MVP OF THE MONTH

Newest member of the exclusive Roots MVP Hall of Fame announced this week

Like with any business, numbers play a key role at Roots. All kinds of numbers. It's no secret that to succeed in business, you've got to make sure certain numbers are big, and others small. At Roots, some of the most important numbers relate to the retail side of the business. Every day of the week, the 130 Roots stores in Canada and the US generate a plethora of numbers. Gross sales numbers, net sales numbers, gift card numbers, shrink numbers.

Fortunately, for Roots, Anna DiNella is on the case. This week, she was selected as the MVP of the Month for July for her superlative work and attitude in the Finance Department. As the Retail Accounting Supervisor, Anna is responsible for all the financial accounts of the stores. That includes sales audit functions, store balances, petty cash, credit cards and inventory control. Anna also sets up the banking requirements for each store, does the month-end closing and reporting as well as oversee the Roots gift card operation.

It's a tall order but Anna seems to take it in her stride. She joined Roots in 2000 as an Inventory Controller, after working at Dylex in a similar position. Born and raised in Toronto, she now lives in the suburb of Mississauga. Her parents are from Portugal and moved to Canada in 1964.

"The Finance Department often does not get the recognition it deserves despite its vital role is in the everyday running of the business," says Roots Co-Founder Don Green. "We're fortunate to have people of the caliber of Anna who is a master of the financial side of Roots stores. She has shown us repeatedly that we can rely on her for the kind of accurate information that is critical to our success. Anna is an exemplary team player and the kind of person we love having at Roots."

- For a full article on Anna, and all former Roots MVPs dating back to April 2005, click on roots.com. Go to About Us, Behind the Scenes, Team Roots in the Media Information section.