Ab Freig, B.Sc., M.Sc. 263 Waverley Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3M 3K4: l C. :( 204) 298-9898 afreig@shaw.ca Profile Results-oriented Senior Executive with solid reputation for strong leadership in strategic planning, operational optimization and manufacturing expertise. Proven success in navigating cyclical and dynamic commodity markets. Broad business capability in growth, expansion, mergers and acquisitions. Skilled negotiator who develops effective alliances and relationships with customers and diverse business partners. Provided decisive and strategic leadership as President and CEO of $154 million Company with a team of 400 employees. Effectively positioned Company to be: A world class, fully integrated agribusiness One of North America s top producers in hog production and animal nutrition One of Canada s 50 Best Managed Companies Leader in environmental stewardship Leader in innovative production systems Acknowledged good corporate citizen Leadership Expertise in: Strategic planning and execution Operational management Performance and quality standards Business development Financial management Strategic alliance and industry leadership Team development and leadership Customer relations and allegiance Sales and Marketing Branding and promotion Risk management Cross-border growth and expansion Government relations Corporate governance Increased shareholder value by leading negotiations of strategic acquisitions, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions and amalgamations that diversified the Company and expanded its geographical footprint. Achieved excellence and maximized value through implementation of Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement processes. Led the Company to become the sole Canadian hog producer to achieve ISO 14001 certification for its Environmental Management System and to attain the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification, ensuring the highest quality feed safety standards.
Ab Freig Resume Page 2 PROFESSIONAL HISTORY UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG, FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS INSTRUCTOR SEPT 2016-PRESENT Teaching business and entrepreneurship courses in the degree program UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG, FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS CEO IN RESIDENCE SEPT 2016-PRESENT Providing support, guidance and mentorship to the students as well as providing classroom support to professors in the business and entrepreneurship programs UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG, FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS MEMBER OF THE DEAN ADVISORY COUNCIL SEPT 2015-PRESENT Providing support and advice to the Dean of the Faculty in all issues related to program development UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG, PROFESSIONAL APPLIED CONTINUING EDUCATION (PACE) PROGRAM INSTRUCTOR SEPT 2013-PRESENT Teaching several courses in the Full-time, Part-time and online PACE programs drawing from my extensive 30-year plus business experience to augment the textbook material. TRIPLE 3 BIOTECHNOLOGY INC. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER July 2013-PRESENT Providing leadership, guidance and hands-on management of a start-up business involved in the innovative nutraceutical and functional food industries. As a start-up company, I am responsible for optimizing the manufacturing process, sourcing raw material and logistics, marketing and promotion in Canada and in Asia. The final stage of the process is sourcing the financial capital necessary to operate the business. ACTIVTEK ENVIRONMENTAL SOLUTIONS, CANADA OWNER/ PRESIDENT JUNE 2012-PRESENT Started a distribution company specialized in marketing Indoor Air Quality products to the residential, commercial and industrial markets in Canada. CAREER COACH AND MENTOR JAN 2009-PRESENT Providing ongoing advice and career coaching to MBA students at the Asper School of Business, U of M Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Agricultural & Food and the University of Winnipeg PACE program. LAYZAK BUSINESS CONSULTING BUSINESS COACH JAN 2009-PRESENT Providing ongoing advice and business coaching to a variety of businesses as well as not-for profit Organizations.. INTERIM CEO JAN 2012- May 2012 CANADIAN PRAIRIE GARDEN PUREE PRODUCTS INC Provided leadership and guidance enabling the company to secure the required financing to start the second phase of the business. Responsibilities included but not limited to: Insuring the Business Plan is realistic and the goals are achievable. Insuring accuracy of the financial statement and the operational and financial assumptions that drive the statement. Negotiated and secured the required financing for the project.
