Bernard L.

(Bernie) Kaufman
656 Lake Drive Clear Lake / Fremont, IN 46737
260.495.9901 / bernieklhi@gmail.com
Senior Executive
Chief Executive Officer / Chief Operations Officer
Executive Summary
Executive with solid business acumen, sound judgment, and exceptional leadership
skills.
Visionary leader and CEO, creating culture of excellence with both customers and
suppliers.
Rapport of building sustainable domestic/foreign partnerships to position succes
sful product launch.
Demonstrated success in collaborations, working with Board of Directors, Financi
al Institutions and Supply Chain to ensure quality products at maximum profitabi
lity.
Core Skills:
Foreign Manufacturing
Business Development
Multifaceted Negotiations
Strategic Business Planning
Supply Chain Management
Plant Manufacturing Management
International Partnership Development
Domestic & International Sourcing & Distribution

Key Accomplishments:
Spent 15 years traveling through India and China to source manufacturing for pr
oducts.
Awarded U.S. Patents products sold in Bloomingdales, Cracker Barrel Stores and
historical museums around United States.
Developed line of glassware in Columbia, South America to bring to U.S. market.
Career Progression & Select Accomplishments
PRESIDENT / CEO
Combined Talents, Inc. / Fort Wayne, IN / 1989-2010
Retail Gift and Home Furnishings Stores (National and International Distributor/
Wholesale)
* CEO/CFO/Controller/Director of Manufacturing, Distribution, Marketing, and Acc
ounting.
* Managed all aspects of business, including daily operations, external negotiat
ions and business development.
* Directly involved with budgeting, planning, payroll, financial reporting. Set
up and managed Quick Books and other accounting software programs.
* Oversaw marketing and sales, including direct sales, telemarketing, working wi
th manufactureras reps, trade show set up and operation, advertising and media d
evelopment. One of 1st small businesses to set up bar code POS programs at gift
shows.
* Managed manufacturing, design, profitability structuring, quality control, and
customer service.
* Directed warehouse management, shipping, and logistics.
* Led product development, both domestic and international.
* Headed all HR functions and staff development. Direct involvement with all lev
els of 30 employee company
* Developed complete manufacturing processes, including quality control, and man
aging logistics of bringing merchandise into U.S.
Select Accomplishments:
Won countless rewards for creative design and display; received rewards from tr
ade marts throughout country including: The Chicago Gift Show, Americaas Mart, A
mericana Sampler and Market Square.
Products have been featured on QVC and have been utilized by several companies
who provide items for props and set designs for television and movie industries.
Awarded U.S. Patents on products-many items have been sold in Bloomingdales, Cr
acker Barrel Stores and historical museums around United States.
One of 1st companies in small giftware industry to travel to India and China to
source manufacturing for products designed. 1996-2008 worked with foreign coun
tries to develop products. 2000-traveled to Columbia, South America to develop l
ine of glassware to bring to U.S.
2003-purchased current 35,000sf facility and spent 6 months remodeling. Direct
ly responsible for all details of design and development of property resulting i
n efficient utilization of space and operational functionality. Earned aExcelle
nt Expansiona award from Fort Wayne Development Commission for efforts.
Bernie Kaufman
Resume/Page 2
Career Progression & Select Accomplishments Continued:
OWNER / PARTNER
Kaufman Family LLC / Emerald Isle, NC / 1999-2008
Design and Development of Home Design and Real Estate Development - vacation ren
tal property
* Developed start up business that exceeded profits from 1999-2008 of over $2 Mi
llion.
* Procured Real Estate, designed/development home construction.
* Managed interior design and furnishing.
Select Accomplishments:
Designed and developed 4 of top 20 homes ever developed in vacation community o
f Emerald Isle, NC.
2004 aCaptainas Quartersa featured in Better Homes and Gardens Special Holiday
Magazine based on unique color and design characteristics.
Consistently top performers in rental marketplace. Earned rapport in vacation
home category on araising the bara. Sold 3 of 4 homes at values that far exceede
d top listings without placing them on market. Each home designed was featured
in campaign materials for marketing island rental programs.
Trade Show Display Awards:
Chicago Gift Show 1995 Best of Show.
Atlanta Merchandise Mart 1997 Best of Show.
Chicago Gift Show 1999 Best of Show.
Americana Sampler Gift Show 1993, 1994, 1996 Best of Show.
Americaas Mart Atlanta 2002, 2006 Best of Show.
Americaas Mart Atlanta 2008 Best New Showroom.
Interim Employment
PRESIDENT / OWNER
AG Peoples Inc. / Fremont, IN / 2010 to Current
Financial Services including credit card processing and ATM sales and placement.
* Manage sales and marketing to small/medium sized retail, wholesale and service
companies
Select Accomplishments:
Designed and developed interactive website and marketing campaign.
Began process of placing ATM machines in several hotels and supermarkets.
Professional Development & Affiliations
Education:
Eastern Illinois University / Accounting Degree Program
Focus Four
Servant Round Table
Management, Logistics & Design Seminars
Co-Authored:
aI Am Not My Mothera article about change in wholesale giftware industry based o
n 2 year study to understand buying habits of middle age woman.
Civic & Professional Organizations:
National Federation of Independent Business Owners 1985-2005
Christian Businessmenas Association
Christian Executives Organization (CEO) 2009-Present
Volunteerism:
* Inner City Mission, Fort Wayne-Volunteer (PAST)
* Compassion Connection, PVCC Angola, IN-Co-Founder, Director (Current)
* Pleasant View Church of Christ-Elder/Director (Current)
* Cedar Creek Church of Christ-Vice President of Trustee Board (PAST)
Basic Spanish Language