Sales Project Manager

**** ********* ****

Glenview, IL ***** Wayne R. Brekke

*********@*****.***

Cell: 773-***-****

Home: 847-***-****

PROFILE

Innovative financial executive with a strong record of driving financial

performance, improving sales, controlling costs and managing working

capital. Public and private company experience in corporate and operating

roles across food, manufacturing, consumer products, service, retail and

distribution companies, ranging in size from start-up to Fortune 50.

International experience across 5 continents. Exceptional team player and

leader. Outstanding relationship building skills. CPA and MBA in Finance.

KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS

. Architect of a financial plan that improved sales by more than $450

million.

. Improved operating earnings approximately 200% in one year.

. Valued and successfully negotiated the sale of multiple operating

units.

. Led financial negotiations of a joint venture with sales exceeding $1

billion.

Streamlined financial reporting function, reducing head count by 25%.

Improved international operations cash flow by +70% in less than one

year.

PROFESSIONAL experience

Chicago International trucks, llc, Schaumburg, Illinois 2007-

Present

$200 million multi location truck dealership (an operating unit of

NAVISTAR, Inc.)

Chief Financial Officer - Responsible for all financial functions,

including financial reporting, accounting, treasury operations, insurance,

forecasting, taxes and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. Key participant in

quarterly Board of Directors meetings. Staff of fourteen. Report to

President/CEO.

. Improved operating earnings approximately 200% in the first year as CFO

through enhanced margins, focused expense management and improved

financial analytics, while experiencing one of the worst new truck

markets in over 20 years.

. Improved the timeliness of financial reporting by reducing the monthly

close timeline more than 50%.

. Instituted financial standards for the leasing operations that drove an

overall portfolio ROI improvement of 25%.

. Concluded three fiscal audits with no required financial statement

adjustments. At the same time, reduced SOX control weaknesses from 56 to

1.

Resources global professionals, Chicago, Illinois

2006-2007

$800 million publicly traded consulting firm.

Project Manager - Responsible for the transfer of financial knowledge and

execution capabilities of a $3.3 billion service company relocating from

Chicago to Tennessee.

. Created, developed and led a team to document over 150 financial

processes in the areas of financial reporting, tax, internal audit,

financial planning & analysis, treasury and risk.

. Identified efficiency opportunities to improve accuracy and reduce

operating costs.

. Completed the assignment on time and under budget.

USF Corporation, Chicago, Illinois 2004

- 2005

$2.3 billion transportation (LTL) and logistics company. (Acquired by YRC

May, 2005)

Vice President, Finance & Strategy (January 2004 - June 2005)

. Developed the first ever 5 year strategic plan and accompanying financial

metrics.

. Established an overarching real estate strategy to maximize shareholder

value and provide financial flexibility while reducing the overall

effective tax rate.

. Evaluated potential acquisition companies and conducted negotiations.

INDEPENDENT consultant 2003

. Developed strategy to increase specific product market share for the

Coffee Division of Sara Lee Corporation.

MCDonald's Corporation, Oak Brook, Illinois 1994 - 2002

World's largest quick service restaurant company.

Senior Director Finance, Worldwide Supply Chain Group, Oak Brook, IL (July

01 - Dec 02)

Financial executive with CFO responsibilities for all financial management,

including internal audit and reporting of $11 billion annual product spend.

1. Initiated and led a cost study to determine and communicate "Best

Practices" among key multinational suppliers in order to drive down

McDonald's cost and improve supplier profitability.

2. Led negotiations to secure long-term pricing agreement with Coca-Cola to

ensure continued competitive advantage.

3. Provided business and financial counsel to Vice President U.S. Supply

Chain on a proposed strategic sale of a distribution center between

existing McDonald's suppliers.

