Chief Financial Officer

Mark D. Breen

Address: *** **** ****** *****, ******, GA 30143

Phone: 770-***-**** Email: *****.****.*@*****.***

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mark-breen-5730b419

Chief Financial Officer / Vice President of Finance

An accomplished finance executive, leader, and strategist with robust experience acquired over the years in delivering optimal results and business value in high-growth environments, especially in the manufacturing sector. A detail-oriented professional adept at developing and implementing effective strategies, cost control measures, and process enhancements to uphold an organization's financial integrity. Stellar time management skills combined with proven ability to streamline acquisitions, train and supervise teams, and deliver revenue growth; applies out-of-the-box thinking and problem-solving aptitude to develop new approaches to accomplish a goal. Outstanding strategist distinguished for proven judgment in prioritizing duties and minimizing or diffusing stressful situations through effective conflict resolution techniques. Recognized for supporting the leadership in implementing an ethical and optimistic culture in the organization; revered for being a self-starter, resourceful, creative, diligent, and solution-driven professional.

~ Effectively managed Credit facility with three amendments to support six new acquisitions at Polymer Solutions Group ~ Streamlined and improved predictive reporting and measurement capabilities by successfully implementing SAGE-X3 at Functional Materials to fund the purchase of Phoenix Chemicals Company ~ An expert at enhancing acquisition strategy, execution, and integration; and implementing Sarbanes-Oxley Requirements in an organization • Implemented an OLAP management reporting tool (Hyperion Essbase) that significantly streamlined the forecasting and budgeting process ~

Skill Areas: Strategic Operations Planning & implementation w Financial Planning & Reporting w Project/Program Management w Business Case Development w Process Improvement w Lender Compliance w Negotiations w Financial Accounting w Business & Investment Strategy w Facilities Operations w Corporate Governance w Revenue/Profit Optimization w Distress Turnaround w Sarbanes-Oxley w Information Systems w Revenue/Profit Optimization w Government Contracting w Mergers, Acquisitions & Start-ups w Treasury Management w Global ERP Implementation w Cost Control, Budgeting & Forecasting w Risk Management w Internal Controls w Client Services & Program Delivery w Time & Change Management w Leadership & Navigation w Problem-Solving w Communication

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Polymer Solutions Group - Acworth, GA (July 2015 – Dec 2019)

Chief Financial Officer

Polymer Solutions Group, LLC ($230 million), is a private equity-owned company "Arsenal Capital Partners" with two business segments. Polymer Additives provides additives, dispersions, and anti-tack products to the Rubber and Wood Industries and Functional Materials, which offers specialty polymers as protective treatments, specialty surfactants, and release agents for the soft floor market as well as other applications.

Pioneered efforts to streamline operations across Accounting, Planning, Treasury, HR, and Information Systems while leading four direct reports globally and 13 Finance and Information Systems professionals indirectly.

Helmed responsibility for Lender compliance and reporting, and coordinating Budget Reporting in the organization.

Effectively led six acquisition processes – managed Due Diligence and Integration Support for acquisitions of Flow Polymers, SASCO Chemical Company, Alkon Ltd in Leeds, England, and Phoenix Chemical Company.

Skillfully established an Irish Holding Company to support Alkon's acquisition, acquired Wood Release Market Segment from Michelman, and additional Product Line from Pur Polymerics.

Leveraged domain expertise to acquire, sell, and leaseback two large warehouses to support the Phoenix Chemical Integration into Functional Materials.

Created the Budget and Strategic Plan, modifying the process as we acquired new businesses.

Successfully implemented SAGE-X3 at Functional Materials to support the acquisition of Phoenix Chemicals.

Worked on acquiring an Italian Business to expand in Europe and produce the Alkon product, which is currently being toll manufactured by the previous owner.

Meticulously developed comprehensive Consolidation and Reporting tools in Excel to enable Consolidated Financial Reporting, given the rapid acquisition activity and multiple ERP systems across the platform.

Utilized managerial skills to secure a Credit facility with three amendments to support six new acquisitions.

Streamlined the integration of the workforce following the acquisitions, led three new business Controllers and staff.

Empower the workforce to achieve common goals, short and long-term plans while developing their skill sets.

Fostered clear communication lines within the team and other stakeholders to optimize operations.

Consistently demonstrated the ability to handle operational and strategic levels of multiple responsibilities in crisis and pressure while operating under rigorous deadlines.

Columbian Chemicals Company, Birla Carbon - Marietta, GA (Dec 1998 – June 2015)

Senior Vice President of Finance, CFO, and Treasurer

Columbian Chemicals Company, Birla Carbon is a $2.3 billion multi-national specialty chemical company with 3,300 employees, operating 17 manufacturing facilities and seven administrative offices in 14 countries.

Led five direct reports globally and nearly 140 Finance and Information Systems professionals indirectly in managing the Accounting, Planning, Treasury, and Information Systems across the organization.

Instrumental in establishing the organization as the largest Carbon Black Company in the world.

Effectively contributed to the assimilation efforts for two acquisitions in Brazil and Korea.

