Scott J. Peterson

Strategic consultancy helping businesses flourish and cultivate remarkable brands for publicly traded and startup ventures, private equity investors and potential acquisitions in US and abroad. Roster includes 10 US and European clients in food, personal care and medical arena addressing market and operations strategy, financing and acquisitions. Engaged by Fortune 100 businesses to present on expansion strategies, international business and marketing best practices. Co-founded The Vélo Project, LLC to equip leaders and teams to more effectively steward time, control communication and manage information through coaching, technology and habit formation.

Minnesota YMCA Youth in Government is a youth-led, experiential learning opportunity serving 2000 students in programs including Model United Nations, state and national issues forums and model government session held in actual capitol chambers of Governor, Legislature and Courts. Chair of Financial Development Committee responsible for fundraising and creating framework for use of first-ever proceeds from newly secured $1MM endowment fund.

Elected to assume leadership of service, mission and community operations for 90-member board operating across 19 program areas for denomination’s 5th largest church.

Media start-up (DBA GenuineHero.com) producing, licensing and curating user-generated video to businesses and non-profits to improve search and engagement via compelling every-day hero stories. Clients include leading non-profits and pro sports organizations. Repositioned business to leverage lean-production capabilities using signature brand format.

Led marketing and portfolio strategy for $237MM range of 1000+ SKUs for this $1.4 billion global beauty care leader.

• Directed Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) improvements achieving 18-month planning horizon, inventory reduction and improved market level execution and customer service.

• Developed high-performing, six-member regional team in less than three months, establishing foundation for successful strategy-driven restructure.

Promoted to lead Revlon’s largest European business unit with $60MM in sales. Led cross-functional management team of six, including finance, sales, marketing, human resources and operations. Reported to Region SVP and second-level to Revlon CEO.

• Achieved growth in net sales of 7%, EBITDA of 60% and Cash Flow of 66% in first full year.

• Optimized working capital through SKU rationalization and global harmonization. Reduced inventory by 50% while sustaining 98% customer service level.

• Executed successful restructure of business unit. Implemented succession planning, improved employee retention to 88% and filled 57% of vacancies internally, among 50 person staff.

• Rolled-out Line Management Training initiative across unit and implemented Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process improving management accountability at all levels and functions.

• Implemented brand consolidation and channel rationalization with no impact to net sales.

Recruited to develop and lead Revlon’s marketing strategy with #2 mass retail partner. Established Revlon as lead strategic partner to drive Target’s category reinvention objective.

• Established framework balancing Target’s exclusivity requirements with financial and manufacturing discipline.

• Achieved growth rates ahead of market and Target. Delivered consistent margin improvement.

• Secured 26% space gain, 100% distribution on all 2006 initiatives and new brand launch.

• Awarded 2005 “Vendor of the Year” by Target.

Media services start-up with patented technique for applying materials to stadium stairways to create a continuous image.

• Led investor presentations, advisory meetings and strategy for fledgling firm.

• Managed pro sports debut in partnership with the NBA at 2004 All Star Game in Los Angeles.

Selected as sole General Mills expatriate in recently acquired Pillsbury Division of Diageo. Accountable for integration and management of newly formed subsidiary into merged entity.

• Successfully transitioned existing business to in-house sales, finance and operations teams, improving margins 13% and achieving status of “fastest growing brand” in UK portfolio.

• Led post-acquisition evaluation of product group consolidation for manufacturing, marketing and sales efficiencies and consumer potential. Recommendation approved.

• Managed new product development process seeking to unlock potential of expanded product portfolio of newly integrated company. Hit key milestones toward launch, including preference test hurdles and formula compliance.

Authored and achieved Board approval for 10-year business plan to transform $6 million export operation to $200 million by establishing a local subsidiary. Served as General Manager for start-up. Realigned existing business model; redefined category focus, channel strategy and distribution network. Evaluated against aggressive volume and profit goals. Reported to VP of International and second-level to corporate CFO. Promoted to director level.

