SENIOR MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE-CFO
STRATEGIC PLANNING-WALL STREET/INSTITUTIONAL FINANCING-OPERATIONSMANUFACTURING-BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT-ACCOUNTING-BUDGETING-ACQUISITIONS-P&LHUMAN RESOURCES-RESTRUCTURING-SYSTEMS-DISTRIBUTION-COST CONTROL-LICENSING
As a results oriented CFO, COO and General Manager in change intensive environments I gained comprehensive experience in leading Organizations through the development and execution of start-up, turnaround and growth initiatives.
Experienced in acquisition, divestiture and integration issues; Strong problem solver and communicator with the ability to troubleshoot
and develop innovative solutions to business challenges; Keen expertise in managing creative, technical, financial and operations personnel for improved performance and efficiency
Specific accomplishments:
· Dramatically restructured family-owned company; created financial structure, participated in road show and raised $85 million of public high-yield debt for company with negative net worth of $60 million
· Developed and executed a strategic turn-around Plan that resulted in annual savings of $15 million. The Plan, which included a 20% headcount reduction, consolidation of departments, company-wide cost reductions and manufacturing efficiencies, was successfully designed and implemented within two weeks
· Arranged in excess of $225 million of institutional financing
· Launched and executed a brand strategy for the Company’s automotive magazine division which included a monthly cable TV series, creating an Internet initiative and organizing an event sponsorship program. Negotiated and completed the Groups’ sale in January 1999 which resulted in a $27 million profit
· Achieved annual savings of $30 million from developing and implementing organizational restructuring and cost control initiatives
· Reduced corporate occupancy costs by $ 750,000 per year. Initiated existing lease buy-out and reconfigured new office layout from 80,000 Sq. Ft to 48,500 Sq. Ft. by spearheading new office site selection and architectural design
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Vice Media Group, Inc
New York, NY 2001– Present
Publisher/CFO
This hip-hop media company’s magazine was rated as one of the top ten by the Cassandra report in three categories
· Reorganized Vice Media Group and raised $1 million in equity financing for expansion strategy
· Leveraged the Vice Media brand with deals for New Line Cinema film project and Atlantic Record music label
· Launched first International licensed edition of Vice magazine in the UK
Normal Net,Inc
New York,NY 2000-2001
VP Business Development/CFO (Equity Owner)
This Montreal-based multi-media Company was focused on creating and leveraging brands across multiple platforms
· Revamped the Company’s business model to provide maximum utilization of available capital
· As part of Management team, created and participated in investor presentations for each of the Company’s business units
· Executed the divestiture of U.S. assets including the sale of two magazines, an e-commerce solutions company and a long-term Real Estate lease commitment
Fashion Integration Technologies,Inc
New York,NY
1999-2000
Chief Operating Officer (Equity Owner)
This start-up Internet Company held a US Patent for sizing and trying on clothes electronically across multiple platforms
· Developed business plan and Investor presentations that enabled the Company to raise the necessary Angel investment to launch the business
· Organized and spearheaded nationwide new business “road show” presentations
· Negotiated a $750,000 patent infringement settlement resulting in the Company’s first multi-year licensing agreement
General Media International, Inc. New York, NY 1983-1999
Chief Operating Officer
Executive VP Operations, CFO
VP Corporate Controller
Member Board of Directors
This $200 million International media company published 14 consumer and automotive publications, produced content for videos, cable broadcast and Internet services and leveraged its’ brands across multiple platforms. In addition, the Company had numerous Real Estate holdings
· Reported to the President & CEO with management leadership for 150 employees. Responsibility for publishing and video operations, SEC reporting, distribution, strategic planning, budgeting, MIS, corporate services, human resources,
International licensing, manufacturing, circulation, editorial, advertising and promotions; Facilitated communications between Company owners and executive staffs, investment bankers, bondholders, commercial banks and financial press
Grolier Inc. New York, NY 1975 – 1983
Group Controller - Book Division Assistant Controller
Staff Accountant
This $500 million International media company is focused on publishing, information technology and Telemarketing
· Reported to the Chief Financial Officer, with management leadership for 25 employees. Responsibility for all divisional financial reporting, corporate planning, budgeting, cash flow, payroll, credit & collections, financial and operations systems
and acted as liaison between corporate staff and operating management
· Spearheaded the design and implementation of inventory, sales and customer calling automation systems for telemarketing operation, which improved profits by 40%
· Initiated the divestiture of three unprofitable divisions, which generated cost savings of $1 million per year’
Tandy Corporation New York, NY 1973 – 1975
Manager
This $4.8 billion company with more than 7200 stores is one of the leading electronics retailers in the United States
· Developed and executed turnaround strategy for unprofitable company-owned stores to encourage future joint venture opportunities. Managed a staff of six with complete P&L responsibility including sales, merchandising, inventory, and cost control
EDUCATION
St. John’s University New York, NY
MBA, Accounting/Taxation
BS, Management
Member-National Executive Service Corp.
Knowledgeable in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint |
