Michael L. Merit
State Commander, Veterans Of Foreign Wars Department Of Oklahoma
Skiatook,OK
Summary
United States Marine Corps veteran with proven experience in business development, from startup to operations. Offering keen financial acumen to lead businesses to profitability in both lean times and periods of growth. Known for excellent leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to recruit, hire and manage high-performance teams. Experienced in a broad range of business activities, including finance and accounting, operations, supply chain and human resources.
Overview
3
3
years of post-secondary education
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Financial Officer
SSPawhuska, LLC
Pawhuska, OK
06.2019 - Current
- Oversaw deployment of strategic business plans to accomplish accounting, compliance and revenue targets.
- Completed in-depth analyses of risks to control company profile, enhance systems and track legal concerns.
- Oversaw all financial operations company-wide, including budgets, payroll and accounts payable and receivable.
- Analyzed operational performance and efficiency to identify and implement cost reduction initiatives and process improvements.
- Analyzed operational issues and implemented corrective action plans to improve profitability and efficiency.
- Prepared year-end fixed asset schedule for inclusion in Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and monthly financial reports for board meeting.
- Offered advice to other executive leaders on strategies to improve financial growth.
- Assessed company resources and made adjustments to keep operations efficient and cost-effective.
- Provided financial expertise to departments such as human resources and legal.
- Developed future financial plans to support company objectives.
- Set and monitored effective financial policies.
- Devised strategies for standardizing and enhancing organization and management of business assets.
- Directed all financial activities, including budget development, creation of budgetary controls and recordkeeping systems and investment management.
- Devised strategies for enhancing business assets and reporting on financial metrics.
Traveling Field Service Technician
3nine USA
Catoosa, OK
03.2016 - 06.2017
- Provided technical support to troubleshoot, repair and maintain operational efficiencies in hydraulic, mechanical and electrical systems.
- Performed annual service visits and completed preventative maintenance on all systems.
- Managed all on-site and off-site installation, repair, maintenance and test tasks.
- Completed partial or full dismantling of equipment to quickly repair or replace defective components and restore functionality.
- Properly completed work reports for each field visit.
- Reviewed all aspects of job upon completion to alleviate equipment failure and prevent callbacks.
- Demonstrated to customers proper methods for operating equipment after it had been installed.
- Operated all hand tools and power equipment according to company safety procedures.
- Discussed and recommended service options with customers and explained costs involved.
- Interacted with all necessary partners including vendors, upper management and peers.
- Adhered to established procedures for inspection of belts, drives and motors, performing any needed maintenance.
- Reviewed technical documentation to complete equipment maintenance and repair.
- Assessed operating conditions and adjusted settings to maximize performance and equipment longevity.
- Positively engaged with customers and maintained professional appearance at all times as company representative.
Installed Sales Assistant Manager
Lowe's Home Centers, LLC
Grove, OK
06.2014 - 11.2016
- Inventoried installation supplies before scheduling installations or ordering more.
- Trained employees on installation safety and equipment use.
- Collaborated with marketing teams to sell specific products and packages.
- Upsold installation deals with household appliances.
- Maintained relationships with return customers.
- Operated and served as subject matter expert on in-store order management system.
- Coordinated installations, including review and completion of related paperwork.
- Confirmed customer satisfaction by utilizing targeted follow-up methods after installs.
- Assisted with employee training and coaching in Installed Sales program.
- Prepared materials and staged items for installer pickup.
Customer Service
Lowe's Home Centers, LLC
Grove, OK
03.2014 - 10.2014
- Responsible for handling all customer inquiries, sales, returns at the Customer Service/Return Desk, operating the cash register, processing customer payments, bagging customer goods, and processing customer returns, etc.
- Greets and acknowledges all customers in a friendly, professional manner and provides quick, responsive customer service.
- Responsible for all other duties as assigned.
- Answered customer telephone calls promptly to avoid on-hold wait times.
- Preserved revenue streams by utilizing strong communication and negotiation skills, offering refunds as last resort to maintain customer satisfaction.
- Fielded customer questions regarding available merchandise, sales, current prices and upcoming company changes.
- Assisted customers with setting appointments, shipping and special order requests, and arranging merchandise pick-up at other locations.
