High energy management professional with years of experience influencing decision makers. Successful background in business development for emerging markets in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Ability to leverage industry and government contacts and to apply knowledge of country environment to achieve results globally. Solid negotiating, leadership, and problem solving skills to find solutions and overcome barriers. Broad education and experience, including technical and manufacturing background. Superior communication skills with the ability to translate strategic plans into actionable, measurable goals. A hard working team player.
EXPERIENCE
2016-Present
STANFORD|SEED, Palo Alto, California
Stanford University Institute for Innovation in developing Economies
CONSULTANT
- Advise and assist assigned startups in the developing economies of West Africa
- Project Analysis-Financial, Structure, Scale
- Project Execution
2010-2015
GENERAL FLAVORS & FOOD COMPANY LTD. (GFFC), Abuja, Nigeria
DIRECTOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- Managed and coordinated all activities for GFFC to build factory for purified water
- Developed and implemented the go to market business plan
- Negotiated distribution contracts with supermarket chains and distributors
- Manage Product Development with R&D and flavor suppliers
- Negotiated procurement contracts with suppliers from USA, China and S. Africa
- Staffed and trained factory employees and sales team with defined SOP’s
2007-2010
CINNABAR WINERY, Saratoga, California
MANAGER
- Implemented the sales and marketing strategies in the inaugural tasting room
- Developed, trained and managed sales team increasing revenue by 300%
- Developed and implemented customer penetration plan that increased traffic to the winery
1999-2007
ATZEN INC. San Jose, California
Pharmaceutical Skin Care product and medical device development and Distribution Company
VICE-PRESIDENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
- Full P&L responsibilities interacting with R&D operations in France.
- Managed a team of sales and marketing professionals to implement global entry modules for emerging markets that established distributors in Japan and Kuwait.
- Drove the business development strategies in the Middle East and Asia, collaborating with government and health officials to meet compliance requirements
1998-1999
MORGAN STANLEY, Cupertino, California
Financial Services and Investment Planning
FINANCIAL ADVISOR
- Financial analysis, risk analysis, planning and management of investment portfolios
- Investment and retirement planning
- Stock broker
1990-1998
CONAGRA FOODS INC. Minneapolis, Minnesota
INTERNATIONAL AREA MANAGER -Africa, Canada, Caribbean, Latin America
- Full profit and loss responsibility for the territory supplying products to fortune 500 companies
- Redesigned delivery packaging to meet local needs in Latin America, Caribbean, Asia and Africa that increased revenues by 21%
- Negotiated strategic partnerships with Kraft Foods Canada Inc to manufacture their private “Bakers” label
- Developed, implemented, and managed supply chain to Canadian distributors with JIT production planning and re-stocking which reduced costs by 30%
- Coordinated annual distributors meetings in various countries worldwide
- Managed the input and implementation of the divisions annual business plan
- International division’s liaisons and key member of the R&D departments product development team
1989-1990
CONAGRA FOODS INC. Minneapolis, Minnesota
MARKETING COORDINATOR
- Designed, developed and implemented marketing programs for trade shows worldwide
- Coordinated product development with R&D
- Coordinated packaging development with vendors
- Managed contract manufacturer logistics and planning
1984-1989
BEATRICE FOODS/HUNT WESSON FOOD PRODUCERS INTERNATIONAL
A division of ConAgra Foods, Minneapolis, Minnesota
QUALITY CONTROL TECHNICIAN
- Monitored incoming ingredient specifications and managed GMP on factory floor
- Improved production efficiency by 15% with statistical study of filling line accuracy
- Reduced recalls with effective management of production process
EDUCATION University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minnesota 1989
MBA, International Management
University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 1982
B.Sc. Microbiology
INTERESTS:
International travel, renewable energy, environment, nature, cultures and history