DAMON PISTULKA
BUSINESS GROWTH & M&A ADVISORY
PERSONAL DETAILS
DAMON PISTULKA – PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
I had the opportunity at an early age to manage people and businesses. I soon realized that if you put the right team together, provide leadership and challenge them to strive for excellence that you can accomplish great things. I have worked in some of the most competitive industries and dominated the competition using this simple focus.
An intensive learning stage of my career began by completing a financial turnaround of a 50+ year old multi-site retail solutions manufacturing company. This opportunity was a turning point in my career because I had the opportunity to work with some very bright people to orchestrate the complete redesign of a business from end to end. We redesigned business processes and end products to simplify and significantly reduced costs while increasing customer value.
This experience allows me to shift to completing turnaround assignments for companies with extremely poor financial performance I realized that this same focus can get companies back on track quickly and provide laser focus in moving forward.
The most recent stage in my career has utilized my executive, management, and technical experience helping businesses complete large projects, crush competitors, and dominate their markets.
As the Managing Director of Exit Your Way®, we utilize a tactical, hands-on approach to help our clients increase their profits, dominate markets, crush competitors, and exceed business goals as they are growing their business for long-term success or transition. We do this with a simple focus on doing high value work to accelerate business performance. We try to put fun and passion back into the businesses we advise. If you are looking for no-bullshit people that will be in your business helping you make it better, Exit Your Way® will deliver.
“If you are going to put yourself through the countless hours of hard work in business, why the hell would you not be having fun and trying to crush your competition every day”
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
JANUARY
2016-
PRESENT
Exit Your Way
Managing Partner
Damon Pistulka manages the Seattle office of Exit Your Way®, a boutique Business Advisory and M & A firm specializing in sales acceleration, business management advisory, valuations, and brokerage services for privately held companies. Exit Your Way® helps client businesses increase top line revenues with sales consulting techniques developed by Jeffry Graham (www.howisell.com). Damon utilizes his experience and background to improve client business effectiveness, prepare client businesses for sale, and coordinate the sale of client businesses. Damon provides owners extensive tactical hands-on business expertise through the life of their business. When owners are ready to exit, Andrew Cross and Damon guide them through the complicated process of preparing and selling their business.
FEBRUARY
2009
JANUARY
2016
EVERGREEN RENEWABLE, LLC
President|General Manager|Consultant
EverGreen Renewable was formed as a project development and management consulting company. I managed the business and consulting projects for process developers, manufacturers, and commercial customers. Work included project development and management, financial plan development, operational plan development, and execution of projects. Projects were mainly focused around technology development, traditional energy and renewable energy industrial facilities.
DECEMBER
2007
JANUARY
2009
SYNERGY SYSTEMS INC.
Vice President|General Manager
Managed an Alaskan Native Corporation (ANC) owned company specializing in machining, stereo lithography (SLA), and urethane molding of components and assemblies for aerospace, defense, medical, and technology companies. The company needed significant financial turnaround work. Completed work to get the company cash positive in 180 days. Left the company when ANC decided to close the company and sell assets.
DECEMBER
2007
JANUARY
2009
OLYMPIC FABRICATION
Vice President
Managed an Alaskan Native Corporation (ANC) owned company specializing in precision fabrication of ground support equipment, vessels, and facility subsystems for aerospace and NQA1 nuclear customers. Lead the company through significant organizational changes with an on-site General Manager to complete a financial turn around and become an efficient and profitable company. Company was cash positive in 120 days with added controls and increased throughput. Left the position when ANC decided to close and sell assets of Synergy Systems.
FEBRUARY
2007
DECEMBER
2007
EVERGREEN RENEWABLE
Project Developer
Formed company to develop a 50 MGY Washington State based corn ethanol facility. Completed project development work through preparation for construction and elected not to construct facility due to market conditions.
FEBRUARY
2006
MARCH
2007
CNC DIVERSIFIED MANUFACTURING
VP, Operations
Managed a private equity owned complex 5 axis machined precision component and assembly manufacturer for tier 1 aerospace and defense customers. Produced flight critical components for F-22 and other high profile programs. Large 5 axis machining capabilities of 12 ft. x 10 ft. x 4 ft. Company needed significant operational and financial turnaround work. Completed operational and financial objectives which got the company cash positive in 270 days. I was recruited to this position by an investor in a previous employer (Reynolds, Inc.)
