LUCIANA BASILE-LEWIS
Sacramento,CA
Summary
Dynamic finance professional with a proven track record at CRG, Wheelabrator Technology, and Speedy Concrete, specializing in financial and strategic planning. Demonstrated excellence in process improvement and ERP integration, resulting in enhanced efficiency and profitability. Achieved substantial cost reductions while fostering strong team collaboration through effective staff mentoring. Career goals include leveraging analytical skills to drive organizational growth in a challenging environment.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
BUSINESS CONSULTANT
Independent Consultant
Sacramento, CA
01.2024 - Current
- Provide expert financial guidance and solutions, developing comprehensive financial plans tailored to your needs.
- Train accounting staff, and streamline operational processes to increase efficiency.
- Assist with mergers and acquisitions, along with conducting financial reviews to assess the quality of earnings.
- With extensive experience across various industries and a proven track record of creating and managing my own companies, I offer a unique blend of expertise, core values, initiative, and integrity that aligns with any business platform.
- I pride myself on prompt communication and thorough follow-through to ensure client satisfaction.
Realtor
BASILE LEWIS TEAM with Coldwell Banker Realty
Sacramento, CA
08.2023 - Current
- Promoted active listings through social media marketing, open houses and newsletters.
- Negotiated contracts between buyers and sellers to reach agreement on price and terms of sales.
- Advised clients on market conditions, prices, mortgages, and legal requirements.
- Analyzed financial data such as income statements and tax returns to determine affordability levels for potential buyers.
- Maintained current knowledge of laws governing real estate transactions in order comply with regulations.
- Liaised between buyers and sellers to facilitate negotiations and propel escrow progress.
- Monitored changes in local markets that could affect the value of listed properties.
- Accompanied buyers during property inspections.
- Provided guidance and support throughout the entire purchasing process from initial search through closing.
- Awarded the Certificate of Achievement, and the Certificate of Excellence and Commitment.
BUSINESS OWNER/ EXECUTIVE CHEF
CHE BUONO, INC.
Sacramento, CA
01.2017 - 12.2022
- Company Overview: A family-owned business started in 2017 with the first Italian food truck in Sacramento, Che Buono LLC.
- Followed in 2019 by Che Buono Trattoria, Pizzeria, Restaurant, LLC, reaching five stars within a year of opening.
- Designed efficient workstation workflows and streamlined service processes, allowing us to optimize productivity, reduce waste, and enhance overall customer satisfaction.
- Conducted market research and actively solicited customer feedback to adapt our menu and services to increase repeat business, and strengthen our brand identity.
- Used strong issue resolution and communication skills to cultivate and strengthen lasting client relationships.
- Maintained a fine balance between the quality of our offerings and cost management to maximize profitability.
- Established a unique voice and position in distinguishing our product from competitors.
- Leveraged social media and community involvement to increase visibility and create a loyal clientele.
- Built a team through training and recognition initiatives, resulting in high employee retention, which was particularly taxing during Covid-19.
- Deepened the agility and strategic planning for continuous operation through the unpredictability of the restaurant business, tasked with navigating supply chain disruptions or shifts in consumer behavior during unforeseen events.
- Collaborated with the co-owner to ensure and maintain government regulation, health, and safety compliance.
- Opened a brick-and-mortar establishment in 2019 by Che Buono Trattoria, Pizzeria, Restaurant, LLC, reaching five stars within a year of opening.
- Featured in Sactown Magazine in 2016, announcing the first Italian food truck.
- Awarded Best Caterer in 2019.
- Featured on Good Day Sacramento in 2018, 2020, and Sacramento Magazine in 2022.
- Created, branded, and launched the Che Buono line of Classic Marinara, Bolognese, Arrabbiata, and Bianca sauces, sold directly in known markets in Sacramento, along with other product lines.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
CRG CAPITAL RIVER GROUP
04.2015 - 04.2017
- Company Overview: Feed manufacturing, domestic, and international, with startups in transportation, transloading, and warehousing.
- Annual sales of approximately $37 million.
- Established policies related to internal controls over accounting systems as well as financial processes within the organization.
