FREDERICK J. LAIST

** ******** ******, ********, ** 06902 203-***-**** ad28hh@r.postjobfree.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederick-laist-2b5b1723/ Summary:

Versatile professional, proficient in running businesses. I am a proponent of thoughtful leadership, which is responsive to the concerns of staff and stakeholders, and is the best way to solve complex issues to maximize productivity and profitability. Expertise in senior management of legal affairs, general accounting, cost accounting, internal auditing, and strategic planning, with a focus on new and growing businesses. Data driven and well organized. Talented in research and problem solving. Strong skills in identifying and minimizing risk, improving efficiency and reducing costs. Experienced in building team cohesion and motivation while navigating conflicting, dynamic priorities. Professional History

CFO 8/18-Present

Rhode Island Grows, LLC

Controlled Environment Agribusiness

Developed a comprehensive set of investment grade financial projections for an $80MM expansion project, targeting $30MM in private equity in conjunction with external engineering, CPA, and legal firms, industry experts, and university studies

Negotiated and executed a 10 year distribution contract with a fully realized potential of over $1B Arranged $41.5M Loan package with USDA guarantee

Arranged $17.4M Hybrid Equity facility though C-PACE Raised $8M in seed/development capital

Negotiated full AIA construction package for expansion/development Operated as acting corporate Controller through multi-year development stage CFO 3/18 – 9/18

Smarter Technologies, LLC

Controlled Environment Agribusiness

Developed Pro-Forma Financials and SIM presentations for investors Structured capital acquisition offering to raise US$250M for expansion Completed detailed audit of all start-up expenses, and provided basis and metrics for Financial Modeling to support PPM

Worked with board to budget and implement minimum burn rate budget, while maximizing strategic progress

OWNER / CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 04/15–1/18

The Fez Entertainment Group, LLC, DBA The Fez Bar & Restaurant Moroccan-inspired restaurant offering live music and entertainment

$1 Million annual sales, 14 employees. Brought sales to target in under 6-months Implemented and managed all legal, human resources, information technology, accounting and business development systems and activities

Monthly Profit & Loss reporting

Cash, A/R and A/P Management

OWNER / CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 11/04–08/15

Piggs, LLC. (Stamford, CT)

Food service establishment serving private and corporate clientele for clients such as UBS, MSG, Brown Harris Stevens, Douglas Elliman, etc.

Managed operations from zero sales to $3 million annual sales, growing from 2 to 35 employees Directed legal, accounting and business development activities including significant customer FREDERICK J. LAIST

40 Hillside Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902 203-***-**** ad28hh@r.postjobfree.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederick-laist-2b5b1723/ contact to facilitate favorable contracts

Led monthly Profit & Loss reporting for 8 operating departments; created new reporting systems so that final statement with operational manager's input would be ready by the 10th of month Bank loan negotiations/relations

Cash, A/R and A/P Management

Led Information Technology and Human Resources

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR/ CONTROLLER / CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER 7/96 –12/04 Corporate Culinary Service, Inc. (Stamford, CT)

Contract-based services, offering fine dining, event planning and corporate concierge services for clients such as Swiss Bank, Luxottica, Schlumberger, SAC Capital, etc. Managed operations from zero sales to $20 million annual sales, 150+ employees Directed/coordinated legal, accounting and business development Consolidated management reporting for 4 operating companies within Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts

Manage relationships with external auditors, tax accountants, bank, payroll service and insurance brokers

Led monthly Profit & Loss reporting for 14 departments Cash, A/R and A/P Management

ASSISTANT CONTROLLER 11/94–7/96

Mechanical Plastics Corp. (Elmsford, NY) / www.toggler.com/

$6 million annual sales, 25 employees

Credit Management

A/R & A/P Administration

Monthly Close

Custom Unix Database Management

Responsible for State & Federal Tax Filings

Inventory & General Cost Control / plan annual inventory count with warehouse, IT and external auditors

Traffic Control

Core Qualifications & Skill Set Focus

Strong interpersonal and analytical skills with

the ability to summarize and present

meaningful financial data

Coordinate, prepare and submit information to

tax accountants for corporate tax returns and

semi-annual and annual review

Lead full cycle of accounting operations

including monthly, quarterly and annual closings

Operations management

Prepare and review financial statements and

balance sheet reconciliations

Inventory control

Independent thinking and complex problem

solving

Budget management, including internal control

management, and tax planning

Working knowledge of business operations

Expense controls and variance analyses, with

proven track record of reducing SG&A expenses

Excellent communication skills

Team builder & motivator across departments

Education

CORNELL UNIVERSITY (Ithaca, NY – 1997) PDP – Controllership and Internal Control UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT (Storrs, CT – 1994) – Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Major in Accounting

FREDERICK J. LAIST

40 Hillside Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902 203-***-**** ad28hh@r.postjobfree.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frederick-laist-2b5b1723/ Certifications

CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL FOOD MANAGER®

SERVSAFE® Food Protection Manager

Notary Public (CT)

Computer Skills

MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Access, Power Point), DropBox, Google Docs, OneDrive, Quick Books, NT, MAS 90/200, Turbo Tax, Restaurant Manager, Aloha – Proficient on both Microsoft and Apple platforms

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