Passionate LEader of People

PAUL RIZZUTO

**** ***** ***** / 904-***-**** /904-***-****/ ********@*******.***

PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Proven history of leading successful turnarounds – reversed sales declines, boosted profits, improved productivity and built exceptional teams for multiple manufacturers and retailers.

Areas of Expertise include:

 Strategic Planning/Execution  Business Process Redesign  Operational Efficiencies

 Staff Training/Development  Budget/P&L Management  Systems Implementation

 Employee/Labor Relations  Customer Satisfaction  Policies and Procedures

 Advertising/Marketing  Retail Operations  Logistics/Procurement

PROFESSIONAL HISTORY

ASHLEY FURNITURE HOMESTORE – SC, TN, GA and VA December, 2008

President and Chief Operating Officer

Provided strategic and operational leadership to a seven store chain of Ashley Furniture Homestores located in four states.

Overview: Brought in as a consultant to review operational deficiencies that were decimating the company. Hired as Chief Operating Officer three weeks later. Revamped overall company structure, merchandising and pricing policies, advertising strategies and marketing strategies as well as renegotiating all vendor contracts, leases and credit lines. Reduced the company breakeven point by over $2 million dollars per month in less than 6 months. The company was saved from bankruptcy and purchased by the venture capital investors, who added the additional title and responsibilities of President to my position.

Strategic Initiatives included:

 Sales Management – Maintained sales through a downturn in the economy and a severe cash flow crisis that impeded our ability to purchase and deliver product to the customer.

 Buying/Merchandising – Responsible for all buying budgets and product decisions for the organization. Negotiated all vendor agreements.

 Customer Service – Centralized Customer Care to call center located in our Distribution Facility in Lexington, SC. Improved overall response time to 24 hours on all contacts; verifiable through the installation of software that analyzed all phone traffic.

 Training: Enhanced and/or revised all training programs. Led rollout of the Harry Friedman Gold Star Selling & Project Gold Star sale programs. Personally trained and certified in both Friedman programs.

 Human Resources: As a part of the cost restructuring, all internal HR positions were eliminated and replaced with a PEO. Annual savings were in excess of $65K, along with more professional administration of all policies and benefit programs. In difficult circumstances we were able to maintain all of our highly regarded employees and still maintain the top 4 managers in the company.

 Facilities Management: Renegotiated all building, truck and equipment leases in order to reduce the overall cost and exposure of the company. This was an integral part of the transitional responsibilities during the Venture Cap purchase. TN store rents were reduced $37.5K per month for the remainder of 2008 and by $20K for all of 2009. This was a crucial part of establishing an attainable breakeven. Closed corporate office in Lawrenceville, GA and moved operation to Jacksonville, FL which provided a rent reduction of over $3K per month, while reducing the coporate staff from more than 25 to 6. All other functions were absorbed into existing store and/or DC positions.

PAUL RIZZUTO

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ASHLEY FURNITURE HOMESTORE – Jacksonville, FL September, 2005

Director of Operations

Provided strategic and operational leadership to a single store business that generated $18 million in its first 10 months in order to meet the expansion and profit plans of the owner.

Overview: Improved sales performance in the original location from $24 million in its first 12 months to $28 million in the 2006 fiscal year, ranking it as a top 5 store in the Ashley HomeStore chain. Boosted gross profit by more than 5% by adjusting product pricing. Improved all key metrics resulting in Net Profits that exceeded 7% of Sales.

Strategic Initiatives included:

 Sales Management – Increased sales volume 14% through a series of performance enhancing initiatives.

 Buying/Merchandising – Responsible for all buying budgets and product decisions for the organization. Negotiated all vendor agreements.

 Customer Service – Created an improved Customer Satisfaction department that resolved over 600 old claims with BBB (from prior Ashley ownership).

 Training: Enhanced and/or revised all training programs. Hired and implemented the position of Director of Corporate Recruiting and Training, which has paid dividends in recruitment, training and retention. Led rollout of the Harry Friedman Gold Star Selling & Project Gold Star sale programs. Personally trained and certified in both Friedman programs.

 Human Resources: Improved employee/employer relations by creating and maintaining an onsite office in the showrooms and a true open door policy. Rewrote all company handbooks and procedure manuals.

 Facilities Management – Created the position of Facilities Manager, which has led to improved cost control, better preventive maintenance programs and quicker response to showroom needs.

THOMASVILLE HOME FURNISHINGS – NJ & VA 2003 –2005

Vice President

Hired to manager the day to day operation of 5 store chain of retail stores in New Jersey and the Washington, D.C. area.

Overview: Established sales and operation guidelines to drive and maximize the current performance and future growth of the company. Grew company from 5 stores to 9 stores in 2 years, adding locations in Princeton, NJ; Eatontown, NJ; East Hanover, NJ and Woodbridge, VA.

 Sales Performance – Improved comp store sales volume over 10% (NJ) and 20% (DC) in the first 12 months.

 Sales Productivity – Increased company average ticket, closing ratio and gross margin substantially in the first 12 months by placing a major focus on the re-training of the staff and the customer experience.

 Profit Growth –

 Customer Satisfaction – Reduced the number of complaints reaching the Thomasville Corporate complaint department with the establishment of our centralized Customer Satisfaction department in NJ; which covered both NJ and DC markets.

PAUL RIZZUTO

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ROBB & STUCKY -Plano, TX 2000 – 2002

General Manager

Recruited to oversee construction, opening and operations for $30 million high-end business in a new market. Led team of 12 direct reports, 45 associates, 21 interior designers and a full warehouse/delivery staff.

Overview: Opened store on-time with a fully trained team and captured market share by generating nearly $30 million in a new market.

 Sales Performance – Generated over $30 million in volume during the first 12 months in a highly competitive market that already had Gabberts, Weirs and Cantoni on the High-End.

 Delivery Performance Management – Created Productive Stop Rate program that lowered returns - program included training, performance measurement and incentive payments and is still in place to this day.

 Marketing – Generated over $1 million in the first year via the implementation and execution of a realtor/builder rewards program.

ROBERDS – Atlanta, GA/Dayton, OH 1998 – 2000

Group Vice President

Led a $105 milion division of a retailer of furniture, bedding, appliances and electronics with 280 employees. Accountable for Sales, customer service, delivery, HR and inventory management.

Overview: Boosted sales 11% over a two year period, revamped company benefits package and

 Generated double digit sales increases for two straight years.

 Substantially Improved warranty penetration on all products to generate necessary revenue stream.

LEVITZ - Atlanta GA 1994 – 1998

Group Manager

Overview: Reduced 36-month decline in sales by over 50% in the first 12 months within the 6 store Atlanta – North Market. Received numerous commendations and leadership awards while restoring growth and profitability to an ailing and neglected region.

PRIOR EXPERIENCE:

Macys, Dillards, Chief Auto Parts. Details and dates are available upon request

PERSONAL:

Member CrossRoad UMC, Leader - Men’s Ministry, Committee Member - Family Promise of Jacksonville, Marathon Runner and avid reader. Married with 3 children

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