- Lead corporate finance and accounting, coordinating with the Controller, accounting staff, and strategic business partner to the CEO, investors, and lender on financial administration, and provide oversight of HR and payroll functions.
- Worked with creditors, institutional investors, the company's legal representative, and tax preparers.
- Managed delinquent unsecured payables, outstanding receivables, legal proceedings, and bank or creditor obligations.
- Created a sound financial structure, reporting, processes, policies, and procedures, and built the accounting and finance department.
- Identified, attained, and implemented systems and software to provide critical financial and operational information.
- Identified, developed, and executed analysis of business initiatives, cost savings, and price increase initiatives.
- Sourced, installed and implemented new accounting systems to streamline operations.
- Collaborated with IT department on implementation of software solutions that streamline financial processes.
- Formulated and delivered financial and budget reports for investors, partners and stakeholders.
- Analyzed operational processes and implemented continuous improvement initiatives to promote profitability and efficiency.
- Prepared financial forecasts to support fiscal planning and management.
- Directed the preparation of timely and accurate financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
- Minimized losses by improving financial strategies to improve corporate position.
- During the divesting process of all companies, I partnered with legal counsel and shareholders, reduced any remaining workforce, terminated vendor services, closed facilities, sold off assets or worked with assignees when applicable, and managed day-to-day issues.
- Involved with the post-transaction process by taking care of any remaining assets that were not included in the merger, including intellectual property or technological assets.
PLANT CONTROLLER
WHEELEBRATOR TECHNOLOGY
South Broward
11.2006 - 02.2015
- Company Overview: A Waste Management Company.
- Waste-to-energy is generated in the form of electricity from the primary treatment of waste, directly through combustion.
- Annual sales are approximately $85 million.
- Ensured all operational, administrative, and accounting policies, procedures, and controls were in place and conformed to company policy, local/state laws, and accounting standards.
- Created, developed, and maintained all internal financial reports to follow company requirements and formats.
- Led efforts in developing KPIs for tracking performance metrics over time.
- Employed sound processes and procedures to ensure accurate and timely financial data.
- Ensured all financial contractual agreements were maintained at an important level of compliance.
- Provided fiduciary guidance and suggestions to management and other members of the company.
- Negotiated, prepared, and managed disposal agreements, as well as provided input into negotiation strategies for terms and conditions.
- Partnered with procurement, reviewed, and approved the facility and regional service agreements.
- Developed mutual understanding with the plant manager and worked proactively on operational decisions.
- Waste-to-energy is generated in the form of electricity from the primary treatment of waste, directly through combustion.
- Set up new disposal agreements offering volume discounts, resulting in over $1.6M in favorable revenues
- Analyzed, optimized, resolved, and communicated inventory-related findings and weaknesses to the organization.
- Initiated and piloted AP and AR streamlining processes from the facility through the WTI organizations, resulting in expediting weekly processes by 50% and turning around related operations and financial bottlenecks in less than a month.
- Increased supplier-earned payment discount from 5% to 55% in one year by addressing DMAIC opportunities in the company, and collaborating closely with the team.
- Provided procurement recurring annual savings for the facility and region of over $350K.
- I covered some of the Plant Manager's roles and tasks when requested.
- Complied with SOX guidelines and developed policies to maintain
- compliance with other regulatory statutes.
- Facilitated and completed annual financial statement audits and reviewed results.
- Prepared annual budgets and monitored actual performance against budget goals.
- Analyzed inventory levels and costs associated with production process changes.
- Interpreted complex financial information into meaningful business intelligence for senior management.
CORPORATE CONTROLLER
SPEEDY CONCRETE CUTTING, INC
10.2004 - 03.2006
- Company Overview: Concrete cutting for residential and commercial customers.
- Annual sales are approximately $15 million.
- Designed and formatted financial reports for internal and external users. Initiated, established, monitored, and managed accounting strategies, as well as corporate accounting principles, practices, and procedures, in accordance with regulatory and legal requirements.
- Evaluated collection reports to determine collections status and outstanding balance amounts.
- Ensured compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, rules and standards relating to finance matters.
