Robert Ottersen

Robert Ottersen
Chief Governance Officer
Key Functional Areas Covered:
Planning and scheduling board and shareholder meetings, setting agendas, and preparing logistics. The secretary also attends the meetings and records the minutes, which document the decisions, motions, and discussions. Maintaining corporate records and ensuring contact information for board and staff members is up to date.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
    Rings End, Inc. – 2020 – 2023
    Millwork Purchasing Agent, Wilton, CT – 2022 – 2023

  • Research, procurement, inventory maintenance, new product(s) roll-out, and training of a multimillion-dollar portfolio.
  • Program responsibilities for a 7-figure composite decking product conversion across 8 lumber yard locations.
Sales Associate, Niantic/Madison, CT – 2020-2022

  • Inside Sales at full-service lumber yard(s), providing high-level customer service for contractors and homeowners.
  • Procurement of Special-Order items sold to our customers.
American Deck & Patio, LLC – 2004 – 2010
Owner, Old Saybrook, CT

  • Small business ownership included sales, marketing, customer service, fieldwork, logistics, purchasing, training, accounting, payroll, inventory, advertising and compliance (OSHA & Employee)
  • Focus on a diverse “outdoor living” construction portfolio including screened and 3-season rooms, privacy fencing, hot tub platforms, hardscapes, pergolas…
  • Advertising programs including home shows, print media, internet, and business networking (ex. nurseries, hot tub/pool dealerships…)
  • Utilized SalesForce.com
  • Realized sales of $450m in second full year of business
  • Fasten Master Advisory Council Member
TREX Company – 1997– 2003
Northeast Regional Sales Manager, Old Saybrook, CT – 9/2001 – 11/2003

  • Development and implementation of sales and regional marketing programs in a two-step distribution model across an 11-state area
  • Managed a team of 11 sales representatives and associates to maintain brand dominance and grow market share in a new emerging building material category
  • Increased sales resulting in a 23% annual growth (calculated based on corporate measure; weight)
Rocky Mountain Region Sales Representative, Denver, CO 12/1997 – 9/2001

  • Sales, regional marketing, training, and merchandising for a 130+ Dealer network across 7 states
  • Assisted in the Western U.S. role-out of National Distributor (Boise Cascade) including training, presentations, and upper-management meetings to achieve TREX corporate objectives
  • Annually exceeded sales targets
  • Developed successful relationships and strategies resulting in high rate of deck builder, remodel, custom, semi-custom and production home builder conversions
  • Held high-profile positions within builder organizations to aid in networking and product promotion (Built Green Industry Leaders, Energy and Environmental Affairs Committee, Home Builders Foundation, Tour of Homes Marketing).
ReNew WoodFloor Services – 1996 – 1997
Owner, Parker, CO

  • From start up to a successful 8 employee full-service installation and refinishing company.
  • Sole proprietorship duties included sales, marketing, customer service, logistics, purchasing, training, accounting, payroll, inventory, advertising and compliance (OSHA & Employee programs).
  • Realized a 78% closing rate on new business.
MacDonald Hardwoods – 1995 – 1996
Store Manager/Program Development, Denver, CO

  • Opened new branch store in a high-density customer location.
  • Developed annual business plan for sales goals, objectives and action items to meet company revenue & profitability requirements.
  • Set new individual monthly gross sales records for company.
  • Created and presented product and system training seminars for DIY customers.
BonaKemi, Malmo, Sweden – 1987-1995
Private Label Account Manager, Aurora, CO – 1993-1995

  • Provided a full menu of hardwood floor products from factory applied UV & IR coatings and stains to after-market maintenance products for regional supermarket chains, domestic and international (janitorial) service providers and domestic and international wood flooring manufacturers.
  • Developed and implemented focused sales & training programs integrating customer’s business model and company culture.
  • Provided Technical Sales/Support to a diversified domestic and international customer base.
  • As a new division within BonaKemi, assisted in the annual business model and business plan development, and coordinated the cross-functional teams necessary for the new product development, marketing, sales, manufacturing, purchasing, legal, and logistical needs.
  • With legal counsel, assumed the companywide responsibility for domestic product liability issues and acted as company “expert witness” for litigation purposes
Research and Development/Operations Manager – 1989-1993

  • Equipped and staffed U.S. laboratory to provide new product development, quality assurance and competitor product evaluations to compliment (Swedish) parent company operations.
  • New products and processes were engineered for domestic and international markets.
  • Managed purchasing, inventory control, light manufacturing, product liability/legal issues, government compliance (products, packaging, OSHA, SARA, MSDS), Import/Export requirements, warehousing/distribution and facilities management. Signature authority for expense reports, purchase orders, inventory, performance reviews and salary.
Quality Assurance/Technical Assistance (DEVCO Finishes prior to BonaKemi acquisition)

  • Responsible for product quality control, customer service and technical assistance/ technical writing to sales and marketing.
Colorado National Bank – 1985 – 1987
Management Trainee/Collections Supervisor, Denver, CO

  • A revolving work program providing inter-departmental experience of the bank and bank holding company.
  • Participated in an advanced series of management and human resource training seminars.
  • At the completion of training, was assigned to the Rocky Mountain Bankcard Division (Plus System) credit and collections department as the supervisor of 30- and 60-day delinquent accounts.
Chevron, Texaco, H.B.B. Incorporated – 1981 – 1985
Field Technician/Geologist, Denver, CO

  • During the energy bust of the early 80’s, worked a number of geological positions, primarily in an assistant field geologist capacity.
  • Projects included the exploration of uranium roll-front deposits (WY), second-generation reclamation of copper gangue materials (CO), gold and silver exploration (MT), molybdenum exploration (CO & MT), and oil & gas exploration and field development (IL).
EDUCATION
Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, 1981.

  • Bachelor of Arts, Major – Geology
  • Lettered 4 years of Varsity Soccer (Captain Senior year)

Completed numerous management seminars throughout the above-mentioned industries regarding Product, Selling, Customer Service, Fair Trade Practices, Human Resources, Employee Relations, Performance Reviews, Product Liability, Facilities/OSHA/MSDS, Labeling Requirements, and Total Quality Management.