PRESIDENT

• Apr 2015 - Present

• Plan, spearhead, and front the transition of the organization to the offense; to a people-focused, continuous improvement, and growth-minded culture. • Successfully facilitate the regular launch of new products and packaging tied to the brand. • Influenced increased profitability and achieved a sales increase of 50% over first 3 years as President. • Reorganized, restructured, and streamlined the entire physical plant using Lean Manufacturing principles resulting in improved and more efficient operations and creating the opportunity for new investment in the facility. • Identify, generate, and secure key online channels as areas of focus, resulting in dramatic growth. Show less

GENERAL MANAGER

• Jul 2011 - Mar 2015

• Built and enabled a cohesive leadership team to drive change productively throughout the organization. • Created, implemented, and established an annual budgeting process for each division, operated within budget, and held the organization accountable. • Orchestrated and oversaw BEER NUTS Company Store operations, rehabilitated to profitability.• Boosted eCommerce sales to over 100% increase in 2013 and again in 2018.• Bolstered strong partnership with co-packer to extend product line and maximize sales growth.• Reassessed vendor relationships in order to strengthen long-term partnerships with most suppliers.• Chaired as Interim acting Plant Manager for 6 months.• Formulated and coordinated an efficient fulfillment operation for direct sales department.• Performed nearly every job function in the plant – midnight maintenance to packing peanuts. Show less

PROJECT MANAGER

• Sep 2008 - Jun 2011

• Conceptualized and pioneered a new quality program resulting in improved customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.• Directed and supported new food safety program development in compliance with federal standards. • Redesigned plant workflows to meet changing food safety requirements while improving efficiency.• Analyzed and overhauled purchasing process and vendor pool saving the company up to 50% on some materials.• Created and administered a strategic plan and planning process.• Led and was hands-on in helping clean the basement full of 20-40 years of dirt and debris; it took over two weeks and the basement remains pristine. Show less

Board of Directors

• Jan 2020 - Present

The Economic Development Council of the Bloomington-Normal Area grows the local economy by assisting with local business expansion, recruiting new businesses and companies to the area, and encouraging the next wave of entrepreneurs to establish their business here. Nominating Committee (2020-2022) Vice Chairman (2021) Chairman (2022) The Economic Development Council of the Bloomington-Normal Area grows the local economy by assisting with local business expansion, recruiting new businesses and companies to the area, and encouraging the next wave of entrepreneurs to establish their business here. Nominating Committee (2020-2022) Vice Chairman (2021) Chairman (2022)

Co-Founder

• Jan 2020 - Present

The CEO Council is an influential group of CEOs, presidents, and decision-makers who collectively leverage passion, relationships, and resources to influence business growth and foster a financially thriving McLean County. We combine our member’s talents, resources, and influence to help with Mclean County’s most urgent business challenges in our community. We also offer our support to the advocacy of pro-business candidates and referendums that may change the business horizon. We Value: Commitment to economic, community and civic prosperity – thinking and acting with a greater good in mind, our own best interests are secondary. A rising tide lifts all boats. Courage to speak and listen – progress requires we speak up and speak out in order to produce continuous dialogue that will lead to productive change. Collaboration to lead change – align with complimentary organizations to maximize execution while minimizing overlap. Chairman (2020 - 2022) Show less

Illinois Wesleyan Associates - President

• Oct 2022 - Present

Board of Trustees

• Oct 2022 - Present

Co-Founder

• Jul 2019 - Present

Board of Directors

• Jan 2019 - Present

The Shirk Family Foundation supports charitable, educational, religious, scientific and athletic related organizations that encourage the building of strong, moral youth in McLean County, Illinois. By providing grants to local institutions, the Foundation seeks to promote the programs and initiatives that support the arts, education, athletic excellence, leadership and spiritual growth. The Shirk Family Foundation supports charitable, educational, religious, scientific and athletic related organizations that encourage the building of strong, moral youth in McLean County, Illinois. By providing grants to local institutions, the Foundation seeks to promote the programs and initiatives that support the arts, education, athletic excellence, leadership and spiritual growth.

Board of Directors

• Sep 2021 - Present

Member

• Sep 2015 - Present

Illinois Chapter Membership Chair

• Jul 2017 - Oct 2018

YPO Illinois Board of Directors (2016-2018)Assistant Membership Chair (2016-2017) Membership Chair (2017-2018)

Board of Directors

• Jan 2022 - Dec 2022

Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Directors representing The CEO Council, a division of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce. Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Directors representing The CEO Council, a division of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce.

