Darci Ackerman
Zionsville,IN
Summary
Pragmatic professional with solid experience in leadership roles. Adept at implementing strategic business plans, driving growth and improving operations. Collaborative and dedicated to building and leading talented and motivated individuals.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
President
Clean Waters, LLC
07.2023 - Current
- Responsible for P&L and shoulder fiscal responsibility - experienced $4.5 MM in profit during its first quarter of operation when a loss was expected.
- Responsible for preparation of annual budget forecasts and monitoring performance to meet organizational objectives.
- Devise and present business plans and forecasts to managing directors.
- Responsible for start up of PFAS certified, accredited laboratory to support PFAS services company.
- Cultivate strong relationships with internal and external partners to foster collaboration and maximize resources to meet needs of challenging PFAS landscape.
- Establish culture of accountability by setting clear expectations and holding individuals responsible for results.
- Develop and implement new strategies and policies to establish long-term business objectives and provide strong and sustainable organizational leadership.
- Built diverse workforce through efforts focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion principles.
- Represent organization at industry conferences and events.
- Monitored key business risks and established risk management procedures.
- Cultivate company-wide culture of innovation and collaboration.
Executive Vice President Growth & New Ventures
Heritage Environmental Services, LLC
06.2017 - 01.2024
- Promoted to Executive VP in December of 2020 and member of the HES, Executive Team responsible for >$500MM P&L, achieving >20% EBITDA.
- Led cross-functional teams in executing large-scale onsite and offsite projects (>$15MM each) on time and within budget constraints, contributing to overall company success.
- Led G&NV team in development and implementation of customer solutions and operational improvements. Averaging $35MM/year invoiced to customers.
- Helped M&A negotiate a joint venture for a >$200MM electric arc furnace steel dust recycling plant. During the pandemic, led the site selection with Indiana Economic Development Corp., commercialization of the facility, permitting, public relations (PR), and oversaw P&L (>$40MM) during the start up of the plant. participate as a non-voting board member responsible for successful JV collaborations, by ensuring alignment of objectives among partners and the ability to adjust as the partnership and business evolves.
- Established a clear vision for growth while developing actionable plans to achieve both short-term and long-term objectives through stage-gate process for both HES, G&NV team and the Heritage Research Group.
Board Member
Heritage Thermal Services, INC
01.2017 - 01.2024
- Fostered collaboration among board members, promoting open communication and shared decision making.
- Reviewed financial reports, budgets, and audit results to monitor organization's fiscal health.
- Provided guidance and leadership on strategic planning initiatives and organizational development.
- Served as strong advocate for corporate social responsibility, influencing positive community impact.
- Supported executive recruitment efforts to attract high-caliber talent that aligned with company culture and values.
- Advised on legal issues affecting organization while navigating regulatory compliance requirements.
Research and Development Director
Heritage Research Group
04.2019 - 03.2023
- Responsible for $12MM P&L.
- Led collaboration efforts between Heritage Research Group, HES G&NV, and HES sales and operations to effectively identify and provide customer solutions for difficult waste problems.
- Established strong relationships with industry partners, fostering collaboration on joint research ventures to address difficult environmental challenges.
- Managed cross-functional teams (engineers, geologist, chemist, operations, and sales) to deliver solutions within often tight deadlines.
- Implemented stage-gate process to help prioritize key research initiatives and drive results.
- Developed and implemented a new software program to house all R&D efforts based around the stage gating process and safety hazards using DOT hazardous classification construct.
- Optimized budgetary allocations for research projects, ensuring maximum return on investment while minimizing financial risks.
- Championed a culture of continuous improvement within the R&D department, promoting ongoing learning and skill development among team members.
- Evaluated emerging trends in industry to guide strategic planning for future research investments.
- Fostered an environment of open communication between R&D staff members to promote collaboration on complex projects.
- Reviewed staff competencies to build employee skill sets based upon future technical requirements.
President
Heritage Recycling, LLC
12.2012 - 01.2018
- Responsible for commercialization and operations of textile recycling plant utilizing new technology to reclaim valuable polymers from carpet.
- Responsible for sales, marketing, operations and product development.
- Responsible for >$10MM P&L
Vice President Growth and New Ventures
The Heritage Group
01.2014 - 05.2017
- Responsible member for start up of ventures group for The Heritage Group.
- Managed team of financial analyst who helped vet going concerns as well as new technologies in markets where Heritage Group companies do business.
- Liaison between G&NV team and Heritage Research Group, technical partner, to make recommendations to The Heritage Group Executive Committee for acquisitions and investments.
- Responsible for G&NV P&L
- Worked with Heritage China operations to develop relationships in China for potential partnership for JV in China to start environmental business.
- Responsible for JV start up with Kibar in Turkey for total waste management business. Currently in operation. >$20MM P&L
VP Sales,Marketing, and Customer Service
Heritage Environmental Services LLC
01.2007 - 06.2014
- Responsible for >$200MM P&L over all US service centers prior to the acquisition of Rineco.
- Devised and presented business plans and forecasts to board of directors.
- Led development of strategic marketing plans to raise awareness and drive sales growth.
- Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives and long term goals.
- Championed change management initiatives within organization to ensure smooth transitions during periods of growth or restructuring.
- Negotiated high-value contracts that maximized profitability while mitigating risks for organization.
- Developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to facilitate business expansion.
- Spearheaded cross-functional initiatives across departments to achieve business goals for bottom-line profits.
- Identified and resolved issues between employees, promoting better collaboration and mutual respect.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
- Oversaw divisional marketing, advertising and new service development.
- Implemented performance- and merit-based evaluation system to assess staff performance.
Vice President-Primary Metals Segment
Heritage Environmental Services LLC
12.2005 - 12.2007
- Responsible for market evaluation for steel industry bi-products while building relationships with plant managers of electric arc furnace (EAF) steel mills across country.
- .Responsible for building relationships with EAF steel industry executives for purpose of determining best cultural fit for potential JV partner for new Heritage Research Group patented technology for recycling EAF dust.
- Made recommendations to HES executive team and The Heritage Group for best fit.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Pre-Medicine
Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN05.1992
Skills
- Strategic Visioning and Planning
- Integrity and ethics
- Business Development
- Contract Negotiation
- Company Representation
- Process Improvement
- Operations Oversight
- Innovation and Creativity
- Partnership Development
- Change Management
- Talent Recruitment
- Remote Team Management
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- People and Culture
- Profit and Loss Management
- Conflict Resolution
Timeline
President
Clean Waters, LLC
07.2023 - Current
Research and Development Director
Heritage Research Group
04.2019 - 03.2023
Executive Vice President Growth & New Ventures
Heritage Environmental Services, LLC
06.2017 - 01.2024
Board Member
Heritage Thermal Services, INC
01.2017 - 01.2024
Vice President Growth and New Ventures
The Heritage Group
01.2014 - 05.2017
President
Heritage Recycling, LLC
12.2012 - 01.2018
VP Sales,Marketing, and Customer Service
Heritage Environmental Services LLC
01.2007 - 06.2014
Vice President-Primary Metals Segment
Heritage Environmental Services LLC
12.2005 - 12.2007
Bachelor of Science - Pre-Medicine
Indiana University Bloomington
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