- Provided information to customers regarding charge accounts and loyalty program and helped to open and activate new accounts.
- Offered advice and assistance to customers, paying attention to special needs or wants.
- Liaised with customers, management and sales team to better understand customer needs and recommend appropriate solutions.
- Cultivated customer loyalty, promoted repeat customers and improved sales.
- Evaluated account and service histories to identify trends, using data to mitigate future issues.
Cashier
Lowe's Home Centers, LLC
Grove, OK
02.2014 - 03.2014
- Responsible for handling all customer inquiries, sales, operating the cash register, and bagging customer goods.
- Greets and acknowledges all customers in a friendly, professional manner and provides quick, responsive customer service.
- Responsible for all other duties as assigned.
- Restocked, arranged and organized merchandise in front lanes to drive product sales.
- Helped customers complete purchases, locate items and join reward programs to promote loyalty, satisfaction and sales numbers.
- Assisted customers by answering questions and fulfilling requests.
- Met and exceeded upsell goals by highlighting target merchandise with strategic promotional approaches.
- Answered questions about store policies and concerns to support positive customer experiences.
- Replenished sales floor merchandise and organized shelves, racks and bins for optimal appearance.
- Mentored new team members on POS system operation, customer service strategies and sales goals.
- Used cash registers and POS systems to request and record customer orders and compute bills.
Founder & Executive Director
Remember Heroes Nonprofit Corporation
Ft. Worth, TX
12.2013 - 06.2014
- Supervise, direct, and control the business of the Corporation and actively manage its business.
- Engages in negotiations involving commitments of the resources of the Corporation or the acceptance of money or resources by the Corporation in furtherance of the purposes of the Corporation.
- Negotiated terms of business acquisitions to increase business base, solidify market presence and diversify offerings.
- Investigated and addressed business development challenges to proactively mitigate problems.
- Aligned organizational objectives with company mission, increasing revenue, profit and business growth by collaboratively developing integrated strategies.
- Introduced new matrix organizational plan with clear roles and responsibilities to enhance processes while ensuring quality and regulatory compliance.
President
American Remembrance
Fort Worth, TX
09.2013 - 12.2013
- Maintain company image.
- Provide the face for the image of the company in public events and fundraisers.
- Attend all public events sponsored by or in direct relationship to the company.
- Attend and make available for all city, state and national organizational meetings beneficiary to company goals.
- Pursue active grants and any available funding to further company goals of providing the absolute best service to grieving veterans and their families.
- Developed and implemented new strategies and policies in collaboration with executive partners to establish and achieve long-term business objectives, providing company with strong and sustainable organizational leadership.
- Developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to facilitate business expansion.
Chief Executive Officer & President
American Remembrance
Fort Worth, TX
07.2013 - 09.2013
- Direct all business decisions of the company.
- Maintain active participation and input with stockholders.
- Guide all aspects of the business to ensure profitability and sustainment.
- Attend and answer to all Board of Directors’ meetings.
- Create and maintain a business plan profitable to the company’s intentions and that of the stockholders.
- Govern a budget consistent with the objectives of the board of directors.
- Train company employees on proper procedures in carrying out the goals of the company.
- Direct and maintain a training plan for all employees consistent with the objectives of the company business plan.
- Maintain quarterly reviews of all employee assessments with regards to objectives and productivity concerning each department manager and their subordinates.
- Coached and guided senior managers to improve effectiveness and policy enforcement, resulting in improved employee job satisfaction and higher performance levels.
- Reviewed individual department performance and worked with leadership to improve processes, procedures and practices.
- Worked with department heads to stay current on needs and offer high-level support for day-to-day operations.
- Oversaw large-scale staff recruitment and development initiatives to keep workforce skilled and effective.
Fiscal Clerk
United States Marine Corps
San Diego, CA
08.2008 - 02.2011
- Prepared or directed preparation of financial statements, business activity reports, financial position forecasts, annual budgets in excess of $670K, or reports required by regulatory agencies. Received, recorded and authorized requests for disbursements in accordance with company policies and procedures. Monitored financial activities and details such as reserve levels to ensure that all legal and regulatory requirements were met. Monitored and evaluated the performance of accounting and other financial staff, recommended and implemented personnel actions, such as promotions and dismissals. Provided direction and assistance to other organizational units regarding accounting and budgeting policies and procedures and efficient control and utilization of financial resources.
