Human Resources Management

Michael Kondourajian, MBA ***-***-

**** (cell)

**** ********** **** ***** ***-

***-**** (home)

Naperville, Illinois 60564

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

SUMMARY:

A motivated, proactive financial executive with an MBA in finance and

extensive experience in financial leadership and information technology in

the publishing, insurance, retail, market research and manufacturing

industries. Major strengths in strategic planning, financial evaluation and

problem solving. Adept at interpreting business and financial trends used

to drive shareholder value and improve bottom line results. Proven track

record of creating and executing corporate strategy and enterprise

operational improvements. A persuasive, skillful individual who affects

positive change and delivers favorable results.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

PIONEER CLUBS, Carol Stream, Illinois 2009 - Present

Chief Financial Officer

Executive leadership responsibility for driving efficiencies in corporate

accounting, finance, human resources, and operations. Leading re-

engineering efforts to streamline support operations, including functional

shared services processes and reporting. Working with President/CEO on

turnaround efforts including cost containment, product mix and pricing

changes, supply chain management, cash and investment management, and

overall revenue growth strategies. Report to the President/CEO.

. Improve net income performance by 39% through restructuring and expense

management efforts.

. Coordinate with CEO, Board of Directors, and the Finance Committee on key

policy initiatives.

. Improve the annual budgeting process, resulting in a better understanding

of operational strengths and weaknesses.

. Lower company cost structure through close management of key expense

drivers.

. Manage treasury and investment funds to ensure sufficient cash liquidity.

. Streamline accounting and financial processes, freeing up staff to focus

on internal controls and accuracy.

. Revise and develop new market penetration strategies with CEO and head of

Marketing.

. Renegotiate bank line-of-credit to lower company risk and free up

underutilized assets.

GANNETT HEALTHCARE GROUP (A Gannett Co.), Hoffman Estates, Illinois 2006 -

2009

Executive Vice President / Chief Financial Officer

Executive leadership role and key advisor to CEO on strategic matters

including acquisitions, divestitures, corporate structure, and growth

plans. Full responsibility for finance, accounting, audit management, SOX

compliance, acquisitions, contract negotiations, cash management, and

comprehensive financial reporting and analysis. Worked with executive team

on key strategic issues. Reported to the CEO.

. Served as the top financial executive responsible for leading all

business analysis, financial reporting, accounting, audit coordination,

cost control, and risk management.

. Participated in special projects with the CEO and senior executives

related to acquisitions, new business development, partnerships, and

other key business activities.

. Developed and maintained sufficient internal controls and manage

financial accounting data to ensure strict Sarbanes Oxley compliance to

safeguard company assets.

. Led the preparation and consolidation of the annual operating budget and

associated financial metrics used to evaluate and manage the company's

financial health.

. Supported revenue generation and new business development through pricing

support and review of major customer programs, promotions, and contracts.

. Reviewed and negotiated vendor and customer contract terms and worked

with inside and outside legal counsel to manage legal risk.

MICHAEL KONDOURAJIAN ~ *****@*****.*** ~ 630-***-**** ~ Page 2

THE BLACKSTONE GROUP, INC., Chicago, Illinois 2004 - 2006

Vice President of Finance & Administration

Senior leadership role with full responsibility for the corporate

accounting, finance, technology, human resources and administrative

functions. Charged with developing and leading corporate restructuring and

turn-around efforts. Strategic initiatives included expense restructuring

and cost containment efforts, process re-engineering, and organizational

realignment. Worked with Board of Directors on key strategic issues.

Reported to the President/CEO.

. Managed cross functional departments effectively and ensured timely and

accurate reporting of all corporate accounting, finance, information

technology, human resources, and administrative information.

. Advised on changes to capital structure, reduction of headcount, and spin-

off of underperforming operating unit to streamline operations and

stimulate outside capital investment.

. Issued new policies and procedures to tighten inefficiencies in corporate

accounting, finance, human resources and technology, which resulted in

greater staff productivity and improved focus on key corporate

initiatives.

. Created new processes for managing operational and financial metrics,

including a quick response process for cost overruns on key client

projects.

. Designed, built, and implemented new operational reporting systems, which

empowered senior managers with relevant, real-time information necessary

to manage operations and grow the company.

MOMENTUM CONSULTING SERVICES, INC., Aurora, Illinois 2001 - 2004

Founder & CEO

Led all aspects of a start-up finance and technology consulting venture

including business plan development and incorporation, initial launch,

overall market penetration strategy, and key business development efforts.

