Chief Operating Officer

RAY BIRDEN

**** ****** **** **., *******, TX ****5

832-***-**** / *******@***.***

COO / VICE PRESIDENT OPERATIONS

P&L / Big-Box / Multi-site Operations

Business Expansion / Distribution Centers

Inventory & Fleet Management / Site Selection &

Development / Startups / Turnarounds

Experienced with industry leaders including

CARQUEST and Frito-Lay, I have a record of driving

increased profitability and shareholder value through

organic growth, expansions, acquisitions and by

streamlining retail operations. I have managed

budgets of up to $50M, 1000 employees, & multi-site

operations. I am also known for:

*-Leading growth through successful integrations of

competing operations

*-Driving profits by opening branches in new markets

*-Developing and implementing lucrative e-Commerce

strategies

In addition to developing and leading strong teams, my

strengths include strategic planning, process

improvements, trend analysis, brand management,

effective communication, organizing productive trade

shows and relationship building. I hold a BA in

Economics from Wabash College.

SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Led redesign of flagship store, becoming one of the

top 10 retailers in sales companywide. CARQUEST’s

headquarters store was cluttered and uninviting. Hired

retail store designer to create new prototype and

remodel store. Developed visual standards, identity

programs and merchandise plans for each product

category.

Improved companywide communications with state-of-

the-art technology. CARQUEST needed to

communicate to 18,000 employees in 3,000 stores, 40

distribution centers. Instituted an Intranet TV weekly

broadcast news studio. Developed 20-minute headline

news format available on demand.

Enabled company growth from $137M to $300M in 36

months. Worldpac wanted to expand nationally.

Developed market criteria and key success factors

from existing branches. Created model to identify

potential new markets and designed repeatable

branch opening process, expanding from 13 to 75

branches.

Led seamless integration of large acquisition within 90

days. WORLDPAC acquired its largest competitor.

Developed integration plan. Serviced both company’s

customers while merging and eliminating duplicate

branch locations, staff functions and personnel.

Created new customer delivery plan and branch

replenishment system.

Turned around division from no net income to

profitability. Sales/packaging auto parts division at

APS, Inc was making no net income. Analyzed each

product segment. Sold unprofitable accessory

business to supplier for $10M and generated $3M

annually from remaining $14M hard parts company.

CAREER HISTORY

CARQUEST / General Parts, Inc, $2B auto parts

wholesale / retail company, 2005 to 2009.

*-Senior VP Marketing, 2005 to 2009. Quickly

promoted to manage $50M budget and 100

employees. Directed National Account sales team,

advertising, marketing communications, promotions,

NASCAR racing sponsorship, website, intranet and

customer portals (e-Commerce volume exceeded

$1.5M daily).

*-VP Brand Management, 2005. Managed $10M

budget and 10 direct reports. Created new store

visuals, packaging standards, logo designs and brand

identity guidelines resulting in a consistent brand

experience. Responsible for websites, graphic artists

and trademarks.

WORLDPAC, Inc, $500M auto parts wholesale

company, 1997 to 2004.

*-VP Strategic Accounts, 2004. Developed sales by

creating new partnerships with other parts distributors.

Presented product distribution strategy to distributors,

negotiated sale terms & managed ongoing

relationships.

*-VP Operations, 2000 to 2003. Conceived concept

and launched startup of an e-commerce/software

division. Developed marketing / business plans and

strategic direction. Directed product management.

*-VP Sales & Operations, 1997 to 2000. Led during

period of rapid growth (tripled in size through organic

growth and acquisition). Managed 1,000 employees

while directing national sales team, distribution

centers, branch operations, company fleet operations

and acquisition integration. Selected markets for new

branches.

Earlier: VP Operations & Asst. VP Distribution, APS,

Inc / Big A Auto Parts. Area Director & Distribution

Center Manager, Child World / Children's Palace.

Supervisor, Frito-Lay, Inc.

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