Brian Washnock
Johns Island,SC
Summary
Talented Executive with 30 years of experience and successful career in planning, developing and executing strategies and initiatives to achieve the goals of the business. Creative and highly strategic with excellent servant leadership and client relations abilities. Professional and outgoing with success in building internal teams, external relationships, and attracting new clients. Adept with working with Private Equity Boards and Executives.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
SVP, Chief Development Officer
Reddy Ice
Dallas, TX
03.2021 - Current
- Manages and executes all of companies Mergers & Acquisitions.
- Led diligence and have closed 22 acquisitions with complete integration for $300M in deal value.
- Responsible for building key industry relationships for a pipeline of future acquisitions.
- Manages 200 contract manufacturing and distribution partners for the business.
- Helps lead competitive strategy efforts in collaboration with Operations and Commercial Sales team for the business.
- Interacts weekly with our PE Sponsor to create each deal thesis for every M&A opportunity.
- Collaborates with the Board of Directors on strategies for future M&A and competitive growth.
- Established key performance indicators to track progress against organizational objectives.
- Recruited, trained, mentored, and evaluated staff members in order to optimize their effectiveness.
- Led cross-functional teams in the implementation of innovative projects across multiple divisions.
- Researched and provided diligence on a new potential channel for the business. Completed the first acquisition in this new channel. Is expected to be the fasted growing channel of our business.
SVP, Growth & Business Development
Reddy Ice
Dallas, TX
03.2019 - 03.2021
- Developed and implemented strategies for expanding the organization's market reach.
- Provided strategic guidance to executive team on operational decisions and initiatives.
- Managed relationships with external partners, vendors, and stakeholders to ensure successful collaborations.
- Conducted regular reviews of business operations, identified areas for improvement, and proposed solutions.
- Collaborated with senior management on long-term planning initiatives that aligned with corporate goals.
- Identified potential risks and developed contingency plans accordingly.
- Assisted in developing strategic partnerships with other organizations within the industry.
- Negotiated contracts with suppliers while ensuring competitive pricing structures.
- Provided diligence to Executive Team for potential new products and channels.
- Led the launch of a new branded Craft Ice product.
Region Vice President
Reddy Ice
Dallas, TX
03.2013 - 03.2019
- Managed Eastern Business Unit with 20 operating plants across 8 states with 500 employees and $80M in annual revenue.
- Developed and executed strategic plans to support the vision of the organization.
- Formulated policies that improved operational efficiency and productivity.
- Directed business development initiatives, including acquisitions and joint venture agreements.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors for services, products and supplies.
- Managed financial operations, overseeing budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis activities.
- Oversaw human resources functions such as recruitment, employee relations, training and benefits administration.
- Provided oversight of all departments in order to ensure smooth operation of daily activities.
- Established performance standards for staff members in order to drive productivity levels up.
- Collaborated with executive team members on major decisions regarding company-wide initiatives.
- Created effective communication strategies between management team members and employees at all levels of the organization.
- Maintained relationships with key stakeholders by attending meetings and responding promptly to inquiries or requests for information.
- Cultivated a culture of collaboration among department heads to facilitate cross-functional project execution.
- Analyzed market trends to identify opportunities for growth within existing markets or new ones.
- Ensured compliance with federal, state and local laws related to employment practices.
- Designed incentive programs that motivated staff members while ensuring profitability targets were met.
- Advised senior executives on approaches for resolving complex issues impacting operations.
- Identified problems and implemented solutions to better streamline operations.
- Delivered strategic input into business decisions and deals.
President
Summit Ice Company
Salt Lake City, Utah
01.2008 - 03.2013
Reddynancing from Bank of America to purchase existing $4M Cold Storage facility
Partnered with the same 4 investors to provide additional start-up capital and balance sheet strength to build new 150 ton day ice manufacturing facility ($4M in committed capital)
Additionally, secured equipment financing and ongoing Operating Line of Credit from USBank
Completed a building renovation and tenant improvements to the building, while installing the new ice manufacturing facility in just 59 days which became the most modern largest ice plant in Intermountain West
Focused on branding and product positioning by creating a new premium higher quality packaged ice that was not available in market which was acknowledged by grocery retailers
Established and carried out a strategic marketing plan to educate consumers on the need for high quality packaged ice via demonstrations, Social Media, TV Ads, Radio Ads, Billboard Campaigns, and local community involvement associations
Increased revenue from $0 to $4M and increased EBITDA to $1.2M in 4-1/2 years
Facilitated new private equity investment infusion of $2MM to strengthen balance sheet and continue growth while refinancing bank debt - resulting in approximately 50% reduction in annual debt service, while providing an additional $30Ok in cash flow annually
Managed ~ 50 employees at 3 locations in Utah & Wyoming
Actively managed all facets of business including manufacturing operations, distribution, administrative & finance functions, warehouse cold storage segment, and dry ice segment
Provided quarterly reporting to investors and worked with our financial lenders to ensure compliance with financial debt covenants
Responsible for complete financial oversight, detailed budget development and implementation, process & protocol management, as well as execution and monitoring of any strategic initiatives.
