Daniel Kass Email & Phone Number

California, United States

Within my present role, I have undertaken a range of responsibilities primarily aimed at revenue generation, business growth, and expanding international presence. I have directed a major focus on expanding the Australian and North American markets and delivered significant outcomes. While working within the North American region, I have built my expertise in the “DOMESTIC” market while also securing multiple NEW contracts, adopting a direct-retail system, and establishing the company’s first Marketing Department in North America. My contributions in developing business within the Australian market include strategizing sales and growth, appointing a Sale Agent to develop a local marketing team, forecasting 10-fold increases in import volumes in 2019 against 2018, and executing the first-ever imports of Australian-grown Sumo Citrus to the USA for Australia. I am presently working on exporting Aussie-grown Suma, oranges, lemons, and grapefruits to North America, New Zealand, and the Pacific Asian markets.Additionally, I have played a significant part in driving incremental revenue from the flagship product Sumo Citrus by negotiating licensing deals with other industries for co-branding projects, launching Sumo Citrus in the European market, and creating the Sumo Citrus Academy for training retailers. Moreover, I sold cosmetically challenged products to the "dollar-store-market” and reduced product waste.I have also served as the face of Suntreat at several industry events for networking, new business development, public speaking, and related public relations purposes. Monetary gains:  Acquired new retail business domestically – North America Grew retail sales by 25% [43% in 2018 vs 18% in 2017]  Increased production and sales volume by 50% in 2018 vs 2017 and added 10% per-unit revenue YOY. Raised sales from 5MM to 9MM units in 2018

Delano, Ca, Us

I was hired to engage in the "largest-launch-ever" within the citrus growing industry. During my tenure, I launched the independent export sales organization with global distribution to 30+ markets spread between Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania. What is important is that after careful production planning and forecasting, I boosted sales growth figures by 42%. I created and led operations for four growing regions across California, Texas, Florida, and Mexico; total seven packing operations in California, Texas, Florida, and Mexico; four USA ports of departure across Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Houston, Charleston; and four Mexico ports of departure across Altamira, Veracruz, Manzanillo, Lazaro Cardenas. I also attended international trade shows in Europe, Mexico, and South Pacific, and built communication channels with USDA APHIS/FAS/ATO personnel and overseas offices while advocating decreased sanctions for chemical residue violations in the Japanese market.To enable the company growth at an accelerated rate, I implemented corporate vision and strategies; I also supervised multiple teams locally and remotely in California, Florida, Mexico, and Belgium.Growth delivered:  Grew sales by 67% in 2013 vs 2009 by adding "specialty citrus" to our Product List Led the growth of international revenue by manifold valued at millions of dollars in 2017 and optimized revenue opportunities by 13% in 2013 v/s 2012 Obtained $300K in annual funding allocation by preparing MAP application through WUSATACost reduction contributions  Created a new annual export revenue stream of $1.1M by establishing a new Transportation Department and managing export logistics; guided the international revenue to $74MM in 2017 Reduced the transportation costs by 26% in 2010 vs. 2006 through contract negotiations of ocean freight

I was recruited here due to a solid relationship that was built previously while serving Market Gardeners as an employee of Dole North American Fruit Operations. I launched a USA sourcing office for a fresh produce distributor in New Zealand/Australia, and established export operations to Asia and Europe. I also provided support and insights to Market Gardeners’ counterpart in Australia to set a pre-clearance program requiring Australian inspectors to fly to USA to inspect fruits prior to shipment.I built sourcing relations with USA and Mexico growers for New Zealand/Australia markets, sourcing- Sunkist Growers’ citrus and selling 600,000 units in 2006; - Mexican mango resulting in tenfold sales volume increase in 2006 vs. 2002; - CA table grapes for a newly opened market in Australia resulting in multi-million-dollar sales in 2005; - CA limes resulting in significant sales growth from 2002 to 2004. I also partnered with the largest Korean importer LG, to create and develop citrus quality control programs.Additionally, I was recognized as a leader in negotiations in 2004 for collaborating with local officials and industry leaders in USA to set up and create new protocols for growers shipping fruits to Australia, which significantly reduced costs and delivery time.

At Intermas, I set up a subsidiary office in USA for a Spanish plastics manufacturer and managed a maquiladora operation in Tijuana, Mexico, which is essentially considered a “special economic zone”, and is seen in many countries. I also launched 40+ new products in marketplace and reduced transport costs by 65%.I created and expanded a strong North American distribution network, charted strategies for sales and marketing, and managed all aspects of new business venture. I also augmented North American sales revenues by 220% within the first year of employment, and added 17 new distributors to expand existing distribution network throughout North America.

As I advanced to senior leadership roles in Dole, I handled more progressive responsibilities. As the VP of Export Sales & Marketing, I was responsible for leading fresh citrus sales valued at millions of dollars, and coordinating with national and global clients to draft sales plans. I managed an administrative and promotional budget, while directing a staff of six. During my tenure as VP, I boosted fresh citrus sales volume by 58%.Additionally, I was credited with integrating citrus operations of The Irvine Company into Dole North American Fruit Operations, and creating a specialty citrus market, achieving 155% sales increase from 1993 to 1998. I aligned sales plans with operations, set market price, implemented promotional strategies, and checked quality at overseas locations.Furthermore, I streamlined export sales operations while in-residence in Tokyo, Japan in 1996. I achieved 27% higher export sales utilization than primary competitor by creating private label lemon programs. I also reduced European delivery costs by 21% from 1996 to 1997, and implemented industry’s first color sorting upcharge for 1998 Valencia crop.

Bachelor’S Degree, Business Administration And Management, General

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Business Administration And Management, General

Food Executive Program