CFO and COO

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F. W. Pearce

Boca Raton, Florida

linkedin.com/in/fwpearce

adiv3e@r.postjobfree.com • 917-***-****

Chief Financial Officer

Experienced, versatile, and profit-driven financial executive, CFO & COO with extensive background in providing strategic and organizational leadership in dynamic, high-paced, and ever-changing markets. Accomplished in multichannel product branding and distribution, P&L oversight, and sales management involving high-growth multi-unit retail, manufacturing, food & beverage, and CPG companies. Experience as both a franchisor and a franchisee in family and private equity owned businesses. Superior in interpersonal skills, staff motivation, and mentorship that hone in on the generational leaders of tomorrow. Proven record in company growth, profit upsurge, ROI improvements, and increased shareholder value. Areas of Expertise:

• Strategic & Operational Planning

• Financial Analysis & Reporting

• Vendor Purchase & Negotiations

• ROI Measurements

• ERP Implementation

• Private Equity

• P&L & Performance Improvements

• GAAP Audit Supervision

• Budgeting & Forecasting

• Go-To-Market Strategy

• Team Building & Recruitment

• Masters Degree in Finance

Professional Experience

Digital Lighting Engineering & Design – Weston, Florida Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer (Oct 2018 - Present) Responsible for building a digital lighting and automated agricultural (& cannabis) business from the ground up.

Tasked with all capital raising activities. Also responsible for building the company infrastructure including directing all IT, accounting, human resource and day-to-day financial operations. Selected Contributions:

• Created Business Plan, Financial Model, multiple PowerPoint presentations to enable startup to raise capital.

• Raised $250K of “Friends & Family” financing

• Completed Private Placement Memorandum (PPM) for Reg D offering

• Delivered prototypes and Generated first customer order F. W. Pearce page 2

AIM Beverages LLC – Boca Raton, Florida

Interim Chief Financial Officer (Jan 2019 – May 2020) (Consulting assignment – Steven Douglas) Responsible for building all aspects of a CPG bottled water company from startup to revenue Tasked with building all company infrastructure; implementing ERP (NetSuite); hiring team; sourcing 3PLs; integrating third party service providers including 3PLs, EDI, Avalara, Woo Commerce, Amazon. Day-to- day financial operations. Tagged to be CFO and COO in the event of a 2020 launch. Launch delayed due to Covid.

Selected Contributions:

• Implemented Office 365 and QuickBooks Enterprise

• Created Cash flow forecast & financial model

• Developed 2020 strategic, operational and financial plans

• Integrated EDI, Avalara, Amazon, Woo Commerce

Italian Rose Garlic Products, Inc. – Riviera Beach, Florida Interim Chief Financial Officer (2017 to 2018)

Conducted the successful sale from the founders of an $60M food (fresh salsa) manufacturing business to private equity culminating a $18M (20%) increase in enterprise value. Transitioned the company from QuickBooks to a new ERP system. Directed all IT, accounting and day-to- day financial operations. Incorporated a bolt-on acquisition which, in turn, enhanced the overall value of the company. Oversaw the first audit in the company's 35-year history. Recruited and appointed a new company Financial Controller and Human Resources Director. Selected Contributions:

• Reduced company close from 30 to 5 days meanwhile creating extensive financial and operational reports that were delivered to shareholders within the final seven days of closure.

• Concluded assignments with a successful sale that exceeded sellers' expectations and was 20% higher than previous offer (six months earlier).

• Prepared financial reports and projections that not only lead to the successful sale of the company but an $18M increase in the final sale value.

• Constructed the 2018 budget which resulted in the boost of EBITDA from $8M to $11M.

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F. W. Pearce page 3

Salt Creek Capital and Comvest Partners. – Menlo Park, California and West Palm Beach, FL Executive Partner/Advisor (2016 to 2017)

Sourced and evaluated possible equities to ensure profitable takeover in the food industry. Supplied and assessed the outlook of future transactions. Conducted SWOT analysis and due diligence. Convened and assessed the capabilities of the respective management teams of the prospective targets. Established estimates, appraisal models, and pro forma P&L projections. Advised the company to submit an array of bids to manufacturers of interest. Analyzed hundreds of corporations, winnowed the proposed selections down to a smaller pool of better qualified targets, and provided professional guidance of one target over the other.

Selected Contributions:

• Recommended the purchase of a company which led to the acceptance of an LOI.

• Provided guidance for the potential M&A acquisitions. South Florida Weight Loss Inc. – Boca Raton, Florida CEO/CFO (2010 to 2015)

Revamped sales and marketing strategies which drove a 25% increase in revenue. Acquired multiple company locations, under the franchise of Dr. G's Weight Loss, and led all operational procedures including sales and marketing, finance, training, human resources, and client services. Boosted arrangements and incentives.

Selected Contributions:

• Evolved a performance dashboard that aided in the development of new goals, motivations, and training.

• Eliminated barriers of success through the management of hands-on training.

• Directed and implemented a new critical plan that resulted in a profit increase by 25% in six months.

Ciao Bella Gelato Company – New York City, NY

CEO/CFO (1989 to 2009)

Board of Directors (1989 to 2018)

Pioneered a tiny one-man enterprise into a $20M premium company that became the leader in ice cream with distribution in all 50 states and Canada.

Developed and executed the construction of Ciao Bella storefronts in major locations including, but not limited to, New York City, Grand Central Station, and the Ferry Terminal in San Francisco Grossed $2.5M, with the use of television appearances, by capturing the attention of millions including potential financiers.

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F. W. Pearce page 4

Created brand capital and increased marketing and promotion which resulted in a five-fold spike in sales of the advertised flavor and a boost in marketing for the remaining flavors. Organized road shows for a collection of 20+ private investors, negotiated deals with the top two equities, and sealed deal while remaining on the Board of Directors. Designed scalable procedures that guaranteed the constant upgrade of the growing company. Guided all company improvements including platform upgrades and solution enhancements from MAS90 to MAS200. Reported a 15% YoY sale gain and arranged the first P&L breakthrough, as a Board Member, after selling to investors. Selected Contributions:

• Cultivated tiny start-up company from $100K to $20M in gross revenue.

• Successfully arranged a lucrative deal in 2009 with private equity investors for more than 15x EBITDA.

• Led the company to win 15 prominent awards including Best Dessert, Best Food Service Line and Best New Product at the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT).

• Instrumental in the 100% increase in annual revenue, visibility, and recognition of retail products through features on shows such as The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Apprentice. Education

Masters Degree (MPS) • Cornell University – Statler School of Hotel Administration– Ithaca, NY Concentration in Finance – MPS - 2-year degree - more degree requirements than an MBA Bachelor of Arts in Physics (BA) • Hamilton College – Clinton, NY Professional Associations & Publications

The Financial Executives Networking Group (2016 to Present) Co-authored the well-received cookbook The Ciao Bella Book of Gelato & Sorbetto

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