Richard J.

Mills
14 Lantana Trail * The Woodlands, Texas 77382 * (936) 321-6867
* (713) 253-8340 cell
rma4a33c@westpost.net

SENIOR OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT LEADER

Building & Leading Profitable, Efficient & Quality-Driven Operations
Expert in Startup & Turnaround Operations in Diverse Markets

Vision-driven Operations Executive with extensive experience in the planning, de

velopment, staffing and management of profitable business operations within indu
strial construction, foundation repair and plumbing services. Strategic, analyti
cal thinker and change agent with a proven track record in startup and turnaroun
d operations. Successful in the recruitment, training and development of strong
operational leaders. Unmatched drive and ambition.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Strategic Planning * P&L, Budgeting & Reporting * Sales & Marketing Strategy
Contract Negotiations * Logistics Planning * Inventory Management
Asset Management * Quality & Performance Improvement * Vendor Management Custome
r Management * Multisite Operations Management * Market Development
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
OLSHAN SERVICES, Houston, Texas
2001 Present
Largest foundation repair & waterproofing company in the nation with sales of $1
10 million
President, Houston Operations (2001 2005)
* Handpicked by the CEO to lead the turnaround of two underperforming companiesA
tlas Foundation Repair and Olshan Foundation Repair generating $20 million annua
lly.
* Accepted full P&L and executive leadership for 2 Vice Presidents, a staff of 1
40+, all strategic planning, marketing and sales strategy, budgeting, management
development, staff training, inventory management, accounting and financial rep
orting.
* Developed and instituted policies, procedures and systems to include an automa
ted payroll system that improved reporting integrity and reduced operating costs
.
* Facilitated aggressive training program to build professionalism within the sa
les force.
* Implemented a new pricing strategy and operational improvements that drove net
profit up 99.5% within the first year, despite a 28.2% decrease in production.
* Delivered a 23% gross profit increase in 2002 despite a 28.1% decrease in prod
uction due to volatile market conditions.
* Maintained profitability in 2003 and 2004 while downsizing and restructuring o
perations, and contending with a 49.3% reduction in revenue.
* Conceptualized and presented a comprehensive marketing analysis measuring the
cause and effect of rainfall on the Houston market, reducing advertising spend f
rom 15.1% to 8.7% of revenue, delivering $16.5 million directly to the bottom li
ne over a 3-year period.
* Generated a 56.7% reduction in workers compensation and medical expenses throu
gh the implementation of an OHSA compliant safety program and incentive plan.
* Guided company through potentially crippling litigation and an OSHA investigat
ion due to a work-related fatality. Negotiated a wrongful death settlement for $
700,000 that had a potential exposure of $7 million.
Regional Partner, Houston, Texas
2005 2009
* Accepted equity participation and operational leadership for multiple business
units throughout the United States.
* Provided vision and direction for all strategic business planning, budgeting,
marketing and sales strategy, management development, performance management and
reporting.
* Drove gross profit from16.7% to 25.9% within the Dallas market in less than 6
months.
* Led the turnaround and restructuring of 2 underperforming operations in Oklaho
ma, increasing profitability by 85.2% within 90 days.
National Program ManagerOlshan Plumbing
2009 Present
* Handpicked by new CEO to develop a national program and to build the operation
al infrastructure to position Olshan Plumbing as the preferred service provider
for Home Depot, and to expand its reach across the country.
* Accepted full P&L and management leadership for all strategic planning, progra
m development, management and staff development, key performance metrics and per
formance management.
* Grew program from startup to $7.3 million in 2009 and $10 million to date desp
ite weak economic market. Ranked within the Top Tier Service Providers for Cust
omer Service Excellence.
TELLEPSEN SERVICES COMPANY, LP, Houston, Texas
1999 2001
A startup industrial division of Tellepsen Builders
Administration Manager
* Recruited by former Vice President of Belmont Constructors Company to partner
in establishing an industrial construction division for this fourth generation c
ommercial builder in Houston.
* Designed and built the operational infrastructure to include all accounting, f
inancial and administrative processes, systems and procedures.
* Recruited, trained and empowered a staff of 10, and positioned the division to
achieve profitability within its first year of operation.
BELMONT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, Houston, Texas
1980 1999
Full service nationwide industrial construction company
Operations Controller / Manager of Administration & Corporate Project Services
Office Manager, Projects / Manager, Corporate Cost Analysis
* Nineteen-year career highlighted by increasingly responsible positions for thi
s startup industrial construction company.
* Recruited to establish and staff a cost analysis department to evaluate and fo
recast the profitability of industrial construction projects as the company grew
from inception to $150 million annually.
* Developed the internal infrastructure to support all field accounting, cost re
porting, purchasing, administration and payroll operations.
* Led the automation of processes, systems and procedures to streamline operatio
ns and support future growth.
* Restructured the IT department, and introduced new technologies to integrate a
ccounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and cost accounting that reduced I
T operating costs by 30%.
* Created project cost analysis process providing accurate monitoring of complex
construction projects and early detection of cause and effect issues impacting
profitability.
* Handpicked by CEO to negotiate a major project claim that resulted in a 70% in
crease in profit for the company.
* Marshaled the company through several workers compensation, ERISA and sales ta
x audits.
* Promoted to exclusively manage the risk assessment and financial analysis of l
arge projects to include the construction of chemical plants for Enterprise Prod
ucts, Exxon and other major chemical companies.
* Directed the companys largest division to include a team of 50, all budgeting,
forecasting, field accounting, risk management and cost analysis.
* Saved the company $1.5 million through the skillful downsizing of operations d
uring the companys stalled growth pattern.

EDUCATION & CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Executive Leadership Training

The Vandaveer Group, Inc., Houston, Texas
BS, Industrial Construction Management
Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Colorado
Dale Carnegie Immersion Program
Corporate Financial Management * Uncommon Leadership