Experience

• 

  Semex

  • Madison, Wisconsin Area

  • Operations Manager

    • Nov 2018 - Present
    • Madison, Wisconsin Area

• 

  FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative

  • United States
  • Dairy
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • General Manager

    • Jan 2014 - Dec 2017

    FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative is a dairy marketing cooperative that provided policy bargaining, dairy marketing, laboratory testing, and industry promotion services to its farm members in the upper Midwest. I directed all facets of the business including company vision, member and new business development and long range strategic planning. Served as a local and national liaison; communicated and initiated efforts to improve dairy industry policy directives with congressional leaders, agencies and allied industries to ensure the highest member benefits; presented and educated on key dairy policy issues. Guided and developed marketing and communications initiatives, including public relations, database and social media; planned and directed local and annual membership meetings.

  • Assistant General Manager

    • Jan 2013 - Dec 2013

    During a company consolidation, I was responsible for the successful transition of all assets, inventory, accounts and staff responsibilities for the acquisition/merger of three companies, including relocation of two business headquarters. Developed and implemented training initiatives for board of directors, staff and members.

• 

  Family Dairies USA

  • Madison, WI

  • General Manager

    • Jan 2007 - Dec 2012
    • Madison, WI

    Stabilized and lead cooperative initiatives for 5,200 member (4,600) dairy farm organization. Developed and managed marketing and communications efforts, including the member newsletter and redesign of cooperative website. Coordinated and lead relocation and building of office space for the organization. In this role, I was actively engaged in dairy policy and representing members on legislative issues at both the state and national levels. Initiated and managed acquisition/merger for two other dairy cooperatives.

• 

  Semex USA

  • Madison, WI

  • Director of Operations

    • Sep 1996 - Dec 2006
    • Madison, WI

    As Director of Operations, I developed and coordinated corporate business practices and standard operating procedures pertaining to inventory, distribution, financial and sales reporting structure. During company transitions, I led the design and implementation of new ledger accounts to area profit centers; including margin establishment and product analysis. In addition, I led operational supply chain transitions during acquisition of four business entities and was responsible for software review analysis, implementation and report development. I was also responsible for monthly financial, sales and commissions reporting, journal entries, bank transactions and reconciliations during employee transitions.

• 

  Semex USA Central

  • Woodstock, IL & Madison, WI

  • Customer Service Representative

    • Mar 1992 - Aug 1996
    • Woodstock, IL & Madison, WI

    I was responsible for in house sales to retail, wholesale and servicing employed representatives. In addition to managing inventory, responsibilities included quantity adjustments, warehouse maintenance and reporting procedures for over 8,100 SKU’s; and supporting 20% annual sales unit growth. I developed new product launch corporate communications, analysis and reporting and directed and managed successful customer incentive programs. As well, I developed marketing material content and maintained customer and product databases.

• 

  Wisconsin Holstein Association

  • Baraboo, WI

  • Field Representative

    • Jul 1989 - Feb 1992
    • Baraboo, WI

    At Wisconsin Holstein Association, I was involved in a number of facets for the organization where I actively supported its 8,000 members. Responsibilities included marketing advertising space, directing youth programs such as dairy cattle shows, awards, camps and conventions along with coordinating district and state adult dairy shows and sales. I also contributed monthly articles to its news publication.