Senior operating executive with significant P&L exposure, strong background in marketing, sales and new business development for “branded” global marketing companies. Considered by peers (and clients) to be a strong leader with a finely tuned strategic vision, able to translate corporate goals into reality. Responsible for 3 turnarounds, 3 start-ups and led rapid distribution initiatives into new markets (for example, PAWS software to supermarket chains in North America and Europe).
REFERENCES
"He knew what we wanted and delivered it in record time - he has the know-how to quickly identify
the strengths and weaknesses of an organization" (Former CFO and Director of WorldCom/AOL)
"Don is a very capable, reliable, imaginative and determined businessman, internationalist with an unusually fine balance of practical and academic experience - I cannot recommend him highly enough."(Conrad Black, Chairman and Chief Executive, Hollinger Group Inc.,)
“Don turned around the Company so that today it is one of our great success stories on the merchant banking side” (Senior Chairman, Edper Brascan Ltd. and Director, NBS)
“He gave us some of our best marketing ideas; he made my subsidiary Sharp’s top performer” (Current President, Sharp America)
“One of the best investments we made; I wish we could have him full-time” (Managing Director, UK client company)
HISTORY
Since 1996
UNITED GLOBAL ENTERPRISES, INC. Toronto and New York
Consulting firm specializing in interim management and global marketing assignments.
Principal
* Start-up: retained by the shareholders of Paws International, Inc., (www.pawsusainc.com).
* In 1998 and 1999, acted as Interim Executive Vice President of Global Marketing and worked with a small team of senior executives to secure venture capital and develop and implement the strategic plan. Set up subsidiary in U.S. and planned entry strategy into EU
* Retained by JVD Ltd (in U.K.) to create joint ventures for private hi-tech companies to increase their exit value upon future divestiture; also worked with 3 client companies to raise $20 million financing to fund a U.K. roll-up
* Retained by Norigen (www.norigen.com) to evaluate the potential benefits of a proposed strategic partnership/ joint venture in the U.K.
* Retained by Shred-it America (www.shredit.com) as corporate advisor
Currently:
* Assisting 2 software start-up companies (one in Cambridge U.K., the other in Silicon Alley, New York) to create a global strategic partnership
* Preparing $150 million funding program for Raceinc (www.raceinc.com) in Atlanta to build hotels, motor sport facilities, a marina, a championship golf course
1990-1995
SHARP ELECTRONICS CORPORATION OF JAPAN Toronto
Subsidiary of Japanese corporation: $25 billion sales (office products, consumer electronics); subsidiary generates about $200 million revenues.
Senior Vice President (1993-95)
Vice President and General Manager (1990-93)
TURNAROUND “Company is in such a critical state that I can honestly say it is the worst I have found in my 2 decades business career” (my quote to CEO upon presenting my business plan to reorganize the Company).
Acted as Chief Operating Officer (reporting to CEO) and accountable for the overall leadership, strategic vision and direction of the Consumer Products Group ($125 million sales):
* Set the strategic goals to increase sales revenues 30% annually, remove a 19.7% operating loss within three years and strengthen Sharp’s consumer awareness and relationships with trade channels; emphasis on disciplined, accountable, creative business management
* Expanded product categories and product line assortments, resulting in significant increases in share of business with each channel member and product market shares for each category
* Initiated and led implementation of the Quality Improvement Process (QIP)
* Built national marketing, sales, communications and administration teams and directed performance through 10 functional heads with full P/L accountability
Result: Achieved 26.9% average annual revenue growth, and 4% annual operating profit (EBIT) resulting in Canadian subsidiary being ranked #1 (based on sales/profits growth) in all of Sharp’s 27 global subsidiaries. By end 1995, Sharp was ranked #3 (up from #8, and below Sony and RCA) within the Canadian Consumer Electronics Industry.
1988-1990
NBS TECHNOLOGIES INC. South Plainfield, NJ
NASDAQ and TSE-listed manufacturer of credit cards, card-based identification and hi-tech access control systems; $160 million revenues, 1500 employees, 5 manufacturing groups (USA, UK, Canada, France and Australia). Customers are banks, retailers, and government departments.
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
TURNAROUND Company had accumulated losses of $77 million and CEO had just been indicted. Recruited by merchant bank to position Company for divestment.
* Directed staff of 1,500 through 15 general managers (10 sales divisions and 5 manufacturing divisions including R&D); set the corporate vision and direction for the Group targeted to turnaround $77 million net loss; developed turnaround strategy, motivated and inspired the team to support strategic goals and held senior executives accountable for delivering results
* Teams achieved increases in sales (from 39% to 103% against budget), gross margins (from 10.3% to 22%), operating income (from 13% loss to 4% profit). New business generated was able to support three manufacturing shifts
* Slashed overhead, executive perks (airplanes, etc.); fired 10 senior executives
* Personally met all major customers to restore confidence in Company
Result: In 14 months was able reverse the $77 million accumulated net losses to a $3 million net profit. This $80 million swing in operating results created significant increase in share price and attracted a successful bid from a Belgium group.
1983-1988
MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC CORPORATION OF JAPAN Toronto
Subsidiary of world’s largest industrial and consumer electronics company. $65 billion annual sales: brand names Panasonic, Quasar and Technics; subsidiary’s annual sales $800 million.
Member, Executive Management Committee (1984-88)
General Manager, Panasonic/Technics Sales Group (1985-88)
General Manager, Quasar Sales Group (1984-85)
Marketing Manager, Panasonic Car Audio Products (1983-1984)
Directed a sales force of 100+ employees, agents and three major distributors in six regions with sales revenues of approximately $250 million annually from 10 major product groups:
* For Panasonic and Technics increased sales volume to $375 million within three years; maintained net operating profit with rapidly declining unit prices; developed network of 1500 major accounts, strengthened partnerships with retail chains and mass merchandisers
* Turnaround: initiated strategy for failing Quasar Group and transformed business from loss of $5 million to profit in nine months
1981-1983
RUSH HAMPTON INDUSTRIES Longwood, FL
Manufacturers of consumer air and water treatment products, $50 million sales
International Marketing Manager
START UP Set up new international business and distribution in 22 countries:
* Traveled extensively in South America, Europe and Far East; negotiated strategic partnerships, licensing; grew
export sales to account for 25% of Company’s total sales
1968-1981
PHILIPS ELECTRONICS (HOLLAND) LTD. Toronto
One of the world’s biggest electronic companies with sales of $33.9 billion: fast moving consumer products, business electronics, one-chip TV products and IT services. Subsidiary had $400 million sales.
Director, Corporate Marketing Support Group (1980-81)
* Led the corporate strategic planning process, driving the long-range plans for all of the Company’s ten major operating divisions
Marketing Manager–Consumer and Industrial Lighting (1975-81)
* Set up GSLP (5000 hour lamps), set up Philtex (to promote energy saving lamps)
Prior positions were in various product and marketing assignments (within the 7 divisions).
EDUCATION
MBA University of Western Ontario (1993)
B. A. coursework, which was transferred into MBA, program (3.9 GPA)
COURSEWORK
Total Quality Management: Crosby College, Winter Park, FL (1990)
Strategic Planning (1987) and Retailing Management (1987), Babson College, Framingham, MA
Directors Program (1986), Matsushita Training College, Osaka, Japan
BOARDS
The Shred-It America Group of Companies, 1996–Present |
