David Kasnic
Longmont,CO
Summary
Transformational leader with over 20 years of executive experience driving organizational growth. Founded a nonprofit for congenital heart disease and established a private equity group supporting overlooked small businesses. Expertise in strategic planning, team building, and operational efficiency, effectively turning challenges into opportunities to enhance profitability.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Operating Officer
Stoneside Blinds & Shades
Denver, CO
01.2023 - Current
- Oversee company operations to ensure production efficiency, quality, service and cost-effective management of resources
- Achieved back-to-back years of profitability, the first in company history, by implementing operational efficiencies, resulting in YOY net income growth from 0.1% to 3.4%
- Merged inside sales and customer service teams to optimize resource allocation, reducing headcount and saving $100K annually
- Revised reimbursement program to improve cash flow through a built-in line of credit of $125K
- Procured remaining fleet for installation resulting in cost from rentals to leased vehicles, $75K annual savings
- Facilitated weekly continuous improvement meetings to enhance operational processes.
- Stoneside Blinds & Shades is the largest, independently owned, custom window coverings company in the U.S. We have achieved this by offering high-end custom style to our customers, personally delivered by industry-leading Design Consultants and Installation Technicians. We are the only custom window coverings company offering full-circle service to our clients, from first call to install, operating in 13 markets across the U.S.
Founder/Partner/Board Member
Slingshot Capital Partners
Boulder, CO
01.2013 - Current
- Established organizational infrastructure by fostering relationships with financial institutions, investment bankers, private equity groups, and accounting firms; conducted due diligence on acquisitions and assessed overall investment opportunities.
- Founded Slingshot Capital Partners to enable small companies to secure private equity investments, partnering with them to leverage personal capital, expertise, and resources of Slingshot Partners for growth acceleration and enhanced operational performance.
Chief Executive Officer/Board Member
Driver Industrial Safety
Phoenix, AZ
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Led transition of leadership after acquisition by private equity
- Acquired company to create in-house manufacturing along with new product development for major product addition
- Transitioned company from direct sales to distribution, strategically growing business by 30%
- Recruited and hired executive team (Sales, Operations, Finance)
- Implemented new ERP and CRM
- Developed new website and trademarks (domestically and OUS), rebranded US and CAN entities
- Executed inter-company eliminations for US and Canada entities, ensuring compliance during audit
- Finalized Bill of Materials and resolved multiple physical inventories that were incomplete at acquisition
- Driver Industrial Safety is a global mining supplier and quality manufacturer of market-leading safety equipment. Our products include heavy equipment LED Vehicle ID Displays, Whips, Lights, Flags, Mounts, Warning Beacons, and Wheel Chocks. Manufacturing facilities located in Arizona, Colorado, and British Columbia.
Co-Founder/Executive Director/Board Chair
Conquering CHD (formerly Pediatric Congenital Heart Association)
Madison, WI
01.2013 - 01.2022
- Developed organizational infrastructure, defining company objectives, executive roles, financial planning, fundraising strategies, and collaboration opportunities; established state chapters, reaching over 15 million people annually.
- Led initiatives to raise awareness and empower those impacted by congenital heart disease, the most common birth defect, through community engagement, knowledge sharing, and research.
Chief Operating Officer
Hologic (formerly Bolder Surgical/JustRight Surgical)
Louisville, CO
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Executed operational strategies for manufacturing mini-laparoscopic medical devices. Oversaw contract manufacturing operations, including cost reduction and inventory management.
- Established steady state production for first time in company history, enhancing operational stability
- Negotiated annual contract with contract manufacturer, securing volume discounts and fixed asset savings
- Developed cost reduction strategy for current and future builds
- Created and developed KPI manufacturing strategy for the company
- Led and managed build-out of larger facility, facilitating operational expansion and improved capacity
- Bolder Surgical exists to serve healthcare providers by developing precisely designed surgical instruments that allow access to confined and often delicate structures. By addressing this comparatively small market, we can meet the specific needs of surgeons and promote the advancement of surgical approaches that reach beyond what traditional instruments have allowed.
President/Chief Financial Officer/Board Member
Checkers Industrial Safety Products
Broomfield, CO
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Provide leadership to position the company at the forefront of the industry. Develop a strategic plan to advance the company’s objectives and to promote revenue, profitability and growth as an organization. Oversee company operations to ensure production efficiency, quality, service and cost-effective management of resources
- Procured multiple, long-term contracts with the Federal Government that added $3MM over three years—150% revenue growth
- Negotiated a price decrease from top supplier which gained an additional $300K/year to the bottom line
- Evaluated and successfully brought in contract manufacturing which gained an additional $250K/year to the bottom line
- Identified and recruited key management roles, including VP of Finance, VP of Sales/Marketing, and Controller, to strengthen leadership team
- Developed company objectives and approved tactical action plans for management team to align with strategic goals
- Led transition from cash to accrual accounting, achieving GAAP compliance and enhancing financial reporting accuracy
- Led intellectual property strategy and legal negotiations both domestically and internationally
- Checkers is the market leader in quality, niche safety products such as Wheel Chocks, Cable Protectors and Warning Whips. These highly engineered products are currently utilized in the Mining, Oil/Gas, Entertainment, Military, Aviation and General Industrial Safety markets both domestically and internationally.
