Our Team | TheNewZion

Cynthia Garbutt

CEO Founder & Creative Director

She has had a life-long career in creative fields. Beginning, as a very young apprentice under the tutelage of her mother, eldest brother, and aunt (all now deceased) in custom dressmaking (costumes for children and adults, Mardi Gras ball gowns, bridal and career womenswear, including plus-sized.

Then as a junior apprentice in her family-owned bespoke home-fashion atelier. Working in the design and fabrication of home decor, upholstery, furniture building, and upholstery while pursuing her interior design education. Upon graduation from design school, a professional career of over 20 years as a commercial and luxury residential designer, in private design studio, as a valued staff/team member, and highly recommended contracted designer in interiors and architectural studios on a wide range of projects. From private corporate yachts, private residences in New Orleans' most famous historic landmarks districts and buildings - listed on the National Register of Historic Places, to the sleek contemporary skyline of the city's center. Most notably, those that garnered professional acclaim, awards, and outstanding recognition within the architectural community locally, nationally, and internationally. Please visit our Interiors tab for a sample of some of the selected and published projects that she's been involved with.

Then other careers in the hospitality, entertainment, and fashion industries (outside the US).

onboard cruise ship portrait photographer
minor actor
fitting, showroom and expo model (PURE London fashion expo),
fashion copywriting
photoshoot fashion styler, and digitech for British-based womenswear brands: Izmaylova, Gomez-Gracia, City Goddess and Goddiva.

Education

Associates' of Applied Science in Interior Design

Delgado Community College (HBCU)

New Orleans, Louisiana

AutoCAD Certification

University of New Orleans Metropolitan College

Interior Design and Architectural Experience

Senior designer and specifier

Budgets and contract negotiations

Purchasing

Senior project manager

Construction supervision

Furniture designer (wood, stone, metal and glass)

Decorative lighting designer

Interior and Architecture Career

Full-service architectural studios

Boutique architectural and interior design studios

Independent at-home studio

Other Creative Work Experience

Victorian period wardrobe coordinator and Set dresser (photography studio on-board cruise ship)

Wardrobe styling for contemporary and Edwardian period costumes (mobile portrait photography studio, US company based in the UK and Germany via AFFES)

Supporting artist and actor: feature films, independent short films, TV-series, music videos, corporate films and adverts https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4558380/?ref_=nv_sr_1

Skills and Hobbies

AutoCAD, Google Workspace

Fine Artist

Gold, silver and, copper guilding

Nigel Garbutt

Vice president & CTO

In his capacity he's identifying opportunities for growth and developing strategic plans for the brand that specifically deal with our lifestyle aspect (packaged food, beverages and beauty products) that will be key to the comprehensive growth of the business. While allocating resources in a way that maximizes the company's performance and profitability. His ability to implement, delegate, and oversee the technology needed to market serve our audience is vital to our brand's exposure regionally, nationally, and internationally. As is evidenced by his successful decision-making work experience record with a small local startup that evolved into a multi-national brand and two Fortune 500 multi-national corporate giants. His financial support has also been crucial to the early stages of development and pre-launch of The New Zion.

As our vice president, he's had 27 years of experience in departmental oversight in the hospitality industry (on-site embarking and disembarking of private charter ships, luxury and standard cruise line brands/CCL and NCL) at the Ports of New Orleans, Galveston, and Biloxi. As leader and team manager to a delegated and efficient staff of guest services specialists, ensuring the implementation of brand best practices, guidance, and support while consistently maintaining a positive and productive work environment within the culture, specific to each brand serviced. He has been responsible for staff scaling, training and scheduling, monitoring team output, and fair compensation.

Having also worked for 15 years as a CTO and developing proprietary software for Fuelman Inc. a B2B and franchised brand in the fleet vehicle, transporation industry, formerly headquartered in the New Orleans area. This software enabled their technology to fully interface with mid-range computers, PCs, and point-of-sale devices on a 24/7 basis. Then capture, record and report usage and services for their customer's accounts and their individual credit card holders.

Other Technology Service Capacities

Designer of new, existing modified, and tested application programs for reporting applications. system support (hardware and software) and worked with customers and company staff on system enhancements and improvements to the following:

Created interfaces for in-house computer systems (PC, authorization computer, access card creator, optical storage system)
Project Manager - Installed both hardware and software at corporate headquarters and licensed locations. Also trained staff on the use of the fuel and maintenance reporting application. Installed and trained users on emulation and standalone PC support product which included operating, downloading and importing data to various personal computer programs. Setup a communications network for data and program distribution, online messaging, and 24/7 helpdesk support. Installed and configured various personal computer peripheral devices (printers, scanners, optical drives).
System Support Analyst Level II – Created and installed software fixes as necessary. Installed and applied new software features for both operating system and applications.
Provided second level help desk support and resolution for system installations, training, problems, or questions.

Computer hardware implemented

IBM (AS/400, System/38, System/36, System 34, Series 1) VeriFone (Point-of- sale card terminals)

Personal Computers Application Software & Operating Systems (OS/400, SSP, TCP/IP SNADS, some experience with Oracle Microsoft - DOS, Windows, Excel, Access)

Computer languages: RPGII, RPGIII, OCL, CL, AS/400 Query & SQL, TCL, MS SQL

Skills And Hobbies

DIY home improvement and maintenance. At-home bar-b-que chef and libation connoisseur.