Sales Manager

Gerald "Mike" Buchen

**** * ********** ***, ***** 2-208, Aurora, CO 80116, 720-***-****

cell ********@*****.***

CEO / PRESIDENT / COO / General manager

Turnarounds / P & L / Startups / Crisis Management / Sourcing Capital / M &

A

Consolidation / Re-engineering / International / New Product Launches / JVs

& Alliances

Bold, results-driven leader who successfully formulates and executes

strategies aligning mission, operations, products and goals for competitive

advantage and improved ROI. Turned around multiple under-performing

operations, strategically repositioning and enhancing shareholder value.

Business experience ranges from several startups and small cap companies

like Skydex Technologies, Pro Parts Xpress, Central Garden Distribution,

Cadillac Plastic Group to Fortune 500 Payless Cashways.

o Guiding massive organization change effectively and quickly

o Supporting business turnarounds, rapid organic growth and M&A

activity

o Designing and implementing effective employee policies and

practices

o Developing restructure/closure plans, maximizing retention and

meeting goals

Key Skills: Seizing market opportunities and being a catalyst for change.

Motivating, managing and empowering staff at all levels to reach goals.

Identifying needs and implementing action plans on a global basis.

Integrating operations and business processes to achieve scale and optimize

operating performance. Recruiting and building high-performance teams.

Hold MBA, Rockhurst University. As would be expected, attended numerous

industry trainings and seminars on all aspects of corporate leadership,

operations, and sales. Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year (three

times).

Select Accomplishments

Business Turnaround. Rightsizing. Company rapidly running out of operating

capital. Analyzed situation. Discovered staff not producing. Reduced head

count immediately 50%. Reduced receivables and pushed out payables. Solid

base built for future success.

Establishing Branding Plan. Skydex had superior product but poor marketing.

As startup came to be noted as a Subject Matter Expert on saving lives of

the soldier. Created highly effective PR plan creating "buzz" and regular

visibility. Company sold $25M in product in one year with a 67% margin in a

highly competitive government space.

Penetrating the Federal Market. Skydex met criteria for small business set

asides and was not utilizing programs like "8A," Hub Zones," and others.

Conducted in-depth study and identified appropriate programs and JV

partners. Generated over $2.5M in revenues in one year.

Career Overview

Managing Partner, Buchen Consulting

2013 - Present

Actively pursuing consulting/mentoring assignments with youth groups,

startup and turnaround companies with a focus on the government/military

market. Current projects include:

President and CEO, Skydex Technologies, Inc., midcap manufacturer of

patented products to mitigate shock, vibration or energy forces,

2003 - 2012

Drove revenue to $54 million from $1.65 million and EBITDA to 40%.

Achieved positive cash flow in 18 months. Realigned business from

consumer/commercial to military. Created profitable complex relationships

with companies like Nike, Under Armor, Pearl Izumi, Osh Kosh, Navistar

and AMC General.

President and CEO, Pro Parts Xpress, Provider of auto parts selling

directly to the installer, 2001 - 2003

Led and directed exit strategy to the equity partners. Direct reports

included five LOB presidents, Sales, Marketing and Finance.

President and CEO, Central Garden Distribution, $230M reseller of lawn and

garden products, 2000 - 2001

Other increasingly responsible positions include: President, Cadillac

Plastic Group and Senior Vice President, Merchandising and Distribution,

SVP of Store Operations, Payless Cashways

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