MICHAEL E.

LEWIS
2729 Iowa Street
Napa, CA 94558
ml68beb2@westpost.net
(707) 246-6154

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVE

* Hands-on senior accounting professional with understanding of all phases of ac
counting, information systems, operational improvements, and staff development.
Extensive management experience leading critical planning, analysis, and positio
ning of finance functions for two separate companies simultaneously.
* Highly dedicated and conscientious; relied upon as the point person and backbo
ne of finance and administration. Success in establishing, reorganizing, streaml
ining, and strengthening financial operations to maximize performance and profit
ability. Involvement in strategic-level business planning and execution.
* Confident leader and effective developer of solutions to business challenges w
ith talent for driving efficiencies through analysis and deployment of accountin
g infrastructures. Skilled in relationship building and negotiations with key in
ternal/external decision makers, third-party vendors, management, and senior exe
cutives.

CORE COMPETENCIES
=================
- A/R, A/P, P&L, General Ledger, and Payroll
- Financial Systems Management
- Process Improvement / Restructuring
- Technology System Conversions
- Internal Controls and Fiscal Procedures
- Invested Capital Management
- Financial Reports, Statements, and Budgets
- Gap Analysis and Forecasting
- Accounting and Administration Operations
- Cost Containment Strategies
- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
- Team Leadership / Staff Management

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
=======================
AMORIM CORK AMERICA, NAPA, CA, 8/05n1/10
PORTOCORK AMERICA, INC., NAPA, CA, 8/96n1/10
Amorim Cork America and Portocork America are part of a global concern with $57M
annual turnover. Portocork is the largest supplier of natural wine stoppers wit
h $32M in annual revenue. Amorim is the second largest supplier of natural wine
stoppers in North America with $25M in annual revenue.
CONTROLLER
In 2005, promoted by parent company to Administrative and Financial Director for
the U.S. and handpicked to turn around Amorim Cork America's finance/accounting
division based on achievements at Portocork America. Demonstrated high-level of
leadership, flexibility, creativity, and follow through in overseeing complex f
inance functions of both Portocork America and Amorim Cork America simultaneousl
y.
As Controller with shared presence at both companies, played major role as key m
ember of executive teams. Charged with streamlining operations and improving gen
eral accounting and financial reporting systems and procedures, including integr
ation of process flow with parent company HQ. Capitalized on best practices to o
ptimize synergy and homogenize operating procedures.
AMORIM CORK AMERICA
Revitalized finance functions through comprehensive overhaul and realignment of
existing financial records system and general ledger. Instituted reporting and a
nalysis, reconciled variances, eliminated redundancies, and brought consistency
for business intelligence, standardizing and streamlining procedures and practic
es for increased accuracy and efficiency.
* Identified cost-reduction opportunity and negotiated a zero percent building l
ease for $15,000 savings.
* Slashed $60,000 in payroll costs through reallocation of human resources.
* Saved $34,000 by restructuring health insurance program.
PORTOCORK AMERICA AND AMORIM CORK AMERICA
Planned, managed, and provided leadership for accounting and human resource matt
ers, including financial analysis/reporting, payroll, benefits, and budgets. Ove
rsaw external audit processes with CPAs and tax accountants, providing necessary
worksheets/data to minimize billable hours. Hired, trained, and managed combin
ed staff of seven.
COST REDUCTIONS:
* Negotiated a business insurance reduction of 18% or $52,000 in 2010; $26,000 i
n 2009.
* Helped increase procurement efficiency, significantly reduce purchasing costs,
and enhance purchasing power overall by developing profitable supplier relation
ships and improving forecasting. Reduced packaging costs 15%.
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING:
* Enhanced financial management system through streamlining efforts; improved bu
siness financial transparency and reporting efficiency through standardization o
f financial reports/metrics.
* Prepared and presented budgets (up to $74M combined) to the international Boar
d of Directors annually. Delivered critical financial reports to parent company
monthly to define financial structures, accounting functions, and controls. Revi
ewed managerial and gap analysis with local management team monthly.
* On a monthly basis, analyzed and produced P&L, balance sheets, cash flow, and
variances. Managed accounts reconciliation and physical inventory counts balance
d to the general ledger quarterly.
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT:
* Maximized profits through strategic relationships with banking, insurance, and
supply sources. Cultivated strong personal working relationships with executive
leaders and top decision makers and leveraged Portocork and Amorim together for
a competitive advantage.
* Facilitated market advantage by maximizing shared intercompany assets, resourc
es, and inventories.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY:
* Led U.S. team in the design and implement of new accounting software as part o
f upgrading and synchronizing of global IT functions across the U.S. and Europe,
2007. Project unified Purchasing, Inventory, Sales, Production, and accounting
and reporting process with other sales companies around the world. Outcome: rea
l-time inventory and forecasting with central access; tremendous increase in pro
ductivity; elimination of redundancies; and improved quality, accuracy, and acce
ssibility of financial and business information.
* Delivered training presentations on new system and served as key backup person
nel for troubleshooting.

FP PACKAGING, NAPA, CA, 10/94n8/96

Suppliers of bottling equipment and parts; owned by premier label printing compa
ny.
GENERAL LEDGER AND REPORTING SPECIALIST
Hired to manage the reporting for three divisions of a large winery supplier (co
rk, packaging, and label).
* Managed the general ledger and performed divisional reporting, reconciliations
, closing entries, and analysis.

VENTURE GRAPHICS, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 8/85n8/94

Private printing company serving a variety of industries.
CONTROLLER
Successfully managed accounting department through a period of exponential growt
h to include relocation and technology upgrades. Oversaw all financials; compile
d monthly reports; coordinated with external CPAs for year-end financial reports
.

EDUCATION
=========
CERTIFICATE IN ACCOUNTING, GOLDEN GATE UNIVERSITY
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, ANTICIPATED DECEMBER 2010
A.A., LIBERAL ARTS
RHODE ISLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE, WARWICK, RI