Large and small regional corporate engagements were acquired and managed.

. Contracted a senior consultant to manage a large technology disaster

recovery engagement for a $1 billion transportation company in Chicago.

Consultant completed project on time and on budget.

. Contracted for a restructuring engagement to analyze business operations

of a small leasing company and provide business improvement

recommendations.

. Served as Interim Vice President of Finance, Treasurer for an internet

startup in Chicago. Later retained as a contractor to manage all

accounting, finance, and investor relations activities including

supporting VC/private placement capital funding, coordinating investor

relation activities, establishing and maintaining banking and credit

relationships, managing cash flow, and developing and maintaining all

corporate financial policies, processes and procedures.

CNA FINANCIAL CORPORATION, Chicago, Illinois 2000 - 2001

Director of Finance & Controller - Commercial Insurance Business Technology

Key participant in building the strategic vision for Business Technology

and advised on I/T capital utilization, improved internal evaluation

processes, partnered with senior management to stay within operating

budgets and re-engineered all financial planning, forecasting, reporting

and analysis. Reported to the Senior Vice President of Finance & Project

Management.

. Selected to participate in a new Corporate Business Leadership Program

designed to prepare senior management for top executive roles. Knowledge

gained was applied to all aspects of financial management and leadership.

. Elected to the Business Technology Leadership Team Advisory Council that

discussed and advised on strategic issues and resulted in improved I/T

capital investment decisions.

. Interpreted and presented consolidated financial position to executive

management which helped identify 20% of total budget as underutilized

capital due to delayed projects.

. Improved all business and financial analysis through the creation of new

financial reports that resulted in a $1.2 million savings of I/T

spending.

MICHAEL KONDOURAJIAN ~ *****@*****.*** ~ 630-***-**** ~ Page 3

. Designed, developed and implemented a new financial planning and

forecasting system for 2001 Business Technology operational planning,

saving planning managers 40% of planning hours.

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., Hoffman Estates, Illinois 1996 - 2000

Controller - Sears Financial Products (1998-2000)

Enhanced finance and accounting operations for a Sears's insurance business

unit by working with senior management to improve key financial drivers and

visibility to operational strengths and weaknesses.

. Identified financial strengths and weaknesses in the business model and

recommended actions resulting in the repositioning of the product mix,

pricing changes, and new marketing channels.

. Quantified revenue, profit and net income lift derived from new and

alternative products, resulting in enhanced financial performance.

. Improved financial reporting and analysis that reduced operating expenses

by leveraging economies from other internal business units.

. Directed all operational and strategic planning and forecasting efforts,

which allowed senior management to focus on business growth.

SEARS, ROEBUCK AND CO., Hoffman Estates, Illinois

Consultant - Financial Processes and Systems (1996-1998)

Selected to be on a core team of Finance/IT professionals for a top company

initiative to re-engineer all enterprise wide financial processes and

systems and guide corporate finance, I/T and business teams through

integrated financial system software implementations.

. As a core team member, developed a multi-phase, multi-million dollar

business case for project justification that was approved by the Chairman

and CEO and was used to complete the project on time and on budget.

. Identified system process improvement opportunities and cost reductions

resulting in the potential elimination of 80% of existing financial

systems after all phases of the project were complete.

. Implemented the PeopleSoft Projects module as part of a major cost

reduction initiative and developed new capital approval processes

resulting in more control and analysis of capital utilization.

. Created integrated cost and scheduling capabilities for improved cost

tracking, leveraging the integrated nature of PeopleSoft and reducing the

capital procurement function by 30%.

MILLWARD BROWN INTERNATIONAL, Naperville, Illinois 1994 - 1996

Cost Analyst - Corporate Finance

Managed numerous ad hoc financial projects for the Chief Financial Officer

and directed all activity-based costing and financial analysis for North

American. Reported to the Director of Finance.

SEMLER INDUSTRIES, INC., Franklin Park, Illinois 1992 - 1994

Accountant - Corporate

EDUCATION:

Walter E. Heller School of Business Administration, Roosevelt University,

Chicago, Illinois

M.B.A., Finance, 1999. Graduated with honors.

Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, Illinois

Bachelor of Science, Marketing/Accounting, 1989.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SKILLS:

Wide range of technology skills including PeopleSoft (PC, AM, GL,

PeopleTools), Hyperion Essbase, OutlookSoft, MSG, Business Works, Wired for

OLAP, QuickBooks Pro 2003, Microsoft Office 2007, Windows XP/Vista, LANs,

WANs and 3/N Tier Client/Server technology.

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