Manager Sales
Resume:
Robert Merrill
Campbell, CA 95008
**************@*****.***
Finance/Accounting Skills
Establishing & managing Credit & Contract Negotiation & Review
Collection Departments Policies, Processes
& Procedures
Presentations to Executive Management on Managed External Auditors & Legal
Departments' Performance to Plan/Goals Counsel
A/R Global SOX Lead Revenue Recognition/Financial Analysis
Accounting Fundamentals/GAAP
Special/Problem Asset Work-Outs
Finance Modeling/Forecasting Treasury/Investment/Cash Management
Short & Long-Term Budget Planning Uniform Credit Analysis for Banking
Experience
Pacific Capital Bancorp June
2010 to present
Vice President, Sr. Special Assets Officer -
Responsible for managing a portfolio of complex Commercial, Industrial
&/or Commercial Real Estate Problem loans. Objectives are to develop,
negotiate and recommend strategies to maximize recovery and reduce
losses. Work closely with borrowers, executives and attorneys to review
and restructure credit and repayment terms to better secure,
collateralize, and attain an equity position or charge-off loans as
appropriate. Utilize a high degree of independence in managing
portfolio.
BankVisionInc. July to
November 2009
Audit Consultant -
Provided auditing for banking clients of the firm focused on risk
management. This included internal audit, compliance and credit review.
BankVision's clients range from "de novo" institutions that may need a
complete package of risk management services to multi-billion dollar
regional banks that require audit "augmentation" in specific technical
areas. Objective was to provide institutions with bank auditing services
that allow it to identify, measure and respond to present and developing
risks and environmental challenges.
Seagate Technology, Scotts Valley, CA
2007 to 2009
Director of Finance -
. Responsible for collections for North and South America (A/R of $500
million to $750 million), US Sales Programs and two groups of the
firm's Global Financial Services Group ("GFS") in Thailand.
. Four direct reports, approximately 35 total employees. Direct
Reports; Senior Manager Collections, Manager A/R Reconciliations,
Manager Sales Programs & Cash Applications.
. Joined the firm during the time when we were aggressively expanding
direct relationships with major retailers. Met and worked directly
with these customers to improve our communication and respective
processes.
. Intensively worked with internal groups to establish and improve
processes for this channel.
. From 06/29/07 to 03/28/08 the retail aging improved from 76.21%
current to 97.97%.
. Overall aging dropped from 80,000+ line items to 40,000+ and was
99.5% current.
. GFS attrition rate in 2007 was 65+%. This was reduced to 25% then 0%
for the subsequent years. US attrition rate was 0%.
Berger/Lewis Accountancy Corporation - San Jose, CA
2004 to 2007
Chief Operating / Financial Officer -
. Operating and Financial responsibility for two-offices and 65-
employees.
. Strategically directed operations with primary focus improving
profitability, timeliness and accuracy of invoicing, collection of
aged receivables and reporting of financial results.
. Reported to the Board monthly on results of revenue, costs and
profitability as compared to the budget.
. Achieved net revenue growth of 12.2% from '04 to '05, and 18%
improvement from '05 to '06.
. Reduced reliance on bank line from utilization of bank line from 10+
months a year to less than 2 months per year.
. Negotiated a new bank line 2X of previous line with the requirement
of personal guarantees of the business owners no longer required.
Seagate Technology, Scotts Valley, CA
2001 to 2004
Finance Manager - Americas' Credit & Collections -
. Oversaw credit and collections, cash applications, auditing and general
accounting, directing a team of 15.
. Worked closely with the Sales, Customers, IT and invoicing entities to
ensure quality & timeliness of invoicing.
. Brought a new level of transparency, presenting a detailed and accurate
representation of the accounts receivable.
. Led the Global Accounts Receivable initiative of Sarbanes-Oxley
compliance.
. Worked directly with Sr. Audit Partner of Ernst & Young for the firm's
first escheatment audit ("unclaimed property"). Initial determination
was $40M was owed to the State of Delaware. Reduced liability to $2.7M
through an intensive re-analysis and re-presentation of the data.
. Improved aging from 84.6% current to 100% current, during a sustained
period of rising sales working directly with Customers, Sales and
staff.
. Trained then delegated authority to the staff for increased decision
making authority. The staff was directed to identify key issues for
slow or non-paying customers, develop a strategy to improve collections
and continuously report results.
Independent Consultant, San Jose, CA
1994 to 2001
Consultant - Engagements were focused on credit and collections, cash
management, debt & equity negotiations, overall P&L and asset & liability
management, SOX testing and Auditing. Clients' revenues ranged from $1
million to $1 billion. In each case developed goals and reporting to
advise the senior management on progress towards achieving the
established goals.
Liquidated $2.5 million in A/R and other assets of ISP Channel
(Sunnyvale (2001) as the dot-com prepared to close. Recommended and
worked on a series of strategic decisions with the CEO and CFO. Met
the established/expedited time frame and closed the company.
