Larry Pickett

4108 Sendero Trl

Dallas, TX 75024
214-621-2879
lpfe8e4c@westpost.net

CHIEF OPERATING MANAGER

Business Management Expertise
Process Development
Accomplished and integrity-driven service industry professional offering 15 year
s of success as a business owner and operations manager. Recognized as a savvy l
eader with strengths in reengineering performance systems. Improved leadership s
kills that produced improvements in cost, sales and profit. Implemented successf
ul marketing and sales strategies. Excellent problem solving and business growth
skills. Praised for prudently managing human and financial resources. A loyal t
eam player who believes in working hard and behaving ethically.
PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS
Developing Managers, Sales and Profit Forecasting, Corporate Development, New Co
nstruction, Training Processes, Advertising and Marketing,Regional Team Building
, Problem Resolution, Profit and Loss Controls
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Valley Ranch Financial, LLC Plano TX 09/2006 to Present
(Local Insurance Company specializing in auto, home, life, commercial, annuities
and retirement)
Owner/Agent
Investment opportunity to purchase successful insurance company. Recruited by Re
gional management as best suited investor to manage agency. Sold Majority of com
pany stock to invest in real estate and take a lessor role as consultant.
Notable Achievements:
- Created processes and changed audit variables to increase retention. Retention
was improved to 92.2% and recognized as best retention in the Region. Corporate
adopted my processes to train other agents.
- Improved policy growth 22.4% using marketing in the community, involvement wit
h local sports and charities, improving customer service and creating the first
mile program.
- Implemented comprehensive policy review that increased average policy premium
by 9.2%.
- Increased low risk policy holders and multi policy portfolios to improve loss
ratio and profitability. Loss percentage decreased 11.78%. Book of Business Prof
itability increased $179,000.
Pickett Bros., LLC - Harrisburg PA 12/2004 to 08/2006
(Franchise Owner of three Waffle House restaurants in Carlisle and Harrisburg, P
A)
Chief Operating Manager
Owner and operator of Waffle House franchise in the Middle Pennsylvania Region,
3 restaurants with 80+ employees. Recruited as a proven and skilled operator to
manage and grow the business. Sold business to Waffle House Inc. for a substanti
al return on investment. Presented with the National Leadership Award for promot
ing tax reform and fiscal responsibility as Honorary Chairman serving on the Bus
iness Advisory Counsel .
Notable Achievements:
- Implemented new processes to streamline payroll, hire more qualified employees
and created a paper trail protocol that cut operating expense. This resulted in
an increase in sales of 24%, better employee retention and a huge increase in p
rofit equaling 18.6% of gross revenue.
- Built a strong management team through proven training modules. Rewrote manage
r evaluations to include accountability grade. Created new bonus structure and r
eward program for improved results. This helped secure and maintain long term re
sults from a well-rounded management team.
- Opened a new unit from real estate development to opening day. Handled all lic
ensing, permits and certifications. Scheduled construction and maintenance. Orde
red and installed fixtures, operating supplies, equipment, signage and small-war
es. Negotiated all contracts with purveyors. The restaurant was fully operationa
l and staffed forty five days ahead of schedule.
South East Waffles, LLC Nashville, TN 11/1998 to 12/2004
(Largest Waffle House franchise with 116 restaurants. Regional territory in TN,
KY and AL)
Division Manager
North TN Division, managing 3 Districts with 320+ employees. Strong ability to h
ire, train and develop District and Unit managers. Managed new and current proce
sses for sales and profit forecasting, profit and loss interpretation and operat
ing controls. Responsible for the development of the District management team. R
eceived awards for Best Annual Sales Increase in 2000 and 2001. Received Five St
ar District Manager Award for best sales increase, cost controls and profit marg
in for 2002 and 2003.
Notable Achievements:
- Made personnel, protocol and process changes that dropped overall cost by 18.3
%. Bottom line profit increased by 310+%. Division ranking moved from #9 in the
company to #1.
- Built strong management team by implementing new systems and training modules.
Removed non-productive management and developed systems to track new accountabi
lity directive. Developed existing employees and provided tools for new employee
s to be successful.
- Led the company in sales improvement, cost controls and profit my entire tenur
e as a Division Manager. The real achievement was the continued success of the D
ivision team during and after my departure.
EDUCATION
1987-1988 U.S. Army - Avionics Airframe and Powerplant License
1990-1991 Kansas City Kansas Community College 3.97 GPA
1992-1993 Kirtland Community College 3.67 GPA, AS Degree
LICENSES
General Lines Agent: PC,LH
Adjusters License: Home, Auto, Earthquake
Securities 6, Securities 63
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Chamber of Commerce 2004-2010 - Member
Business Advisory Council Honorary Chairman
Lyons Club, Las Colinas Member