Mark Cole Email & Phone Number

Managed and directed the finance / accounting, information technology and human resources functions of Tri Star Services, LLC which is responsible for the overall management of approximately 75 operating convenience stores / fueling locations and another 160 dealer sites. Responsibility for 3 direct reports and 29 additional full-time employees.Coordinated the financial and legal efforts of the company in its acquisition of 57 operating convenience stores. Included negotiating and finalizing credit agreement terms with the bankers and purchase agreement terms with attorneys and seller’s principal representatives.Acted as the company liaison with the Motiva Enterprises LLC ownership group based in Houston, TX including the process of obtaining Unanimous Action documents as required by the LLC-approved Delegation of Authorities schedule.Developed and distributed quarterly Members’ Meeting presentations before regularly scheduled meetings.Acted as the primary contact of the company with its lenders, external auditors, principal software vendor and point-of-sale register provider.Directed the various systems-related objectives of the company including the implementation of a replacement ERP system ranging from store level input modules to A/P and G/L applications through the financial reporting process.Developed and finalized the annual capital and operating budgets for the company including preparation of return on investment data for the significant projects undertaken by the company.

Directed the day-to-day operations of the accounting department. Managed an annual departmental budget of $3 million, direct staff of 6 and indirect staff of 56.Established an in-house store audit function utilizing 23 auditors to provide excellent internal control over one of the major assets of the company. Resulted in a 30% decrease in overall audit costs.Directed the accounting-related due diligence procedures to assess the advisability of signing proposed asset purchase or sale transactions. Coordinated with personnel from the acquirer or seller to ensure transition issues were properly carried out in accordance with the terms of the related contracts.Reviewed the various point-of-sale cash register systems available in the industry by meeting with vendors and assessing products to determine if they met the company’s needs. Directed the company by purchasing approximately $3 million of the equipment and related software over the next 3-5 years.Directed development of an automated interface between the point-of-sale register systems and the company’s computer system to minimize the data entry required of store managed.Managed the company’s resources in transitioning from a legacy general ledger and accounts payable system to enterprise-wide PeopleSoft applications. Worked closely with corporate information technology personnel and outside contractors to provide the software customizations needed.

Managed the day-to-day operations of a 50-person accounting staff responsible for tracking activity for company-operated and dealer sites.Directed the centralization of the accounting department from another city by handling the move logistics, the hiring and training of new personnel, the development of the new department structure and the establishment of new capabilities when required (staffing and training a tax department to accomplish functions formerly handled by corporate personnel).Investigated, purchased and installed new accounting software to provide for enhanced capabilities in general ledger reporting, accounts payable, financial reporting, and fixed assets accounting.

Managed regional accounting offices with an annual budget of $4 million, directed several key special projects, and fulfilled the company’s financial reporting needs with lenders and the SEC.Directed the testing of accounting systems utilizing barcode scanning. Redesigned the store audit function for the new system to allow for item level counting and booking of the results to achieve the expected inventory control enhancements. Determined the marketability of the item level sales data.Managed the development of a replacement store accounting data entry format that allowed for initial input of daily store report information by store managers using small handheld computers. Reorganized the accounting function to adjust to the new data flow and to enhance internal controls over the information flow. Closed down the regional accounting offices and centralized the data review functions in the corporate office saving $400,000 annually.Directed the company’s quarterly and annual financial reporting requirements including SEC filings and assessed compliance with loan covenants.

Developed and maintained the inventory control system tracking the oilfield casing assets that were threaded and tested at the facility.

Directed financial statement audits for retail, oil and gas, banking, seismic and manufacturing clients. Gained proficiency in report drafting and analytical review procedures assessing the effectiveness of companies’ operations.