- Pleasanton, California
- June 23, 2023
An entrepreneurial, innovative, high performing, solutions focused Executive Leader with a solid reputation and extensive global experience in Agribusiness and Food Production. Highly skilled in navigating periods of accelerated growth for Fortune 500 and mid-sized public and private firms, directing operations, supply chain, logistics, sales and marketing, and manufacturing. Proven ability in evaluating existing operations to identify inefficiencies, redundancies, and risks while innovating process improvements to optimize workflow, maintain internal controls, and drive profitability. Strong Planning and Organization Skills. Inquisitive and Resilient. Recognized for maintaining working knowledge of industry trends, regulations, and consumer needs, while delivering cutting-edge strategies and solutions for portfolio management and sustainable revenue generation.
Industries – Agribusiness; Bananas; Conglomerates; Hydro-Energy; Farming; Food Coatings; Forestry; Food Ingredients; Food Production; Fresh-Cut; Fresh Fruit & Vegetables; Juices; Large-Scale Plantations; Packaging; Pineapple; Processed Foods; Orchard, Row, & Tropical Crops; Tea; Tobacco; and Transportation.
Education
Experience
Provide consultive services for firms in Food Production, Agribusiness, and Fresh Produce Industries.
• Guided as Commercial Advisor in due diligence of $850m global produce firm for Middle East PE Firm.
• Guided commercial understanding for targeted Asian fresh and packaged business for Japan PE Firm.
• Analyzed and delivered potential banana project in Somalia for Middle East Food Firm.
• Delivered food industry trends for Government Authority.
• Outlined refrigeration and cold chain applications in produce industry for Consulting Firm.
• Presented recommended commodity/produce organization for Consulting Firm.
• Facilitated organic-based chemicals to extend produce shelf-life for Agri-Chemicals Firm.
Identified and conducted due diligence for key new business opportunities in the South Asia region, supporting existing operations in expansion and development. Directed Sri Lanka “greenfield project” with seven farms and 1,800 employees.
• Developed and received approval for India strategy within two months, implemented strategy, and identified acquisition and joint venture targets.
• Assigned to overhaul Sri Lanka business from stagnant to profitable turning-around from a loss of $2m to a profit of $3m, closed non-viable farms, and explored new expansion opportunities.
• Cultivated an independent local and professional management team.
Spearheaded complex agribusiness conglomerate with operations across seven platforms – Agriculture & Trading, Bananas, Energy, Forestry, Juice, Tea, and Tobacco – operating in Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe and operating on 1 million acres of owned and leased lands with 14 factories. Led sales in Sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.
• Consolidated 16 companies under one group under the new “Rift Valley” corporate branding and grew revenues by 26%, $219m to $275m, and EBITDA, $0.2m to $18m.
• Developed a listable Group and enhanced group positioning.
• Eliminated two non-core businesses, retail hardware and clay brick manufacturing, to pay down debt.
• Built two new tea factories with spend of $5m.
• Reduced headcount from 22,000 to 13,200 employees through realignment and divestures.
• Implemented $75m of greenfield investments in agriculture, bananas, energy, and forestry.
• Improved budgeting systems, KPI’s, financial reporting, and weekly and monthly reporting system.
• Developed one of the top-performing management teams in Sub-Saharan Africa agribusiness industry.
Spearheaded $100m value-added food coatings and seasoning business operating in the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Australasia. Led sales to global QSR and food processing customers.
Spearheaded $225m farming and produce business operating in California, Arizona, Mexico, and Peru on 40,000 acres of company-owned and third-party farms. Led sales of 40 varieties of fresh vegetables in North America, Asia, and Europe.
Spearheaded $400m farming, produce, and fresh-cut business operating in Asia-Pacific on 35,000 acres of company-owned and third-party farms. Led sales of fresh produce – bananas, pineapple, citrus, deciduous, fresh-cut, vegetables, and tropical products in Asia-Pacific, Australasia, the Middle East, and Pacific Russia.