples, Fla.-based BGJ Group focuses on the supermarket, mass, convenience, drug and specialty retail channels, providing executive management, market strategy, merger-and-acquisition, private equity, business development, product marketing, trade relations, executive search and related services to leading retailers, suppliers and vendors.