Press Releases

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October 7, 2024, ST. PAUL, MN  

The Argir Group, experts in IT and digital transformation, today announced that Matt Blonder has joined as CEO, effective October 1. Matt will report to Founder Fred Argir who remains as Chairman, focusing on long-term strategy, strategic partnerships and growth.

“Technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, and Matt is the ideal leader to harness these opportunities.” said Fred. “Matt’s leadership and track record of success will serve The Argir Group well in our efforts to deliver IT and digital transformation solutions that enhance efficiency, productivity, and profitability for clients across all sectors.”

Matt brings extensive experience from C-suite roles across technology, marketing, eCommerce, and partnerships. "I believe deeply in the rare magic created by the Argir Group and its One Team methodology; a group of seasoned retail executives backed by an extensive global network of domain experts and delivery agents…creating and delivering business-driven digital and technology solutions for retailers, by retailers. I am truly honored to lead this incredible group forward as we continue to expand and evolve our contribution to our industry colleagues,” said Matt.

Fred continues, “I’ve known and admired Matt for years. He is a visionary and empathetic and leads in a way that inspires others to perform at their highest level. Enabling business transformation has its unique strategic challenges, and Matt holds the key to how we can continue to grow and think in new ways about how to effectively identify and implement the best solutions. I’m also excited to shift my focus to new opportunities and the long-term future of The Argir Group.”  

In addition to Matt’s appointment, The Argir Group has announced key leadership promotions.  “We are excited about the expansion of the reach and responsibilities of our team, which strengthen our position to continue delivering the same exceptional value to our clients,” said Fred. 

Katia Corbo has been promoted to Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Officer (COO), overseeing operations to ensure continued excellence in client service. Katia brings over two decades of expertise in retail, guiding digital, marketing and technology teams while driving transformational initiatives and global expansion.​ Throughout her career, she has prioritized project and process efficiency, and will leverage this expertise to build an effective operating model. In her new role, Katia will continue to maintain her client-focused approach as she transitions into her new position.

Rod Brehm has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Architecture & Technology, expanding upon his previous responsibilities as Chief Technology Officer. With over 25 years of global and omni-commerce experience, Rod has consistently demonstrated leadership in driving architectural and technological excellence. In his new role, he will leverage this business thought leadership and solutioning to oversee the company’s technological initiatives, ensuring continuous innovation and optimal service delivery.

Fred J. Argir has been promoted to Senior Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer. Formerly Chief Legal Officer, Fred brings a unique perspective to his role, enhancing his ability to navigate complex challenges and foster collaboration across teams and stakeholders. Fred’s tactical acumen will be instrumental in shaping the company’s  strategic direction and ensuring alignment with long-term business goals, driving growth and opportunity. 

APRIL 30, 2024, ST. PAUL, MN 

The Argir Group,  an IT and digital transformation consulting firm based in the Twin Cities, recently established an Advisory Board, and announced its first members, Thomas Ellis, Ted Mondale and Bernardine Wu. The Argir Group’s Advisory Board will leverage their diverse expertise to offer invaluable industry insights, strategic decisioning, critical thinking, objective perspectives, leadership development and deep industry resource reach.

With the one-year anniversary of The Argir Group on the horizon, CEO Fred Argir underscores the significance of the Advisory Board for the company’s trajectory.

The Argir Group has an industry reputation of building a team of known experts in their fields who contribute to the company’s One Team Methodology, which fosters a seamless integration with client organizations. The Advisory Board inaugural members continue this core philosophy for the company. Argir said, “Ellis, Mondale and Wu bring invaluable expertise as long-time trusted advisors, offering counsel, mentorship and expert guidance to assist in strategic and operational effectiveness.”  

Argir continues, “In addition, their personal and professional experience align perfectly with our corporate anchors, which include integrity, partnership and exceptional delivery.” 

Thomas Ellis  

Ellis, Founder of Maven Ventures, has a distinguished career in ecommerce consulting, guiding brands and retailers towards healthy, profitable growth and retention strategies. Notably, as an early executive at Jet.com, Ellis played a pivotal role in Jet.com's meteoric rise, culminating in its acquisition by Walmart for $3.3B within 12 months of launch, underscoring his unique ecommerce expertise and perspective on what it takes to go from “zero to one hundred” – fast.

“As a ‘startup guy,’ with a wealth of experience in this arena, I am in a unique position to guide The Argir Group and help them establish themselves as one of the premier IT consulting groups in the industry,” said Ellis. “My role on the Advisory Board can best be described as the one ‘pushing the boundaries’ of what anyone may think is possible and helping set a compelling vision to attract the top talent, rooted in The Argir Group’s corporate anchors, which resonate deeply with my own.” 

Ted Mondale  

Mondale, with a robust background in New Business Development and Government Relations at Atomic Data, brings a wealth of experience in stakeholder engagement and strategic leadership. His track record includes securing significant funding for key infrastructure projects in the Twin Cities, including US Bank Stadium and the region’s first Light Rail line. Mondale’s ability to navigate complex stakeholder landscapes and drive impactful collaborations has earned him a reputation as a visionary leader in the community. 

“I am excited to play a part in The Argir Group and to leverage my experience on other Advisory Boards” Mondale said. “With my expertise in understanding how to interact with public, private and government institutions, I am confident that my experience working with these segments will help them move forward to solve complex problems and contribute to their profitability.”

