Ben West Email & Phone Number

San Francisco Bay Area

• The convenience of gas, the flavor of charcoal in a beautiful easy to use product that goes from 250F for low and slow all the way up to 905 for Neapolitan pizza. Bringing people together over amazing food.
• Founded company for newly invented product including early-stage customer interviews, revenue models, product market fit, 2 rounds of prototyping, initial industrial design, and initial branding, which was all done.
• Raised $25M in equity funding from some of the best consumer product investors including Lerer Hippeau, Bullish, Precursor, v1.vc and the Founders of Harry’s, Warby Parker, sweetgreens, Mirror, Guitar Hero, Angel List.
• Launched product suite of grill, briqs (fuel) and app from invention, and initial duct tape prototype through industrial design to mass production resulting in a highly loved product with 94% 5-star reviews, usage.
• Developed product with in-house engineering teams (mechanical, quality, sustaining, firmware, software), and garnered 3 utility patents & 3 design patents
• Directed product launch resulting in sales of 1,600 units and $1.4M in revenue purchased on Spark website in first 7 months

Portland, Oregon, USA | Monterrey, Mexico | Nairobi, Kenya

• EcoZoom brings ecological products to the world. We have a main focus on distributing high efficiency cookstoves to areas of the developing world plagued with indoor air pollution, responsible for 2 million deaths.
• Grew enterprise from $40,000 in founder funding at launch in April, 2011 to be one of top 3 players in the industry globally with $10.5M in revenue in 2015 - making the company #768 of the 2015 Inc. 5000 – improving.
• Secured funding to $1.4M for operation in Kenya, $20M in working capital for program in Rwanda and $200k in general working capital for global trade
• Opened office in Kenya by creating customers, sales & marketing plans, operations SOPs, HR processes, and MIS resulting in over 31,000 units sold in first year (2014), 53,000 units in 2015 and local team in place.
• Negotiated and fulfilled Africa’s largest cookstove program producing over 2,500 units per day while performing under budget and ahead of schedule
• Led product development team resulting in 30%+ gross margins for new products in 2016

Eugene, Oregon Area

• Completed turnaround of social venture by installing new staff, financial accounting practices, operational procedures, sales and marketing plans, e-commerce, and CRM resulting in 250% growth while achieving breaking.
• Designed and executed strategic plan advancing the mission and growing sales and profitability in US market and least developed country (LDC) markets internationally
• Cultivated and maintained relationships with customers, vendors, investors and partners to increase brand recognition and value in the industry
• Grew market presence traveling to 12 international markets and selling in over 20 new developing countries in 2010
• Managed relationship with Chinese manufacturer including the development and manufacturing of new line of 2011 stoves based on field data and customer feedback
• Groomed company for financial investment creating business plans, executive summaries

Eugene, Oregon Area

• Planned campus events and off-site trips by reaching out to, and working with business executives, to assist grad/undergrad students in career search and exploration
• Guided students to present themselves professionally in job searches by presenting resume writing modules, providing advice/critique, and giving one-on-one advice

Eugene, Oregon Area

• Determined and reported on feasibility of potential tech venture by developing industry expertise, business model, technology comprehension and market assessment and financial model
• Presented and reported 4 major deliverables to staff, faculty and industry advisers, creating a comprehensive and scrutinized product, resulting in great professional development.

Chattanooga, Tennessee Area

• Supervised 2 accounts with staff of 6 and fleet of 130 – 150 drivers/trucks resulting in $22 million in revenue and profits over 12% during 8 of 10 quarters
• Cut driver turnover from 120% to 40% by creating pay grades, bonuses by seniority and productivity, a high MPG reward program, and a positive work environment
• Mentored and trained co-workers to improve efficiency by creating new operating plans and utilizing company IT resulting in higher profitability and improved customer service
• Facilitated communication and design of new operations software platform between IT and operations by reporting and presenting needs; and testing beta products
• Monitored and assured driver utilization, turnover and truck count
• Handled hiring process, performance reviews and disciplinary action

Mba

Ba, Political Science, International Studies, Spanish