Lawrence T. Barrett, Jr.

550 Topeka Drive, Grayslake, IL 60030

847-338-0296 lbb9813a@westpost.net
SENIOR MANAGER - FINANCE / OPERATIONS / GENERAL MANA
GEMENT
Successful background of planning and managing major initiatives to achieve long
term growth and financial stability in highly competitive environments. Especi
ally skillful at identifying opportunities for improvement, translating into spe
cific objectives, creating project plans, marshalling necessary resources, and m
anaging through to completion. Proven capacity to rapidly analyze and resolve c
omplex business problems - delivering significant and sustainable improvements i
n efficiency, cost control, risk management and profitability.
Extensive professional skills and expertise, including:

* Budgeting, Accounting, Reporting, & Forecasting

* Re-Engineering Key Processes & Procedures
* Hiring, Training, Coaching & Team-Building
* Producing Insightful Financial Reports & Analysis
* Improving Cash Collection Systems & Processes
* Managing Complex Business Projects
* Managing Multiple Business Functions
* Creating Effective Financial Controls
* Administering H.R., Payroll & Benefit Plans
* Managing Relationships with Vendors/Suppliers
* Implementing Effective IT Systems
* Controlling Costs & Boosting Profits

Experience in distribution, construction, IT services & consulting, and equipmen

t manufacturing, service and leasing.
Professional Background
Mid-American Elevator Company (contractor & equipment lessor) Chicago, IL
1999 - 2002 & 2005 - 2010
-- Chief Financial Officer (2005 - 2010)
* Managed the update of IT systems from heavily customized infrastructure to a
common platform: easier to use and maintain. This allowed Mid-American to run i
ts many units on the same accounting system, to more accurately track inter-comp
any costs, and to improve the capability for consolidated financial reporting.
* Streamlined administrative and financial operations by consolidating function
s and installing internal controls. Reduced administrative staff costs by 40%,
and cut the time needed for month-end closing by 20%.
* Restructured a multi-company / multi-bank cash management system into a singl
e bank platform, with all activity consolidated into a cash-revolver loan. Res
ulted in freeing up about $1M of cash for immediate use, and the saving of about
$100K of loan interest charges.
-- Controller (1999 - 2002)
* Functioned as Project Manager for restoring Mid-American's Headquarters facil
ity after it was damaged by fire. After receiving a $1M settlement, restoration
 was completed at a total cost of just over $800K, and the facility was moderniz
ed by rolling remaining funds into other capital improvements.
* Organized and led staff in completing assigned tasks immediately after the fi
re. Although virtually all office equipment, records, and offices were damaged
or destroyed, no interruption of payroll, financial, or administrative functions
were experienced.
* Developed combined financial statements and reports that united results for s
eparate companies under common ownership and control. This was instrumental in
Mid-American obtaining capital funding which allowed expansion of operations.
LWG Consulting, Inc. (insurance loss consulting) Northbrook, IL
1995 - 1998 & 2002 - 2005
-- Chief Financial Officer, Secretary/Treasurer, Equity Partner & Board Memb
er (2002 - 2005)
* Key member of the team that acquired LWG Consulting. Produced and presented
most of the financial reports to interested lenders; and led migration of Accoun
ting and IT infrastructure, also installing financial controls.

Lawrence T. Barrett, Jr. - page 2 (LWG Consulting, continued)

* Instituted a lockbox system for bank deposits, allowing a central point of de
posit for LWG's 20 offices spread throughout North America and accelerating the
availability of cash deposits by 5-7 days (about $200K).
* Designed an operational and cash flow budgeting model that established all st
affing, revenue and cost goals for individuals and operating units. These were
rolled up into Regional and Corporate models and compared on a monthly, annual,
and historical basis -- giving owners a comprehensive evaluation.
-- Project Manager / Assistant Controller / Controller (1995 - 1998)
* Developed new Job Summary reports to provide a multi-faceted view of individu
al projects, including actual results compared to quote. This led to better quo
ting methods and higher gross margins.
* De-centralized the purchasing function and integrated it into accounting oper
ations. Allowed month-end close time to be reduced from 7-10 to 2-3 days, and v
irtually eliminated cases of missing documentation.
* Successfully organized and managed equipment restoration projects on 24-hour
call basis across the country.
Alfa Laval Separation, Inc. (industrial separator maker) Indianapolis, IN
Sr. Cost Accountant 1991 - 1995
* Identified process improvements, implemented new inventory control procedures
, and re-organized shop floor layouts. These changes improved throughput on rep
air items by 10-20%, and also reduced stock loss and excessive use of consumable
supplies.
* Improved purchasing and transfer billing procedures, eliminating material gap
s in recordkeeping of inter-unit transactions. This streamlined settlement of t
hese transactions between international units.
Golden Eagle Archery (archery products) Farmington, NY Controlle
r 1989 - 1990
* Created a Bill of Materials Processor for over 800 discrete products and inst
alled this onto an IT platform. This system saved over $250K on costs the first
year, and cut production waste over 50%.
Cross & Trecker Corp. (equipment & parts distributor) several locations
Division Controller 1985 - 1989
* Managed a new facility construction project that was 5 weeks behind and $200K
over budget at the time. Six months later the project was completed on time an
d under budget, resulting in my promotion to a larger unit.
* Integrated the accounting functions of a unit in Detroit with a newly acquire
d unit in Rochester, NY. After this was completed, led a team that successfully
converted both units to a completely new IT platform.
Tri-West Products, Inc. (Tier-I auto supplier) Detroit, MI
Controller 1980 - 1985
* Combined and converted a 5,000-item manual inventory system with multiple par
t numbers for same product (GM, Ford, and Chrysler) to a computerized perpetual
inventory system with common identifiers.
* Converted a manual accounting system to a computerized system.

Public Accounting experience, as an undergraduate at Eastern Michigan University

:
-- James F. Peters, PC Southfield, MI Staff Accountant
1978 - 1980
-- Danneels & Company Harper Woods, MI Staff Accountant
1978

Education & Technical Knowledge

B. S. - Business, accounting emphasis, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, M
I, 1980.
Working experience with MAPICS, BPCS, DEC/VAX, MAS90, ELITE, OSAS, Timberline, I
BM S/36, 38 & AS400,
ADP HR/Payroll/Enterprise, JDEdwards, QuickBooks, Peachtree and all Microsoft Of
fice products.