R. Karsten Sommer, MBA

**** ****** ****, **********, ** 45230 acz96d@r.postjobfree.com

513-***-**** https://www.linkedin.com/in/rkarstensommer

PROFILE

Forward-thinking and conscientious executive that successfully creates operational excellence through strategic insight and process improvement. Possesses exceptional analytical and communication skills, providing clarity and insight to complex issues. 20 years’ experience in manufacturing, non-profit, and economic development. Demonstrated accomplishments and expertise in:

Strategic Planning and Implementation

ERP/CRM Implementation

Product Development & Intrapreneuership

Contract Negotiation & Compliance

Grant Writing

Budgeting / Forecasting / Analysis

Cost Accounting & ABC Costing

Treasury / Bank / Investment Management

International Business

Lean / Six Sigma

EXPERIENCE

ART Metals Group, Fairfield, Ohio 2016-Present

Metal fabrication focusing on stamping, coining and assembling low carbon steel into engineered components for the automotive and industrial markets

Vice President Accounting & Finance

Implemented Cycle Count Program to identify inventory recording issues.

Lead Kaizen for the receiving process, eliminating many administrative steps and creating real time transactions.

Implemented Lynq production reporting to manage shop orders and report production at the work cell.

Redefined accounting practices to create stronger real-time reporting of results to the leadership team.

Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Cincinnati, Ohio 2005-2016

Fifth largest metro chamber of commerce in the United States representing approximately 5,000 members in Greater Cincinnati offering member programing, economic development, MBE & technology accelerators, advocacy, and community festivals.

Manager, Finance and Business Attraction (2013-2016)

Director, Finance and Accounting (2005-2013)

Analyzed big data set to better understand membership and program participation resulting in a shift in membership sales strategy to increase retention rates and drive non-dues revenue.

Led and designed financial schedules, accounting systems, and reporting structure for the Cincytech division in their successful ESP grant, generating $34,100,000 to grow our region’s start-up and technology

businesses.

Authored long term investment policy that increased our return by 500% the first year it was adopted.

Established and led a multi-region and multi-organization team to apply for the US Department of Development manufacturing designation. Awarded designation from over 70 applicants resulting in nearly $28MM grant funding to the State of Ohio.

Managed the Project Team to exceed targets by creating over 6,000 new jobs, retaining 17,700 jobs and investment $795MM capital in 2013 and 2014.

Guided financial and operational transition of iMIS to Personify CRM and implementation of Salesforce.com CRM to improve customer and project knowledge within the organization.

Designed and implemented web based inquiry tools so that program managers and other Chamber staff can access the transactional details for each program and account.

Built analytical financial statements to easily summarize sources and uses of revenue and better understand the organization’s cash burn rate.

Overhauled the collection process resulting in an immediate reduction in past due accounts by over 50%.

Wayne/Scott Fetzer, Harrison, Ohio 2000-2005

$100MM division of Berkshire Hathaway with CPG products sold at big box, retail, and wholesale channels.

Manager, Special Projects (2004-2005)

Accounting Manager (2002-2004)

Senior Accountant (2000-2002)

R. Karsten Sommer p.2

Guided financial and operational implementation of JD Edwards ERP from MAPICS. Lead implementation of Comshare Management Software.

Lead financial analysis resulting in launching Leisure JV, pond pump line, and water filtration line, representing over $10MM in annual sales.

Designed and implemented balanced scorecard to gauge internal and external business drivers and report outcomes in order to easily view key metrics and better manage a successful business.

Completed a Six Sigma study that improved inventory accuracy from 53% to 95%. Implemented cycle count program through subsequent projects to move to 98% accuracy.

Created models to forecast monthly and quarterly financial performance allowing early identification of negative labor variances and enabled corrective action to be implemented.

Lead cross functional team to implement ABC standard costing system to better reflect resources used in finished good cost. This resulted in better modeling of pricing and customer profitability.

Improved month and year-end closing for a newly implemented financial system by providing simplified checklists resulting in consistently closing first in the division, without errors

Lucas-Varity Inc. (now ZF TRW), Union Township, Ohio 1998-2000

Global Tier 1 OEM automotive manufacturer of brake, steering, and control systems.

Senior & Cost Accountant (1999-2000)

Staff Accountant (1998-1999)

Financial lead in implementing QAD’s MFG Pro ERP from MAPICS including GL and cost systems.

Conducted lean manufacturing study that researched bonding line production resulting in decreased cycle time from 8.46 seconds to 6.6 seconds and increased shift run by 54 minutes.

Strengthened accountability by aligning production lines, payroll departments, and general ledger cost centers and functional budgets to determine product line profitability and line efficiencies.

Eliminated double booking of expenses, miscoded freight, and delays in processing debit memos, by overseeing accounts payable operations, analyzing document flow and developing procedures.

Cincinnati Athletic Club, Cincinnati, Ohio 1995-1997

America’s oldest men’s athletic club located in downtown Cincinnati.

Assistant Manager

Analyzed cost of restaurant and pro-shop items to revise sales prices to insure profitable margins.

Redesigned income statement to reflect departmental income and expense resulting in the identification of unprofitable business segments.

Barefoot Grass Lawn Service (now TruGreen Chemlawn), Cincinnati, OH & San Antonio, TX 1993-1995

#2 lawn-service company in the United States to residential and commercial clients.

Market Manager (1994-1995)

Area Manager (1993-1994)

Territory Manager/Applicator (1993)

Designed & implemented spring sales plan resulting in a 25% increase in customer base. Motivated and trained production team to service these customers with no increase in staff size, increasing sales dollars by 30%.

EDUCATION

M.B.A, GPA: 3.93, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio, May 2004

B.B.A., Accounting, GPA: 3.66, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1997

Graduate, Walnut Hills High School, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1987

RECOGNITION & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Awarded Cincinnati Business Courier’s “40 Under 40”, 2007

C-Change Leadership, Class 1, 2006

Xavier University Corporate Innovator Award, 2004

Mayoral Appointee & Nominating Committee Chair, SW Ohio Workforce Investment Board, 2015 - Present

Classroom Teacher, Junior Achievement, 2001 - Present

Treasurer, Cincinnati Fire Museum, 2008 - 2012

Treasurer, Cincinnati Memorial Hall Society, 2006 – 2012

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