Bob Fisher, President

Bob has been running Creative Solutions since 1996 when he purchased the business formerly known as Design & Office Concepts. Bob’s background is in sales and marketing, and he has worked in a variety of product and brand management positions in industries ranging from consumer packaged goods to medical devices. Creative Solutions has grown significantly under Bob’s tenure, growth that Bob attributes to his belief that the “Golden Rule” is the most important factor in dealing with customers as well as employees. Bob understands that his company must be service driven in order to thrive in a very competitive market. He decided early on that full-time employment of the company’s own delivery and install crew was critical for timely and effective installations. In addition, after witnessing firsthand the frustration of many customers forced to deal with multiple contacts at the larger furniture dealerships, he developed and stuck with the concept of having a single Project Manager as the sole point of contact for his customers. By focusing on only one manufacturer for Creative Solution’s used and refurbished modular furniture offering (Haworth), he has been able to simplify his operations while ensuring that an ample supply of complementing product is always available for repeat customers who are growing. As a result, Creative Solutions has become the largest supplier of used and refurbished Haworth modular furniture on the west coast.

Cathy Cooper-Smythe, Senior Project Manager

Cathy Cooper-Smythe began her employment in 1996 as the very first employee of Creative Solutions. Cathy and the owner tackled multiple customers together as a team including one of her largest customers to date, UCSF Medical Center. Born in Canada, Cathy studied at the International Academy of Merchandising and Design, and then moved on to Ryerson University. After Cathy moved to California, she began her design experience as a Residential Designer for several design firms within the Bay Area. Cathy enjoys spending time with her husband, whether it’s up in the snow, skiing on the slopes, or down at the beach enjoying the sun.

Katy Schlageter, Business Manager

Katy began her career with Creative Solutions in 2005. Previously working at a high end ticket agency, coming from a management and accounting background, Katy has become the nucleus of the company. Wearing multiple hats, handling every aspect from Accounting to Human Resources to sales, she supports all levels of personnel. Her personality and smile brings joy to the office as well as all customers and vendors dealt with on a daily basis. Living in the Bay area for her entire life, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Kendra Penhallegon, Senior Project Manager

After graduating from Santa Clara University in 2000, with a degree in Marketing, Kendra worked in public relations and then spent three years on the web marketing communications team for Hitachi Data Systems. Kendra joined Creative Solutions in 2004, bringing her business background and passion for design to the sales and project management team.

Kendra enjoys working hand in hand with her clients to complete their office furniture and design projects. She has helped technology and manufacturing companies, real estate agencies and law firms, health and learning centers, and non-profit organizations to meet their functional and budgetary needs. Long-standing clients include American Cancer Society, COMET Technologies USA, and Second Harvest Food Bank.

Traveling and spending time with her friends and family in California and Washington bring Kendra much happiness.

Matt Benak, Senior Project Manager

With over a decade of experience as a project manager at Creative Solutions, Matt joined our team after graduating from Santa Clara University with a degree in Marketing and minor in Philosophy.

Matt has lived in the Bay Area for over 25 years and plans to be here for years to come. Before coming to Creative Solutions, Matt managed a ski rental shop at Alpine Meadows in the North Tahoe Area. He enjoys many outdoor activities and is still an avid soccer player, golfer and skier.

Matt is often out on-site at client’s locations, supplying real-time solutions for his clients. He currently works with over 500 clients in the Bay and surrounding Areas.

In first quality used and reconditioned Haworth modular furniture