ROBERT F. CONNORS, CPA

***** ******** *****

Westlake, Ohio 44145

440-***-**** ■ ac4y3j@r.postjobfree.com

Finance/Accounting Professional

Over 25 years of diverse experience with a Big Four public firm, manufacturing plant level and corporate office leadership roles. Experience operating/implementing general ledger, manufacturing, and consolidation software systems. Strong technical, supervisory and project management skills. Hard working and highly motivated. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Professional Experience:

Swensons Drive-In Restaurants, LLC, Akron, Ohio

($20M, 8-unit restaurant chain serving made to order burgers, crispy sides and milkshakes.)

Chief Financial Officer 2017 to Present

Member of Executive Leadership Team implementing growth strategy with Private Equity backing.

Responsible for internal reporting of financial results in US GAAP.

Manage banking relationship, ensuring capital availability to execute growth strategy.

Prepare annual budget, 5 year plan, and cash forecast projections.

Vita-Mix Corporation, Olmsted Township, Ohio

($500M manufacturer of high performance blending equipment for commercial and household use.)

Director – Finance and Corporate Controller 2005 to 2017

Held full responsibility for all accounting functions of the organization (consisting of nine separate legal entities). Manage 23 member staff responsible for General Accounting, Financial Reporting, Payroll, Cash Management, Cost Accounting, Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable.

Member of Senior Leadership Team that managed period of tremendous growth ($80M to $500M+).

Responsible for internal reporting of financial results to Executive Leadership and Board of Directors.

Served as lead contact with Bank Syndicate on the restructure of $85M Asset Based Loan credit facility. ($20M Term Loan; $65M Revolver.)

Partner with the Business Units on strategy and financial performance impact.

Coordinate budgeting process for 12 Profit Centers and 26 Support Centers.

Establish policies and procedures that ensure proper internal controls.

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics, Aurora, Ohio

($800M manufacturer serving the automotive, medical, aerospace and other industrial markets.)

Manager, General Accounting 2003 to 2005

Managed 14 member staff responsible for General Accounting, Financial Reporting and Accounts Payable for Reporting Unit consisting of 22 manufacturing facilities.

Responsible for internal reporting of financial results in US GAAP, as well as French GAAP, and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)

Managed the audit process between external auditors and the 22 manufacturing sites, and 9 Strategic Business Units.

Established policies and procedures that ensure the proper internal controls.

Hawk Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio 1998 to 2003

($200M manufacturer serving the construction, aerospace and other industrial markets.)

Senior Corporate Accountant 2000 to 2003

Promoted to join the corporate accounting team and focus on monthly consolidation of 21 general ledgers, representing operating units in five countries, for the four operating segments.

Personally implemented a consolidation software package (Cognos Finance), as part of a Six Sigma Quality Improvement Project. Reduced monthly consolidation process from 15 days to six.

Reviewed and analyzed the financial statements of each facility on a monthly/quarterly basis, with a focus on an initiative to reduce working capital.

Provided required information and assistance to external auditors as part of the annual audit.

Assisted in quarterly and annual SEC filings.

Plant Controller - Wellman Friction Products – Brook Park Plant 1998 to 2000

(Division of Hawk Corporation)

($40M manufacturing facility serving the construction, heavy truck and aerospace markets.)

Held full responsibility for all accounting functions at the facility. Maintained general ledger, prepared and tracked progress against the annual operating plan and analyzed justification for all capital expenditures.

Managed a six member team responsible for A/R, A/P, payroll and cost accounting.

Member of QAD manufacturing and general ledger system implementation team.

Reduced the number of audit adjustments from 19 to zero in the first year.

Oglebay Norton Industrial Sands, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio

($25M mining operation serving the construction, oil & gas, and recreation markets.)

Assistant Manager of Accounting 1994 to 1998

Maintained general ledgers and prepared internal financial statements for six plants located throughout the United States. These remote sites did not have in-house accounting experience.

Supervised A/P.

Assisted senior management in budgeting and special projects.

Ernst & Young LLP, Cleveland, Ohio

Senior Accountant 1991 to 1994

Served primarily medium and multinational SEC and privately held manufacturing corporations.

Planned, executed and conducted all aspects of audits, including budgeting, staffing, evaluating results and preparing and issuing financial statements. Supervised, trained and evaluated staff.

Education and Training:

John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration (BSBA), May 1991 Major – Accounting

CPA – State of Ohio

Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants

Six Sigma Green Belt trained

Management Development Institute – University of New Hampshire - Browne Center (2004)

Strategic Financial Leadership Program – Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth (2010)

Leadership Deep Dive Program – Weatherhead School of Management (CWRU) (2012)

Other:

Albert Einstein Academy, Westlake, Ohio School Board – President

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