FootSteps Marketing is a partnership composed of five current Ace Hardware dealers and retail veterans and internet marketing expert, Patrick Curry and his internet marketing team.
Patrick Curry – Pat has worked within the software, Internet and technology industry as an entrepreneur, strategic consultant and business executive for 25 years. Pat was most recently the CEO of Blue Tent Marketing where he led the organization’s significant growth over the last 5 years. Prior to Blue Tent, he was the founder of First Resort Software, Inc. in 1983. His tenure at First Resort ended with a successful sale of the company in an IPO under the name of ResortQuest International, Inc. Pat is presently the President of FootSteps Marketing, LLC.
Chris and Vicki Peterson – Alpine Ace Hardware of Colorado began in 1971when Vance Grenko and his family purchased the hardware side of United Lumber, a store that had opened in Aspen in 1931. After serving as Managing Partner for 10 years, Vance’s eldest daughter Vicki took the reins purchased the store from her parents in 1995. In 1998, Vicki and her son Vance opened another hardware store in their hometown of Carbondale. She remarried in 2002 and brought her new husband, Chris Peterson into the business as a partner. Today, Chris and Vicki own four Ace Hardware stores on the Western Slope of Colorado – Aspen, Carbondale, Clifton and Redlands.
Kevin Nyberg - What began as a small chain of hardware stores established by a group of Chicago-area retailers in 1924 has evolved into the nation’s leading retailer-owned cooperatives. Roy Nyberg joined this group of retailers in 1958 when he established Nyberg’s Ace Hardware in Sioux Falls, SD. Roy started working for an Ace Hardware store in International Falls at age 16. It was Roy’s dream to own his own Ace store some day and he succeeded with four Ace Hardware stores – 41st & Minnesota, 12th & Kiwanis, 10th & Sycamore and 41st & Sertoma. Roy passed away last year, and today, Nyberg’s is owned by Kevin Nyberg and Marin Nyberg, Roy’s children. Marin is the creative thinking of Nyberg’s advertising and marketing.
Ron and Todd Erwin – The history of Green Mountain Ace Hardware spans four generations. Ernie Golden started Golden Wholesale Hardware in Colby, KS in
1920, serving most of the midwest. Ron Erwin (Ernie’s grandson) worked for his grandfather during his summer vacations in his early teens. In 2003, Todd Erwin, Ron’s son, decided to
continue the family tradition and went into business with this father. Today, at 32,000 square feet, Green Mountain Ace Hardware boasts the largest selection of hardware, paint, tools, lawn and garden, patio furniture and outliving items in Colorado and serve over 300,000 customers a year.
Ted and Eric Barnes - Originally located on Michigan Avenue in Dearborn, MI, the first Barnes Ace Hardware was opened by Ted Barnes Sr., in 1942. Ted had moved to Dearborn from Pennsylvania to make it in the auto industry but instead found hardware was his calling. In 1958, he moved the family and store to Ann Arbor, MI where Ted re-opened the store on Stadium Boulevard. Ted’s two eldest boys, Ted Jr., and Robert joined the family business after they graduated from college. Soon afterwards, Ted Sr., passed away and Ted Jr., and Robert became solo owners. In 1984, a second store was opened in Ann Arbor on Washtenaw Avenue which is managed by Ted Jr.’s eldest son Eric. In 2004, Ted and Robert closed the doors of the original Ann Arbor location and moved to its current location. The father and son team co-own two Ace Hardware stores in Ann Arbor.
Tom and Val Mortell - Timberline Ace Hardware, a family owned and operated business has been serving the Telluride community for 40 years. The business was founded by Jack and Davine Pera, who represent the mining heritage of Telluride, in 1969. Dave and Joe Anne Erickson bought the business from the Peras in 1980. In 1985, Tom and Val Mortell partnered with the Ericksons and began a successful 18 year relationship until the Ericksons retired in 2003. In 2007, Tom Mortell Jr., came into the business with the intention of serving the Telluride community into the next generation.
