Led the strategic, operating, cultural and financial transformation of a Norwest Equity Partners portfolio company that resulted in a successful sale of the company to Sysco

Founded in 1930, BIX Produce Company is the regional leader for processing and distributing the finest quality bulk and Fresh Cut fruits and vegetables, dairy, and related food items to food service operators, including restaurants, hotels, educational institutions, health care facilities, and country clubs throughout the entire state of Minnesota as well as Western Wisconsin, Eastern North Dakota, Iowa, and Northern Illinois. BIX prides itself on offering the finest quality products, exceptional food safety, and industry leading personalized customer service.

OVERVIEW: Vice President, Finance, Strategic Growth InitiativesChief Financial & Strategy Officer, Paint DropI participated in the development of opportunities of prime strategic value, working with the CEO, CFO and fellow senior leaders on a number of M&A initiatives . In this role, I contributed vital input to all aspects of deals, including the development of bid strategies and Board approval, seller-advisor interactions, due diligence, and integration plans. In addition, I served as the CFO and Head of Strategy for Paint Drop, a start-up subsidiary formulated to disrupt the 8 billion-dollar contractor paint industry. For Paint Drop, I am deeply involved in managing all aspects of the business, along with co-developing strategy platform with the subsidiary’s president (directed customer research insight to infuse strategy).HIGHLIGHTS:★ Planned and directed build-out of entire financial infrastructure, including controls, analytics, accounting, procurement and performance management functions. Led design of Payment-to-Cash and Inventory Management processes; contributed to ERP and POS integration★ Assisted CFO in improving M&A IQ and processes, developing model subsequently used for all M&A valuations company-wide. Contributed substantially to financial process reengineering, including redesign of all planning, consolidation, and forecasting processes★ Teamed with small group of senior executives to identify and execute strategic opportunities.

OVERVIEW:I directed all aspects of a company that serviced clients across multiple industries. CVEGS was an international consulting practice dedicated to the delivery of long term strategic and economic value for companies competing in different global markets, as well as to the development of strategic and economic value through international growth and business development.HIGHLIGHTS:★ Developed disruptive, breakthrough Customer Value Equation model for creating innovative, pioneering market strategies, with the model enabling quick understanding of consumer profiles and formulation of unique ideas.★ Earned specific commendation from recognized author and former Professor of Strategy at the University of Chicago for the model’s potential to inspire a new wave of strategic thinking.CLIENT ENGAGEMENTS:★ Mobile Telecommunications Company – Designed strategy for bottom-of-the-pyramid consumer (70 million population in Mexico) as well as outsourcing solution to bring global expertise for competing with much larger local telecoms.★ Casual Dining Chain – Created entry strategy for a Latin American country, evaluating entire market, and providing senior management with opportunities to engage with five different local potential partners.★ Energy Company Consortium – Teamed with consortium to explore potential of lucrative investments in Mexico.★ Other Companies – Presented 2 global retailers with experiential ideas for new retail concepts; recommendations incorporated; delivered presentation to leadership of leading retailer on international growth strategies; supported $50 million sale of fertilizer company; developed Mexico entry strategy for a key company.

OVERVIEW:Vice President of International Strategy, Best Buy International (2008-2009)Head of Finance, PC Mobility – Computing, Photography/Video, Connectivity (2006-2008)Head of Finance, Services – Geek Squad, Warranties, Repair (2004-2006)I was promoted to capitalize on strategic opportunities for Best Buy International’s global expansion, leading all facets of a company owned Chinese retailer turnaround strategy. In this role, I developed Best Buy’s financial services strategy in Mexico, as well as participating in multiple Latin American market entry initiatives. Previously, I functioned as the senior Finance Lead for 2 separate operating divisions (PC Mobility and Best Buy Services), overseeing strategic financial planning, business optimization, performance management, capital management, fiscal integrity, and communications among others.HIGHLIGHTS:★ Led development of deep analysis-based, turnaround strategy for a global retailer.★ Served as a member of the team that evaluated Best Buy’s Latin American entry strategy.★ Generated multimillion-dollar annual expense savings by conducting bottom-up, value-based assessment of the Services business.★ Led team in identifying enterprise-wide margin opportunities. Lauded by VP of Finance as “best piece of analysis I have ever seen.”★ Created talent development model for Best Buy Finance heralded by Best Buy’s senior HR leadership as a best practice.★ Led Best Buy in negotiations on deal with a major technology company originated by both companies’ CEOs; created partnership strategy with Head of Best Buy Business division for B2B market share.★ Served as a member of Best Buy’s leadership team that developed Geek Squad into a broadly recognized brand and lucrative, game-changing business. Named as the CFO.

OVERVIEW:Vice President and General Manager, Sears International (2003-2004)Vice President of Finance Corporate Functions, Sears Corporate (2002-2003)I held full P&L accountability for Sears International, a division with businesses in 40 countries. Creating solutions to right-size underperforming business requiring substantial restructuring, I paved the way for breakthrough results – not only break-even, but also immediate and long-term growth.For Sears Corporate, I led and coached finance teams in supporting Marketing, Customer Care, Supply Chain, Legal, and HR as well as core Finance functions. As a respected senior leader, I guided the senior executive team in identifying millions in opportunities for the Real Estate portfolio.HIGHLIGHTS:★ Orchestrated 180-degree turnaround and subsequent growth strategy that facilitated 30% revenue and profit gain after several years of stagnation. Focused efforts on expanding relationship in Mexico and restructuring partnership network.★ Paved the way for multimillion-dollar savings by leading full analysis of marketing investments jointly with the new CMO, resulting in complete reorganization of $1.7 billion spend.

OVERVIEW:I directed all financial functions for a start-up to provide for full-scale business operations growth and new venture internet investment strategy. In this position, I directed core business and financial activities in addition to overseeing multiple M&A and business development initiatives.HIGHLIGHTS:★ Led deep-dive analysis and recommendations for multiple investment opportunities, including a food product company (created a put/call structure that was widely heralded as not only being highly inventive but also for addressing all of the CEO’s risk concerns).★ Drove Hallmark.com to impressive revenue and brand exposure results for Hallmark. Earned commendation from CEO for efforts.

OVERVIEW:CFO, iDLX Technology Partners (1999-2000)Senior Consultant, Deluxe Corporate (1997-1999)As the CFO, I led the build-out of all financial structures and capabilities for a start-up in India. I worked directly with Goldman-Sachs on all core acquisition activities. In addition to senior finance duties, I served as an Acting COO.As a Senior Consultant, I provided expertise and support to the CEO and CFO in a highly aggressive acquisition strategy, leading all aspects of the eFunds acquisition (a small e-payments start-up).HIGHLIGHTS:★ Convinced senior management to restructure its capital planning process and adopt an EVA point of view, leading to the conversion of its operation to an EVA shop.★ Drove build-out of 3 centers in India for start-up with ~700 employees. Previously contributed to acquisition of IDLX Technology Partners and led acquisition of eFunds (e-payment solutions start-up).

OVERVIEW:With Pillsbury, I started as a Finance Manager and was later promoted to Finance Director. I led the Totino's finance team (as a manager) and later the Pillsbury Refrigerated Goods business (as Director). I was also Manager in the corporate finance team responsible for all the planning, reporting and forecasting processes for the company.

OVERVIEW:With PepsiCo, I conducted in-depth business analysis of all bottling operational capabilities, including pricing, marketing, supply chain, and others.