Chief Operating Officer
Checkers Industrial Safety Products
Broomfield, CO
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Strategically led the company through a customer development process which added an additional $1MM of annual sales revenue
- Evaluated and successfully led the physical move of the distribution business next to the manufacturing business thus increasing efficiencies in shipping/freight and improving the customer experience
- Evaluated and transitioned contract manufacturing in-house, contributing an additional $100K/year to bottom line
- Negotiated building leases and landlord improvements, saving $100K/year while enhancing operational efficiencies
- Established product development team and implemented a structured process for evaluating new product opportunities
Vice President of Operations
Checkers Industrial Safety Products
Broomfield, CO
01.2005 - 01.2008
- Acquired and managed Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from United States Air Force to develop innovative aviation wheel chock design, resulting in $800K funding
- Researched and implemented core infrastructure processes, including ERP, network servers, and VOIP systems, to enhance operational efficiency
- Identified and acquired key talent for operations, creating cohesive accounting, HR, and production teams to support business objectives
- Negotiated key supplier rebate program that added $100K/year to the bottom line
Operations Manager
Checkers Industrial Safety Products
Broomfield, CO
01.2002 - 01.2005
- Evaluated and implemented contract manufacturing, contributing $100K/year to bottom line
- Secured National Stock Numbers (NSN) for products, enabling expedited procurements for Federal Government customers through pre-certified military specifications
Financial Analyst
Checkers Industrial Safety Products
Broomfield, CO
01.1999 - 01.2002
- Led creation of new manufacturing company, negotiating asset purchases, financing, material and labor requirements, and tooling purchases.
- Secured and managed GSA contract for all products, ensuring compliance and ongoing partnership.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Finance/International Business
University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OKSkills
- Strategic planning
- Executive leadership
- Strategy development
- Change management
- Financial analysis and control
- Budget oversight
- Cost reduction strategies
- Operational efficiency
- Business development strategies
- New product development
- ERP and CRM implementation
- Contract negotiation
- Vendor management
- Distribution management
- Performance management
- Process improvement
- Team leadership
- Operational efficiency
Websites
Awards
- Boulder County Business Report – Fasting Growing Companies Over $2MM in Sales Revenue
- 2006 - #16
- 2007 - #25
- 2008 - #17
- 2009 - #26
- 2011 - #34
- 2012 - #4
Community Service
Children’s Hospital of Colorado, Specifically raising money for The Heart Institute. Co-captain of bicycle team for Courage Classic, an annual bike ride benefitting the hospital. Raised over $50,000 and team raised over $1,000,000 for The Heart Institute.
Education And Professional Development
- BS Finance/International Business, University of Tulsa
- Vistage International, Former member of a peer-to-peer membership organization for CEOs, business owners and executives of small to medium size companies.
- Spanish, professional working proficiency
Selected Achievements
- Successfully led company from $1MM in sales revenue to $40MM in 13 years with a successful exit for ownership
- Strategically grew EBITDA from 8% to over 20% in 5 years
- Year over year led the new product development process which added an average of 10 new products per year
- Dissatisfaction with vendor/contractor performance resulted in creating a manufacturing company, which brought contract manufacturing in house. This resulted in higher capacity and higher volume thereby retaining customers through expedited processing and delivery
- Negotiated cost reductions from vendors along with scrap, saving the companies over $1MM in annual savings
- Successfully lead the companies through multiple strategic acquisitions creating value with additional products or added capabilities
- Led and managed creation of Operations group within medical device company
- Led newly acquired company with multiple locations and develop strategy for growth, sales, manufacturing, geographic expansion
Languages
Spanish
Limited
Timeline
Chief Operating Officer
Stoneside Blinds & Shades
01.2023 - Current
Chief Executive Officer/Board Member
Driver Industrial Safety
01.2021 - 01.2023
Chief Operating Officer
Hologic (formerly Bolder Surgical/JustRight Surgical)
01.2015 - 01.2018
Founder/Partner/Board Member
Slingshot Capital Partners
01.2013 - Current
Co-Founder/Executive Director/Board Chair
Conquering CHD (formerly Pediatric Congenital Heart Association)
01.2013 - 01.2022
President/Chief Financial Officer/Board Member
Checkers Industrial Safety Products
01.2010 - 01.2012
Chief Operating Officer
Checkers Industrial Safety Products
01.2008 - 01.2010
Vice President of Operations
Checkers Industrial Safety Products
01.2005 - 01.2008
Operations Manager
Checkers Industrial Safety Products
01.2002 - 01.2005
Financial Analyst
Checkers Industrial Safety Products
01.1999 - 01.2002
Bachelor of Science - Finance/International Business
University of Tulsa