MANAGER

• Sep 2008 - Aug 2019

• Operate and manage financial and lease activities of farm properties under management. • Pursue acquisitions, dispositions, and capital improvement projects in order to continuously improve portfolio holdings. • Coach in house Farm Manager in fostering tenant relationships in order to advance the long-term financial success of both parties in the tenant-landlord relationship. • Coordinate and supervise activities of the Farm Manager. • Operate and manage financial and lease activities of farm properties under management. • Pursue acquisitions, dispositions, and capital improvement projects in order to continuously improve portfolio holdings. • Coach in house Farm Manager in fostering tenant relationships in order to advance the long-term financial success of both parties in the tenant-landlord relationship. • Coordinate and supervise activities of the Farm Manager.

Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel

• Jan 2019 - Mar 2019

Selected by the McLean County Board Chairman, one of 7 community member panelists selected to identify qualified candidates for the County Administrator role and assist in the candidate selection process. Selected by the McLean County Board Chairman, one of 7 community member panelists selected to identify qualified candidates for the County Administrator role and assist in the candidate selection process.

Leadership Council

• Jan 2016 - Dec 2018

Leadership Council Steering Committee (2017- 2018) Leadership Council Steering Committee (2017- 2018)

Strategic Planning Committee

• Mar 2017 - Aug 2017

Bloomington-Normal YMCA (2017) Bloomington-Normal YMCA (2017)

ANALYST / BROKER

• Jul 2005 - Jun 2008

• Underwrote over $1 billion of shopping centers and actively participated in over 20 shopping center transactions with a closing value exceeding $350 million. • Reviewed and negotiated in excess of 1,000 leases for shopping center tenants, determining financial value of each; Headed up-front and follow-up due diligence, including budget, lease, and all pertinent contract reviews. • Built and formalized long-term cash flow analysis for enclosed and strip malls across the country. • Designed and distributed detailed Offering Memorandums and marketing materials to key target audience for properties being brought to market. • Garnered strong relationships with clients including Simon, Forest City, DLC, Visconsi, Somera, General Growth, Bayview, and others. • Authored periodic market analysis reports to navigate clients through market transitions. • Engineered detailed comparable sales report and analysis for open-air and enclosed mall transactions in the US. • Served as Member of Young Real Estate Professionals of Chicago and the International Council of Shopping Centers. Show less

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER / CO-FOUNDER / OWNER

• May 2003 - Dec 2003

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER / DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR / CO-FOUNDER / OWNER

• Jan 2002 - Apr 2003

• Functioned as active 25% owner of Oxford Spring Water, Inc., a registered S-Corp of the State of Ohio through December 2003.• Administered and executed fundamental business operations including coordination of daily deliveries of water and coolers.• Programmed and standardized an efficient delivery schedule which furthered company capacity, as well as employee and customer satisfaction.• Recruited, trained, and mentored three delivery personnel developing management, interpersonal, and customer-facing skills.• Shaped customer service quality by managing customer comments, issues, and complaints.• Partnered directly with accountants and lawyers to gain extensive experience with all financial aspects of the business, including cash flow management, accounts receivable, collections, and taxes.• Negotiated sale of Oxford Spring Water, Inc. to Alpine Valley Water of Cincinnati, Ohio.• Awarded ‘Best Club Started Business’ by the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization in 2002. Show less

SALES REPRESENTATIVE, LEAD GENERATOR, AND MARKETING ASSISTANT – Kauffman Entrepreneurial Internship

• May 2003 - Aug 2003

Formerly The Sant Corporation and Qvidian • Developed and leveraged inside sales experience selling customized version of ProposalMaster software to Best Software, Inc. resellers. • Synchronized efforts among cross-functional teams comprised of 2,500 channel partners, technical support, product training, and billing. • Created and showcased criteria allowing sales representatives to more effectively review sales leads. • Contacted 1,000 dead leads to regenerate interest; most successful deal resulted in a large sale and long-term account with Charles Schwab • Introduced lead generator training manual for newly hired inside and outside sales reps. • Completed training in solution selling methodology and ROI sales techniques by Sales Performance International. • Conducted web-based focus group to determine importance of improvements for product upgrades. Show less