As a seasoned strategic leader with a global orientation and an aptitude for driving business growth, I have a rich background spanning the CPG, Beverage, and Life Sciences industries while leading global teams of more than 100 personnel. I've honed my skills in crafting and implementing strategic plans that elevate both billion-dollar established businesses and pre-revenue startups. As a versatile leader, I've held roles ranging from VP Business Development in three startups, to Head of Global Innovation in Abbott’s $8B nutrition division, to Managing Director/GM of Ocean Spray’s $130M Canadian business. Vice President | Business Development | Sales | Managing Director/GM | Partnerships | Strategy | Innovation | Startups Email: chesterabaker1@gmail.comMy disruptive strategies and tactics consistently grow revenue, margin, and market share, while improving processes and reducing costs. I've built a legacy of taking on first-ever and newly formed roles and driving large-scale change initiatives that few others want to tackle. With experience on five continents, I've honed the art of crafting strategic business and action plans to enter new markets and drive transformative growth in existing businesses. Deploying a blended strategic and tactical approach, I believe even the best plans can get lost on poor execution. It’s important to “get stuff done” and speed matters. TOP SKILLS: • Business Development• Strategy and Execution• Team Leadership• Omni-Channel Sales• Partnerships and Deals• Change Management• Innovation• Product Launch• P&L Management• Brand Building RESULTS: ~ Led Business Development and Partnerships for three pre-revenue starts ups, designing demand generation models, engaging strategic partners, scaling commercial operations, and preparing the businesses to exceed all commercial expectations.~ Head of Global Innovation and Global Lead, Innovation Transformation - Abbott Nutrition • Launched a record 206 innovations in three years, a 50% improvement over prior operating model• Improved project capacity +22%, reduced median cycle times -32%, accelerated kills by +63%.• Promoted/transferred twenty-eight members of key talent into new roles or other divisions ~Vice-President and Managing Director Canada - Ocean Spray • $130M standalone business, full P&L, 15 direct reports and 200 broker personnel • Exceeded plan by average +5% three consecutive years • Improved core businesses profitability +18%. Drove business to highest market share ever, gaining +5 share points.