Richard W. Thomas

Richard W. Thomas Jr.

100 North Street, Apt. 316

Columbus, OH 43202

Tel: 1-614-754-8998; Mobile Tel: 1-614-313-0713

E-mail:

SENIOR-LEVEL MANAGEMENT: General Director • International Operations • Operational & Strategic Management Consulting • Project Management • Business Development

Innovative and results-driven leader focused on achieving exceptional results in highly demanding environments that command continuous improvement. Experienced in international development, project development, production management, re-modernization and analysis. Consistently exceed goal objectives, inspire ingenious problem solving methods, and teamwork. Areas of experience in:

♦ International Operations♦ New Business Development ♦Non-profit Development

♦ DueDiligenceRisk Management ♦ Project Management♦ Operational & Strategic Planning

♦ Human Resource Management♦ Start-up, Re-modernization & Change♦ Business Plan & Grant Writing

♦ Cost Analysis, Reduction & Control♦ Production Management♦ Negotiations

♦ Proactive Solutions & Initiative Creation♦ Budget Management

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work individually or harmoniously in a group. Natural leader with developed network of professionals globally and domestically. Hold a proven track record of successful consultations within the fields of international development, production management, and international business operations.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

S. VERENIN’S LEGAL BUREAU, NGO,Tashkent, Uzbekistan (2007 – Present)

Business/NGO Consultant

Provide business, strategic development and planning, management, risk management, procurement, operations, financial, legal and ‘due diligence’ expertise to foreign and local businesses and not-for-profit organizations. Correspond with international financial and aid institutions such as the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the International Finance Corporation (IFC) the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the Netherlands senior experts’ group (PUM) regarding ongoing or new development projects. Develop business plans and loan request forms for local clientele for the solicitation of international and locally available credit and grant facilities for green field and modernization projects. Work in three languages including the translation of Russian and Uzbek technical and financial information into the English language. Assist with the development of legal mechanisms for the legal convertibility of the Uzbek Soum to hard currency through various international and local bank mechanisms available in the republic.

Notable Accomplishments:

  • Developed several green field textile spinning projects. Developed project concept and was responsible for the creation of the feasibility study, equipment sourcing, project implementation, strategic development and planning, operations/management training and procurement/inventory management training for each project.
  • Advised the termination of a government sale of a bankrupt textile company to the leading textile company in the republic (Spentex Tashkent Toytepa, LLC) by providing in-depth due diligence.Uncovered huge discrepancies in the government assessed value of the bankrupt company including non-existent assets of nearly $3M USD shown on the books.
  • Saved Spentex Tashkent Toytepa, LLC investments of nearly $25M USD in an overpriced bankrupt company and recommended to use these funds towards the re-modernization of the existing production facilities. Re-modernization of the company has resulted in production capacity increases of over 30 %.
  • Drove operational planning and successful execution for the increase in the existing textile mill ANI’s production capacity by 25 %. Decreased overall production costs by more than 10 % by better utilizing usable wastes, limiting saleable waste and decreasing electrical consumption and expenses.

QINGDAO SHANDONG TEXTILE MACHINERY CO., LTD, Qingdao, China (2007 – 2009)

Company Representative for CIS based in Uzbekistan

Developed clientele for equipment, engineering and turn-key project needs in the textile sector and other light industry sectors throughout the CIS. Monitored a portfolio of over 15 existing projects in the CIS region for further engineering, spare parts and equipment needs that enhanced production capability. Managed all phases of operations including sales, marketing and public relations in the region. Responsible for the continuous development of marketing materials for the company.Provided head office with English translated technical materials from the Russian and Uzbek languages.

Notable Accomplishments:

  • Proposed and designed an affordable and unique SME textile spinning project with equipment purchased from Chinese/German manufacturers. Mili Gulistan, with a project cost of $3 million USD, replaces larger more inefficient mills throughout the CIS region. This smaller project, with comparable output and quality of production with larger projects, affords SME’s the opportunity to produce competitively with less financial risk. This initial pilot project has been working successfully since December of 2008 in a volatile economic environment.
  • Realized nearly $6M USD in direct equipment sales for fiscal years 2007 and 2008 in Uzbekistan. All purchases were made solely by equity investments of the clientele without solicitation of bank financing.
  • Introduced cotton waste briquette machinery to several clients throughout Uzbekistan. This technology takes unusable waste from textile processes with limited uses (cotton dust, lint and other biodegradable materials), and presses these wastes into a briquette. The briquette can then be lit and used similar to coal or wood for heating purposes. By introducing this type of ‘green energy’ heating with limited emissions,the use of higher polluted sources of heating such as coal and wood will be reduced.