Ab Freig Resume Page 3 BUSINESS CONSULTING PROJECT Sep 2009- Dec 2010 Conducted due diligence analysis for a business start-up operation related to value-added food production including: Review of the business plan. Review of the assumptions and the financial statement. Sensitivity analysis. Evaluation of the market research studies. Assessment of risk factors. Assisting is sourcing the required financing. BUSINESS CONSULTING PROJECT Jan - May 2009 Conducted due diligence analysis for a potential investment in a $300 million agri-business including: Evaluation of the business and its competitive advantage, potential opportunities and existing challenges. Assessment of Company s business plan. Overview of local, national and international markets. Overview of related government regulations. Assessment of risk factors including market and currency fluctuations, inputs, cross-border risks, etc. THE PURATONE CORPORATION Privately owned Company with $154 million annual sales and 350 employees in Manitoba. One of top hog producers in North America and leader in animal nutrition, farm supply outlets and agro-environmental research and development. Three feed mills produce 300,000 tonnes of livestock and poultry feed annually. PRESIDENT AND CEO 2003-2008 Developed and chaired Executive Management Committee comprised of five direct reports: Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President, Business Development, Director of Swine Operations and Director of Human Resources. Led leadership team of ten people in Finance, Business Development, Operations, Sales, Information Technology and Human Resources. Led growth and expansion of annual sales from $89 million in 2003 to $154 million in 2008 through successful mergers, acquisitions and contracting in Canada and the United States, creating a more geographically diversified agribusiness. Set up a new finance structure that included effective relations and negotiations with financial institutions, vendors, and customers to ensure viability and effective navigation of industry s shifting business cycle. Led negotiations and integration of numerous mergers and acquisitions, particularly K-line Pigs in 2007, which resulted in 22% sales increase and 25% production growth, propelling the Company into the top three hog producing companies in Canada. Set up a cross-border production loop into United States, improving profitability, mitigating border risks and increasing geographical diversification. Led IT infrastructure revamp and networking of 54 remote facilities to ensure effective support of Company s rapid growth and geographic diversification as well as position it for future growth.
Ab Freig Resume Page 4 Reduced operating costs, provided better business analysis tools and improved user efficiency at all levels. Successful, rapid business growth and expansion coupled with operational improvements resulted in being awarded Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Outstanding Large Business Award and named to list of Canada s 50 Best Managed Companies in 2006. Led management team and the Human Resources Department to develop a fair, competitive employee policy and to establish consistent and effective human resources business processes. Attained 93% employee satisfaction rating in 2007. Led corporate rebranding including company website, brochures and other promotional material to promote company s evolution into a world-class agribusiness. Provided leadership relating to provincial, national and international regulations policies affecting the hog industry. Member of delegation that represented Canada Pork Council in Washington, D.C. and successfully lobbied the United States government to keep the border open to Canadian hog exports. Maintained 100% compliance with all environmental regulations. Managed shareholder relations. SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CEO 2000-2003 Reporting to the President, managed all operating units in Manitoba and Alberta with sales of $89 million. Led Executive Management Committee and 11 team leaders responsible for finance, business development, feed manufacturing, swine operations, barn construction, human resources management, sales and marketing. Led Leadership Team through annual strategic planning and budgeting. Played a significant role in successfully positioning the Company to be a leader in hog production and feed manufacturing. Introduced and adopted the Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement processes that improved product quality, manufacturing efficiency and cost optimization. Developed and implemented good manufacturing practices and introduced key performance indicators to enhance employee performance throughout the organization. Fostered creativity and innovation by introducing employee recognition programs for successful innovations such as patents for a swine mortality management system and energy saving computerized system for hog barns. Awarded the prestigious Dr. F. X. Aherne prize for innovative pork production. Became the only Canadian hog production Company to achieve ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management system, passing stringent and external audit processes. Achieved Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification for all four Puratone feed mills, demonstrating commitment to the highest quality and safety standards. Directly engaged in all sales and marketing efforts; provided guidance and leadership to sales team. Managed and successfully built strong relationships with all key suppliers and large customers that proved vital during down turn in the hog industry s economic cycle. Managed government regulations for labour, feed manufacturing and environmental protection. SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND COO 1989-2000
