Technology >> CEO Interviews >> October 6, 1999
ROBERT R. CAIN is President, CEO & Director of Valley Media, Inc. As
President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Cain runs the day-to-day
operations, guides the strategic direction of Valley and serves as a
member of the company's Board of Directors. During the past eight years,
the company has changed significantly, with its evolution from an
entrepreneurial-guided, family business to a professionally managed,
public company. Mr. Cain has co-chaired and served as a member on the
NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandisers) Operations
Committee, is an active member of NAVD (National Association of Video
Distributors) and is a member on the NARM Wholesaler/Distributor
Steering Committee. Prior to Valley, Rob Cain served as Executive Vice
President of Cost Plus Imports, a Northern California-based retail
chain, where his responsibilities included buying, marketing, real
estate and distribution. Mr. Cain was also one of four partners who
organized the buy-out of Cost Plus. Before Cost Plus, Mr. Cain held
various positions (including Director of Strategic Planning) with the
international grocery retailer, Safeway, Inc., and its subsidiary,
Liquor Barn. He received his Bachelor's degree in Food Science from
Oregon State University, and his Master's of Business Administration
degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
J. RANDOLPH CERF is Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer &
Secretary of Valley Media, Inc. Mr. Cerf manages the Finance,
Accounting, Credit, Legal, Customer Service and Investor Relations areas
for Valley Media. During his tenure, Valley has grown from approximately
$100 million to $889 million in sales and became a public company. Mr.
Cerf has managed and put in place the necessary organization, systems
and financing to support the growth. He is also active in strategy and
business development. Mr. Cerf has been instrumental in all phases of
six acquisitions, one joint venture buyout and two divestitures. Prior
to Valley, Mr. Cerf served as President of JRC Consulting, a financial
and management consulting firm. Before that, Mr. Cerf served as Manager
of Planning and Analysis for the Weyerhaeuser Paper Corporation and Vice
President, Finance for Elektra Power Company. Mr. Cerf is a graduate of
the University of Colorado with a B.A. (magna cum laude and Phi Beta
Kappa) in Economics, Computer Science and Political Science and received
an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Profile
what Valley Media is today?
Mr. Cain: In 1985, Valley left its retail roots to become a full line
music distributor.