Divisional CFO, Northeast Division, Philadelphia, PA (July 1997 - July

2001)

MANAGED A STAFF OF 21. ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL FINANCIAL ISSUES PERTAINING TO

SECOND LARGEST U.S. DIVISION ($4.0 BILLION IN SALES AND $400 MM IN

OPERATING INCOME) INCLUDING RESTAURANT PROFITABILITY, MONTHLY AND QUARTERLY

FORECAST OF BOTH P&L AND B/S, FINANCIAL REPORTING AND ANALYSIS, ACCOUNTING

POLICY AND CONTROL, ACQUISITION AND DIVESTITURE ANALYSIS, RENT SETTING AND

ENSURING APPLICATION OF FRANCHISING LAWS. REPORTED TO THE DIVISION

PRESIDENT.

. INITIATED AND IMPLEMENTED A FINANCIAL INCENTIVE PROGRAM THAT INCREASED

SALES BY $140 MM.

ESTABLISHED AND EXECUTED FINANCIAL STRATEGIES TO ACHIEVE DOUBLE-DIGIT

INCOME GROWTH.

Authorized key real estate investments/acquisitions that annually added $60

MM in sales.

Controller, Western Zone, Oak Brook, IL (October 1995 - July 1997)

Responsible for all financial issues including the formation of key

strategic partnerships, developing a long term franchising plan and

establishing rent for high cost real estate locations.

Lead financial role for this $2.2 billion zone (second largest zone within

McDonald's USA).

Architect of a key financial plan that improved sales by more than $100 MM

in this zone and ultimately was adopted company-wide, resulting in an

increase of more than $450 MM in sales.

Director of Planning & Analysis, Oak Brook, IL (June 1995 - October 1995)

Coordinated and managed the execution of the three-year budgeting process

for both McDonald's International and McDonald's USA.

Director of International Planning & Analysis Oak Brook, IL (August 1994 -

June 1995)

Responsible for the consolidation and overall review of the three-year plan

for 150+ international entities.

Middleby Corporation, Rosemont, Illinois 1991 - 1993

A publicly traded (NASDQ) leading foodservice equipment manufacturer.

Vice President, Corporate Controller

REPORTED TO PRESIDENT AND RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL FINANCIAL FUNCTIONS,

INCLUDING FINANCIAL ANALYSIS AND REPORTING, BOTH INTERNAL AND SEC,

ACCOUNTING POLICY AND CONTROL, ACQUISITION AND DIVESTITURE ANALYSIS,

CAPITAL EXPENDITURE ANALYSIS, RISK MANAGEMENT, MIS DEVELOPMENT, CUSTOMER

CREDIT APPROVAL, BUDGETING AND CASH MANAGEMENT. SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS

INCLUDED:

Improved operating earnings 60% in first full year as Corporate

Controller.

Valued and successfully negotiated the sale of an operating division.

Successfully negotiated revolving credit term facility with key

lender reducing interest costs by $300,000.

Implemented an international credit policy resulting in a reduction

in DSO of 15%.

Kraft Foods, Glenview, Illinois 1988 - 1991

One of the world's largest food manufacturers producing well-known consumer

brands.

Various roles and accompanying key accomplishments:

Manager of Finance

Developed and implemented acquisition/divestiture strategy for

company's largest individual division ($2 billion in sales).

Manager, Cost Investment & Analysis

DEVELOPED AND EXECUTED A SOYBEAN OIL HEDGING STRATEGY UTILIZING

FUTURES OPTIONS TO MINIMIZE PRODUCT COST FLUCTUATIONS. A 1 CENT CHANGE

IMPACTED OPERATING INCOME IN EXCESS OF $3MM.

MANAGER OF STRATEGIC PLANNING & ANALYSIS

LEAD FINANCIAL ROLE IN SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS OF A JOINT VENTURE

WITH + $1 BILLION SALES POTENTIAL.

Previous Professional Experience

Held financial and accounting positions of increasing levels of

responsibility with Staley Continental, Inc., Cimlinc, Inc., A. G. Becker

Paribas, Inc., and A. C. Nielsen Company.

Education

University of Notre Dame

BBA - Accountancy, May 1977

DePaul University

MBA - Finance, December 1984

CPA Illinois, May 1989

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