Ab Freig Resume Page 5 Reporting to the CEO, provided leadership and oversight to all business operating units focused on hog production, feed manufacturing, barn construction, marketing, sales and business development. Served on Board of Directors and participated in all major decisions for expansion, merger and acquisition strategies, particularly the geographical expansion into Interlake Region and Alberta. Contributed to setting up numerous joint ventures and construction of several farms in southern and western Manitoba and Interlake Regions. Served and chaired on a number of joint venture boards. Formulated business plans for all four feed mills capital expenditures. Improved animal husbandry practices and feed safety by developing rigorous Standard Operating Procedures including training, internal audits and constant testing. Provided leadership, technical expertise and guidance to all hog operations. Led successful implementation of new software program for quality feed production that resulted in high, consistent performance and significant savings per tonne. Analyzed unit production costs and profit margins to set prices and maximize profitability for all feed mills. Evaluated, approved and oversaw capital expenditures related to feed operations. Oversaw ingredient purchasing process and inventory control. Managed all customer relations. FEED MILL MANAGER, CHIEF NUTRITIONIST 1987-1989 Managed Niverville Feed, one of the top feed mills in Manitoba, with annual production of 45,000 tonnes of poultry and livestock feed and labour force of 15 people. Improved efficiency and quality in manufacturing processes and unit profitability. Proposed and managed capital expenditures. Designed feed programs and research trials that led to higher profitability and increased market share. Managed customer relations and developed feed manufacturing and sales team goals. Developed and oversaw all scientific research trials. CHIEF NUTRITIONIST 1985-1987 Developed and maintained all livestock and poultry feed formulations and nutrition programs including quality control and safety standards while maximizing profitability and animal performance. Developed strong customer relations and provided technical expertise and troubleshooting to assist sales team build sales and provide excellent customer satisfaction. Managed quality control and quality assurance processes. Developed and oversaw all scientific research trials. EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Social Justice and Human Rights Issues, University of Winnipeg, Manitoba 2009 Executive Education Program, Harvard Business School, Boston, MA 2006 Business case studies, executive management critical thinking, and business analysis Executive Education Program, Ivey School of Business, London, Ontario 2005 Financial Analysis Program, Finance for Non Financial Executives
Ab Freig Resume Page 6 Executive Education Program, Harvard Business School, Boston, MA 2004 Business case studies, business management critical thinking, and business analysis Master of Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba 1985 Bachelor of Science, University of Alexandria, Egypt 1977 COMMUNITY AND BOARD WORK Member, The Associates, Asper School of Business 2004-present Member, Dean s Advisory Board, University of Winnipeg, Faculty of Business and Economics 2015-present Vice President of the Board of Governors, Arthur Mauro Center for Peace and Justice St. Paul s College, University of Manitoba 2008 present Vice President of the Board and Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, IRCOM Inc. 2011-present Vice President of the Board of Governors, OFE Organization 2012-presnet Chair of the Board, Young/World Presidents Organization International (YPOI), WPO Manitoba Chapter. 2012-2013 Regional Networks Chair, WPO, Canadian Region 2012-2014 Member, YPO/WPO, Manitoba Chapter 1999 present Member, Board of Governors, the Winnipeg Art Gallery 2009-2013 Member, Advisory Board of Granite Financials Group Inc. 2005 -present Member, Manitoba Institute of Agrologists 1985-2013 Member, Business Council of Manitoba 2005-2007 Chair of the Board, Agri-Mart LTD 2004-2008 Recipient of Queen Elizabeth Golden Jubilee Medal 2002 Member, Canola Council of Canada 1995-1999
Ab Freig Resume Page 7 Chair of the Board, Nutrition Council of Animal Nutrition Association of Canada 1994-1995 Chair of the Board, Animal Nutrition Association of Canada, Manitoba Division 1993 1995