Robert Ecker Email & Phone Number

=> Operational and financial services for private family and PE, lower middle market businesses.=> Interim, project, and transaction support; due diligence, integration, consolidation, execute key initiatives for synergy and value capture.=> Professionalize, run, and scale to create long term value; position for and manage transactions, sales process.=> Represented engagements include early stage to $300MM top line with manufacturing and distribution, services, medical device/healthcare technology, food and beverage, CPG, highly engineered products, specialty chemicals/materials, SaaS, managed service provider, and energy storage (government contracts).

Cuyahoga Falls, Oh, Us

=> Private equity owned, certified SQF Level 2 custom food manufacturer and distributor of bakery products to national grocery stores, foodservice (CPG), and restaurants. Help customers be more successful by partnering and innovating with unique/custom product offerings, while ensuring the highest quality and product safety.=> Led selling process without investment banker and PE exit from Clover Capital Partners to Shore Capital Partners (60 days LOI to close), significantly exceeded investors expected return. Add-on acquisitions, integrations, and synergy capture as part of premium bakery platform.=> Leadership team member, responsible for the finance operations and administration, including planning, purchasing, information technology, controllership (audit/tax), legal, treasury (banking relationship), risk management, payroll, and employee benefits including 401k trustee.=> Strategic advisor and partner to CEO, Board, PE, leadership team, and all functions to drive continuous improvement and sustainable profitable growth. => Major projects included S&OP, demand plan, and long term trajectory; ERP selection/implementation, Microsoft Dynamics NAV; complex facility expansion and construction project; negotiated bank financings (including paid off mezzanine debt, repurchased equity) and ensured covenant compliance.

Kent, Ohio, Us

=> Led the finance and administration for private family owned manufacturer of liquid crystal displays and electronic CPG products sold to major retailers (including paperless "Boogie Board" eWriter product line). => Worked closely with operations to improve planning and procurement processes and global supply chain, which involved Asia sourcing, US and China manufacturing, and global distribution.=> Improved controls, closing process, reporting and analysis, and working capital.

=> Partnered with global operations, production, and supply chain for private equity owned industrial manufacturer (Carlyle sold to larger competitor Continental).=> Led strategic and annual planning, S&OP (developed landed cost model to facilitate production planning decisions), supported lean initiatives, and drove productivity and costing improvements, while sharing best practices across regions.

Wickliffe, Ohio, Us

=> Lead CFO roles for $600M to $2B+ global business units within $6B former publicly traded, specialty chemical manufacturing company (with highly engineered products subsidiaries) serving industrial markets including automotive: purchased by Berkshire Hathaway 2011.=> Managed global finance, accounting, and pricing teams.=> ERP system solutions and implementation (SAP/BW, JD Edwards, Microsoft Dynamics Great Plains). Consolidated systems and accounting functions, established shared services.=> Led initiatives to restructure and transform businesses, significantly improved operating income and working capital/cash flow - focused on unit margin and mix management, pricing, sales and operations planning, R&D innovation (stage gate process), new product development, and emerging market growth in Latin America (Brazil) and Asia Pacific (China, India). => Partnered with senior management and all functions (including treasury, risk management) to drive sustainable profitable growth via organic/new business development and M&A (5+ building block acquisitions and $2B transformational deal), while ensuring well-controlled operating environment. Led initial Sarbanes Oxley compliance for two divisions and ongoing compliance.=> Prior positions included finance manager, FP&A leader for $3B segment, business group controller, and division controller for start-up and high growth equipment businesses ($10M-$100M and included JV with GE) which diversified the company into adjacent, higher growth markets.

Beachwood, Ohio, Us

=> Operating performance accountability for 60 shopping center assets in southeast region for publicly traded retail real estate investment trust. Formerly DDR Corp.=> Managed operations, and responsible for reporting and planning; implemented alternative income opportunities (wireless rooftop and tower program).=> Coordinated due diligence for refinancings, acquisitions, and divestitures, working closely with legal counsel and CFO.

Gb

=> Financial and operational consultant providing corporate finance, business reorganization, valuation, real estate, and litigation services.=> Prepared business plans, market studies and valuations supporting real estate multi-family development and transactions. Analyzed the feasibility of reorganization plans, and negotiated debt restructurings. => Analyzed and redesigned the operations and internal controls of a manufacturing/retail company in conjunction with business process re-engineering. => As restructuring consultant for a big box retailer, developed store profitability model (95 locations across the US), recommended store closing decisions, led rent concession negotiations, and prepared business plan for sale process.

Master Of Business Administration (Mba), Finance

Juris Doctor (Jd)

Ba, Economics

High School Diploma 1985