Bernardine Wu

Wu is a serial entrepreneur, business leader and investor. She is a partner in Fez Ventures and principal in Iron Monkey Ventures, focused on advisory and investment work in digital commerce, technology, retail and talent. Wu founded the prominent digital company FitForCommerce in 2008 which was acquired in 2022 by OSF Digital. She serves on NRF Digital Council, is a Board Director and Vice Chair at Women of Color Retail Alliance, and co-founded The Innovation Office, Women in Ecommerce and Women in Sustainable Retail. 

“As a strategic business leader who has built and sold an industry leading consulting firm and brand, I am confident that my expertise and depth in the industry will help The Argir Group grow,” said Wu. “One of the reasons I accepted this role was the leadership and unique team model. The company has exceptional talent with skill sets and services that are often overlooked for digital transformation and business acceleration engagements.”

Looking ahead, Argir envisions expanding The Argir Group's global presence, with plans to establish a footprint in India and augmenting the Advisory Board with diverse talents across marketing, finance, human resources, and beyond. Argir concluded, "Our Advisory Board represents our commitment to help us become the IT and digital transformation company that people think of first.” 

AUGUST 29, 2023, ST. PAUL, MN

The Argir Group, a groundbreaking IT and digital transformation consulting firm based in the Twin Cities, has recently established a strategic partnership with SmarterD to enhance its valued partner network. This is the first of many business alliances that The Argir Group will establish to increase its portfolio of IT digital offerings.
 

SmarterD, headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., serves as a digital foundation to unify and manage information, utilizing an integrated risk-based IT and security management platform.

Fred Argir, CEO of The Argir Group, emphasizes the significance of alignment within the company's One Team Methodology. He underscores the essential role of proper governance, processes and tools, all of which are seamlessly integrated with SmarterD. “This partnership allows The Argir Group to further expand its network of exceptional collaborations,” he said. “The platform provided by SmarterD empowers the company to comprehensively assess project resources and make swift adjustments when necessary, ensuring we consistently bring our “A” team to the table for our customers.”
 

Vijay Sundhar, CEO and founder of SmarterD, a long-time business associate of Argir, elaborates: “One of the key elements to our technology involves seamlessly integrating all aspects of digital transformation for assessment, analysis and centralized execution. SmarterD is one of the tools within The Argir Group’s toolbox, contributing to the consistent replicable foundation to effectively deliver and manage digital transformation initiatives.”

Rob Colasanti, Chief Revenue Officer for The Argir Group, highlights the platform's unification of assets and its capacity for flexible data analysis, facilitating a streamlined approach to project assessment and reporting. “The platform's core encompasses our One Team Methodology pillars: program, budget and governance,” he said. “Within these categories, customers can readily locate all project assets, including software, hardware and human resources. With the user-friendly report generation capabilities offered by SmarterD, all of the assets are in one place, and you can slice and dice the data however you want.”

“Thanks to this collaboration, we are able to reduce costs, decrease project time and increase collaboration throughout any IT digital project,” said Argir. “And the best part is, we leave the platform behind for the client after the project completion for their continued use.”

JULY 26, 2023, ST. PAUL, MN

A groundbreaking IT and digital transformation consulting firm launched today in the Twin Cities, The Argir Group. This innovative enterprise brings a new model to the management of IT and digital projects, which includes a One Team Methodology to deliver exceptional value to its clients. 

"Our mission is to provide digital and transformational services, processes, and tools that empower businesses throughout their program journey, positioning them for success," said Fred Argir, CEO and Chairman of The Argir Group. "Regardless of project size, our model fosters an environment conducive to positive outcomes." 

What sets The Argir Group apart from other IT consulting firms is its unparalleled talent team assembled for each project. Argir elaborated, "We curate a unique team tailored specifically to the project at hand. This approach allows us to bring our 'A' team to the table consistently. Our executive team has sat on “the business” side of the table, so we know what companies are looking for in an effective partnership.” 

Unlike other consulting firms, the team includes everyone from the business partners to the subject matter experts at The Argir Group. Through transparent communication and working alongside each other, our One Team Methodology is inclusive of the business, IT and third- parties.   

The company’s core specialties include: eCommerce, mobile, omni-channel, PMO, governance, delivery, post-implementation support, industry knowledge, competitive landscape, business alignment, vendor management, transformation strategy, leadership alignment, team augmentation, architecture, infrastructure, security and procurement support.  

He continued, using an Oracle implementation as an example, "While Company A may have skilled professionals across various fields, how many possess extensive Oracle program experience? Most companies have expertise in multiple areas but lack specialization. This is where The Argir Group excels." 

Once engaged in a project, The Argir Group collaborates with top-tier IT professionals, contracting them for the project's duration. In the case of an Oracle implementation, specialists with extensive Oracle experience are brought on board to accomplish the defined goals and objectives. 

"This approach addresses the staggering statistic that *53% of all IT and digital projects encounter challenges due to poor performance," noted Argir. "The Argir Group's One Team Methodology ensures that we deploy the right people for the right job, fulfilling our promise to our clients." 

The Argir Group's executive team boasts a wealth of experience gained from Fortune 500 companies such as Target, Best Buy, Sports Authority, JoAnn's, Hallmark, Barnes & Noble, Party City and Kohler. Some notable projects include: 

- A merger and acquisition transformation program, completed early and 9% under budget
- Transformation of eCommerce sites and mobile apps, resulting in accelerated revenue and a 25% expense reduction
- A platform and cloud transformation program, reducing technology debt and achieving a 20% expense reduction

With a firm foundation and a team of seasoned experts, The Argir Group is poised to revolutionize the IT consulting landscape and propel businesses toward successful transformations.