DON RAEZLER

Wheaton, IL 60189 * 630/253-9697 * donraezler@aol.com

Vice President Operations
ACHIEVEMENT SUMMARY

2011Opened up a $20 million dollar annual revenue pipeline; set up distributor network and positioned a newly invigorated manufacturing & distributing leader in extended shelf-life, non-refrigerated food products to grow domestic revenues exponentially. 20052010Rehabilitated a failing frozen food enterprise. Increased revenues 7-fold in five years. 20012004Assisted in starting-up a cosmetics manufacturer and rehabilitated a failing pasta producer. 19992001Operational lead for the construction and start-up of the nation's largest dairy. 19911999Upgraded supply chain management via MRP/MPS while reducing inventories by 40%. 19851991Ran beverage production operations for a Top Two Bottler.
Core Strategic Competencies

Integrates multiple business areas and provides decision-making leadership in the following areas: cost reduction and revenue increase opportunity identification; implementing leaner and more productive sales & marketing processes; manufacturing automation; acquisition management; strategic supply side streamlining; channel development (including DSD [Direct Store Delivery] networks (involving fleet and distribution center management)); and, developing sales flow instruments to manage geographically segregated operations. Record of consistent dramatic bottom-line improvements derives from skills at capitalizing on marketplace opportunities, negotiating tough but fair distributor & vendor agreements, and developing enhanced value-added, competitive advantage conferring strategies. Personnel leadership and team development talents were manifested early in career by massively improving unionized employee facility morale. Generates sophisticated customer service platforms. Most recently, identified the opportunity and opened up new channels for sales to clients previously much more reliant on refrigerated or frozen products. Personally negotiated substantial multi-million dollar, long-term agreements with food equipment manufacturers and ran operations for plants annually producing in excess of $750 million.

CAREER HISTORY
PRETZEL HAUS BAKERY LLC/FUNACHO LLC, Cincinnati, OH March 2010 Present Corporate Advisor and Business Development Interim VP Summary: Mandated to grow domestic revenues for a world leader in extended shelf-life and aseptic (microorganism intolerant) food products. Pretzel Haus produces and markets shelf-stable pretzels, cookies, gourmet popcorn, and bagels in packages with expiry dates one year from initial production. Funacho, a movie theater and international food supplier, manufacturers and/or distributes extended shelf-life cheeses and dips. Funacho also distributes a line of food dispensers, one of which, now in the final phase of development, will offer competitive advantage in terms of price and hygiene.
Achievement Highlights

Started up what is rapidly approaching a $5 million annual revenue stream. Negotiated multiple broker contracts which will provide national coverage (including military) for both product lines. Initiated long-sales-cycle-closing agreements with federal and state agencies expected to yield millions of dollars in new annual sales. BAJA FOODS, LLC, Chicago, IL 2005 2010

Executive Vice President Summary: Expanded and recession-proofed a privately held manufacturer and distributor of frozen food. Scope: Built up an enterprise from 20 to over 75 staff.
Achievement Highlights

Bottom-Line--Grew annual revenues from $1 to $7 million. Developed new packaging and SKUs and significantly strengthened product offerings. Reconfigured Baja's broker network, added a new co-pack (private branding) revenue stream, and eliminated unprofitable SKUs.

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Business Strategy--Expanded sales & marketing footprint; transformed a small school food business into a regional leader with ever-increasing sales in more profitable channels including military, retail, and convenience stores. DOR CONSULTING, Wheaton, IL 2001 2005 Interim Executive/Corporate Advisor Summary: Subject to stringent non-disclosure agreements, provided a portfolio of enterprises with operational process improvement & reengineering, financing, and business development solutions.
Engagement Highlights

Established a supply chain process and raised capital for an early-stage cosmetics company. Served as Interim COO for a family-run frozen pasta company; prevented bank foreclosure by introducing new SKUs which immediately increased revenues and encouraged new investment. HP HOOD, INC., Boston, MA
Vice President, Operations

1999 2001

Overview: Recruited to upgrade and realign operations for this manufacturer and distributor of dairy products with

annual revenues nearing $1 billion. Served as a Top Three Executive with full P&L control. Scope: Directed a manufacturing and distribution group of 500 600 personnel through a network of 7 plant managers and 55 managers/directors. Personally oversaw plant engineering and co-packing.
Operation Enhancement Highlights

Led start-up of a new $100 million state-of-the-art dairy which became the nation's largest and a model in extended-shelf-life product development and production; functioned as senior decision-maker with respect to facility engineering, construction oversight, job design, and staff recruitment & training; fulfilled senior duediligence roles ensuring compliance with state regulations. Engineered a $9 million capital avoidance arrangement while increasing real estate equity and improved executive efficiency through more stringent controls and accountabilities reflected in a reduction of 16% of salaried staff without any compromise to production quality and customer satisfaction. McCAIN CITRUS, INC., Oak Brook, IL 1991 1999 Vice President, Operations P&L leader and Top Three Executive for a $250 million manufacturer and distributor of citrus products. Directed an executive team of 9 consisting of 3 plant managers, 1 Operations Director, 1 Co-Pack Manager, 1 Distribution Director, 1 Director of Customer Service and 2 Engineers (electrical and mechanical). Delivered multi-million dollar bottom-line values annually by implementing CQI technologies, optimizing work force scheduling (in the process reduced work force by 21% (a $1.25 million value in first year) without compromising productivity), and streamlining supply chain management operations (implemented a new MRP/MPS solution which paid for itself within months by reducing inventory and production overruns while increasing customer satisfaction).

PEPSI-COLA CORPORATION, EAST DIVISION 1974 1991 Group Plant Manager (Cheverly, MD; 19901991; managed $50 MM, 15-million-unit bottling operation with 140 employees) Acquisitions Manager (Pittsburgh, PA; 19891990) Group Plant Manager (Pittsburgh, PA; 19851989)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Education: BS, Business Management, Central Michigan University. Professional Upgrading: Executive Development Programs at University of Michigan and The Kellogg School at

Northwestern University. Attended numerous classes on CQI (continuous quality improvement), personnel leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Available Upon Request: Employer commendation letters, references, and early career history detail.