MAY
2004
FEBRUARY
2006
AUTOMATED METAL TECHNOLOGIES
VP|General Manager
Managed a precision sheet metal fabrication company for a private owner. Implemented significant changes throughout the business to grow the revenues approximately 50% in 24 months with an increase in gross profit %. Developed and implemented 3 day production and inventory management programs for key customers which secured long term business. Program managed inventory through the supply chain from raw materials to finished product at the customers location. Set up Kan Ban materials stocking program that eliminated 95% of material ordering and reduced deliveries to from 5X to 2X per week.
JANUARY
2001
FEBRUARY
2006
REYNOLDS, INC.
Senior VP, Operations
Managed TN & WA operations for a retail fixture manufacturer.. Completed turn around during first year to reverse significant losses and worked next 3 years on growth activities to increase revenues and profitability. Implemented lean manufacturing and design concepts which allowed the company to provide industry leading order fulfillment times with highly customizable products. (Reduced standard lead times from 6 weeks to 3 weeks on custom product) Assembled a team of talented people who captured significant market share by exploiting the market advantages we developed. Company sold to a strategic buyer in 2004.
EDUCATION
AUGUST
1991
MAY
1995
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
MS Industrial Management Coursework
Pursued MS in Industrial Management part time while working full time. Completed approximately 75% of coursework (4.0 GPA) towards degree. Left the program when I moved out of the area for a leadership job opportunity.
Damon Pistulka – Course work in:
➤Statistical Methods for Quality Improvement
➤Production and Operations Management
➤Industrial Hygiene and Safety
➤Project Management
➤Information Systems
➤Marketing Research
JANUARY
1984
MAY
1989
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
BS Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Degree with machine design and manufacturing focus. Completed machine design projects with industry internships for manufacturing applications in automating assembly processes.
COLLEAGUE COMMENTS
JEFFRY GRAHAM
BUSINESS OWNER – WWW.HOWISELL.COM
Damon is a top level business manager. If you are serious about selling your business or management consulting this is the guy to go to. I could not be happier having Damon as someone I get to work with.
KEN HATLEWICK
PLANT MANAGER
Damon Pistulka is a high energy individual that used his leadership style to mentor those under him and bring the team together as we worked through all of the aspects of starting up a new facility. With Damon you always know where you stand and know that he will make the right decision based on what is right, not what is easy.
ANDREW CROSS
BUSINESS OWNER
Damon Pistulka stepped into a difficult situation to stabilize an organization that was struggling through a difficult leadership transition, exacerbated by very challenging economy. He is a veteran manufacturing leader who can relate to the shop floor seamlessly to the boardroom. He was able to asses the problems quickly and get the Team back on the right track. It was a pleasure to work with Damon.
DONNA MARSHALL
VP, INVESTMENT SALES
I highly recommend Damon Pistulka as a professional,knowledgeable and thorough Business Consultant/Operations Manager who presents himself and his quality of work to the highest degree with a results oriented focus and his customers/clients success as his primary focus while keeping an eye on the bottom line and promoting a lean and cutting edge focus on future development.
THE HIGHLIGHT REEL
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHEMENTS
- Coordinated multiple transactions in excess of $20 million dollars
- Completed diligence and financing packages for multiple $100+ million projects.
- Successfully developed and implemented customer focused initiatives to grow revenues over 25% and provide double digit increases in profitability in extremely competitive markets.
- Developed and implemented lean business process, product design, and operations changes which reduced operating costs by over 20% and lead times by over 50% in multiple industries.
- Managed aerospace businesses producing flight and mission critical items for programs like the F-22, 787, and Mars Rover.
- Managed the company that designed and manufactured the first mass produced self-checkout systems for retailers.
- Designed and built multiple industrial facilities.
- Lead companies through sale or restructuring
- Participated in the design teams for patented medical devices, spraying systems, fire suppression systems, event displays, and retail systems.
- Responsible for the implementation of 9 different ERP systems in multiple companies and industries
- Implemented Kaizen waste reduction techniques to promote rapid improvement of manufacturing and business processes in multiple industries
ADVISORY SERVICES PROVIDED
Business Value Improvement
Business Sale Preparation
Selling Businesses
Growth by Acquistion
Business Exit Planning
Organization and Financial Restructuring
Operational Effectiveness Improvement
Leadership Development
Facility Design and Construction
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
Youth Baseball
Mariners Baseball
SeaHawks Football
Enjoying the PNW Outdoors
Non-Profit Causes
