Director - Business Development

GARY P. MERKER

**** ****** ****

Cleveland, OH **022

(cell) 216-***-****

(home) 216-***-****

****.******@*****.***

DIRECTOR OF MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Analytical M&A professional with 15+ years of experience identifying, structuring, and negotiating successful transactions in diverse industries. Business strategist with financial acumen, personal drive, and expertise in steering business development in Asia. Astute deal-maker and engaging relationship-builder talented in building C-level connections and shaping optimal financing arrangements.

Key strength is ability to simultaneously deliver vision and execution—conceptualizing strategic M&A opportunities while delivering advantageous transactions structured for rapid corporate growth.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

New Business Development

Entrepreneurship

International Business

Joint Ventures

Contract Negotiations

Strategic Planning

Market Analysis

Financial Analysis

Presentations

C-Level Relationships

Business Plans

Account Management

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

Manufacturing, Energy, Consumer Products, Engineering Services, Construction

Distribution, Commercial Printing, Franchise, Advertising, Rubber & Plastics

MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS & NEW VENTURE HIGHLIGHTS

• Identified, structured, and negotiated multiple $1M–$100M acquisitions in manufacturing, distribution, alternative energy, and independent power.

• Led client through successful IPO generating $10M to finance expansion strategy.

• Positioned marketing company for rapid growth with M&A cross-selling strategy that grew annual sales by 10%.

• Executed post-acquisition integration process for $300M franchisor to maintain high levels of employee retention and productivity and customer satisfaction.

• Promoted market entry throughout Asia with logistics strategy that cut delivery times six-fold.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

GRAND RIVER RUBBER & PLASTICS, Cleveland, OH 2006–2009

PRODUCT MANAGER – STRATEGY/BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Created guiding business development strategy for $50M rubber and plastics manufacturer seeking expansion in Asian markets. Performed due diligence, in-depth market studies, competitive analysis, and business planning to determine best route for global growth. Spearheaded development and marketing of product innovations.

• Created strategic plan to move Asia-Pacific marketing initiatives forward. Completed exhaustive evaluation and analysis of manufacturing, distribution and warehousing options and new market opportunities.

• Slashed delivery time to Asia from 6 weeks to 1 week by creating new logistics strategy.

• Led development of new product line that generated $5M in new sales, becoming company’s 2nd-largest revenue producer.

ENTREPRENEURIAL VENTURES, Cleveland, OH 2003–2006

EXECUTIVE M&A CONSULTANT

DIRECTOR, BUSINESS & CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT—Direct Connect Group

Provided executive-level M&A and business development advisory services to mid-market and start-up firms. Created a blueprint for growth for senior management, advising on investment opportunities that met stringent corporate development requirements. Active in negotiating advantageous acquisition transactions. Aggressively established market prominence for emerging marketing firm, leveraging analysis of industries, markets, and competitors to craft business development strategy.

• Mapped co-generation developer’s future by analyzing and advising on 3 independent power acquisition projects totalling $50M.

• Propelled Direct Connect Group into top 5 marketing resource firm within the major advertising agency market.

• Captured Qualified Supplier status with 4 Fortune 500 companies within months of company launch.

• Established M&A strategy for potential commercial print and direct mail acquisitions to accelerate DCG growth in highly competitive market.

PROFORMA, Cleveland, OH 1997–2001

DIRECTOR OF MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Built M&A function from ground up for $300M franchisor of 500+ graphic communication companies throughout North America. Planned for controlled growth and engaged in identifying, structuring and closing mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. Led post-acquisition integration process to ensure rapid attainment of full productivity and profitability expectations.

• Initiated M&A activities with comprehensive business plan that led to annual 10% increase in sales.

• Accelerated franchisee growth by 10-30% following presentations of M&A and business transition strategies at national and regional seminars.

• Launched $5M equity fund to invest in larger “earn-out” structured acquisitions that resulted in 5% of sales.

• Cultivated strong intermediary and investment banker relationships that produced 1/3 of all deal financing.

THE DEARBORN GROUP, Chicago, IL—Cleveland, OH 1990–1997

DIRECTOR – CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT

Delivered unprecedented results for financial M&A advisory firm specializing in buy-side and sell-side engagements, strategic alliances, joint ventures, and capital raising for independent energy developers. Performed target identification, financial analysis and modeling, business valuation, deal structuring, market research, and due diligence. Negotiated acquisitions with valuations between $1-$100M and arranged debt and equity financing.

• Navigated complex business negotiations to structure strategic alliances with 2 international engineering and construction firms, resulting in completion of $50M in projects.

• Created approach strategy and negotiating tactics to complete co-generation project acquisitions totalling $35M.

• Partnered with finance providers and VC investors to attain debt and equity financing on projects totalling $25M.

• Guided IPO launch, enabling client to raise $10M in support of expansion plans.

EDUCATION

MBA in Finance, DEPAUL UNIVERSITY, Chicago, IL

BSBA in Marketing, LAKE ERIE COLLEGE, Cleveland, OH

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