Thomas Harter Email & Phone Number

Utilizing industry and career knowledge to drive value for businesses, including transformational growth initiatives, change management, sales operations, business process improvements, and KPI and best practice benchmarking to generate sustainable growth and efficiency.

Jonesboro, Ar, Us

At Optus, Inc., I serve as an executive officer overseeing Optus' growth strategy, including customer acquisition, business development, business expansion, and marketing approach. Accountable for leading the commercial team strategy, actively identifying areas of improvement, and strengthening the organization's customer-first approach.

During my time as COO, I spearheaded the daily operations of the $635M business, including leading a team of 1,800 employees to drive business performance, high-quality service, and success across the organization. I played an integral role in fostering a success-oriented environment while guiding the company to achieve and surpass sales, profitability, cash flow, and business goals and objectives. I actively identified areas of improvement by evaluating the effectiveness of all internal and external processes and developing and implementing innovative growth strategies and processes.Selected Achievements• Successfully transformed operations to improve operating metrics significantly in the first 90 days, including leading consolidation efforts to reduce facilities from 13 to 5.• Key role in outsourcing IT and non-core functions to offshore resources to secure $22M in annual cost savings.

As Division President of Financial & Business Services for 4 business unit, serving on the executive committee at OSG. I supported business expansion by ensuring and assisting with smooth acquisition of 8 organizations. Here, I leveraged high-quality communication and leadership to negotiate and secure 7 long-term contracts in 2018, resulting in $7M in revenue for the organization annually. I was accountable for managing $100M profit and loss (P&L) responsibilities for affiliates throughout the United States and Canada.Selected Achievements• Played an integral role in leading driving data-driven and cross-functional operational excellence across the organization to garner $3M in savings annually.• Developed and implemented innovative strategies to achieve and exceed revenue and EBITDA goals for 2018 by 24% and 2019 by 33%. This overachievement added significant enterprise value to the organization.• Established aggressive growth strategies to generate $150M in EBITDA over 3 years by spearheading acquisitions and organic development.

Directed the overall operations and resources of the company, acting as the main point of communication between the board of directors and corporate operations. Constructed and established the organization's vision, mission, and overall direction. Headed strategic planning, establishing innovative planes to drive organization success. Oversaw 110 employees across Illinois and Wisconsin, ensuring consistent alignment with objectives and recognizing staff to promote a vibrant service delivery team. Facilitated board leadership and governance, while leading meetings and communicating goals. Successfully acquired 10 large clients during transition. Led senior and mezzanine debt refinance to save $1.5M in interest annually.Key Contributions• Proactively identified areas for growth and improvement, resulting in reducing operating expenses by 15% annually, increasing revenue by 12% to $33M, and boosting EBITDA by 11%.• Successfully enhanced company culture by engaging with internal partners to reduce employee turnover by 85%.• Pioneered the sale of the ProSort division to Pitney Bowes in 2017 at a 24x multiple of EBITDA ($10M transaction); sold Microdynamics to OSG/Aquiline Capital Partners at a 6x multiple of EBITDA ($46M transaction).

Established short and long-term goals, while guiding a workforce of 55, managing budgets of $30M, ensuring the proper allocation of resources, and maintaining alignment with goals. Leveraged excellent leadership and decision-making skills, with vast financial and operational working knowledge to drive organization success. Piloted strategic planning and daily operations to the $2.4M organization. Revamped web portals, color printing solutions, and e-service offerings to optimize client experiences.Key Contribution• Played an integral role in launch the Disaster Recovery Business Unit, resulting in winning large financial service clients in alignment with regulatory requirements.• Engaged and sold the company largest client, a multinational bank, to generate $6M in revenue annually.

Headed all sales and marketing operations, while building, training, and leading a high-performing sales team of 6 to acquire and serve 110 clients. Supported recapitalization process and selection of a private equity partner to yield $65M proceeds to shareholders. Developed and implemented innovative marketing and sales strategies to expand revenue generation and brand awareness. Key Contributions• Pioneered the acquisitions of 3 companies over the course of 24 months, adding $35M in top revenue.• Drove direct sales functions to streamline business development, garnering $400M in total contract value.• Directed product development and launch for e-statement.com to allow for an additional $2M in revenue.