VALERIE A.

SCHMITZ
12205 Station Road
Columbia Station, OH 44028
440-236-8564 (home) vs50011a@westpost.net 216-2
25-9075 (cell)
CAREER PROFILE
Respected business unit management professional with extensive experience in dir
ecting operations, finance, and business development for a manufacturing, engine
ering retail corporate environments company. Built manufacturing operations whi
ch increased revenues from under $2 million to $5.5 million in ten year period,
increasing gross profits from 25% to 35%. Goal oriented professional who unders
tands the importance of building and maintaining relationships with internationa
l and national accounts with gross revenues from $500 million to $6 billion in a
nnual revenues.
AREAS OF EFFECTIVENESS

* Strategic Planning & Implementation

* Streamlining Organization & Operations
* Financial Planning
* Expense Control
* Customer, Vendor, & Employee Relations
* Revenue Production
* Cost Reduction & Avoidance
* Business Development & Marketing Initiatives
* Benefit Plan Selection & Administration
* Human Resources Management

CAREER PROGRESSION
Standard Displays Manufacturing Company, Inc. Cleveland, OH 1981 to Pres
ent
A $5.5 million manufacturer and reseller of custom high end retail store fixturi
ng for national and international department store chains whose outlets range fr
om 15 to 800 stores. Clients include Macy's Dillard's, Office Max, Lord & Taylo
r, and May Department Stores.
Vice President of Operations 1999 to Present
Drive all bottom-line factors, including company vision, strategic planning, and
business development. Successfully grew the company from $2 million in sales t
o $5.5 million. Expanded manufacturing capabilities which increased profitabili
ty from 25% to 35% gross profits.
* Effectively manage all phases of physical expansion of manufacturing facility,
including securing financing, collaborating with architects and contractors, an
d receiving regulatory approvals from multiple agencies.
* Apply and secure special financing through state programs which allow purchase
of CNC machinery to increase, expand, and implement production capabilities whi
ch produce high end, intricate, and custom finished fixtures.
* Develop and implement sales and marketing programs which have increased sales
from $2 million to $5.5 million.
* Upgraded computer software to incorporate estimating, scheduling, and project
tracking further streamlining the manufacturing process.
VALERIE A. SCHMITZ Page Two
Director of Business Development 1989 to 1999
* Streamlined estimating process to increase the profitability of projects by tr
acking costs of materials and implementing time sheets throughout the manufactur
ing facility.
* Created a five year business plan to increase sales and move in a clear direct
ion to prepare for facility and manufacturing expansion.
* Expanded shipping capabilities to include land and sea which allowed internati
onal sales.
Controller 1981 to 1989

EDUCATION
LPN Marymount School of Practical Nursing; Garfield Heights, OH
COSE Strategic Planning Course; Cleveland State University; Cleveland, OH
US Green Building Council Leed Certification Course; Cleveland State University;
Cleveland, OH