- Manipulated, transformed and analyzed data by reviewing computer reports, printouts and performance indicators.
- Developed integrated spreadsheet and database templates for accumulating, formatting and organizing program data and presented findings to management.
- Evaluated reliability of source information by weighing raw data to make data easier to interpret.
- Prepared statistical analysis plans and provided statistical interpretation for graphs, tables and charts.
- Checked source data to verify completeness and accuracy, addressing incomplete or missing data fields to streamline application of analytic scripts.
- Compiled statistics from source materials such as production or sales records, quality-control or test records for further analysis.
- Served customers in a friendly, efficient manner following outlined steps of service.
- Created spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel for daily, weekly and monthly reporting.
- Used Microsoft Word and other software tools to create documents and other communications.
- Performed duties in accordance with all applicable standards, policies and regulatory guidelines to promote safe working environment.
KC-130 Loadmaster
United States Marine Corps
San Diego, CA
06.1998 - 08.2008
- Reviewed orders, production schedules, blueprints, and shipping or receiving notices to determine work sequences and material shipping dates, types, volumes, and destinations. Monitored field work to ensure that it is being performed properly and that material was being used as it should be. Recommended and implemented measures to improve worker motivation, equipment performance, work methods and customer services. Interpreted transportation and tariff regulations, shipping orders, safety regulations, and company policies and procedures for workers. Requisitioned required personnel, supplies, equipment parts, or repair services.
- Maintained schedules of forty plus personnel attributing scenarios for equipment malfunction, training schedules, vacations, etc., in order to maintain operational readiness in all situations.
- Optimized space usage when loading cargo and baggage into aircraft compartments.
- Accompanied aircraft as member of flight crew to monitor and handle cargo in flight.
- Trained new employees in areas such as safety procedures or equipment operation.
- Oversaw cargo loading operations to achieve proper weight distribution and maintain safety during all facets of aircraft operations.
- Determined the quantity and orientation of cargo and computed an aircraft's center of gravity.
- Achieved optimal balance by loading cargo in accordance with accurate calculations of aircraft center of gravity and specific flight requirements.
- Provided detailed training and mentoring for each new team member, including safety protocol workshops, to optimize performance and productivity of all crew members.
- Managed cargo and baggage during flights while to keep items well-stowed and secure.
- Maintained compliance with airport and airline policies and baggage weight restrictions to protect passengers, crew, cargo and aircraft.
- Directed personnel to properly stage baggage and execute safe and accurate loading and unloading of cargo.
- Successfully maintain clean, valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Devoted special emphasis to punctuality and worked to maintain outstanding attendance record, consistently arriving to work ready to start immediately.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 08.2011 - 05.2014
Skills
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Additional Information
- Oriented for Logical Decision Making and Ethical Leader Phone: (918) 314-3951 Current U. S. Government Secret Security Clearance Address: 131 Laura Ln Knowledgeable of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, Bernice, OK 74331 government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the Email: mike.merit@okstate.edu democratic political process Familiar with principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. Skilled with principles and processes for providing customer and personal services to include customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. Experienced with business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Affiliations
- Freemason
- Scottish Rite
- York Rite
- Shriner
- American Legion
- Disabled American Veterans
- Veterans of Foreign Wars
Timeline
Chief Financial Officer
SSPawhuska, LLC
06.2019 - Current
Traveling Field Service Technician
3nine USA
03.2016 - 06.2017
Installed Sales Assistant Manager
Lowe's Home Centers, LLC
06.2014 - 11.2016
Customer Service
Lowe's Home Centers, LLC
03.2014 - 10.2014
Cashier
Lowe's Home Centers, LLC
02.2014 - 03.2014
Founder & Executive Director
Remember Heroes Nonprofit Corporation
12.2013 - 06.2014
President
American Remembrance
09.2013 - 12.2013
Chief Executive Officer & President
American Remembrance
07.2013 - 09.2013
Bachelor of Science - Political Science
Oklahoma State University
08.2011 - 05.2014
Fiscal Clerk
United States Marine Corps
08.2008 - 02.2011
KC-130 Loadmaster
United States Marine Corps
06.1998 - 08.2008
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