- Responsible for cash management, managed the banking covenant needs, financial planning, reporting, executing findings and recommendations; receivables, payables, payroll, notice to owners, health and liability insurance renewal, construction lien law, general and vehicle accident claims, and all company's audit requirements (w/c, insurance, and payroll), generated legal contracts, and interacted with legal counsel.
- Managed the corporate fleet requirements, lease/purchase agreements, registration, compliance rules, and regulations.
- Managed the opening of a new division in Georgia within its financial, tax, legal, human resources, and general requirements.
- Increased A/R turnover by over 1.4%, or a $450,000 improvement.
- Increased A/P turnover by over 2.7%, or over $600,000 improvement.
- Resolved 22 accounts in legal, 20 of those with favorable outcomes.
- Created new budget, forecast, cash projections, and financial reporting models.
- Created, managed, and monitored operating, financing, and profitability strategies to reduce the cost of sales by 8% within one year.
CONTROLLER
PARK STRUCTURE INC, A PLAYCORE COMPANY
08.2001 - 02.2004
- Financial, human resources, and general management of an $18 million playground manufacturing company with over 120 employees.
- Responsible for cash management, financial planning, and reporting.
- Worked closely with the Corporate VP of Operations, encompassing various manufacturing cost analyses to determine the most cost-effective method to fulfill the company's and the customer's production requirements.
- Worked closely with senior management in the physical transition of this company to the Fort Payne fulfillment center.
- Increased the borrowing base by decreasing past-due accounts receivable to 3% of its total.
- Developed a $1 million cost-reduction plan.
- Created and implemented a financial reporting package, distributed monthly to the Corporate Executive and Division Management Team.
- Integrated the former (Koala) business procedures, concepts, financials, systems, ISO requirements, and other transactions related to mergers and acquisitions into the new one (PlayCore) in five months.
- Part of the management team responsible for the integration of the company to a new business model, and the relocation to Chattanooga, TN.
- Decreased the current employer's inventory value by $1 million over an 8-month period.
- Increased inventory borrowing value by 20% on over $3 million of raw materials.
- Established credit and collections, inventory, accounting policies, and procedures.
- Resolved significant HR issues (lay-offs of management, EEOC, and major policy violations)
Education
Realtor - Residential And Commercial Real Estate Investments
Kaplan Real Estate Education
01.2023
Master Certificate in Business - Process Improvements
Villanova University
05-2016
BA - Management, Operation and Finance
Florida Atlantic University
01.2016
AA - Accounting
Broward Community College
01.2001
BA - Accounting
Carlo Cattaneo
Italy01.1997
Skills
- Financial and strategic planning
- Budget development and management
- Planning and execution
- Process improvement
- Cost reduction
- Operations management
- Customer service management
- Business analysis
- Staff mentoring
- Vendor collaboration
- Inventory and Cost Control
- Cash Management
- Brand Building and Marketing
- Negotiations and Agreements
- Waste to Energy Plant
- ERP
- Accounting System Integration
- Real Estate Investment
Languages
Italian
Native/ Bilingual
English
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Professional
Phone
cell, (916) 430-6663
Certification
CPBPM
CEBA, CLA
Realtor
Affiliations
National and International champion in Cross Country and Pentathlon. Passionate of Soccer. Featured Chef in Sacramento Managazine
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
BUSINESS CONSULTANT
Independent Consultant
01.2024 - Current
Realtor
BASILE LEWIS TEAM with Coldwell Banker Realty
08.2023 - Current
BUSINESS OWNER/ EXECUTIVE CHEF
CHE BUONO, INC.
01.2017 - 12.2022
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
CRG CAPITAL RIVER GROUP
04.2015 - 04.2017
PLANT CONTROLLER
WHEELEBRATOR TECHNOLOGY
11.2006 - 02.2015
CORPORATE CONTROLLER
SPEEDY CONCRETE CUTTING, INC
10.2004 - 03.2006
CONTROLLER
PARK STRUCTURE INC, A PLAYCORE COMPANY
08.2001 - 02.2004
Realtor - Residential And Commercial Real Estate Investments
Kaplan Real Estate Education
Master Certificate in Business - Process Improvements
Villanova University
BA - Management, Operation and Finance
Florida Atlantic University
AA - Accounting
Broward Community College
BA - Accounting
Carlo Cattaneo
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