As Executive Vice President, Rodney leads a team to develop commercial and multi-family real estate throughout the United States. Prior to joining Retail Specialists, Rodney was President and CEO of Simply Fashion Stores, a ladies’ clothing store. Rodney successfully led a venture capital group in acquiring Simply Fashions out of bankruptcy in 1993 and his responsibilities included merchandising, MIS, store operations, loss prevention, human resources, distribution center, accounting, advertising, real estate, e-commerce, employee benefits, risk management, and real estate and new store construction. Simply Fashion peaked at over 300 stores with over $130,000,000 in sales in 22 states. The company was sold in 2013.
Prior to founding Simply Fashion Stores in 1993, Rodney started Barstein & Associates, a full-service real estate development, leasing, and management firm specializing in retail projects. Founded in 1989, Barstein & Associates developed over 125,000 square feet of retail space including land acquisition, overseeing construction, leasing, and management, and through the years has managed over 500,000 square feet of retail space, one apartment complex, and office and distribution space. In addition, Barstein & Associates handled the sale of over 300,000 square feet of retail shopping centers.
Rodney graduated from the University of Alabama undergraduate and law schools and has an LLM in Taxation from Southern Methodist University. Rodney and his wife Susan have three grown children and enjoy travel, outdoor activities and spending time with family.