RON SOYKA

Highland, Illinois 62249

618-980-3681 ronsoyka@hotmail.com

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
EXPERIENCED CREDIT, COLLECTIONS, & RECEIVABLES MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL with broad-based order & cash
management, budgeting, leadership, strategic planning and relationship building skills combined with
business/financial/contract analysis and process improvement expertise. Proven record for developing
policies, procedures, and personnel to strengthen operational efficiency by:
Improving meeting of customer expectations throughout order cycle departments
Maximizing cash flow by maximizing collections (improving DSO & DDO)
Minimizing dilution due to preventable chargebacks or procedural weaknesses
Maintaining & enhancing customer-focused approaches throughout order cycle
Enhancing communications and interactions with internal & customer personnel
Experienced performing strategic planning functions and managing integrations & divestitures. Expertise in
development and execution of process-driven operational analysis plans, staff development programs,
compliance doctrines, collaboration of cross-departmental taskforces, and implementation of best industry
practices and technological enhancements. A Change Agent when appropriate. Credit-focused experiences
include mitigation, negotiation, and successful defense against Preference actions in bankruptcy proceedings.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
SEASTAR SOLUTIONS (SIERRA INTERNATIONAL)- LITCHFIELD, IL
2009-2016
Group Credit Manager
For leading manufacturer and importer of marine controls and parts for recreational boating industry. Global
responsibilities included cash forecasting, management of collections, application functions, bad debt
reserves. Prepeared weekly comprehensive reporting for Sr Mgmt Op call. Recreated dept in new location,
implemented new system and developed credit card acceptance programs.
Reduced past due AR to ave less than 4.0% per month in 2015
Reduced average DSO to less than 45.0 days in seasonal term environment in 2015
Identified more appropriate corporate measures of performance & excessive expenses
STANLEY NATIONAL HARDWARE- STERLING, IL
2008-2009
North American Credit & Collection Manager
Consumer Hardware division of The Stanley Works, with market presence in USA and Canada. Objectives
included updating processes of this division, a still recent acquisition of The Stanley Works. Formerly a
privately held company for over a century, challenges were to integrate & focus on customer expectations
awareness throughout the order-to-cash cycle, enhance technological tools, develop personnel, manage credit
risk, and maximize cash flow & decrease dilution via deductions in an eroding sales environment.
Reduced overdue AR 50% in last four months of 2008
Enhanced error resolution for order entry issues of pricing and terms
Identified inappropriately applied corporate measures of performance
CONSULTING & TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENTS- ST LOUIS, MO
2006-2008
Held temporary credit management (13 weeks with Seigel Robert of St. Louis, MO), temporary accounting &
collections assignments, and engaged in a consultation project to develop accounting office support functions
procedures and performed year-end financial statement, fixed assets, and taxation reporting preparations.
AMERICAN RECREATION PRODUCTS- ST LOUIS, MO
2002-2006
Credit Manager
Directed a nine-member staff with accountability for credit risk analysis, accounts receivable, and collection
operations for US & Canadian Markets. Built effective relationships with Sales Department and Presidents of 5
distinct divisions for international importer, distributor, and manufacturer of outdoor recreational equipment.
Supported 12 brands in six divisions.
Reduced open aged chargebacks from $1.2M to less than $175k in less than three months
Reduced open invoices over 30 days to less than 2% of total A/R
Analysis & enhancement of processes significantly reduced chargeback rates

RON SOYKA 618-980-3681

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AURORA FOODS INC.- ST LOUIS, MO
1999-2002
Corporate Credit Manager
Recruited and hired by National Food Manufacturer as Corporate Credit Manager to oversee Credit & Accounts
Receivable functions; acquired responsibility of Customer Service, Order Entry & Billing Department within 4
months. Staff varied from 3 to 32 reports.
Key member of Consolidation Team of sister division creating $1.5B organization
Successfully integrated two acquisitions (with live dates separated by one month)
Led interdepartmental effort to streamline claims processing and improve order entry & invoicing
accuracies
Strategies implemented avoided significant losses with four Bankruptcy filings
BURNS PHILP FOOD, INC (FLEISCHMANN'S YEAST)- FENTON, MO
1997-1999
Credit Manager
Recruited and hired to re-establish Credit & A/R department at divisional headquarters and to transition from
an off-site shared-services environment for an international food ingredient manufacturer. Directly
responsible for all aspects of Credit & A/R for Industrial and Consumer Products. Supervised four team
members and reported to North American CFO.
Redefined Credit Policies & Procedures and surpassed performance targets
Established Credit controls and developed cooperative relationships with Sales
Active in Y2K & system conversion projects
LITTLE TIKES COMMERCIAL PLAY SYSTEMS (OMNI) INC. (RUBBERMAID)- CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA
1995-1996
Credit & Contract Administration Manager
Selected as the company's first credit manager and integrated extensive Contract Administration department
into Finance Department.
Chaired task force to improve complete order process
Decreased 90+ receivables 80%; $2M
Efforts increased deposit receipts by $2M & improved DSO from 65 to 30 days
BEST (FORMERLY GENERAL) FOODS BAKERIES- MONTEBELLO, CA
1992-1995
Credit & Accounts Receivable Manager
California, Arizona, & Nevada Market Areas - first Credit & Accounts Receivable Manager for regional baking
and distributing organization with accountability for annual receivables in excess of $250M (largest in
Company). Researched, established & defined newly combined department mission & scope. Managed staff
of 2 Supervisors and 10 clerks.
Recovered over $300k from US Government in first three months
Led Finance team consolidating three distinct business units into one
Reduced DSO from 7th (30.5) to 1st (25.4 days) in Company in 18 months
Only Market Area in Company to surpass all A/R performance targets in 1993

EDUCATION
Bachelor Degree, U.C.L.A.
Two years of Law (part-time program), Whittier Law School.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Trained in Total Quality Management (TQM) and Continuous Improvement programs.
Served in the role of Chairman of an Official Creditors Committee.
Attended numerous topical and continuing education seminars on accounting, finance, technological
developments, and other subjects impacting Credit Industry. These seminars were sponsored by National
Association of Credit Management (NACM), Riemer Reporting Group, F&D Reports, CRF, and Dun & Bradstreet.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Served as Member and Officer- National Industry & Credit Industry Groups; former National VP of Mass
Merchandisers' Suppliers Credit Association.

TECHNICAL SKILLS
Experienced with: AS400, MSA, FoxPro (PeopleSoft), Global, JDEdwards 1 World, MFGPro, CARMS,
PRMS; Quickbooks Pro, some SAP 4.7, Web/PC proficiency with MS Office and Lotus apps.