Performance-driven Vice President with 32 years of experience in powder coating industry, aligning systems with business requirements, policies and regulatory requirements. Passionate about applying excellent organization and communication skills to manage and lead teams. Results-oriented individual well-versed in interfacing and consulting on business processes to drive results based on sound overall business judgment.
At the age of 12 recruited by track and field coach to become a student at one and only Sports School in Panevezys, Lithuania.
Living, studying and training away from home at early age.
Became champion and record holder of youth of Lithuania and champion youth of Soviet Union (300m hurdles).
Graduating sports school in 1982. Student at Vilnius College of Eudocology (teacher college). Became a professional athlete, specializing in 400m hurdles, 4x400m in track and field.
By then already a champion of Lithuania in 400m hurdles
1983 - 1985 - mandatory service in Soviet Army (helicopter division). Released to Army Sports Battalion to continue training in 1984. Champion and record holder of Lithuania (400m hurdles), Russian Federation (400m hurdles) and Soviet Union (4x400m). Became a candidate of National track and field team to prepare for Olympic Games (1984 - Los Angeles and 1988 - Seoul). Didn't have an opportunity to participate - Soviet Union boycotted 1984 games, injury prevented from advancing to 1988 games. 1989 - retired from professional sport due to injury.
Coaching and consulting professional track and field athletes and teaching at High School followed until immigration to USA (1992).
It was 1992 when I came to USA from Lithuania. No language, 130 dol. in my pocket (legally arrived by plane, Visa in the passport) to start my new life in this wonderful country.
It just happened to be that Ultracoat was close by (walking distance) where my wife and I lived at the time. With no car it was obvious choice for me to apply for a job there. My wife was my interpreter since I didn't speak English. I was very lucky to be awarded this opportunity and became an employee of "Ultracoat". That was a true example of what this country of ours really is - providing an opportunity to all of the people who wants to become a part of this great nation. I took that opportunity and learned everything I could about powder coating business and soon advanced from general laborer to Supervisor, to General Supervisor, to Director of Manufacturing and eventually to VP of the company. Working hard and doing my best together with many to be a part of this journey for our company to become a well known in the industry of custom powder coaters. By now many of my colleagues know my favorite sayings - "We're small company, but doing big things!" and "We always find the way, no matter what”. Very proud for what we were able to accomplish and we were always striving to improve! Many great memories will always stay with me.
Personal note - I also wanted to share this with all of you.
I consider myself very lucky to have this unique life experience - born in Soviet occupied Lithuania, living under Communist regime, graduate from sports school, become a professional athlete (track and field 400m hurdles, 4x400m) - champion and record holder of Lithuania, champion of Russian Federation, champion of Soviet Union, candidate of the national team to prepare for Olympic Games, College education, mandatory Service in Soviet Army, physical education teacher, speak 3 languages fluently, living through the historical process of my native Lithuania to become Independent again (the first of 15 soviet republics to separate) and now a very proud citizen of the United States of America!. This experience allows me to have a unique perspective in life and since my arrival (especially since I learned English and was able to communicate) enables me to share this experience with others. Letting my story be known led to many invitations to speak at many seminars and meetings, to share my life, history of my homeland and describe differences between political systems. I lived through all of this (I was 28yo when I have arrived to USA) and know this first hand, not from the books. I will continue to share this experience every opportunity I'll have. We live in the most wonderful country there is and I will always do my part in helping to preserve this for many generations to come!
In July I'll turn only (lol) 60yo and I hope to have more years ahead of me for next opportunity to take!