Key Management

Alfred Corrado

Alfred Corrado is chairman and chief executive officer of Leading Lady. He has worked for the privately-owned family business since 1952, starting as sales manager upon graduation from Ohio University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Commerce. During his tenure, the firm has evolved from servicing a largely regional retail base to a national concern, selling to this country’s largest retailers. Leading Lady’s manufacturing facilities expanded from a single plant operation in Cleveland to a company owned and operated distribution facility in South Central Illinois. In addition to his duties at Leading Lady, Mr. Corrado is involved with various real estate interests and start-up companies. He is on the Board of Directors of Datacode, Inc. and Graphic Laminating, Inc., and is past president of the Ohio Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders, where he presently serves on its Board of Directors. Mr. Corrado is also a member of the Ohio University Foundation Board of Trustees.

Mark Corrado

Mark Corrado, president of Leading Lady, joined his family’s business in 1977 as the Midwestern sales representative. Twelve years of fieldwork experience gave him hands-on perspective when he joined Leading Lady’s home office in 1989 as president. Mark has been instrumental in securing and servicing many substantial clients, including large mass merchandisers and discounters. His experience of working directly with retailers over the years balances his executive duties at Leading Lady. Mark continues to work closely with larger accounts. In addition, Mark is part of a joint venture in an environmentally-forward company, Nature Friendly Products, which offers a complete line of fully biodegradable, compostable food service products.

Meei-Ling Lee

Meei -Ling Lee, CPA, serves as chief financial officer and vice president at Leading Lady. Ms. Lee has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the National Taiwan University and a master’s degree in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana -Champaign. Prior to joining Leading Lady in 2004, Ms. Lee worked as chief accountant, accounting manager, controller, and vice president of finance for various manufacturing, consumer goods, and investment services companies. Ms. Lee has 20 years of extensive experience in accounting, financial information systems, and business operations. Outside from Leading Lady, Ms. Lee volunteers as a member of her church’s finance committee.

Haidee Johnstone

Haidee Johnstone is Senior Vice President and Director of Design for Leading Lady Company. She is a graduate of both the North Dakota State University, with a Bachelor of Science degree, and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Haidee worked in couture knitwear for Mady Gerrard. She also designed for Carol Horn, Reggie Morton, John Ashpool and Bill Blass before moving to Minneapolis to join Over The Rainbow Maternity Company, which Leading Lady purchased in 1986. Haidee is responsible for the creation and design of intimate apparel for Leading Lady, as well as working closely with sales to major accounts, sourcing and production. Haidee is a board member of the Chuckie Goodnight Foundation for the Environment, a non-profit organization dealing with environmental education, preservation and protection.

Cathy Sullivan

Cathy Sullivan a graduate of Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education. She taught preschool, elementary and junior high students, focusing on mathematics. In 1995, Cathy decided to join the business world and was hired at Leading Lady as a customer service representative. She advanced to managing major accounts, and, in 2004, Cathy was promoted to vice president. Her focus is primarily on open communication among all facets of the company, major accounts and sales analysis, and troubleshooting problem areas. In her spare time, Cathy volunteers teaching and ministering at her church.

Sandy Chitwood

Sandy Chitwood attended Olney Community college and Frontier Community College both located in Illinois. She joined Leading Lady in 1981 as a sewing operator, sewing gowns for Over the Rainbow. In 1982, Sandy started the cutting division for outerwear. By 1990, this department expanded to a four person team and was moved to a new facility in Flora, Illinois. Sandy was instrumental in developing the use of the Gerber system for pattern making and was promoted to manager of the growing cutting department. Sandy soon became assistant manager for the entire Flora plant and was promoted to plant manager in 1993. In 1997, Leading Lady closed its outerwear division, and Sandy was transferred to the Neoga plant, where she managed Quality Control for all production. Sandy became plant manager in 2003, managing all production facilities. In 2004, Sandy’s accomplishments were recognized and she became vice president of our entire production and distribution facility, Kern Manufacturing, located in Neoga, Illinois.