Led process on the transaction to sell the operating business (Summit Ice) and the operating business for the Cold Storage/Building which delivered a 62.5% return for investors.
Division Manager
Modern Ice Equipment & Supply Company
Cincinnati, Ohio
10.1990 - 12.2007
- Joined small regional company in 1990 and worked with executives to implement company strategy, product offering, and positioning for future growth
- Involved in various roles (Account Executive, Procurement, Customer Service Manager, Outside Sales, and Division Manager) through growth from Midwest regional company to worldwide dominant market leader in the ice manufacturing equipment industry
- Established the company's first customer service group to support fast business growth; organized feedback for business consumption; established key performance metrics and service level goals for customer service persons
- Managed inbound sales group selling B2B products and services
- Involved in securing a commercial small ice maker distributorship and later ran a commercial small ice machine division for the company
- Managed a team of nationwide outside sales persons, in addition to their inside sales counterparts
- Division Manager = responsible for approximately $2OM in annual revenue and complete control of business unit P&L and operation of the division
- Traveled and managed multiple offices and warehouses in a 12 state region including Canada in the Western U.S., worldwide international sales and all government contracted sales
- Marketed, designed, sold and delivered the largest single project in company history to a government contractor (Halliburton) for 16 separate ice manufacturing facilities in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and Kuwait. The project spanned from 2004-2006.
- Earned the Employee of the Year award twice (1999 & 2004)
- Earned top company business performance award for 6 consecutive years (2002 - 2007).
Education
U.S. Army Reserve Special Operations Forces Airborne
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, and Operations
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SCMBA - Organizational Leadership
Queens University of Charlotte
Private Pilot License - Aviation
Cornerstone Aviation
Salt Lake City, UTSkills
Client Relationship Building
- Business Growth And Marketing Strategies
- Key Relationship Development
- Business Plan Development
- Operational Planning
- Sales And Marketing Leadership
- Performance Metrics Analysis
- Performance Evaluations
- Organizational Leadership
- Strategic Planning And Execution
- Mergers And Acquisitions
- Recruiting And Hiring
- Business Forecasting
- Organizational Priorities
- Performance Standards And Analysis
- Staff Development
- Results-Driven
- Relationship Building
- Financial Management
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Strategic Decision-Making
- Financial Leadership
- Leadership Experience
- Coaching And Mentoring
Affiliations
- Chairman - Western Ice Association (WIA) 2012/2013
- Executive Board Member International Packaged Ice Association (IPIA) 2023- Current
- Board of Directors International Packaged Ice Association (IPIA) 2012 - Current
- Member Aircraft Owners & Pilot's Association (AOPA) 2011- Current
- Charleston County School District School Improvement Council (SIC) Member 2023/2024
- Private Pilot License - Cornerstone Aviation Flight Academy, Salt Lake City, Utah
- Carew International licensed facilitator - "Dimensions of Professional Selling"
- Dale Carnegie Sales & Management Training
Timeline
SVP, Chief Development Officer
Reddy Ice
03.2021 - Current
SVP, Growth & Business Development
Reddy Ice
03.2019 - 03.2021
Region Vice President
Reddy Ice
03.2013 - 03.2019
President
Summit Ice Company
01.2008 - 03.2013
Division Manager
Modern Ice Equipment & Supply Company
10.1990 - 12.2007
U.S. Army Reserve Special Operations Forces Airborne
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, and Operations
University of South Carolina
MBA - Organizational Leadership
Queens University of Charlotte
Private Pilot License - Aviation
Cornerstone Aviation
Similar Profiles
Hector J SepulvedaHector J Sepulveda
Production Lead at Reddy IceProduction Lead at Reddy Ice
Victor RodriguezVictor Rodriguez
Production Worker at Reddy IceProduction Worker at Reddy Ice
Samuel BakerSamuel Baker
Machine Operator at Reddy IceMachine Operator at Reddy Ice