Sales Customer Service
Resume:
JOSEPH M. GEREK
____________________________________________________________________________
________________
WOODSTOCK, GA 30189
******@***.**.***
cell 407-***-****
SUMMARY OF RESUME
Seasoned hands-on CFO/Controller possessing a diverse background with the
ability to lead and mentor staff in a team and collaborative environment to
successfully accomplish tasks, goals, and objectives set forth. Self-
starter that is goal oriented and results driven while maintaining the
highest ethical and professional standards using sound business judgment
and best management practices. Ability to work independently and with
groups from multiple disciplines. Utilize fact-based management practices
to successfully develop and implement policies, procedures, and programs.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Substantial experience
with Lean Flow Training/Manufacturing, Kaizen and Quality Improvement
Processes.
EMPLOYMENT Kerry's Nursery, Inc. / Twyford International - November 2003 -
August 2009
HISTORY Manufacturing - Ornamental Live Plants - Revenues: Begin.
$8.0mm - Ending $30.0mm
Held position of Chief Financial Officer, Director of Finance.
Promoted from Division General Manager. Responsibilities
include: Accounting/Finance, Treasury, Credit and
Collections, Legal and Insurance, Purchasing, Information
Systems and Technology, Human Resources/Employee Benefits,
General Administration and Corporate Reporting.
. Relocated all Corporate Accounting/Finance operations
from California to Florida during the first four months
of employment, including department staffing.
. Established Financial Controls and Reporting Structure at
all operating locations.
. Reduced Days Sales Outstanding from 80 to 41 days, along
with accelerating daily customer invoicing from 5 to 1
day, thus increasing cash flow.
. Reduced Company debt structure by 20% during first year.
. Reduced operating expenses company-wide by 30-35% during
fiscal year 2005.
. Developed and implemented financial projections and
accurate budgeting processes.
. Recommended and responsible for implementing company-wide
cost reductions and revenue enhancement changes resulting
in Company becoming profitable after several years of
reported operating losses at the Division and Corporate
levels.
. Member of Senior Management Committee and appointed
Secretary/Treasurer.
. Responsible for successfully structuring management buy-
out of Florida and Costa Rica operations along with
securing necessary funding for the transaction.
. Responsible for new business development at the Division
level including International Sales and Marketing.
. Negotiated domestic and international sales and licensing
agreements including Patents, Trademarks and Reporting.
. Initiated the implementation of Corporate-Wide
Information Systems upgrade along with Network
Administration solutions at all locations. Experience
with Epicor, Crystal Reports, FRX, Quickbooks, and Excel
at an advanced level.
Direct Response Marketing, Inc - July 2002 - November 2003
Business to Business Sales & Marketing - Revenues $2.0mm
Held position of CFO/COO. Responsibilities included:
Accounting/Finance, Treasury, Credit and Collections, Legal
and Insurance, Purchasing, Administration and Employee
Benefits, Information Systems and Technology. Daily
operations of Call Center including staffing.
JOSEPH M. GEREK Resume-Page 2
. Established financial controls and reporting.
. Negotiated reduction of trade debt with vendors and various
lease agreements.
. Streamlined operations through staffing reductions while
achieving overall productivity gains.
. Experience with Quickbooks, Quicken, and Excel at an
advanced level.
WRS Motion Picture and Video Laboratory, Inc. - November 1994 -
September 2001
Manufacturing - Video & Audio Media - Revenues: Begin. $17.0mm -
Ending $30.0mm
Held position of Chief Financial Officer/Controller.
Responsibilities included: Accounting/Finance, Treasury,
Credit and Collections, Legal and Insurance, Purchasing,
Receiving, and Inventory Control, Employee Benefits
Administration, Information Systems and Technology.
. Established Financial Controls in all areas of the
Corporation, including Satellite locations.
. Restructured Short and established Long-Term Debt
Facilities, thus increasing credit availability by
approximately 300%.
. Established external Financial reporting, including
financial covenant maintenance and compliance.
. Developed annual budgets and projections along with
implementing financial forecasting.
. Restructured Credit Department, thus reducing Days Sales
Outstanding by 10 days resulting in improved cash flow
annually.
