Richard Towne

Lead global cross-functional teams to harmonize filtration hardware portfolio, develop new products, manage supplier/partner relations and set marketing, pricing and promotional strategies

Managed U.S. Process Hardware business. Provided technical support to customers and sales personnel globally. Supported Engineering and Supply Chain in managing order fulfilment process. • Improved average margin from 46% to 56.5% through price and portfolio management • Ran custom housing business, determined offering for specific customer requirements, set pricing, supervised order fulfilment • Completed review of entire Process Hardware portfolio to streamline offering, reduce supply chain complexity and provide focus to sales • Participated on a Six Sigma team to reduce SKU’s – removed over 19,000 SKU’s • Initiated and completed overhaul of Process Hardware Price Book. Corrected irrational pricing, converted from matrix pricing, standardized discount structure, implemented portfolio management changes • Participated on global team to redesign and standardize administration of custom housing business • Represented North America business on team to globalize product portfolio • Recovered 80 man-hours / year by terminating Facility Security Clearance • Executed program to provide loaner units to customers for product trials • Streamlined administrative processes in Military business reducing time by 2/3 • Government Contract Administrator for Division with Power-of-Attorney

Supervised sales support staff, hired personnel, balanced workload, and mentor development. Provided technical support to customers, distributors and sales personnel for applications in all markets served. Recommended filtration solutions for customer applications. Used customer performance requirements to set specifications for hardware design. Set pricing for non-standard products and for special pricing agreements. • Promoted to Sales Support Supervisor – Jan 2008 • Supervised up to eight Sales Specialists and Inside Sales Representatives located across the United States. Coached into improved performance and promotions • Assisted International business teams with product recommendations as product expert • Assumed responsibility for supporting customers in the Oil & Gas Market in 2008 and exceeded plan by 8% in the first year • Integrated Life Science and Industrial departments into a single team • Redesigned sales administrative processes and sustained changes by redrafting ISO procedures • Achieved or exceeded targeted average price increases for the seven straight years • Created and distributed targeted prospect databases to Field Sales to stimulate further growth • Co-developed Lotus Notes based process for management approval of deviated pricing • Rewrote job descriptions and designed career ladder to conform to corporate standards • Created team to monitor investigation of customer complaints. Delegated management to recent new hire to broaden experience / network • Coordinated manpower coverage of Road Show van. Educated customers and prospects at their facilities with this innovative sales tool • Maintained and published Distributor price books twice a year • Established process with Green Belt team to rigorously review deviated price agreements • Facility Security Officer – Secret Level - 2014 • Government Contract Administrator – Power of Attorney - 2014 • 2014 3M Purification Achievement Award – Road Show Program

Provided technical and sales support to customers, distributors and field sales personnel. Monitored Coatings market and identified sub-markets to target. Evaluated customers process conditions to develop product recommendations. • Drafted Limited Distribution Agreements and pricing strategy for automotive integrators to develop a new channel into Big 3 auto manufacturers • Coordinated ten trials at domestic and transplant auto assembly plants over an 18 month period. Installed and monitored product performance during trials. Provided team coverage for 24/6 plant operation resulting in competitive conversions. • Managed investigation of a potential contamination issue at a major account. Though fault was found elsewhere, team implemented production changes to reduce possibility of a future occurrence. • Achieved 17% market growth in 2007 through expansion in target markets and stepped up engagement in adjacent markets. • 2007 Departmental Achievement Award

Prospected and qualified customers. Proposed mortgage packages to customers and managed process to closing. • Ranked in top 20% of sales volume within first year

Investigated and resolved product performance issues for customers, coordinated technical service laboratory activities, and worked with customers on new color concentrate products. Supported over 200 customers across NAFTA. • Created a database of 450 existing and potential customers and used it to rebalance territory boundaries, allowing more efficient use of technical service personnel • Published a paper on Titanium Dioxide technology in plastics in SPE CAD newsletter • Won new business at key accounts by performing successful onsite trials • Successfully commercialized a new color concentrate product line for PET as part of a multifunctional team, exceeded profit goal in first year

Assisted domestic and international customers in proper use of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) pigments in polymeric applications, installed products in customer facilities, coordinated laboratory projects and investigated customer complaints. SAP implementation team. • Wrote and implemented account plans to technically support customers representing $70 million of business • Coordinated disposal of sub-prime inventory, Reduced it by $6 million in 18 months • Selected to participate on global SAP implementation team and as a result became expert on Quality Management (QM) and Sales & Distribution (SD) modules • Trained 400 employees in SAP Quality Management module • Designed technical marketing seminars and presented them to customers, employees and at national TAPPI conference • Analyzed market research data, as an emergency replacement team member that redesigned the company’s market channel strategy. Presented to senior management • Negotiated product specifications with customers and manufacturing, that eliminated QC tests and rationalized specification ranges while meeting customers’ needs

Seasonal Tax Preparer - Part Time

Developed analytical methods for organic and inorganic pigments and raw materials. Supervised incoming, in-process and finished product quality control laboratories