Experience

Nite Owl Packaging

• United States
• Packaging and Containers Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Vice President Sales & Operations

  • Jan 2020 - Present

  Nite Owl Packaging traces its roots to their sister company, Nite Owl Printing, which was established in 2010 to service the on-demand printing needs of smaller to mid-sized organizations. Our business has grown quickly by focusing on customer’s needs for small to mid-run packaging projects which must move rapidly from concept to market. Nite Owl's commitment is to provide unmatched flexibility from design through production. The ability to offer individualized attention and service to each client, on a wide variety of packaging needs, differentiates us from the large packaging manufacturers throughout the country. Whether for short run traditional packaging needs, or complex packaging with unique design requirements, we swoop in with powerful packaging solutions. Show less



Graphic Sourcing Solutions

• Greater Chicago Area

• Managing Partner

  • Dec 2016 - Mar 2019

  Adjusted for the shifting industry landscape by establishing Graphic Sourcing Solutions as a business unit to focus on sourcing print and packaging for the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) and Convenience Store industries, and to move the company away from dependence on the declining paper market. Provided clients with innovative print, paper, and packaging solutions, while also helping them manage their budgets in an increasingly competitive environment. Adjusted for the shifting industry landscape by establishing Graphic Sourcing Solutions as a business unit to focus on sourcing print and packaging for the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) and Convenience Store industries, and to move the company away from dependence on the declining paper market. Provided clients with innovative print, paper, and packaging solutions, while also helping them manage their budgets in an increasingly competitive environment.



BarrierTech Packaging

• Greater Chicago Area

• President & COO

  • Mar 2015 - Dec 2016

  Joined with others in the industry to form this company which provided flexible packaging for the food industry. My primary focus was developing distribution within targeted markets and negotiating an agreement with Norkol to offer packaging solutions to their network in the meat industry. Joined with others in the industry to form this company which provided flexible packaging for the food industry. My primary focus was developing distribution within targeted markets and negotiating an agreement with Norkol to offer packaging solutions to their network in the meat industry.



MIDLAND

• United States
• Paper and Forest Product Manufacturing
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Vice President, Sales

  • Sep 2013 - Mar 2015

  Recruited by Midland to develop the company’s retail segment and target new businesses and markets, broadening the company’s supply base by leveraging a rich industry network and partnering with new suppliers. Recruited by Midland to develop the company’s retail segment and target new businesses and markets, broadening the company’s supply base by leveraging a rich industry network and partnering with new suppliers.



CellMark

• Sweden
• International Trade and Development
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Vice President, Sales

  • Nov 2011 - Sep 2013

  Hired along with a business partner from Graphic Communications to co-found and develop the company’s retail segment, targeting major retail chains and catalog companies. Hired along with a business partner from Graphic Communications to co-found and develop the company’s retail segment, targeting major retail chains and catalog companies.



Graphic Communications

• United States
• Paper and Forest Product Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice President, Sales

  • Oct 1996 - Nov 2011

  Originally recruited to target business with CompUSA, the country’s leading technology retailer at the time, providing print management and paper for their sales circulars. Identified additional market segments which the merchant community had overlooked, in particular the independent directory industry, and recruited and trained sales executives to diversify into these areas. Utilized industry contacts to structure supply agreements with the leading directory mills which enabled Graphic Communications to become the dominant supplier in this market segment. Notable Contributions: • Obtained contracts with both CompUSA and Great Western Directories within the first month of hire. • Expanded the directory supply base from 1 paper mill to 6, which accelerated market share and profit expansion. • Drove the company to the dominant supplier position in 6 years, selling 56,000+ tons of directory paper annually. • Achieved recurring annual revenues of over $64 million in under 8 years. • More than tripled the equity valuation of the company by serving on an 8-person management group that purchased the company in 2000, formed an employee buyout (ESOP), and sold it to Bain Capital in 2003. Show less



Proline Printing

• United States
• Machinery Manufacturing
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Board Member

  • 2003 - 2008

  As part of an investment group that acquired 48% ownership of ProLine Printing, the leading independent retail insert printer in North America, Mr. Beja was elected as a board member to oversee and protect the group’s financial interests. • Marketed the business to perspective buyers which led to a transaction in 2008 with RR Donnelley valued at $122 million. As part of an investment group that acquired 48% ownership of ProLine Printing, the leading independent retail insert printer in North America, Mr. Beja was elected as a board member to oversee and protect the group’s financial interests. • Marketed the business to perspective buyers which led to a transaction in 2008 with RR Donnelley valued at $122 million.



RR Donnelley

• United States
• Advertising Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Major Account Manager

  • 1994 - 1996

  Responsible for managing the largest account in RR Donnelley’s Book Group, Macmillan Computer Publishing.• Coordinated a multiple plant manufacturing effort, developed and maintained executive relationships and spear headed annual contract renewal with Macmillan’s CFO.• Sold additional services, which fell outside the Book Group’s manufacturing capabilities, to Macmillan’s parent company, Simon & Schuster, resulting in higher sales and profits.

• Senior Sales Representative

  • 1984 - 1994

  Successfully developed the Southwest region for the General & Directory Sales Group.• Grew annual sales to over $13,000,000 with gross profits exceeding $4,000,000.• Sold across every Donnelley business segment including Catalog, Retail, Directory, Magazine, Software Documentation Services and Book.• Provided software customers customized manufacturing solutions that included moving production to European facilities to reduce costs and time to market.• Developed the two largest accounts in the Southwest Region based on sales volume and gross profit.• Received the prestigious T.E. Donnelley Salesman of the Year award in 1990. Show less