Christopher "Kit" Heffner Email & Phone Number

Bozeman, Mt

DIRECTORSHIPS AND INVESTMENT- Serving on the Boards of Directors for a diversified group of private companies in Montana, Singapore, Myanmar and Cambodia, focusing on the Hospitality and Food & Beverage sectors. - Early Stage Investor with Montana Frontier Angels & Homestake Venture Partners- Investment Board Director for Montana's Frontier Angel Fund IV- Member of the Thai Institute of DirectorsEDUCATION AND NON-PROFIT- Professor of Finance and Management at Montana State University- Frontier & Emerging Markets Guest Speaker at Harvard Business School, The Wharton School, and the National University of Singapore (NUS)- President of the Board of Directors for Montana World Affairs Council- Treasurer for the Bozeman Public Library Foundation- Co-Founder of Bozeman's "SymBozium" programming in Civic Discourse

Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand

START-UP / NEW MARKET ENTRYSpearheaded RMA's entry into Myanmar, landing on the ground in Yangon immediately upon US sanctions lifting mid-2012. Conducted comprehensive in-country search and due diligence process for local partners, developing relationships and partnership agreements with multiple Myanmar companies and individuals. Interfaced extensively with government, including securing crucial Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) license. Founded four separate start-ups in the following sectors of Myanmar's fast-growing economy:AUTOMOTIVE - Nationwide distributor for Ford and Jaguar Land Rover, with showrooms and service centers in Yangon and Mandalay. Our Ford showroom in Yangon was the first new car showroom (of any brand) to open post-sanctions, a milestone for Myanmar and giving Ford first-mover advantage. Ford remains the #1 new pickup & SUV brand in MyanmarAGRICULTURE - Nationwide distributor for John Deere tractors and farming equipmentFOOD & BEVERAGE - Nationwide franchise operator of The Pizza Company and Swensen's Ice Cream restaurants. ENGINEERING - Comin Asia provides engineering and M&E Contracting services to the Industrial, Commercial, Residential, and Power / Electricity sectorsBuilt up in-country operations, hiring and directly managing Myanmar staff across all businesses and functions. Collectively, the companies now employ over 3000 well-trained staff in Myanmar, predominantly in Yangon and Mandalay. Our entry into Myanmar is the subject of a Harvard Business School Case Study.Founding member of the Myanmar Chapter of the American Chamber of Commerce. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT / M&A:In addition to the Myanmar start-ups, acquired companies in the oil & gas, urban planning, and hospitality sectors, including the famous Foreign Correspondents Club hotels and restaurants in Cambodia. Led negotiations, closed the deals, and continue to serve as a Director for the companies.

San Francisco Bay Area

Chief Negotiator and Project Leader for large-scale transactions, including $400 million divestment of Chevron's Downstream businesses in 11 countries across Eastern and Southern Africa. Leveraged Partnership and Joint Venture expertise in exploring expansion opportunities in the Black Sea and designing strategy for Chevron’s existing multi-billion dollar Asia Pacific partnerships. Led commercial negotiations for creation of CVX-Weyerhaeuser Biofuels Joint Venture, “Catchlight Energy Ltd." As a member of the Global Leadership Team, reorganized Chevron's Downstream business to cut costs and streamline worldwide Marketing and Distribution organization

Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand

Designed and executed a complete turnaround of Caltex Thailand, a $1 billion/yr Fuels Marketing & Distribution company. Led all aspects of Chevron's marketing mix in Thailand & Laos, including Retail and Commercial Fuels Distribution, Franchise Network Development, Brand Management, Strategic Planning, Pricing, Advertising & Promotions, Convenience Stores, IT/Retail Automation, Construction & Facilities Management, Training, and Supply Chain Management.The turnaround worked. Dramatic improvements in the brand and customer experience led to recovered profitability via strong sales increases, transforming Chevron in just three years from a market laggard into the #1 international oil company in Thailand.

Hong Kong

Sent to "either fix or sell" Caltex Hong Kong, Chevron's marketing and distribution network in Hong Kong. Changed franchise management strategy and improved all aspects of service as well as customer perception of value, winning Gold in "Asia's Most Trusted Brands" three years in a row. Increased operating earnings and returns by over 50%, despite mature and declining overall market demand – successfully turning around Caltex Hong Kong from an under-performer to a steady “cash cow." The company was fixed.Steered company safely through the global epicenter of the 2003 SARS virus epidemic, protecting employees and customers while keeping operations open and continuously providing safe and reliable service.As a Global Team Leader in the Chevron-Texaco merger, integrated 3 major Downstream International Oil Companies (Chevron / Texaco / Caltex).

Phnom Penh

Led Chevron's new market entry into Cambodia, building a network of Caltex-branded Retail Service Stations, StarMart Convenience Stores, Lubricants & Commercial/Industrial Sales businesses. Also developed the supporting Terminals & Logistics operations as well as corporate functions such as Finance, IT and HR. Managed all aspects of media and government relations. Advised Royal Cambodian Government, World Bank and ADB on national tax and investment policies as Cambodia transitioned from the Khmer Rouge period into a fast-growing frontier market.Took Caltex Cambodia from start-up phase to a stable, successful on-going business with over 500 employees – the dominant international oil brand in Cambodia.

Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand

Implemented Economic Value Added "EVA" and Zero-based costing systems of measurement, planning, and strategic portfolio optimization across the company.Anticipated the Asian Financial Crisis and collapse of the Thai Baht in 1997, putting in place a hedging program just ahead of the crisis and netting a gain of over $40 million in three months.Acquired the BP Thailand service station network, leading negotiations and closing the deal.

Dallas/Fort Worth Area

Greater New York City Area

Mba, Finance & Marketing

Activities and Societies: PepsiCola International Marketing Scholar

Exchange Program In Thailand, Organizational Behavior And Cross-Cultural Management

Bs - Economics, Finance & Marketing

Activities and Societies: Cum Laude - Benjamin Franklin Scholar, Founder - Kappa Sigma Fraternity AE Chapter, Founder - University.

High School