Manager Financial

LEADERSHIP PROFILE

Senior Executive, Discerning Strategist, and Business Leader with record of success in shaping organizations to anticipate and seize forward-thinking opportunities that drive transformation, positive change, profitable growth, and award-winning results. Stabilizing yet motivational force with a passion for inspiring professionals and teams to realize goals and attain new levels of purpose and performance. Identifies future trends; quickly defines the immediate and long-term strategic framework; develops tactical roadmaps; assesses team capabilities/constraints; and puts the right people, operations, repeatable processes, and systems in place to convert complex business problems into a sustainable competitive position.

Trusted advisor to boards of directors, business founders, colleagues, employees, and other stakeholders in straightforwardly outlining the financial and operational impact of business decisions and driving the shift to metric-driven performance while supporting corporate objectives for growth. Leads with authenticity and an open-door policy to establish a culture of transparency, accountability, and collaboration while maintaining business continuity.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

General/Operations Leadership • P&L/Financial Management • Business Process Improvements

Transformation & Change • Growth Strategy Planning/Execution • Shareholder Value Creation

Multi-Unit Retail • M&A/Integration • Deal Structuring/Negotiations • Risk Management/Compliance

• System Modernization • Benchmarking & Metrics • Succession Planning

SELECT ACHIEVEMENTS

•Against backdrop of industry’s consolidation and increased competition, created financial operations, reporting, and strategic planning structure resulting in almost doubling annual sales volumes and recognition as 1 of top 126 franchises among 300+ for Fortune 250 brand.

•Propelled shift in company culture to analytics-driven strategic vision. Results of this approach included company’s receipt of Elite Operator Award (1 of 126 among 300+) for excellence in safety and the customer experience.

•Led acquisition of 6 multi-unit operating groups from onsite evaluations, financial modeling, and due diligence through deal structuring, negotiations, and post-merger harmonizing of all business functions, processes, and systems.

•Drove identification, selection, and implementation of above-store technology advancement, providing real-time dashboard approach to performance of 87 retail locations and 2,000-member FTE/part-time workforce.

•Directed restructuring of company operations, including consolidation of 2 regional teams (Montana, Kansas) and retail location divestitures to drive efficiencies in midst of market downturn and shifts in industry trends.

•Recognized with Supreme Service Award by the franchise association for initiating and launching a regional best practices meeting with franchisee executives, creating model that has been adopted on national scale.

•In 2016, among 12 professionals recognized for leadership and service contributions to local community.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

HIGH PLAINS PIZZA, INC., Liberal, KS 1997 – Present

(award-winning Pizza Hut/Yum! Brands franchisee with 87 locations and 2,000+ employees across 7 states)

Chief Financial Officer

Recruited into executive leadership position to manage finance, administration, and IT for one of Pizza Hut’s top franchisees. Jointly holds P&L accountability while directing 14-member team. Reports directly to President.

•HIGH PLAINS PIZZA, INC., cont.

•Took on responsibility for accounting and financial reporting, balanced scorecard, strategic planning, administration, M&A support, HR, risk management, treasury management, business development support, and IT for the entire organization.

•Quickly evaluated financial infrastructure, systems capabilities, and talent across the organization.

•Shifted financial/operations teams toward the delivery of accurate and timely data to support data-driven decision making.

•Created relationships with operators based on mutual respect to identify and address opportunities for process improvements.

•Modernized/automated financial operations (above-store reporting system, automated couponing, tablet-driven inventory system, labor scheduling tool) and aligned practices with industry standards.

•Developed and continues to manage annual S&OP planning process for above-store leaders including strategy sessions, budget development, identification/evaluation/segmentation of largest growth opportunities, and assignment of ownership.

•Annually visits cross-section of stores, spending 2-3 days with each operating partner/manager and team to address areas for improvement as well as business development potential in the local market.

•Serves as main point of contact in all M&A transactions. To date, managed purchase of 6 operating companies (3-8 stores each).

•As industry faced various economic fluctuations, worked with team in merging Montana office capabilities into the Kansas office, consolidating stores when feasible, and divesting in underperforming markets.

•Serves as financial lead in evaluation of potential greenfield markets and build-out of new restaurants.

•Works with Pizza Hut Franchise Business Coach to ensure performance in alignment with Fortune 250 brand’s standards.

•Financial lead in estate/succession planning and strategy follow-through for franchisee founder and family members.

•Organized roundtable event for franchisee finance executives from Kansas and Missouri market. Initiated discussions regarding process improvements, POS systems, banking relationships, benchmarking, and other critical topics. Awarded Supreme Service Award by Pizza Hut’s Franchise Holders Association. This annual event has remained in place for the past 10 years.

•Played key role in company’s growth from 69 to 87 locations and repeated award-winning performance (Fall 2015 Elite Operator Award-only 5 of 126 franchisees recognized for “Best in Class” operations).

UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT #480, INC., Liberal, KS 1997

(local school district with 12 schools, 800+ employees, 5K+ students ranging from elementary to high schools)

Director, Business Services

Selected to serve as financial lead supporting K-12 school district. Member of administration team reporting to Superintendent.

•Led preparation of annual budget and monthly review of financial activity.

•Managed all financial functions including insurance, payroll, and accounts payable.

•Maintained districtwide inventory of all plant/facility property, equipment, and technology/systems.

•Member of executive team that led successful bond election supporting construction of 2 new elementary schools.

Additional Experience: Hay Rice & Associates, Senior Accountant, Liberal, KS; THORN America, Senior Financial Analyst, Wichita, KS; Franklin Savings Association, Accounting Manager, Ottawa, KS; Ernst & Young, Senior Auditor, Kansas City, MO

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & CIVIC INVOLVEMENT

B.S., Business Administration, Accounting & Finance, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

CPA Licensure: Missouri (1991) and Kansas (1996)

Member (Former President), Lions Club, KS

Member, Chamber of Commerce, Liberal, KS

Community Mentor, Business Plan Advisor and Competition Judge, Youth Entrepreneurs

Treasurer, Liberal High School Booster Club and After-Prom Committee

Member (Former President) local women’s service organization

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