Accounting Sales

Dennis Szywala - CPA, CMA, Wharton MBA

** ******* *****, *************, *** York 14221

Home: 716-***-**** Email: ********@***.***

CFO and Operations Controller

Proven track record in Controller, Operations and Treasury functions with

private equity, family owned, public and multinational companies.

Emphasis on financial turnaround, working capital management and increasing

value through understanding the financials and their impact, analysis, cost

reductions, process improvements and asset management.

Impeccable integrity, high energy and hands-on work ethic.

Core Competencies

. Cash Flow Optimization Budgeting, Forecasting & Modeling

Financial Analysis Performance Metrics

Strategic Planning & Implementation Organization & Staffing Improvement

Internal Control / SOX Financial & Operations Systems

. Turnaround Management: As CFO and Controller, critical player in over

half a dozen successful changes in ownership. Over fifteen years in "cash

& turnaround focused" environments. Led significant upgrades in

operations, accounting &. finance. Reduced operating and payroll costs

from 10% to 50%. Aggressively drove major improvements in collections,

inventory, working capital, insurance, leases, pricing and credit terms.

. Systems: Critical in over 10 major implementations / enhancements of

ERP/MRP systems. Salvaged 3 failing implementations. Rebuilt /

implemented cost, internal control, reporting, production and other

critical systems.

. Planning: Created credible and measurable projections. Results include

justifying new financing, presenting strategic objectives, major capital

investment, sale of operations and waivers of mandatory pension fund

contributions.

Professional Experience

Plaintiff Support Services, Buffalo, NY 2007-Current

CFO. $25MM family owned specialty lending company.

Company merged into NYC based competitor. Transitioning responsibilities.

Hired to provide CFO leadership to a dramatically growing company's finance

operation.

Significantly improved borrowing processes, investor documentation and A/P

controls.

Sherwood Valve, Niagara Falls, NY 2006-2007

Division Controller. $75MM mfg. of pressure valves. Part of $3.5B Harsco.

Sold to equity investors in 2007. Position eliminated as part of

consolidation.

Hired to turnaround an underperforming division. Exponential improvement in

forecasting and budgeting. Responsible for all SOX activity.

Dennis Szywala; CPA, MBA Page 2

Dresser-Rand, Olean, NY 2004-2006

Controller. Aftermarket Products. $1.5B leader in the compressor/turbine

markets.

Left following sale to equity fund and major reorganization of Aftermarket

Operation.

Controller for the $1 billion worldwide aftermarket business. Dedicated

financial support for the management, client facing and service teams.

Budgeting, forecasting, financials, performance and operational analysis,

project justification and expense control.

- Implemented major change in parts stocking. Improved cash $3MM, profits

$1MM.

- Shared lead on the "Pricing Team". Instituted worldwide price controls

and increases by focusing on margin and of impact of cost changes. Yearly

profit of $5-10MM.

- Drove five-year & annual plans, forecasting and performance analysis.

Buffalo Color, Buffalo, NY 2000-2003

CFO VP Finance, Secretary & Treasurer.

$50MM equity owned mfg. of specialty chemicals. Inability to enforce

antidumping and $15MM pension liability resulted in Bankruptcy.

Recruited to lead a three year turnaround following the termination of

previous management and near bankruptcy. Improved liquidity and

profitability. Identified seriously under-funded pension liability. Drove

successful lawsuit against former trustees. Took charge of the bankruptcy

process. Point person for communications with lenders, attorneys, owners,

auditors, creditors and rating agencies.

- Downsized accounting, MIS and administration by 50% while improving

service.

- Responsible for ALL finance & accounting, payroll, audit, taxes and

insurance.

- Salvaged ERP system turning it into a working, efficient system in six

months.

- Key individual in maintaining liquidity and reducing costs. Reduced A/R

50%. Eliminated $1MM in consigned inventory through sales. Inventory

reduction of $3MM (50%). Reduced "at-risk" receivables by $1MM (60%),

anticipating defaults.

- Instituted integrated financial forecasting (IS, BS & CF) and a rolling

3 month daily cash projection. Identified critical liquidity problems one

year in advance.

- Reduced insurance 30%, PBGC pension negotiations, financing and audits.

- Responsible for selecting and transitioning to a new pension plan fund

manager.

Turnaround / Interim Consultant / CFO / Controller 1996-2000; 2003-2004

Focus on cash management, improving operational performance, general & cost

accounting, A/R, A/P, reporting, audit, internal control and rebuilding

staff.

CIW, CFO (PA); $50MM family owned metals fabricator. Led ERP selection,

reduced process costs, initiated the transition to GAAP from tax

accounting and implemented a successful steel price surcharge process.

Responsible for ALL Accounting, A/R, A/P, payroll, reporting, insurance

and audit. Declined permanent position.

Victor Electric Insulators, Consultant (NY); Specifically hired to create

a five year strategic model and manage a successful pension waiver with

the IRS and PBGC.

Prestolite, Controller (NY); Reorganized accounting and focused on staff

and process improvement for equity owners of this truck parts mfg.

Responsible for general and cost accounting. Left in anticipation of sale

to competitor.

Environmental Air Filter, CFO (CA & Toronto); Prior CFO terminated for

malfeasance. Installed internal controls; reduced working capital 30%,

A/R days from 73 to 50 days and positioned company for successful sale to

a competitor. Responsible for ALL general accounting, A/R, A/P, payroll,

reporting, audit, taxes, insurance and cost accounting. Position

eliminated following sale to competitor.

VMV. Acting CFO (KY); Equity owned locomotive rebuilder. Rebuilt finance

function. Responsible for ALL finance & accounting. Declined permanent

position.

GAF, Consultant and Acting VP Finance (NJ, TX); Integrated US Intec, a

major acquisition. Responsible for finance & accounting. Declined

permanent position.

Dennis Szywala; CPA, MBA Page 3

Graphic Controls, Buffalo, NY 1990-1996

Corporate Controller. $200MM LBO medical & industrial supplies

manufacturer.

Position eliminated with successful sale. Incentives required I stay until

sold.

Broad responsibility for monthly closings, general / cost accounting,

forecasting, budgeting, strategic planning, performance analysis, financial

reporting, consolidation and staffing and financial / operational MIS

applications. Led a team of 25 including division & plant controllers.

- Led turnaround of failing MRP implementation. Reductions in stock-outs 10-

20%, scrap 25%, cycle time 50%, inventories 30%. Improved service levels

10%.

- Restructured finance; reduced staff 20% and delivered strong productivity

improvements. Responsible for all general and cost accounting.

- Developed strategy and processes for international transfer pricing for

over 20,000 items. Designed processes to fairly allocate profits.

Increased sales, while minimizing tax liability.

- Implemented an Activity Based Cost model. Justified the sale of 2 product

lines.

Consolidated Aluminum, St. Louis, MO 1987-1990

Corporate Controller. $400MM US Operation of $6B Swiss based Al-Lonza,

Inc.

Position eliminated with sale to strategic competitor.

Directed strategic planning, budgeting, cost / general accounting,

reporting, analysis and consolidation for this manufacturer of aluminum

products. Direct responsibility for corporate accounting, plant controllers

and MIS. Led a team of 50. Key player in the sale of the company.

- Managed all general & cost accounting, A/R, A/P, payroll, closing and

reporting.

- Developed sales presentation. Guided potential purchasers. Headed the

"War Room".

- Designed and implemented financial models for strategic and divestiture

planning.

- Financial member of the team to justify, acquire, integrate and expand

product lines and raw material sourcing. Projects included a $50MM

aluminum can expansion, a $50MM acquisition and expansion of a consumer

packaging company and a $25MM acquisition and expansion of a recycling

facility.

- Salvaged failing MRP implementation at a sister company.

Early Career

Hands-on career development. Emphasis on the fundamentals of operations,

finance and accounting. Responsibilities included general and cost

accounting, payroll, A/P, A/R, closings, budgeting, forecasting and

performance analysis.

General Cable, Fortune 500 manufacturer of electrical wire and cable.

General Abrasive, Industrial material division of Fortune 200 Dresser.

Division Controller, Niagara Falls, NY; Plant Controller, Tampa, FL,

Memphis, TN; Operations Analyst, St. Louis, MO, Greenwich, CT, Cost

Accountant, Memphis, TN;

Education, Credentials and Affiliations

Wharton Graduate School, University of Pennsylvania, MBA - Corp Finance

State University of New York at Buffalo, BS - Business Administration

St. Louis & Memphis Universities, CPA exam requirements (evenings)

Financial Executives International - President of the Buffalo, NY Chapter

CPA in FL and TN CMA and CFM (IMA) CPIM and CIRM (APICS)

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