Robert R. Rogowski
*** ******** **** ********, ******** 60040 847-***-**** **************@*****.*** LinkedIn
Summary
A practical and forward-thinking financial executive with broad-based experience in consumer products, technology, energy, manufacturing, and distribution. Progressive skill in international and domestic operations, risk management, financial planning and analysis, M&A activity, SEC reporting, information technology, tax, human resources, and internal auditing. Significant board experience providing tactical and strategic solutions that evolve and steer and organization towards greater value and stronger profit margins. A strategic problem solver who applies broad business and technical expertise to deliver solutions that effectively integrate people, process, technology, and finances.
Business Process Optimization
Team Building/Leadership
Change Management
Financial Systems
Strategic Thought Leadership
Risk Management
Accounting/Reporting
Data Governance
Auditing
Information Management
Executive Communications
Board Leadership
Experience
BROADWIND ENERGY, INC. Cicero, Illinois
Vice President and Corporate Controller, Principal Accounting Officer
2011-2016
Served as member of leadership team and head of disclosure controls. Provided vision and leadership over financial consolidation and reporting, tax planning and compliance, accounting research, and finance and internal control systems. Presented quarterly results to BOD audit committee. Mentored finance and operational teams with fact-based, transparent communication to build mutual trust and ultimately ensure accurate financial reporting and strong internal control processes.
Led financial reporting transformation that concurrently remediated several material weaknesses.
Designed, developed, and documented choreographed close, reconciliation, and SEC reporting process.
Leveraged technologies to automate and drive efficiency in execution.
Developed collaborative relationship with external audit team to resolve complex accounting issues.
Steered finance organization through difficult period with calm and persistent focus, developing company-wide control systems while concurrently managing accounting functions of largest subsidiary over eight-month period.
Instituted comprehensive process to understand and control complex bill and hold revenue recognition situation.
Created new markets tax credit tax strategy course correction and related accounting, including variable interest accounting analysis and application.
MATERIAL SCIENCES CORPORATION Elk Grove Village, Illinois
Vice President and Corporate Controller 2007-2010
Led all financial reporting, planning, and control functions for domestic and international operations for this Tier 2 automotive supplier. Led board of directors’ disclosure controls committee. Stepped into vacant controllership and led finance team through period of challenging transitions. Filed delinquent 10-Q and timely filed 10-K and first Proxy under new CD&A rules.
Rebuilt and significantly upgraded Finance team capabilities, repaired relationship with external audit partner, and greatly improved reporting and controls, establishing clear global policy.
Led finance through aggressive, multiple ERP implementations that replaced disparate legacy systems with common platform, including Hyperion for profit analysis, planning, and reporting.
Additional Experience
WMS INDUSTRIES, INC., Waukegan, Illinois, Vice President Business Solutions, 2005-2006. Served as member of CEO’s executive committee and founder and leader of business process steering committee. Led project to establish control over inventory and related planning function. Reduced inventory $20,000,000 from all-time high. Instituted advanced planning and material control function. Reorganized department and focused efforts on enhancement projects. Launched custom accounting system, automating reconciliation of company’s highest-earning leased games.
Vice President Finance and Controller, 2000-2005. Served as member of executive committee, and founder/leader of board of directors’ disclosure controls committee. Oversaw IT and all financial reporting and control functions (75 employees), including budgeting and forecasting, financial analysis, internal and public SEC reporting, tax planning and compliance, treasury, risk management, and internal control certification. Demonstrated excellence in public reporting and controls in compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley. Led the team that established company’s first international subsidiaries.
Vice President Finance, 1996-2000. Directed WMS Gaming division internal financial reporting and control functions, including budgeting and forecasting, financial analysis, standard cost system for discrete manufacturing with multilevel BOM, internal operational reporting, as well as IT and human resources. Created clear, concise financial analysis to support $60,000,000 charge related to patent infringement lawsuit reviewed by SEC and IRS four years later without adjustment or restatement. Established accounting policy critical to maintaining strong balance sheet and competitive position in industry.
