After many years of working in the corporate world, I am now utilizing my financial and operational experience to offer consulting services in several areas; Steel Industry, Marine Operations and Sales, Financial and Special Projects, and General Accounting.

Larsen Marine Service is a Five Star Marine Certified marine dealership located in Waukegan harbor on Lake Michigan, midway between Chicago and Milwaukee. Since 1933 Larsen Marine Service has provided Lake Michigan boaters with experienced service, storage, parts and boat sales. Larsen is an exclusive dealer for Jeanneau power boats and sailboats as well as Crownline motor yachts on Lake Michigan and the surrounding area. The Company has an even greater reach with pre-owned brokerage boat sales. Larsen Marine Service is one of the largest and best equipped marine service facilities on the Great Lakes with a modern 20 acre boat yard and marina specializing in the highest quality service for both sail and power boats.

Strategy, financial, operational and turnaround consulting and investment firm. Management of portfolio companies.COO for a start-up portfolio company (SDS) introducing digital signage hardware, custom kiosks and content creation. Managed all day to day, procurement and financial operations. Also managed large content creation projects for major retailers and sourced digital signage hardware.Successful in bringing in several major retail and banking customers for deployment of digital signage and related corporate and local content.Operations / project manager for another portfolio company in the metals industry providing financial modeling, forecasting and general financial analysis assistance as well as territory sales management.

SmartPro Tools is a $20 million manufacturer and distributor of premium hand held tools. Ray held the position of President, CEO and COO. Ray started the company and initially designed and patented 2 hand tool products. Since then, Ray spearheaded new product development and the company expanded to include over 50 products. Responsible for the executive management and operations of the business, Ray established manufacturing in Taiwan and China and a sales representative organization across most of the country. The company produced products private-labeled as “Craftsman” tools sold by Sears and Ray made multiple appearances on QVC television selling many of these items. The company’s products were represented in hardware stores, home centers, electronics super stores and catalogs.

$50 million wholesale distributor of office supplies and equipment.Was brought in to turnaround this failing company. I was successful in reducing costs, improving efficiencies and significantly increasing sales through organic growth. Company was sold 18 months later due to my successful turnaround efforts and my position was eliminated.Reporting to the CEO, directed all day to day operations including finance, inside and outside sales, human resources and administrative operations of the company.Provided operational and strategic advice to the CEO as a member of the Advisory Board.

$175 million manufacturer and distributor of power protection equipment, including uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), surge protection and cables with international distribution through multiple channels. Left prematurely due to unusual circumstances.Reporting to the COO, managed all sales and marketing functions for the distribution and government channels. These channels included the company’s largest accounts and represented over $72M in sales.Managed two sales teams comprised of 12 sales professionals which generated approximately 40% of total company revenue in the high tech computer peripherals industry.Created quarterly marketing plans for each account managed and monitored and evaluated their effectiveness. Also negotiated effective inventory control measures with the buyers and management as well as other incentives such as sales contests and volume rebates.Left this position prematurely due to unusual circumstances.

$250 million marketing company specializing in “lifestyle marketing”. Left prematurely due to unusual circumstances.Reporting to the CEO, managed all corporate financial functions including accounting, cash management, planning and budgeting. Also responsible for HR, MIS and Office and Facilities Management. Worked closely with marketing personnel with regards to project planning, budgeting and staffing.Left this position prematurely due to unusual circumstances.

$75 million manufacturer and worldwide distributor of automotive diagnostic equipment.Reported directly to the Board of Directors, sat on the Board, and managed all company operations.Assumed the presidency of this troubled $5M manufacturer from the CFO position. Reorganized and restructured the company resulting in increased sales from $5M to over $75M. During this time Ray orchestrated a total reorganization and restructuring of the company, including a Chapter 11 filing and approved reorganization plan, guiding it back to profitability based on a strong organizational, sales and marketing acumen. This was accomplished by closing 2 out of three factories and consolidating all production into the remaining facility, significantly reducing headcount, restructuring debt, eliminating unprofitable lines of business and increasing sales and productivity.Developed strategies to improve the company’s worldwide distribution network resulting in new distributors and a significant increase in sales. Also established successful relationships at large national retail accounts, mass merchandisers and catalogs to sell a full line of consumer products.Worked very closely with investment bankers and prepared all documentation and financial information necessary for a planned IPO. Also presented financial information to potential investor groups. The company was ultimately sold in 1998.

$100 million wholesale paper distributor.Reporting to the CEO, directed all finance, human resources and administrative operations of the company.

A “Big 4” auditing, tax and consulting firm.Managed audits of publicly and privately held companies in the manufacturing and distribution industries.