Mike Sherman Email and Phone Number

• Provided strategic planning, analysis and operational leadership wherein revenue increased from ~18M to ~30M between mid-2018 thru 2022.• Oversaw both strategic and day to day operations, with over 50 employees, including HR, scheduling, payroll/commissions, office staff, warehouse staff, logistics, drivers and fleet management.• Built culture of accountability which increased confidence and creativity, allowing for open lines of communications and drove strong retention rates. • Opened and managed Chicagoland Equipment & Supply, LLC – Madison Division, Madison, WI., increasing revenue by an annualized rate of ~$2.5M• Internal management of all IT systems, including implementation of multi-factor authentication (MFA).• Initiated incentive-based bonus programs based upon productivity, increasing attendance and reducing overtime expense.• Successfully coached and mentored direct reports, providing developmental opportunities allowing them to assume managerial responsibilities, reducing the need for outside hires.

• Administered financial and accounting management activities for a ~$30M company: o Enhanced FY 2020 EBITDA by +30% over prior year and +28% over budgeto Forecast financial performance and analysis (FP&A) and developed budgets.• Initiated and spearheaded project to review, negotiate, and implement a new cloud-based ERP system across all areas of the business.• Assist in the management, evaluation and negotiation of M&A activity for ~$6.5M thru closing and integration.• Instituted best practices in order to manage AR/AP.• Direct contact with accountants and bankers as it related to strategic planning and day to day operations, including collateral schedules, audit review, documentation and lines of credit.• Implemented and administered all benefits programs, including, health insurance, dental/vision, 401K, Safe Harbor, reducing premium costs and allowing for an increased employer contribution.Chicagoland Equipment & Supply, LLC. specializes in distribution of food equipment & supplies. Wholesale and Retail divisions and all Industrial Packaging.

Post the successful sale of Rainbow Book Company to Children’s Plus, Inc I was retained to support a successful integration of the financial aspects of the business along with the sales force.

Served as co-founder of family-owned and managed business with ~$10M in revenue. Led strategic and daily operations and delivered organization’s financial results. Based on legal background additionally functioned as General Counsel managing and mitigating organizational risk. Initiated and successfully negotiated the sale of Rainbow Books, Inc to a strategic buyer.COO Contributions:• Coordinated all strategic and day-to-day operations; direct management of 15 in house employees, including operations, HR, scheduling, payroll, training, and warehouse staff.• Collaborated with sales manager to lead a 30-person outside sales team.• Built culture of accountability which allowed for open lines of communications and drove strong retention rates.• Reduced labor costs 50% by evaluating and selecting an online replication order entry system eliminating the need for in-house double entry of sales orders.CFO Contributions:• Administered financial and accounting management activities for a ~$10M corporation:o Forecast financial performance and analysis (FP&A) and developed budgets.• Reduced commission expense ~15% by introducing a tiered schedule directly related to vendor cost.• Evaluated overall fiscal health and negotiated extended terms with various vendors which reduced financial hardship during business seasonality.• Improved cash flow by implementing an on-demand inventory purchase schedule alleviating the need to maintain$1M in inventory to $500,000.

Involved in all aspects of litigation, including insurance defense and commercial litigation. Conducted trials, hearings, arbitrations / mediations and other alternative dispute resolutions. Drafted appellate briefs for Illinois Supreme Court and Appellate Court. Advanced to Partner from Senior Associate.

Conducted jury trials, bench trials, TRO and preliminary injunction hearings, circuit court mandatory arbitrations, AAA arbitrations / mediations and other alternative dispute resolutions. Advanced to Partner from role as legal associate.