Reduced past due balances 73% for PetroWest Equipment (Arroyo Grande
from 1999 to 2000) by significantly improving the credit and
collections process, invoicing and cash applications. Improved the
overall performance by the establishment of policies for performing
comprehensive credit checks on potential customers, timely invoicing of
the correct entities and instituted timely filing of mechanic liens to
initiate legal action for collections when needed. Worked
independently with outside legal counsel and had an average of 30+
ongoing legal actions.
Established the Credit and Collections department for Bindco
Corporation (Redwood City from 1994 to 1998), to support the company's
rapid growth. Member of the Executive Leadership Team, the firm's
banking relationship and other accounting functions. Prior to
consulting for Bindco, I was the company's Banker for 6 years.
Represented Current Logic against loan default litigation from major
lenders (Fremont 1998). Consulted with senior management, the board,
and legal counsel. Liquidated the business, avoiding immediate closure
of the firm, and positioning the business for a phased, orderly
shutdown.
Banking Experience, San Jose, CA
1978 to 1994
COMERICA BANK, Vice President/Corporate Loan Officer
07/91 - 07/94
FIRST INTERSTATE BANK, Vice President/Corporate Loan Officer
05/90 - 07/91
FIRST COMMERCIAL BANK, Vice President/Corporate Loan Officer
02/88 - 05/90
WELLS FARGO BANK, AVP/Business Banking Officer
03/85 - 02/88
WELLS FARGO BANK, Various branch positions
11/78 - 01/84
Summary of Banking Experience
. Developed & managed the borrowing and cash management needs of
private and public companies, including Fortune 1000, with borrowing
needs ranging up to $100,000,000.
. Performed credit analysis, reports and presentations.
. Analyzed financial statements, cash flows and financial projections.
. Monitored financial performance to customer forecasts, established
financial covenants and took appropriate action when needed.
. Developed and maintained excellent banking relationships with
business customers.
. Managed Special Assets (problem loans) - worked directly with
customers, internal and external counsel for resolution; periodic
reporting and formal credit write-ups/presentations for internal
review and approval.
. Managed Business/Personal Banking Officers, as well as the branches
outside sales and marketing efforts.
Education
Master of Business Administration, University of Phoenix
1985
Bachelor of Science, Finance, San Jose State University
1983
Professional Training
Directors' Leadership Development Program Champion, Seagate Technology
2009
Directors' Leadership Development Program, Seagate Technology
2008
Business (Sales) Professionals Course, Hecht & Associates
1997
Wells Fargo Uniform Credit Analysis ("UCA") Program
1988
A six-month full-time program focused on accounting, credit and cash
flow analysis and financial modeling.
Robert Merrill - References
**************@*****.***
(408) 828 - 8381
Patrick O'Malley III - EVP & CFO Glen Peterson - SVP Worldwide Finance
Seagate Technology Seagate Technology
Ph: 831-***-**** Ph: 831-***-****
Relationship: Former Dept. SVP Relationship: Former Dept. VP & Mentor
Linda Myers - Managing Director Marc Verissimo - Chief Strategy Officer
BankVisionInc. Silicon Valley Bank
Relationship: Employer & Friend Ph: 408-***-****
Ph: 510-***-**** Relationship: Former Manager
Martha Sanford - Former Partner Sue Weber - Former Partner
Berger/Lewis Accountancy Corp. Berger/Lewis Accountancy Corp.
(Retired) Weber/Neghandhi Company
Ph: 408-***-**** Ph: 408-***-****
Relationship: V/P & Shareholder Relationship: Executive Committee & Manager
Pat Carney - Consultant & CPA George Hernandez - Consultant & CPA
Former Audit Partner Former CEO/CFO
Ernst & Young ISP Channel
Ph: 925-***-**** Ph: 510-***-****
Relationship: EY Project Lead at Relationship: Former Manager
Seagate
Brad Bosomworth - Attorney Michael Peter - Sr. Credit Manager
Partner/Owner Collections & A/R
Sweeny, Mason, Wilson & Bosomworth Ph: 408-***-****
Ph: 408-***-**** Relationship: Indirect & Direct report at
Relationship: Business Colleague Seagate Technology
Miguel Vinaja - Sr. Manager - Kanapat Tanatha - Sr. Analyst
Collections & A/R Sales Programs
Seagate Technology Ph: 831-***-****
Ph: 831-***-**** Relationship: Indirect & Direct report at
Relationship: Direct report at Seagate Technology
Seagate
Hector Benitez - Credit Manager Michael Passarelli - Owner/Broker
VeriSign State Farmer Insurance
Ph: 408-***-**** Ph: 209-***-****
Relationship: Direct Report at Seagate Relationship: Business Colleague & Mentor
Danny Lonergan - Realtor Ben Towne - CPA
Coldwell Banker Berger/Lewis Accountancy Corp.
Ph: 650-***-**** (408) 294 - 1228
Relationship: First employer, Relationship: Business Colleague
personal friend 30+ years
Dave Vandenhoek - Executive Carey Burke, MBA - Personal Friend 30+ years
Director/Chief of Staff for CEO
Seagate Technology Self-Employed
Ph: 831-***-**** Ph: 650-***-****
Relationship: Indirect Co-Worker
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