. Reviewed insurance programs/policies and effected cost
savings in excess of 40% annually.
. Recommended, secured financing, and coordinated the
acquisition of the Houston, Los Angeles, and New England
Satellite Facilities.
. Responsible for assisting in the review, selection and
implementation of Great Plains software information
system for corporate-wide use. Significant experience
with Excel and Microsoft Office Suite of products.
TRACO, Inc., A Three Rivers Aluminum Company - January 1990 -
November 1994
Manufacturing - Windows and Doors - Revenues: Begin. $60.0mm -
Ending $72.0mm
Held position of Chief Financial Officer/Controller.
Responsibilities included: Accounting/Financial, Treasury,
Credit and Collections, Legal and Insurance, Purchasing and
Subsidiary Management of a Restaurant/Lounge/Golf Club.
. Restructured entire Finance Department along with
establishing Financial Controls in all areas of the
Corporation.
. Reduced Finance Department Salary Expense by 34% during
first year.
. Restructured Short- and Long-Term Debt Facilities along
with bringing into compliance and via covenant reporting
in 1990.
. Principally responsible for turning business entity into
a profit mode in 1990 after three successive years of
significant losses.
. Accelerated month-end closings from 12 to 6 working days
along with implementing timely financial information
reporting internally and externally.
. Accelerated daily customer invoicing from 10 to 1 working
day while improving cash flow and collections annually.
. Developed annual budgets and implemented financial
forecasting and cash flow projections.
JOSEPH M. GEREK Resume-Page 3
. Completed Refinancing of all Debt Facilities including
negotiation of terms and covenants in 1994.
. Quality Improvement Team Chairperson.
. Prepared comprehensive Management Information System
proposal for entire Finance Department to automate and
integrate from manually intensive systems.
Heritage Communications, Inc. /DA-LITE Screen Company, Inc.
October 1984 - October 1989
Manufacturing - Communication Products - Revenues: Begin. $15.0 -
Ending $35.0mm
Held position of Chief Financial Officer/Controller. Other positions
included: Assistant Controller. Responsibilities included
Accounting/Finance, Credit and Collections, Data
Processing/M.I.S., Internal Sales and Customer Service, and
Employee Benefits Administration.
. Upgraded M.I.S., taking manually intensive systems and
converting to automated information systems.
. Developed and implemented Company-Wide Operating Budget,
beginning in 1984 for all functional areas of the
company.
. Recommended, acquired and was the Project Leader for a
fully-integrated software system package (BPICS)
encompassing Financial, Distribution, and Manufacturing
applications.
. Responsible for the Sales and Administrative integration
of two other Heritage entities into DA-LITE Screen.
. Prepared all Financial and related Narrative information
for the potential sale of DA-LITE by its parent in 1987.
. Assisted in the preparation, presentation and
negotiations for the Leveraged Buy-Out of DA-LITE from
Heritage in 1989.
. Responsible for the development of Asset Management
Controls including the implementation of Credit and
Collection Policies and Procedures, thus reducing DSO by
5 days and increasing Cash Flow in excess of $400,000
annually.
Heritage Communications, Inc. /Shaw-Barton, Inc. April 1984 - October
1984
Manufacturing - Media Printing - Revenues: Begin. $30.0mm - Ending
$30.0mm
Held position of Accounting Manager. Responsible for all facets of
the Accounting function, including General, Cost and
Payroll.
Republic Steel Corporation/Manufacturing Group - May 1980 - April
1984
Manufacturing - Industrial Products - Revenues: Begin. $45.0mm -
Ending $50.0mm
Held positions of Payroll Accountant, Corporate Accounting/Finance
Management Trainee, and Cost Accountant/Analyst through
successive progressions.
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Major:
Accounting/Finance
Youngstown State University
ACTIVITIES Member of National Association of Accountants and
Controller's Council, Greater
AND Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Leadership Pittsburgh Year IX, Member
of other
AFFILIATIONS: Civic and Social Organizations and continued on-going
Professional Development
and Education.
REFERENCES: Available upon request.
Contact this candidate