David Whitehead1147 Hidden Mist St., Henderson, NV 890522
david[AT]vfradventures.com 702.533.5591
Professional Summary
Entrepreneurial and driven leader, with 35 years of expertise in growing companies in domestic and international marketplaces. Visionary and builder of world-class management and operating teams, with experience in start-up, managed growth, and turnaround stages. Proven strategic decision making and networking skills, building successful relationships with stakeholders and delivering bottom-line growth.
Experience
Prestanda Tech LLC., Henderson, NV & Hamburg, Germany January 2014-CurrentPresident, Chief Operating Officer: Start up developing composite modular housing and infrastructure. Technology development and manufacturing capacity installation. Financing of manufacturing and business development activities with project pre-financing, equity investments and debt financing. Multiple large-scale projects completed in defense housing, mining camps, petroleum development projects, refugee housing, agricultural and animal husbandry applications.
Zero One Odysseys, Las Vegas, NVSeptember 2007-December 2013Co-Founder: Luxury adventure driving experience. Created one of a kind outward bound experience using Baja 1000 winning race cars. Positive cash flow within six months of startup. Grew business 10X in five years, with 50% ROI. Created custom experiences for YPO and corporate clients. Conducted arrive and race programs for high profile racing events; Baja 1000, Mint 400. Successful sale of business to strategic buyer.
Jamegy Inc., New Cumberland, WVNovember 2003-August 2007Executive Vice President: Turnaround and entity sale of specialty titanium recycling company. Equity participation. Rebuilt manufacturing and quality control facilities and processes. Implemented financial and accounting systems to support business. Restructured pricing and contractual arrangements with suppliers and customers. Successful sale of enterprise to private equity investor.
Metallurg, New York, NYJanuary 2000-October 2003Managing Director: Global specialty aluminum alloy producer. Management board member. Directed manufacturing and back office consolidation between global production facilities in the US, UK, & Brazil. Rebranded multiple sales channels to single global brand to reflect internal and customer base consolidation.
United Aluminum, New Haven, CTAugust 1995-December 1999General Manager, Sales & Marketing: P&L responsibility for specialty aluminum producer. Strategic focus on specialty applications, doubled operating margins to over 25% in a single digit margin industry. Directed successful ERP implementation as Chief Information Officer.
ASARCO Inc., New York, NYSeptember 1989-July 1995Sales Director: Specialty and High Purity metals sales to a diverse range of industries; pharmaceutical, aerospace, optical sensors, semi-conductors, chemicals, pigments, petroleum refining among others.
Executive Training Program: Initial member of corporate executive training program. Functional member of Forecast and Analysis Department, Technical Research and Development Center, Global Financial Consolidation and Management Financial Reporting. Reported to Corporate Controller, Head of Corporate R&D, and CFO.
Trading and Hedging Executive: Comex and London Metals Exchange Responsible for hedging strategy of annual corporate production of $3 billion of non-ferrous metals and chemicals.
Education
MBA New York University, New York, NY 1995International Business and Information Technology (Duel Major)
BA Utah State University, Logan, UT 1989Economics and Political Science (Duel Major)
Skills
Outstanding communication skills at all levels and types of organizations. Experienced at communicating with all stakeholders, internally and externally.
Skilled at creating and managing global organizations.
Experienced with industry association board communications and conference presentations.
Proven leadership skills and ability to make and effectively communicate tactical and strategic decisions.
Proven team builder with the strong ability to assess skills and capabilities, motivate others and be an effective coach and mentor.
Strong analytical skills to evaluate information and draw conclusions based on financial, operational and sales metrics.
Professionally assertive and self-confident.