Director Internal Audit, 1992-1996. Created and managed corporate-wide full scope financial and internal control function, including all operating subsidiaries (arcade games, home game software, and hospitality management).
HILLSHIRE BRANDS 1982-1991. (F/K/A SARA LEE CORPORATION, a Fortune 100 company), Chicago, Illinois, Manager Business Planning. Supported president with operationally focused analysis of strategic and annual plans and capital expenditures. Manager Internal Audit. Led and performed audits relied upon by external CPA.
Education
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, Chicago, Illinois, MBA, Finance, 1991.
NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY, DeKalb, Illinois, B.S., Finance, 1981.
Certification
CPA, Illinois, 1983
Affiliations
AICPA, ILCPA
Technical Skills
ERP Systems, Oracle, TCM, MS Dynamics GP, MS Office, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, Outlook, Visio
Robert R. Rogowski
775 Endicott Road Highwood, Illinois 60040 847-***-**** **************@*****.*** LinkedIn
Key Accomplishments and Core Competencies
Manufacturing, Processing and Distribution
Carried out extensive audit work for Hanes Hosiery, Adams Millis Socks, Jimmy Dean Meats, Hillshire Farms & Kahns, Sara Lee Bakery, WMS Industries manufacturing, parts sales, distribution, Booth Seafoods, PYA Monarch, Moccomat Coffee, Superior Coffee.
International Experience
Oversaw audits for Booth Winnipeg, Booth Matamoros, Sara Lee Toronto, Canadelle Montreal, Kiwi Shoes Montreal, Aris Isotoner Philippines, Williams Hospitality (including El San Juan Resort, Condado Plaza, and El Conquistador) in Puerto Rico, Bell Fruit UK, Panama & Brazil development teams.
Established entities, set up reporting and controls for WMS Spain, South Africa, Australia, Canada; MSC Germany, Singapore and China.
Due Diligence
Led and participated on teams, including Ozark Salad co, Coach Leatherware, PYA Monarch, Sirena Swimwear, Booth Fisheries, Popsicle Brands, Big Foot Gaming, Acres Gaming, Bell Fruit, MSC Philadelphia, Broadwind Services, casino development in Panama, slot route development in Brazil.
SEC Reporting/ CPA Liaison
Performed SEC reporting in all facets, including research, reporting, and negotiations with SEC staff.
Served as corporate controller and accounting officer for three publicly-traded corporations, with experience with Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, Grant Thornton & RSM McGladry.
Taught SEC reporting to two accounting managers.
Treasury & Fund Raising
Managed treasury function and banking relationship at WMS including $150,000,000 preferred stock issue.
Participated in cash planning, treasury and cash flow forecasting in each controllership role, including borrowings (Factoring, LOC, ABL) and public offerings (S-1, S-3).
Human Resources Management
Managed general HR, benefits administration, policy development and recruiting at WMS Gaming division.
Designed short-term compensation plan for WMS Industries.
Audit (10 years total experience)
Performed control and substantive testing relied upon by Arthur Anderson for one third of Sara Lee attest.
Established first Internal Audit function at WMS; led and executed audits for four years.
Created first WMS Puerto Rico-based casino Internal Audit function.
Held controllership at WMS, MSC and Broadwind requiring heavy interaction with internal and external audit.
Inventory Planning and Cost Accounting Systems
Solved significant inventory planning problem with reimplementation of MRP system and development of inventory monitoring tools including part’s life cycle process at WMS.
oReduced inventory $20,000,000 and gained control over parts planning.
oRe-established master scheduling function.
Reengineered and standardized cost accounting process and bridge to plan at WMS and MSC.
Financial Planning and Analysis
Performed complex modeling and high-pressure analysis as Sara Lee President's business planning manager.
Developed systems and process at WMS and oversaw function.
Complex GAAP and Accounting Research
Established $60,000,000 reserve for patent infringement suit without restatement by SEC or adjustment by IRS.
Instituted accounting NPNS futures contract accounting; later converted to derivative accounting.
Gained expertise in discontinued operations and held for sale accounting.