Manager Management
Resume:
STEPHEN G. KULA
Appleton, Wisconsin 54911
Cell: 920-***-****
******@*****.***
Summary
Highly accomplished, knowledgeable finance and accounting professional with
over twenty years of wide ranging experience. Results driven manager with
a track record of success in leading complex projects.
Strategic planning and budgeting Acquisition and divestiture analysis
and execution
SEC reporting Integrated systems implementations
US GAAP interpretation and Financial modeling and risk
implementation management
Treasury and cash management High-level external relationship
management
Debt financing and covenant Sarbanes-Oxley compliance experience
compliance
Organizational re-engineering and Cost accounting and variance
lean initiatives analysis
Capital expenditure analysis Capital and tax structures (C Corp,
S Corp, ESOP)
Staff management and development Financial statement generation
Professional Experience
APPLETON PAPERS INC., Appleton, Wisconsin
1985 - 2009
A $1 billion, employee-owned manufacturer of technically advanced papers
and packaging films with manufacturing operations in Wisconsin, Ohio,
Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, with 2,200 employees.
Divisional Controller (2008-2009)
Managed financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting for packaging films
division.
. Created value added analysis and linkage of financial results to
divisional goals and objectives while strengthening financial knowledge
of key leadership team members.
. Developed divisional internal control framework for the division to
support the company's Sarbanes-Oxley compliance efforts.
. Developed and executed a post go-live optimization plan for an ERP
implementation, which resolved over 40 system and procedural issues.
. Developed and mentored nine staff members to meet the changing needs of
the business and the new ERP system.
. Assumed additional responsibilities for developing all financial
documents, including long-range plans; Information Memorandum; management
presentations; and due diligence responses for a pending divestiture
within the division.
Executive Director - Strategic Planning, Forecasting and Budgeting (2007-
2008)
Developed long-range financial models, including impacts of potential
acquisitions and divestitures on company share price. Advanced expertise
related to the company's ESOP structure.
. Advised the CEO Council to amend the company pension plan which resulted
in a reduction in the pension benefit obligation of $10 million.
. Developed all financial documents, including long-range plans; Offering
Memorandum; Rating Agency presentations; management presentations; and
due diligence responses to successfully execute a $375 million credit
facility which saved $1.6 million in annual interest expense.
. Succeeded in reducing the annual budget process by two weeks as a result
of leading the first major lean office process improvement event.
STEPHEN G. KULA Page 2
. Shortened the semi-annual company stock valuation process by two months
by utilizing lean process improvement techniques.
. Developed a robust financial model to forecast semi-annual company share
price valuations and cash flow requirements or repurchase liabilities to
meet ESOP distribution requests and achieved lender covenant compliance.
Corporate Controller (1997-2007)
Managed the preparation of the company's SEC 10-Q and 10-K filings,
quarterly earnings releases, consolidation of monthly financial results and
the annual budgeting process. Maintained and advanced key relationships
with external audit firm, independent third-party company stock valuation
firm, credit rating agencies, and strategic financial and banking
institutions. Managed the treasury function. Developed expertise in long-
range financial modeling and in the ESOP capital structure of the company.
. Achieved successful completion of the $810 million employee buyout of the
company from a foreign parent. Developed long-range financial models,
prepared historical divisional financial statements for the portions of
the company that Appleton Papers acquired from its former parent company,
served as the key contact during the due diligence process, developed
significant portions of the Company Prospectus and Offering Memorandum
and obtained necessary credit agency ratings.
. Managed treasury functions with pro-active cash management skills to
ensure on-going compliance with lender covenants.
. Implemented US GAAP purchase accounting related to four acquisitions,
totaling over $180 million, including the operations of a foreign entity.
. Performed financial due diligence related to four company acquisitions
over a two year span.
. Successfully executed several complex debt refinancing projects that
resulted in added flexibility to meet the on-going needs of the company.
The projects included lowering interest expense, extending debt
maturities, amending the ability to make acquisitions and retiring
subordinated debt.
. Led the major transition to an SEC-reporting company for external
financial reporting and was a member of the company's Disclosure
Committee through 2009.
. Successfully managed the implementation of all headquarters financial
processes (general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable and
fixed assets) for the company's ERP conversion project.
. Reduced costs in excess of $125,000 through the centralization of the
company's accounts payable and fixed asset functions.
. Awarded the company's prestigious Golden Apple Quality Award in both 2001
and 2002 for recognition of the successful ESOP implementation.
Plant Controller, West Carrollton, OH (1992-1997)
Managed the general accounting, cost accounting, fixed assets and payroll
functions with a facility annual operating budget of approximately $175
million. Areas of responsibility included the monthly close process,
implementation of cost reduction initiatives, development of annual budget
and preparation of financial justifications for capital expenditures.
Served as a leader and significant contributor of the mill management.
Accounting Manager - Thermal Business Unit (1989-1992)
Senior Accountant - Specialty Products (1988-1989)
Accounts Receivable and Fixed Asset Supervisor (1987-1988)
Accountant - Fixed Asset Analyst (1985-1987)
EDUCATION
MBA, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI, 1992
BS, Accounting, St. Norbert College, DePere, WI, 1985
PROFESSIONAL ADDENDUM
Computer Competencies
JD Edwards
Microsoft Axapta
Microsoft Office
Publications
"Appleton Papers: Taking Waste Out of the Annual Budgeting Process",
Managing Times, pp. 23-24, Q3 2008
Recent Professional Achievement
Panel member
ESOP Association's Repurchase Obligation Seminar
Chicago, IL
September 2007
Recent Professional Development
Selected as one of two senior-level financial representatives from Appleton
Papers to attend the Financial Leadership Academy series presented by the
CFO Executive Board
"Identifying Key Leadership Attributes and Managing Change"
St. Louis, MO
March 2007
"Learning How to Manage the Upside and Downside of Business Risk"
Miami, FL
September 2007
Senior-level Appleton Papers conference participant
"Lean Sigma for Process Industries"
Appleton, WI
Spring 2007
"Repurchase Obligations" seminar hosted by the National Center for Employee
Ownership
St. Louis, MO
Spring 2007
Professional Affiliations
Member of the Board of Directors
Clarity Care
Oshkosh, WI
2008 - Present
Contact this candidate