EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Senior financial executive with a broad base of experience
and accomplishments in industry and public accounting.
Unique decision-maker who successfully integrates strategic
thinking with strong technical and analytical competencies.
Proven team leader responsible for a broad range of
initiatives. Effective manager with strong inter-personal
skills and the ability to communicate and relate to associates
at all levels throughout an organization.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
United Stationers Inc., Des Plaines, Illinois 2001 to 2002
A Fortune 500 company with annual sales of $3.8 billion,
United Stationers is North America's largest wholesale
distributor of business products. The company distributes
more than 40,000 items through 62 distribution centers to
20,000 customers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Senior Vice President and Controller
Responsible for providing financial support for key business
decisions, ensuring compliance with SEC reporting
requirements, and maintaining the system of internal controls.
Managed a staff of 40 responsible for financial reporting,
the general ledger, inventory accounting, payroll, taxes,
activity based costing, budgeting, and financial analysis.
Also responsible for internal audit and the company's travel
department. Member of the senior leadership team responsible
for making strategic decisions for the company. Presented
regularly to the audit committee of the board of directors
and prepared the monthly financial and operating summary for
the board of directors.
* Organized, planned and managed major company-wide
restructuring effort resulting in $40 million of annual
savings, a $22 million reduction in working capital, and
a 20% reduction in headcount (from 7,600 to 6,000).
* Implemented shared-services model and consolidated major
finance functions resulting in annual savings in excess of
$1 million while maintaining high quality standards.
* Successfully negotiated the $20 million sale of a
subsidiary. Controlled and managed an extremely
challenging and adversarial closing process.
* Led effort to restructure the internal audit department
which resulted in value-added activities and a renewed
focus on internal controls.
* Redesigned annual budgeting process which reduced
preparation time and allowed for easier management review.
Also added requirement for a five-year capital plan to
the process.
* Effectively revised and reformatted the main monthly
communication document to the board of directors which
now provides a much more concise and informative summary
of the company's financial results and operating activities.
* Implemented a new benefit plan designed to reduce employment
taxes paid by the company and terminated employees.
* Led effort in the finance area to implement the provisions
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act with respect to corporate
governance.
* Led team to review financial overlay software packages.
* Intimately involved in the due diligence process for a major
transaction.
* Implemented a formalized communication program which
dramatically improved the level of communication and
teamwork in the controller's area.
Ernst & Young, Chicago, Illinois 1994 to 2001
Senior Manager
Managed financial audits of large public and private
companies in the distribution, manufacturing, and energy
industries. Advised clients' senior executives on a wide-
range of business and accounting matters. Extensive
experience in reviewing and advising clients on SEC filings
and offering statements. Served one year in the firm's
regional technical group. Regularly served on the firm's
audit quality review teams and led firm-sponsored
continuing education classes.
* Selected as one of two senior managers to serve the Chicago
office's largest client, a company with U.S. revenues of $65
billion. Managed engagement team of more than 20
professionals.
* Assisted clients with numerous equity and debt offerings
including an initial public offering.
* Assisted clients with a wide range of transactions including
acquisitions, divestitures, asset securitizations, and
synthetic leases.
* Designated as one of three regional subject matter experts
on accounting for derivatives and hedging (FAS 133).
Assisted a number of clients (including several Fortune 500
companies) implement the new accounting rules and led
internal and external training seminars.
* Participated in business development efforts during last
three years with the firm that generated $1 million in one
time fees and $400,000 in annually recurring fees.
* Selected to serve on national project team to tailor the
audit approach for consumer products companies.
Fortune Brands, Inc., Lincolnshire, Illinois 1990 to 1994
Multinational consumer products company (formerly American
Brands, Inc., a Fortune 100 company) with operations in the
home improvement (Moen, Master Lock, Aristokraft), office
products (ACCO, Wilson Jones, Swingline), distilled spirits
(Jim Beam), and golf (Titleist, FootJoy) industries.
Senior Internal Auditor
Supervised and performed operational reviews and consulting
projects for corporate and operating units in the areas of
manufacturing, distribution, treasury, pricing, and marketing.
Responsible for identifying opportunities and developing
recommendations to reduce costs, increase operating
efficiencies, and strengthen internal controls. Presented
findings and recommendations to top operating management.
* Recommended process improvements to reduce work-in-process
inventories, decrease manufacturing response times, and
release inventory unnecessarily placed on hold.
* Developed corporate policy and guidelines on perpetual
inventory systems and cycle counting.
* Reengineered internal audit annual planning process.
Deloitte & Touche, Chicago, Illinois 1984 to 1990
Multiple promotions to the Audit Supervisor position in 1988.
Supervised and performed financial audits, advised clients on
accounting and business matters, and reviewed SEC filings.
Selected for Professional Excellence Program (one of three
in 1987).
EDUCATION
University of Chicago
MBA in Finance and Marketing, 1989
DePaul University
Master of Accountancy, with distinction, 1984
BS in Commerce, summa cum laude, 1983
MEMBERSHIPS
* DePaul University Accounting Alumni Association (Ledger &
Quill), incoming President
* Illinois CPA Society (Accounting Principles Committee
member, 1996 to 1998)
* American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
* Financial Executives International |