Instrumental in enhancing the accounting philosophy towards the business advocate model.

Created a regional financial organization structure to provide better focus and support at the regional and site level.

Enhanced the forecasting and budgeting process by implementing an OLAP management reporting tool (Hyperion Essbase) while downsizing corporate and site level financial resources.

Contributed to two sales of the company, one marketed in a roadshow presentation format to potential strategic and financial buyers, and one sold the business to the current owner, the Aditya Birla Group.

Cultivated and nurtured associations with Rating Agencies and a Lending Group consisting of 36 lending institutions – maintained and supported annual ratings from Moody's and Standard and Poor's since 2006.

Coupled with these acquisitions, we raised debt on four different occasions and went through many amendments.

Streamlined the first China facility's acquisition, established the accounting function, internal controls, and training of FCPA and US GAAP. Optimized acquisition strategy, execution, and integration.

Proactively participated in the decision to close four operating facilities.

Successfully sold a business segment that would have been discontinued – supported the company’s transfer to a standalone business. Establishing tax, risk management, treasury, internal audit, and external accounting functions.

Effectively implemented the Sarbanes-Oxley Act across the organization, and executed various growth projects through Greenfield, Brownfield, and Acquisitions, while strategically closing facilities.

Led the Information Systems team and helmed a multi-year project to reinstall the company’s ERP system, change costing methodologies, and develop a data warehouse environment for customer profitability reporting.

Assisted with the assimilation of the former Birla Carbon assets with the Columbian Chemical Company assets to form a consolidated entity, following the purchase by the Aditya Birla Group.

Served on the steering committee for SAP implementation; developed a Hyperion Financial Management and an Essbase environment to allow group-wide consolidations under US GAAP and IFRS to support an ultimate public filing for IPO.

Established new functions in Treasury, Risk Management, Internal Audit, and an expanded tax role.

Implemented ERP System to standardize Item master data, support standardized procedures, and controls globally.

Key Achievements:

Optimized sale processes: Supported the due diligence process and provided effective tax planning and structuring work for the sale from Phelps Dodge and One Equity. Productively collaborated with the Consulting Firm to review all costs within the business and to manage changes to enhance earnings in advance of the sale.

Led various amendments during the Columbian facility's life to allow for operating flexibility and covenant relief during the ownership dispute between One-Equity and DC Chemical. We utilized support from Alveraz & Marsal to successfully get relief from the Term B market. Refinanced loan led by UBS in 2010, Road Show presentation in NYC offering was heavily oversubscribed, allowing us to go all Term A. Raised new facility in 2011 to support the sale to ABG.

Rebuild the staff with a new team that helped transform the financial reporting from Excel-based tools to modern consolidation tools, which enhanced group efficiency, provided timely and accurate information to the leadership.

Leveraged leadership skills to hire and retain the Corporate Controller, current Treasurer, Director of Consolidations, and the Regional Controllers in North America, South America, Europe, and Far East Asia.

Strengthened internal controls by supporting the implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley requirements; created and maintained Process Maps that identified key Control steps, initiated Key Control tests.

Skillfully documented Policies and Procedures, developed Authority Matrix, and a Code of Ethics with training and certification process also provided FCPA training.

Global re-implementation of ERP system: Standardized Master Data globally, Customer Master, Item Master (product and spare parts), Chart of Accounts, improved Sales and Pricing Module, Sales/Operations Planning toolset. Effectively migrated from Standard Cost to Average Cost and enhanced overhead allocation process.

Established new Data Warehouse tools to provide accurate and timely customer profitability reporting.

Improved forecasting tools to generate forecast and budget data timely forecast at the product level.

Led closure of Plants in the Philippines, El Dorado, Arkansas, Marshall, West Virginia, and Bristol, England (in two phases). Supervised closure of a Distribution Center in the Philippines, warehouse, and sales office in Japan.

PRIOR EMPLOYMENT DETAILS

Cleaver-Brooks, Aqua Chem, Inc. Milwaukee, WI 1992-1997

Group Controller, Cleaver-Brooks, Milwaukee, WI (1995-1997)

Controller, Industrial Boiler Company, Thomasville, GA (1993-1994)

Controller Plant Operations, Lebanon, PA (1992-1993)

Sundstrand Corporation, Aerospace Division, Rockford, IL 1983 – 1992

Director of Financial Planning (1992)

Financial Systems Manager (1988-1992)

Group Supervisor Financial Accounting (1987-1988)

Senior Financial Analyst (1985-1987)

Special Assignment (1984-1985)

Financial Management Training Program (1983-1984)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & CREDENTIALS

MS; Management Information System Northern Illinois University 1989

BBA; Accounting University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 1982

Training and certifications:

Center for Creative Leadership – Leadership/Management Training

Thunderbird – International Executive Management and Leadership Training

Certified Public Accountant, Illinois – 1983

Technical Skills: Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook), Sage X3, Progress, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Hyperion Essbase/HFM

Affiliations:

Atlanta Accounting & Finance Professionals

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Network

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