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The Florida Times-Union Nancy Brennan's business philosophy is simple. Play by the rules, grow conservatively and constantly reevaluate your entire operation. When the family-owned company Brennan was working for went under last November, she began her search for a new employer with those qualities in mind. Brennan wound up as the new general manager of Prime Outlets St. Augustine, just as the center began a 90,000-square-foot expansion in March. Its owner, Prime Retail, had planned the $50 million investment since buying the center along Interstate 95 two years ago. The private company noted Brennan's more than 25 years of retail management experience as a factor in her hiring. And it didn't hurt that she worked more than 10 years for the Chelsea Property Group Inc., recruiting, training and managing support staff and multiple subcontractors at the outlet center just across the highway. Some people might find it strange to have built one retail center up, only to land at the competition some years later, ready to do the same. Not Brennan. "It's comfortable for me," said Brennan, 44, who lives in St. Augustine with her husband and daughter. "I think it's about building your surroundings, which is what I do. It's what I like to do." Brennan will oversee strategic planning, marketing, tourism and advertising for the 250,000-square-foot center as it expands to bring in 40 to 50 new stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, kate spade and Lucky Brand Jeans. As she does, Brennan said she'll focus on the details, remain flexible and look at weakness as challenges. And, of course, the former savings and loan manager will continue to re-evaluate the business she is tasked with running. "It's hard to look in the mirror," Brennan said. "But you have to. It defines who we are."
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