Interim Executive Service

When consulting and coaching services just don’t go far enough to meet your needs, I am available to go hands on as an interim executive within your organization.

As an experienced executive and consultant, I’m accustomed to jumping into unfamiliar circumstances. My experience is particularly suited to the food industry but my skills are transferable to other industries and types of business.

Situations where I may be of value:

  • Experienced leadership is needed short term, part-time, or seasonally.
  • A key executive is away on extended leave.
  • A vacant position needs to be filled pending recruitment of a permanent executive.
  • A project needs the oversight of an experienced leader.

Highlights of skills and experience:

Titles, Employers and (Reporting Relationships):

  • CEO/General Manager, Abbotsford Growers Co-operative (Board of Directors)
  • Vice President, General Manager, Sun Rich Fresh Foods (President/Owner)
  • Division Manager, BC Tree Fruits Ltd (CEO)
  • Eastern Sales Manager, The Oppenheimer Group (CEO/Owner)
  • District Sales Manager, Dole Fresh Fruit Company (Regional Sales Manager)

Strategy and Planning:

  • Experienced in facilitating, developing and implementing strategic plans for small and medium sized businesses from $1 million to $25 million in sales.
  • As VP and General Manager, developed and implemented strategic plans that aligned with corporate plans for a $25 million business unit.
  • Developed and implemented sales and marketing strategies and plans.
  • Developed and implemented operational strategies and plans .
  • Wrote business plans for presentation to financial institutions for a $15 million business.

Sales and Marketing:

  • Direct sales experience to major food manufacturers, supermarket chains, wholesalers, food service distributors and end users in Canada and the USA (fresh, frozen and processed foods and ingredients).
  • Direct sales experience to major property developers and property management firms in Greater Toronto (maintenance services).
  • Developed and led national sales forces and broker networks in Canada and the USA.
  • Recruited, trained and coached sales representatives, sales managers, regional sales managers and directors of sales.
  • Worked with marketing staff and ad agencies to develop and implement advertising and promotion campaigns.
  • Oversaw incentive programs with marketing allowances, promotional allowances and end user rebates.

Finance and Admin:

  • Reporting to the Board of Directors, managed finance and administration of a $15 million organization.
  • Developed and managed financial projections.
  • Developed and implemented accounting systems from scratch.
  • Developed and implemented cost accounting systems.
  • Developed and managed relationships with financial institutions.
  • Worked with an IT department to create and implement software from scratch for administration of a new business unit.

People Management:

  • Oversaw direct reports and a workforce of up to 300 seasonal workers at a frozen foods processing plant.
  • Oversaw almost 600 employees covered by 12 collective agreements and three unions in multiple locations for a property maintenance company.
  • Recruited and built management teams from scratch.
  • Created an entrepreneurial culture through training, empowerment and coaching.
  • Managed multi-cultural work forces.
  • Created a dynamic, motivated work force despite a low skilled, low wage environment.

Plant Management:

  • Oversaw plant operations and maintenance in fresh and frozen foods plants.
  • Led the acquisition, installation and commissioning of a $2 million aseptic processing line.
  • Led the design, acquisition and construction of a new, 45,000 square foot food processing facility.

Other

  • Food Safety: achieved AIB “Superior” Food Safety ratings.
  • Regulatory Relationships: oversaw regulatory affairs with CFIA, USDA and USFDA and developed and maintained relationships with key CFIA management.
  • Procurement: Created and developed an international supply network. Developed sources in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Spain, France, Mexico and the USA.
  • Distribution: Created and developed warehousing and distribution operations for delivery of perishables throughout North America. Managed unloading of breakbulk carriers in Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE.

Education

  • University of Toronto Executive Development Program
  • York University general studies
  • Certified Master Coach, Behavioral Coaching Institute
  • Facilitation Training, Leadership Strategies Institute
  • Food Security, AIB International
  • Food Safety/HACCP/GMP based on AIB standards
  • Numerous management training and education seminars

Affiliations/Interests

  • President/Chair, Volunteer Abbotsford
  • Director, Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce
  • Past Member, City of Abbotsford Economic Development Commission
  • Past Chair, City of Abbotsford Agriculture Advisory Committee
  • Past Chair, Abbotsford Chamber Agriculture Committee
  • Member, Abbotsford Chamber Government Affairs Committee
  • Member, Vancouver Board of Trade
  • Member, Board of Trade Small Business Council
  • Member, Association for Strategic Planning
  • Past Director, United Way of the Fraser Valley
  • United Way 2009 Campaign Cabinet Co-Chair
  • Member, Chilliwack Golf and Country Club