Team

Gordon Root grew up in a big family where art, interior design and antique collecting was part of the conversation and environment. Gordon was able to capitalize on his affinity for art as a profession when in 2009 he learned about the Chiurazzi Foundry of Naples, Italy and it’s rich history. When he discovered that the Foundry with its extensive treasure of moulds was available for purchase he began his mission to acquire the Chiurazzi. He tapped business operations and marketing manager, and persistence as the process took interesting and surprising turn. Today, with the purchase complete, Gordon and his teams at the Foundry and USA marketing headquarters are working step-by-step to return the Foundry, which never stopped working through World Wars and upheavals, is back better than ever and ready to again assert its famous position in the art world and culture of Italy.

Mr. Root graduated from Oregon State University in 1981 with degree in Political Science. He immediately established himself in the financial services business as an advisor to clients or means. This lead to his co-founding of Successful Money Management Seminars, Inc, (SMMS). As the COO, he grew the personal finance education business into a multi-national business with over 3,000 licensed and trained instructors across the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and in Guam and Puerto Rico. Due to the success of this business, Gordon and his partners sold SMMS to the multi-billion dollar ReliaStar Corporation.

Upon the acquisition, Mr. Root continued with SMMS to assist in the transition the new owners and to leverage the unique SMMS marketing, sales systems to across ReliaStar’s businesses. Gordon ‘retired’ to travel and explore his next steps in life. He quickly directed his passion and energy into real estate development. Gordon continues to own a successful real estate development company. But, when Chiurazzi beckoned it was a perfect fit. Gordon sees the Company itself as a work of art with an important role. As the owner of moulds taken from the greatest works of art, Gordon and his team of Artisans, recognize that each sculpture cast, tooled and finished in Naples must continue to embody the very best detail and workmanship. To each of them the success of Chiurazzi is surely measured by its return to its shareholders and partners. But, they know too that will only come as Chiurazzi artisans continue to serve the people of Italy and the Region, collectors of Chiurazzi-produced sculptures past and present, and art lovers world-wide, that the genius, passion and beauty expressed by the iconic artists of civilizations from early BC, Pompeii and through Renaissance are today, literally, in good hands.

Gretchen Matthey manages all aspects of the Chiurazzi brand and relationships with marketing partners. Gretchen studied Business at the University of Oregon, and at the Universidad Nacional de Rosario in Argentina. Gretchen also studied art and fashion at The Art Institute of Portland. There, she gained additional affinity for fine art and it’s role in Renaissance history and inspiration and influence in all forms of art and culture. Ms. Matthey has experience in the art and design industry in event planning, gallery operation, marketing and press relations.