INNOVATIVE SENIOR EXECUTIVE AND BUSINESS LEADER
CEO, COO, General Management, Sales & Marketing
Operational Effectiveness l Strategic Analysis/Planning
New Product Development & Launch l Change Management
Sales & Distribution Channel Development
Proven ability to help companies cross the bridge between a strategic vision and the development of an actionable tactical plan that will make a vision an operational reality. A genuine leader with a passion for success, a history of contributions across multiple industries and extensive U.S. and international experience. A producer of substantial earnings growth in highly competitive and cyclical markets. Ability to work with all levels of the organization and with different cultures. Career history features a strong progression of increasing authority, positive revenue impact and change management initiatives.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
K. HALL FAMILY ENTERPRISES, INC., Virginia Beach, Virginia 2006 - Present
A newly established private corporation
Vice President Operations
At the request of Mr. Kenneth Hall, returned to develop and oversee a private organization focused on creating a new plateform of automotive retail businesses.
CHINA AMERICA COOPERATIVE AUTOMOTIVE, INC., Parsippany, New Jersey 2006 - 2006
A start-up private capital corporation holding a North American importation and distribution agreement for Chinese manufactured automobiles.
President and COO
Designed strategies, tactical plans and the organization to create the first US enterprise for the importation and distribution, through a franchised dealer network, of sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks produced in China.
Hall Automotive,
Virginia Beach,Virginia 2004 ? 2006
A privately owned organization with annual vehicle sales of approximately 20,000 and revenues in excess of $600M through 22 franchises concentrated in the Tidewater Virginia area. (Business was sold in early 2006)
Executive Director Corporate Development
Developing and executing a strategy which is creating a second platform of dealerships within the Northern Virginia and greater Washington, DC market area.
Sheehy Automotive Group, Fairfax,Virginia 2003 ? 2004
A family owned business with annual vehicle sales exceeding 25,000 and revenues in excess of $750M through 19 franchises in 12 metropolitan locations.
Director Corporate Operations
A limited term agreement to provide strategic and tactical guidance on key operational issues within the group management company
?Created and deployed a process to increase and maintain customer satisfaction, loyalty and long-term retention.
Robert R. Wharen
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?Developed and implemented a process to identify key performance improvement objectives within each of the dealerships and a method to track accomplishments.
MARCONI PLC, Arlington, Virginia 1999 ? 2002
A global telecommunication, information and industrial technology company with annual revenues in excess of $8 billion
Executive Vice President ? Operations, (2001 ? 2002)
Marconi Group Sales Organization
Developed and led the process to transition the global company to a customer-focused, solution sales methodology, including ongoing performance review systems.
?Promoted to first line report to COO/Executive Director Group Sales Organization as a result of significantly exceeding objectives over previous 18 months.
?Appointed to the Global Executive Team, in recognition of excellent achievements. The Global Executive Team consists of the top 1% of 50,000 employees, which provide leadership and drive for the whole group.
?Designed, implemented and led a significant corporate mission and culture change initiative to transition the company from a product sales philosophy to a customer focused, solution sales methodology.
Vice President Marketing & Communications, (1999 ? 2001)
Two Division Responsibilities: Marconi Systems and Marconi Capital
Managed strategic and tactical marketing and communications activities for two of the three Marconi divisions with $3.8 billion annual revenue.
?Developed and implemented programs which achieved major contributions toward a Division performance improvement of +22% PBIT, +36% Cash flow and +34% EcVA on $2.6 billion revenue.
?Led team which improved profitability, EcVA and operational effectiveness of the Medical Division?s European Operations. Achieved +24% PBIT and an EcVA improvement from -$6.6m to +$10.9m.
?Planned and executed a successful global corporate name and brand change from General Electric Corporation plc (industrial focused) to Marconi (Telecommunications and Information Technology focused).
Robert R. Wharen
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THE GENEVA COMPANIES, INC., New York, NY and Irvine, California 1997-1999
US Leader in M & A transactions with privately owned, middle-market businesses, domestic and international.
Consulted on areas of business performance, improvement and value assessment.
ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS INC., Paramus, NJ 1986 ? 1997
Subsidiary of UK luxury automobile manufacturer with over $125 million annual revenue
CEO / Managing Director, North & South America, (1994 - 1998)
Lead Executive for all corporate operations within North and South America, including P&L, sales, marketing, legal, customer service, human resources, parts distribution, vehicle homologation and franchise distribution channel development.
?Organized and led a major company-wide transformation initiative, creating a streamlined and responsive organization. The initiative changed a $7 million annual operating loss into a $7 million profit while reducing operating expenses 60% over 2 years and increasing vehicle sales by 25%.
-Improved customer satisfaction by restructuring the parts distribution system resulting in reduction of average shipping times by 24 hours.
?Organized and directed a successful launch of a new 4 door automobile by leading a cross-functional team that designed and implemented global franchise dealer network programs, resulting in sales exceeding launch targets and a profit margin improvement.
?Created a national car-leasing program resulting in a 15% sales increase.
CEO / Managing Director, Europe & Middle East, Geneva, Switzerland, (1992 ?1994)
Subsidiary of UK luxury automobile manufacturer with over $75 million annual revenue
Lead Executive for all corporate operations within Continental Europe and the Middle East, including P&L, sales, marketing, legal, customer service, human resources, parts distribution, vehicle homologation and franchise distribution channel development.
?Positively transformed work culture of the European subsidiary by instilling a sense of urgency, upgrading the professionalism of staff, defining policy disciplines and team building.
Robert R. Wharen
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?Upgraded the overall quality and expanded the number of franchised dealers throughout Europe and the Middle East, including the first franchised dealer in Russia.
?Led development of a used Rolls-Royce/ Bentley manufacturers? warranty and customer roadside assistance program increasing used car sales and profits for franchised dealers.
Vice President Sales & Marketing, Lyndhurst, NJ, (1986 ? 1992)
?Developed and implemented the company?s first customer satisfaction program to measure satisfaction with motor cars and quality of dealer service; program was expanded globally.
?Launched the Bentley Continental R with a 12 month forward pre-sold order status; organized a launch strategy including advertising, marketing, dealer training and parts availability planning.
MID Atlantic Toyota Distributors Baltimore, MD 1985 - 1986
Vice President Marketing & Dealer Development, (1985 - 1986)
Director, Dealer Development, (1985)
Directed a five state territory with an annual sales volume of approximately 100,000 vehicles in all franchising, dealer performance improvement plans, advertising and marketing.
JEEP/AMERICAN MOTORS SALES CORP., Detroit, Michigan 1972 ? 1985
Zone Manager, Detroit Zone, (Largest sales volume territory for company) (1984 - 1985)
Achieved 12 position advancements, each of which represented increasing levels of responsibility and authority in the areas of overall operations, marketing and sales channel development.
EDUCATION
BA, Communications, 1972
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
The Wharton School ? Marketing Strategy Seminar 1987
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA |
