Paul M. Gratzel

** ******* ***** ***** ( Warwick, New York 10990

Home 845-***-**** ( Mobile 917-***-**** ( ablqpk@r.postjobfree.com

Senior Operations Executive

Chief Operating Officer ~ Vice President Operations ~ Director Operations

Expertise Across All Core Operational Functions Including

Human Resources ~ IT ~ Finance ~ Accounting ~ Legal ~ Insurance ~

Leadership & Team Development

Strategic Planning ~ Marketing & Business Development ~ Multi-Site

Operations

Versatile executive with 18 years experience in operations of mid-sized

companies. Proven ability to combine vision and insight with solid

technical skills, general management capabilities, innate understanding of

systems and processes, and strong business acumen to deliver strong results

in operating profits and efficiencies. Expert communicator, leader and team

builder who works well across all organization levels as well as with

outside vendors and clients. Experience across start-up, high-growth and

established businesses. MBA; BSBA.

-Key Areas of Leadership & Expertise-

Strategic Planning ~ Accounting & Finance ~ General Management ~ Budgets &

Forecasting ~ IT ~ Human Resources

Operating Policies & Procedures ~ Cost Containment ~ Revenue & Profit

Optimization ~ Productivity Improvements

Asset Management ~ Teambuilding & Leadership ~ Client Relations ~ Business

Development

Professional Experience

CETRA/CRI ARCHITECTURE PLLC, NEW YORK, NY ( 2008 TO PRESENT

Architecture and interior design firm specializing in residential high-rise

and boutique hotels

Chief Operating Officer

Report directly to ownership with prime managerial responsibility for

Accounting/Finance, Human Resources, IT, and Office Management functions.

Manage financial planning, performance, budgeting, and cash management for

firm and individual projects. Develop annual strategic plan including

identifying target markets, establishing financial and performance

objectives, refining organizational structure to support objectives and

identifying brand extension opportunities. Prepare and negotiate all

project contracts and oversee all legal matters in coordination with

outside counsel.

. Orchestrated financial plan which reduced projected $6M loss to

breakeven for 2009.

. Slashed monthly overhead 50% to bring expenses in line with projected

reduction in revenue.

. Reduced head count 40% while preserving core talent for an anticipated

return to growth in 2011.

. Negotiated subletting of 50% of office space on staggered lease terms

to allow for rolling re-absorption of space as economy improves.

. Conducted due diligence necessary to prepare firm to offer services

internationally; hired consultants to review international treaties to

develop strategic responses to taxation issues; created several new

business entities and revised organizational structure to incorporate

an international umbrella entity.

LeylandAlliance LLC, Tuxedo, NY ( 2000 to 2008

Developer of master planned, mixed-use "New Urbanist" communities

Senior Vice President of Operations (2006-2008)

Initiated and led annual strategic planning process with company ownership

and executive team. Reported to President with accountability for 9 direct

reports: Vice Presidents of Accounting/Finance, Construction, Architecture,

Master Planning, Sales/Marketing, Land Development, and Special Projects;

and IT and Purchasing Managers. Sourced funding (equity, acquisition,

development and mezzanine); vetted potential joint venture partners; and

prepared budgets. Evaluated acquisitions; created pro formas for existing

and prospective projects. Functioned as General Manger of award-winning New

Urbanist community, Warwick Grove, in Warwick, NY.

. Spearheaded creation of Montreal-based subsidiary company,

specializing in commercial planning and leasing of mixed-use projects,

which provided a competitive advantage when pursuing opportunities as

master developer in bidding for public/private projects; as an

example, affiliation with subsidiary resulted in selection of company

as master developer of a $300M mixed-use waterfront redevelopment

project.

. Obtained with ownership financing commitments including: $20M equity

for operations; $50M in public funds for infrastructure improvements

and parking structures, $100M million in acquisition and development

loans.

. Served as go-to and point-person to keep overall company operations

and individual projects on track.

Paul M. Gratzel ( Page Two

Home 845-***-**** ( Mobile 917-***-**** ( ablqpk@r.postjobfree.com

LelandAlliance, continued

Vice President Finance and Operations (2000-2006)

Sourced equity, acquisition & development, and mezzanine funding for start-

up operation and individual project development. Conducted site inspection

and/or reviewed due diligence (i.e., market studies, master plans,

proformas) to assess new projects. Established core accounting functions;

prepared operating budget and rolling 10- year pro forma for parent

company. Oversaw daily office operations, IT, staffing; liaison with

sites; obtained all company insurance; managed all Human Resource

activities. Participated in creation of policy manuals.

. Established all operational protocols-from sales through project

delivery; clarified areas of responsibility and elevated inter-

departmental communications, enabling company to hit targets on time

and on budget.

. Led implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system;

paired with Citrix server enabling real-time, centralized project

management across multiple states.

. Partnered with ownership on assembling pipeline of 3,000 mixed-use

residential units and 500,000+ square feet of commercial space with

projected build-out market value of ~$1B.

. Recommended and established regularly scheduled senior management

sessions including an annual offsite strategic planning session;

offsite trimester meetings to measure performance against established

strategic plan; and weekly meetings to address critical action items

from daily operations.

Intrawest-Mountain Creek, Vernon, NJ ( 1999 to 2000

Industry leading international resort developer

Director of Financial and Commercial Operations

Reported to Vice President Real Estate Development with responsibility for

maintaining all operating budgets, project pro formas and 3-year profit and

capital requirements planning. Processed all vendor payables and

receivables. Provided strategic insight in master planning process for

commercial development.

. Introduced critical interim financial controls during 12-month

corporate led transition to new accounting system.

. Participated with senior management in standardizing economic modeling

for commercial development, including creation of a 20-year financial

projection template and a visitor expenditure model.

. Served as primary decision maker for financial and commercial

management of $500M development project.

Kennedy Companies, Warwick, NY ( 1992 to 1999

Privately-held developer and manager of residential and commercial

properties

Manager of Property Management

Oversaw and reported on leases, terms, occupancy, rent roll, cash flow, and

receivables. Analyzed prospective properties, businesses and tenants.

Managed properties, drafted leases, interfaced with planning and zoning

boards. Assisted with financial and operational management of landmark

restaurant operation.

. Executed implementation of lease management system and conversion of

all leases to electronic files.

. Identified new revenue opportunities which resulted in portfolio

expansion from primarily multi-tenant commercial holdings into single-

tenant, triple net properties and residential apartments.

Education

MBA-MARIST COLLEGE, POUGHKEEPSIE, NY; 2007

BSBA-State University of New York (SUNY), Albany, NY; 1992

Professional Development / Certifications

The Environmental Financial Consulting Group (EFCG) CFO Conference (2009)

The Environmental Financial Consulting Group (EFCG) CEO Conference at

Harvard GSD (2009)

Pace University Law: Community Leadership Alliance ~ Leadership Orange

Computer Skills

Microsoft Office, MS Project, Citrix, Exchange, Timberline, BuilderMT, MRI,

SQL, ERP, Argus, Sema4, Newforma

Community Activities

Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors (1999-2004)

Town of Warwick Zoning Codes Revision Committee Co-Chair (2000-2001)

United Way Allocations Committeeperson (1999)

Contact this candidate