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Karl H. Driggs

**** ********* ****, ********* *******, OH 44118

216-***-****

ac1p4d@r.postjobfree.com

SUMMARY

Creative and innovative operations / human capital professional and Northeast Ohio business leader specializing in sustainable growth strategies / tactics for high growth organizations. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

SBGSolutions Nov 2016 - Present

SBGSolutions works with the “C” level leadership team of middle market companies in NE Ohio to assist them in strategic planning / succession planning / talent development initiatives. We utilize a simple, proven model that provides a sustainable process from preparation of the initiative all the way through accountability.

Owner and Managing Director (Nov 2016 – Present)

Main Street Gourmet 2014 – Oct 2016

Main Street Gourmet is a SQF Level II custom bakery specializing in specialty foods such as cookies, muffins, brownies, granola, loaf cakes, toppings and desserts. Main Street provides manufactured food products for food service, restaurant, and in-store bakery customers throughout the United States and Canada.

Chief Operating Officer (2014 – Oct 2016)

• Reporting to the CEO, lead operations of a $30+ million, 150 person food manufacturing company located in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

• Serve on interim leadership team to create succession plan for founders of the organization.

• Oversee all operational areas of the business including production, planning, maintenance, warehousing, logistics, human resources, food safety and quality assurance. SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Working jointly with founders of the company, developed and executed succession plans for all leadership areas of the organization.

• Created formal reporting and planning tools along with sustainable practices to create the desired environment for rapid growth and new management team.

• Formed operations team by assessing talent and hiring appropriate individuals to lead all major operational areas.

• Established Continuous Improvement / Lean Enterprise and Organizational Development departments to enhance operational strategy.

• Attained score of 96 on SQF annual surprise audit in April 2016. (Highest score in company history) Karl H. Driggs

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EBO Group Inc. 2011 – 2014

EBO Group Inc. is a product development and engineering company located in Sharon Center, Ohio. EBO Group Inc. is comprised of many operating companies including PT Tech, TransMotion Medical and AeroTorque. The operating companies offer highly engineered solutions to unique markets such as heavy industrial equipment, medical and sustainable energy. Chief Executive Officer (2012 – 2014)

• Elected by the Board of Directors as Interim CEO to reorganize the leadership of the operating companies to build a high growth and innovation focused team.

• Reporting to the Board of Directors, supported and enhanced the vision of EBO Group Inc. by developing high growth strategies for the unique operating companies.

• Responsible for the growth initiatives and business development for new and emerging markets within EBO Group’s core capabilities.

• Served as Interim President of the AeroTorque operating company which remains a start-up company supporting new products in the protection of the gearboxes that power wind turbines. Director – Human Resource Development and Administration (2011 – 2012)

• Created a Human Resource and Training department within EBO Group that supported the growth needs of the business

SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Led EBO Group through a challenging time of needed leadership succession planning and implementation while keeping the enterprise profitable through major downturn in historically strong primary markets. (Coal Mining, Capital Equipment, Medical)

• Initiated opportunity for improving gross margin by sourcing components in China and India

• Championed M&A initiatives to acquire an advanced embedded controls capability to enhance existing mechanical devices.

• Initiated the need for an advanced, data-driven product realization process to direct engineering and product development efforts.

• Restructured the overall leadership team to create a sustainable structure for growth while recruiting a middle management layer to support the overall strategy.

• Implemented a company wide quality initiative that embraced the need to bolster efforts in quality standards. (ISO 9001.2008)

• Pursued the divestiture of underperforming business units to maximize shareholder return.

• Facilitated company-wide training including New and Advanced Supervisor Effectiveness, Finance for Non-Financial Professionals and Lean Enterprise.

Apple Growth Partners (Formerly Moore Stephens Apple) 2004 – 2011 Apple Growth Partners is a regional business advisory firm of certified public accountants and business consultants. In addition to traditional accounting services, Apple Growth Partners provides privately owned businesses with services such as employee benefit planning, business valuation and litigation consulting, human resource consulting and information technology services. Chief Operating Officer (2004 – 2011)

• Reported to the Chairman and managed the daily operations of a 100 person regional firm with locations in Akron and Independence Ohio.

• Oversaw all operational areas of the firm including finance, payroll, human resources, internal technology, and firm administration.

Karl H. Driggs

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• As a member of the Apple Growth Partners executive committee, led all principal, shareholder and executive group initiatives for the firm.

• Executive sponsor and champion of Lean Enterprise / process improvement initiatives.

• Lean Enterprise and Strategic Plan Development consulting to clients.

• Oversaw and managed the implementation of the firm’s strategic plan as well as the strategic plans of the firms industry niches.

• Hands on responsibility for all staff and project scheduling for a $11mm consulting organization.

• Led the process for all firm merger & acquisition activity.

• Elected Corporate Secretary – January 2008 to 2011. SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Working jointly with the Chairman, designed and led implementation of Apple Growth Partners 1st strategic plan in 60 years and was an active leader in the development of the firm’s vision and shared values – Four time winner - NorthCoast 99 - September 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011

• Championed the firm-wide Lean Enterprise initiative resulting in gross margin improvements of 3.4% since 2009 – This equates to $400,000 in increased margin dollars.

• Assisted Apple Growth Partners in recognizing the highest revenue and margin growth in firm history while maintaining realization over 87%.

• Spearheaded effort for internal IT initiative creating world class process improvement in communication and redundancy between offices saving the firm upwards of $100,000.

• Managed the legal and operational aspects of the merger of a 25 person firm into the Apple Growth Partners organization resulting in increased revenues of $3mm. Equitec L.L.C., Westlake, OH 1997 – 2004

ICI Paints – North America, Cleveland, OH 1990 - 1997 EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Ashland University - 1988 Majors – Management Science, Marketing

Graduate Studies, Cleveland State University – 1991 to 1993 Marketing and Finance

Business Professionals Program, Hecht and Associates, San Jose, CA – 1998 to 2001 Balanced Scorecard Education, Harvard Business School – 2000 Certified Lean Master, Lean Enterprise Inc. - 2009 PROFESSIONAL / CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

Vice Chairman - Akron Chamber Excellence in Business Awards Committee Vice Chairman - Moore Stephens International Firm Administration Steering Committee Founding Member of the Emerging Leaders Academy – Upstream Academy Graduate of the Leadership Institute – AICPA

Associate Member of the Ohio Society of CPAs

Member of the Lean Enterprise Institute

Akron Start! Heartwalk – Executive Lead for Apple Growth Partners United Way of Summit County – Executive Lead for Apple Growth Partners

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