• Developed entry strategy, trade and marketing plans for major introduction to largest, fastest growing segment of $3 billion UK snacks category. Surpassed market leaders in product test scores. Executed national launch five months ahead of plan, capturing 66% additional volume. Improved year one national results: revenue +57%, volume +23%, earnings +37% vs. prior year.

• Identified uniquely capable local partners. Negotiated production, distribution and service terms.

• Received UK industry awards (The Grocer, ISP/IPM) for product introduction and launch promotions. Recognized with Division “Great Award” for outstanding results and Company-wide as “Champion of the Week”.

Led operations including manufacturing, distributor networks, sales and marketing in 13 countries across multiple categories. Developed long-term, pan-European strategy, requiring management of local agencies and navigating complex regulatory environment. Resulted in UK subsidiary initiative.

• Accountable for corporate objective of mega-branding Betty Crocker equity across Europe. Launched first Betty Crocker website outside of the United States.

• Led first-ever global recruitment effort to identify, attract and develop cadre of globally focused MBAs from top-tier business programs.

Solely responsible for developing entry and operations strategy for new African and Eastern European markets. Led multiple cross-functional and cross-divisional teams in start-up efforts.

• Identified, evaluated and selected in-market partners in wide-ranging search process and rigorous assessment of business plans. Trained partners in marketing principles, business planning and establishment of management objectives, resulting in consistent launches.

• Improved margins more than 10% via adoption of risk-optimized regional production strategy.

General Manager for corporation’s most profitable export market. Responsible for business turn-around, P&L, advertising, promotion, operations, distribution and category management.

• Achieved 13% growth in 18 months via aggressive efforts in existing and new categories.

• Led launch team of new cereal line to better target Puerto Rican consumers. Product line later adopted by Domestic cereal division to support ethnic marketing programs.

• Selected for core team to plan and develop curriculum for “Camp Champ”, an annual, weeklong seminar teaching business analysis and planning to newly hired MBAs.

• Orientation Chair for 6-month program introducing class of 30 MBA and 15 undergraduates to GMI; still used today.

Leader of $30 MM - $200 MM businesses including all planning, P&L and cross-functional teams.

• Frosted Cheerios: Developed Year 2 repositioning and business plans for largest-ever cereal launch. Conceived and executed innovative promotions including nationally covered Times Square “Breakfast in Your Boxers” PR event with Joe Boxer; negotiated sponsorship of the U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team. Managed $15 million TV media plan.

• Customer Marketing and Sales Rotation: Pioneered inaugural cross-functional sales / marketing rotation. Spent seven months on assignment in sales region: sold-in new products; wrote proposals for funding trade promotions; managed category management efforts; and created trade and consumer programs for leading regional accounts.

• Gold Medal Flour:  Managed corporation’s oldest brand with sales of $190 million. Created licensing programs with equity partners to capture 90% of new category growth with program funded entirely through partnerships. Delivered share, volume and profit gains in mature category. Co-founded industry association; elected to two industry boards.

• Fiber One and Nature Valley Granola: Simultaneously managed two brands in Big G Cereal Division. Negotiated first use of American Heart Association brandmark on-pack that was implemented throughout Cereal Division. Developed award-winning print advertising campaign.

Instrumental member of entrepreneurial team involved in turn-around of historic beverage company following acquisition, positioning firm for ultimate re-sale as premium brand.

Developed tax policy and legislative proposals for member of Senate Finance Committee. Wrote position papers and editorials. Represented Senator before key business constituencies, including senior executives of Fortune 500 firms, small businesses, labor and business organizations.

Coordinated tax policy initiatives for senior member of Ways & Means Committee.

• Dean’s List. Dean’s Service Award. Finance Director, CIM Orientation Week. Director, Special K Revue.

• Co-chair of Class Gift Committee, managing all aspects of development program, which raised $90,000.

• Selected by Dean’s Committee for Tokai Bank International Conference, Nagoya, Japan.

• School of Foreign Service

• Dean’s List

• Crew Team

• Resident Assistant

• Passed U.S. Foreign Service Examination