About Our Managment Team
Ryan J. Kugler, Owner & President
Ryan was born in Chicago, Illinois, and moved to Los Angeles shortly thereafter. From the start, Ryan took a strong interest in film. At the age of 13, Ryan made his way onto several studio lots, including Paramount. One day Ryan stumbled onto the set of the show “Cheers” and was introduced to the cast. When asked by Ted Danson about his interest in TV and films, Ryan replied, “I want to be a director.” It was then that Mr. Danson made him an offer too good to pass up.
Ryan was to write and direct his own short film in which Mr. Danson and other cast members would perform. Several months later, “The Question” was shot on the Paramount Lot, starring Ted Danson, Kirstie Alley, Woody Harrelson, and George Wendt, and directed by Ryan Kugler.
A History in Overstock Liquidation
Ryan was attending boarding school in Oregon and during his summer breaks he worked for his father’s company, DVA. Upon finishing school, he moved to Florida to work full-time in sales at DVA.
He quickly learned the ropes and he moved up to the position of Buyer, quickly followed by VP of Purchasing. With his unique blend of creative and operational strengths as well as his exceptional skills in sales, Ryan founded the Closeout Division of DVA.
In 1998, Ryan brought the Closeout Division to Los Angeles. Since then, he has developed relationships with major movie studios and mass merchants, buying their excess inventory and selling it to 350 accounts with 24,000 storefronts. DVA has since become one of the nation’s largest closeout buyers — selling to the largest retailers across the United States.
With an account base of over 350 major companies, including Best Buy and Target, Ryan has grown the Closeout Division to 30 employees, selling 20 million units per year, generating over $20 million in annual sales.
Specializing in the Closeout Industry
Ryan deals largely with major studios, working on home entertainment closeout, and has become a public face for the entertainment closeout/overstock industry.
He has recently appeared on national television and in print, including:
- CBS’s “Early Show”
- ABC7 News in Los Angeles
- KTLA “Prime Time News”
- Entrepreneur Magazine
- The Washington Post
- The Los Angeles Times
- The Los Angeles Business Journal
- Moviemaker Magazine
- The New York Times
A Voice in His Field
Ryan has lent his voice and vast knowledge of the entertainment industry to conferences and seminars. Recently, Ryan spoke to attendees at the Game Supply Academy, as well as attendees of an entertainment-related breakfast seminar, sponsored by Washington Mutual.
In addition to speaking at seminars and conferences, Ryan also hosts film seminars which provide practical and applicable advice for filmmakers, actors, producers and anyone who wants to succeed in the movie industry.
Ryan is the co-author of a book with well-known, bestselling author, Eric Sherman, which details the Home Video Business. The book gives readers access to Ryan’s vast experience and knowledge of this growing industry.
Christina Butler, VP
In early 2003, Christina Butler started her path to become a Distribution Coordination by learning from the ground up, as a Warehouse Clerk in Florida. In the 11 years since, she has moved up in levels of expertise (and across the country) to her current position as our Distribution Coordinator.
Christina oversees all orders that go through our Los Angeles offices and helps to ensure that all customers are satisfied with their orders. Christina also handles all shipments that go through our many satellite warehouses across the country.