Robert Kreis
Winnipeg,MB
Summary
Accomplished leader with a proven track record at Forward House Ministries, adept in strategic planning and staff management. Spearheaded operational enhancements and financial sustainability initiatives, fostering community engagement and stakeholder relations. Excelled in public speaking and leadership development, driving organizational success and efficiency improvements.
Persistent leader eager to lead and grow organizations. Skilled in strategic planning, problem-solving, and communication with good understanding of business principles, project management and team leadership. Collaborative with relentless work ethic.
Overview
42
42
years of professional experience
Work History
Interim Executive Director
Forward House Ministries
10.2022 - 01.2024
- Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
- Oversaw financial management, ensuring fiscal responsibility and long-term sustainability for the organization.
- Guided staff through periods of organizational change, maintaining morale and engagement during transitions.
- Forge strong relationships with board members, providing regular updates on organizational progress and soliciting their expertise when needed.
- Monitored compliance with laws and regulations to protect organization from legal liabilities and penalties.
- Built relationships with donors, government officials and other organizations to secure funding and support for organization.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors, securing favorable terms while adhering to budgetary constraints.
- Exercised appropriate cost control to meet budget restrictions and maximize profitability.
- Collaborated with external organizations including non-profits, businesses and government agencies to create mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Drove strategic improvements to enhance operational and organizational efficiencies.
- Advocated for organization and company mission to raise awareness and support.
- Championed diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the organization to create a more inclusive work environment.
- Increased organizational efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing new systems.
- Managed financial, operational and human resources to optimize business performance.
- Maintained P&L and shouldered corporate fiscal responsibility.
President
GJW Furnishings Ltd Dba Faveri's Wood Furniture
11.2011 - 07.2021
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
- Increased customer satisfaction through continuous improvement initiatives and excellent customer service.
- Managed crisis situations effectively while minimizing disruption to daily operations.
- Enhanced company performance by implementing strategic plans and overseeing daily operations.
- Streamlined organizational processes by evaluating current systems and implementing improvements.
- Developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to facilitate business expansion.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
Franchise Owner
Superior Chem-Dry
04.1997 - 11.2020
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
- Increased customer satisfaction through continuous improvement initiatives and excellent customer service.
- Enhanced company performance by implementing strategic plans and overseeing daily operations.
- Streamlined organizational processes by evaluating current systems and implementing improvements.
- Inspired innovation by creating an environment that encouraged creative thinking and problem-solving capabilities.
- Delivered operational excellence by optimizing resources, processes, and overall cost structure.
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, resulting in repeat business and referrals.
- Managed labor, inventory and overhead costs effectively to maintain business profitability.
Co-Chair
Leadership Winnipeg
09.2007 - 08.2008
- Delivered consistent results under tight deadlines through effective time management skills and prioritization techniques.
- Cultivated a positive workplace culture that fostered collaboration, engagement, and employee satisfaction across all departments in the organization.
- Organized regular progress meetings with team members to ensure alignment of goals, responsibilities, and expectations throughout each project lifecycle.
- Maintained impartiality and objectivity during meetings and decision-making.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
Chairman
Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce
09.2002 - 08.2003
- Facilitated high-level negotiations with key stakeholders, securing beneficial agreements for all parties involved.
- Drove organizational success through the development of sustainable long-term business plans aligned with overall corporate goals.
- Demonstrated commitment to corporate social responsibility by promoting sustainable business practices and engaging in community outreach initiatives.
- Chaired shareholder meetings, disseminating information and fielding questions.
- Enhanced company performance by implementing effective management strategies and fostering a collaborative executive team.
- Fostered an environment of continuous improvement by encouraging open communication channels between employees at all levels within the organization.
- Planned and oversaw meetings in accordance with governing documents.
- Maintained impartiality and objectivity during meetings and decision-making.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
Manager - Training & Development
American Film Wholesalers
02.1995 - 01.1997
- Contributed to the development of strategic business plans aimed at expanding market share.
- Conducted market research, identifying new business opportunities and potential clients.
- Provided excellent customer service by promptly addressing inquiries from existing clients or potential customers on various channels such as phone calls or emails.
- Provided extensive support in sales, technical and business areas to key accounts.
- Designed engaging training materials that catered to various learning styles, resulting in improved comprehension and skill development.
Owner
Rank Energy Control Products Ltd.
06.1982 - 08.1990
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with clients, resulting in repeat business and referrals.
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring all tasks were completed accurately and efficiently by team members.
- Increased customer satisfaction by implementing efficient business processes and providing exceptional service.
- Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
- Trained and motivated employees to perform daily business functions.
- Implemented marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and attract new customers.
- Established foundational processes for business operations.
- Ensured regulatory compliance by staying abreast of industry-related changes and implementing necessary policies or procedures as needed.
- Expanded product offerings by researching market trends and identifying potential growth opportunities.
- Led negotiations for major contracts, securing favorable terms that significantly reduced costs.
- Worked with stakeholders and government to change existing legislation to expand business opportunities.
Education
High School Diploma -
River East Collegiate
Winnipeg, MB06.1980
Skills
Community Engagement
Program Management
Strategic Planning
Project Management
Staff Management
Budgeting and financial management
Public Speaking
Leadership Development
Business Management
Stakeholder Relations
Marketing
Client Services
Accomplishments
- Successfully helped to turn around a struggling non-profit close to closure to one with financial stability and security in 18 months.
- Successfully transformed staff makeup and program development to beter reflect client needs and industry standards.
- Successfully helped to consistently grow a mature business by expanding product lines and re-aligning the demographic of the target customer without significant loss of traditional customers at Faveri's Wood Furniture.
- Achieved Canadian Franchise of the Year Award in Canada with Chem-Dry 2 times by excelling at customer sales and service
- Maintained Membership in the President's Club of Chem-Dry Canada
- Developed product installation techniques and contracted by 3M Canada to provide product training to national accounts
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
investing
Following the market crash of 2008, realized that financial planners were not able to sufficiently protect or grow my investments so I undertook to teach myself how to invest and sought out world-class investment reports and began managing my own investments and have consistently outperformed the market.
current affairs
I have an avid interest in current affairs from local to world-wide. This covers politics, the environment and technology. This helps to give me beter understanding of the world around me, current trends and opportunities as well as areas that need attention.
Timeline
Interim Executive Director
Forward House Ministries
10.2022 - 01.2024
President
GJW Furnishings Ltd Dba Faveri's Wood Furniture
11.2011 - 07.2021
Co-Chair
Leadership Winnipeg
09.2007 - 08.2008
Chairman
Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce
09.2002 - 08.2003
Franchise Owner
Superior Chem-Dry
04.1997 - 11.2020
Manager - Training & Development
American Film Wholesalers
02.1995 - 01.1997
Owner
Rank Energy Control Products Ltd.
06.1982 - 08.1990
High School Diploma -
River East Collegiate
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