OPEN JOINT-STOCK COMPANY “ISHONCH”, Furkat, Uzbekistan (2000 – 2007)

Majority Shareholder, General Director, Finance Director

Purchased majority share, February 2000, with minimal investment, transformed bankrupt company to profitability. Negotiated a $6.7M USD credit line through the National Bank of Uzbekistan, Asian Development Bank, the EBRD, and Truetzschler GmbH to upgrade the factory. Managed all phases of operations including sales, finances, accounting, human resources, raw material procurement, production planning and yearly business plan creation. Interfaced with government and financial agencies regarding project objectives, feasibility, and community effect as well as mediated changes in the tax and legal codes to improve new and existing investments in Uzbekistan.

Notable Accomplishments:

  • Achieved three years of profitability during time as director (2004 – 2007) including 2005 when government raw material rates were artificially inflated more than 45% their international levels.
  • Reduced overhead, maintenance and spare parts costs nearly 150% in first year as director and maintained these levels without sacrificing production quality and output.
  • Streamlined shift system to get the maximum efficiency out of each employee. Reduced overall salary base without reducing the number of employees or decreasing their daily wage.
  • Effectively marketed finished product to the Baltic States, Turkey, Poland and countries throughout the CIS.

JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT (JA),Tashkent, Uzbekistan (2003 – 2008)

Director, Board of Directors

Assisted with the development and strategy for implementation of the national Economic Education Program that was taught to over 70,000 students, and the training of over 700 teachers throughout the 13 regions of Uzbekistan.

Notable Accomplishments:

  • Co-developed grant proposals and raised funds for the continued development of the mission statement of JA.
  • Provided oversight to the management of JA on more efficient ways to manage the program and administration of the organization.

Independent Business Consultant, Tashkent, Uzbekistan (1998 – 1999)

Developed and implemented financial feasibility instrument used by the Ministry of Light Industry of Uzbekistan to solicit credit facilities and foreign investment for new and re-modernization, existing light industry projects.

Notable Accomplishments:

  • Provided project consultation and business plan development and solicited $12.5M USD financing for a cotton yarn spinning company, cardboard box company, a towel company and an apparel company.
  • Offered ongoing operational and strategic planning and project management consultation to these start-up projects.

CENTRAL ASIAN-AMERICAN ENTERPRISE FUND (CAAEF),Tashkent, Uzbekistan (1995 – 1997)

Chief Investment Officer

Supervised projects for the CAAEF Board of Directors for $25M USD throughout Central Asia.Maintained program cooperation among USAID, Ministry officials, and other lending institutions throughout Central Asia.

Notable Accomplishments:

  • Managed a $30M USD loan portfolio for ten light industry projects in Uzbekistan.
  • Conducted ‘due diligence’ on preliminary review-stage projects and prepared business proposals and financial feasibility studies for projects submitted for final CAAEF board approval.

UNITED STATES PEACE CORPS,Uzbekistan (1992 – 1995)

Volunteer

SME Consulting and Business Projects for the Price Waterhouse Privatization Group

Assisted in developing Cash Auction Program that sold 260 state-owned objects within 1.5 years valuing $5M USD.Conducted finance, accounting, and business plan writing seminars through the Peace Corps Small Business Assistance Program to aspiring Uzbek businesspersons.Conducted economic, finance and marketing classes for Namangan Poly-technical University.

Notable Accomplishments:

  • Opened 13 offices in each region of Uzbekistan for the Cash Auction Program. Co-developed all marketing materials for the Price Waterhouse Privatization Group initiative.
  • Solicited Small Project Assistance grants for the purchase of audio and visual aids for English language teaching and for the purchase of materials to construct a heating system in a local school.

CAREER NOTE: Own shareholding in the Hakk Tex LLC knitted material, apparel and textile wax company located in Halkolabad, Uzbekistan (2005 – present).

EDUCATION:

  • BA, Marketing, Management, Summa Cum Laude; BS, Psychology, Summa Cum LaudeWaynesburg College, PA

LANGUAGES:

  • Russian – Fluent; Uzbek – Fluent; other Turkic languages – Proficient

COMMUNITY SERVICE:

  • Board of Director, “Balikchi” and “Alisher Navoi International” Cotton Spinning Companies, Uzbekistan
  • Member, Ministry of Light Industry, Uzbekistan
  • Coordinated/assisted with set up, staffing and project identification for CHF International, Uzbekistan
  • Member, PAD micro-credit selection committee, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
  • Volunteer for Special Olympics
  • Organizer and participant – 1,200 km charity bike ride for the Uzbekistan Republican Children’s Orphanage; 330 km hike for Namangan Children’s Orphanage; and the first ever ‘Charity Golf Tournament’ sponsored by JA, Uzbekistan.