Strategies for Leadership and Life -- The Kamis Group
Buffalo/Niagara, New York Area
- Current
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- Founder & Principal at The Kamis Group
- Past
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- President & CEO -- AVOX Systems at Zodiac
- President & CEO -- Scott Technologies at Tyco International
- Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Development at Scott Technologies Inc
- Director, Marketing & Business Development at Tenneco Packaging
- Manager, Strategy & Corporate Development at Tenneco Packaging
- Manager, Finanice -- Marketing at Kraft General Foods
- Risk Management Analyst at BP Amoco
- Chemical Engineer at Dow Corning
- Education
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- Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management
- Case Western Reserve University
- Connections
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24
connections
- Industry
- Professional Training & Coaching
- Websites
Russ Kamis’s Summary
Former CEO (7 Years)
Multiple IndustryExperience
Kellogg MBA “Top-of-Class”
Engineer & Problem Solver
Seasoned Strategist
Acquisitions (23 worth $3.1B)
Professor, State University of NY @ Buffalo
Russ Kamis’s Specialties:
Mergers & Acquistions, Strategy, Finance, Marketing & International Business. Certified Life & Executive Coach,
Certified Facilitator & Trainer, Leadership Development & Executive Retreat Leader.
Russ Kamis’s Experience
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Founder & Principal
The Kamis Group
(Professional Training & Coaching industry)
December 2007 — Present (1 year 8 months)
Run an executive advisory services and strategic consulting firm
- Provide leaders with expertise, guidance, support and inspiration to accomplish their goals and maximize their lives – “strategies for leadership and life”
- Guide individual and organizational change
Activities include:
- Divesting a privately held IT company – coordinating and running the M&A process
- Creating a new strategic consulting division for a manufacturing-based consultancy firm
- Teach capstone business strategy course as adjunct professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo
- Publish monthly inspirational newsletter
- Develop individuals and change culture through personal/executive coaching and team building
- Run executive retreats and train teams nationally as a professionally certified YPO (Young Presidents Organization) International facilitator -
President & CEO -- AVOX Systems
Zodiac
(Privately Held; Aviation & Aerospace industry)
November 2004 — June 2008 (3 years 8 months)
Ran a $105 million manufacturer/service provider of life support systems with 400+ employees. Consistently exceeded sales, profit and cash flow targets maximizing incentive payouts
- Exceeded 2007 financial objectives in sales and EBIT by 11% and 25% respectively
- Exceeded 2006 financial objectives in sales and EBIT by 8% and 30% respectively
- Exceeded 2005 financial objectives in sales and EBIT by 10% and 50% respectively
Implemented a new product development growth strategy to reverse “cash-cow” legacy
- Created growth strategies to revitalize each major product lines through either technological innovation, line extension and/or planned obsolescence
- Won $175 million U.S. gov. chem/bio mask program that will increase sales 40% in 2008
Outsourced machine operations saving $2 million/yr and avoided a $4 million capital outlay
Post acquisition, led integration of Company with Zodiac’s world-wide network -
President & CEO -- Scott Technologies
Tyco International
(Public Company; TYC; Industrial Automation industry)
April 2001 — November 2004 (3 years 8 months)
Ran a $60 million manufacturer/service provider of life support systems. Oversee four facilities and 500+ employees. Managed as autonomous profit center with full P&L responsibility
Consistently exceeded sales, profit and cash flow targets maximizing incentive payouts
- Improved process efficiencies, cut costs, and restructured operations
- Increased on-time deliveries from 50 to 95+% and service turn-around times by 70%
- Improved operating efficiencies 15% through implementation of a cell team management structure
- Generated over $6 million in process improvements (six sigma/lean mfg.)
- Closed facilities in MI, NC and CA consolidating manufacturing operations. Reduced workforce 25% and lowered SG&A to 10% of sales saving $5 million annually
- Reduced total working capital by 35% ($10 million) via introduction of a quarterly payment, inventory management and consignment programs
Arranged for the sale of Company to strategic buyer. Sold company for 100% premium (Sept ’04) -
Vice President, Corporate Strategy & Development
Scott Technologies Inc
(Medical Devices industry)
April 1999 — April 2001 (2 years 1 month)
Led the creation and implementation of strategy for Scott Technologies, a $300 million manufacturer of sophisticated, high performance respiratory protection systems, gas detection
instruments, and other life saving products for firefighting, industrial, aviation and government markets
Ran M&A activities worldwide: formulated acquisition strategy, identified target companies, assessed product/channel/technology fit, contacted prospects, assessed synergies, valued prospects,
conducted due diligence, negotiated contracts, orchestrated closings, and integrated
- Completed three transactions in with cash-flow returns over 20% increasing company size 25%
- Oversaw operations of Scott Instruments Co. as a member of the Board of Directors
Sold Scott Technologies to Tyco Intl. for 40% premium to market (May ’01) -
Director, Marketing & Business Development
Tenneco Packaging
(Packaging and Containers industry)
1997 — 1999 (2 years)
Directed business development and technology innovation activities of this $50 million business
Led “Project Blue Sky” – a team responsible for identifying pivotal future technologies/ innovations
that differentiated our products, captured value, and grew long-term sales
Commercializing several new technologies ranging from structural innovations and novel coatings
to specialty processes. Won three Innovation Awards
Developed marketing programs to support growth initiatives and new product introductions
Sold the Paperboard business to Caraustar realizing a 100% price premium (May ’99) -
Manager, Strategy & Corporate Development
Tenneco Packaging
(Packaging and Containers industry)
1995 — 1997 (2 years)
Supported development and creation of corporate strategic plans with executive management
Formulated Tenneco’s acquisition strategy. Identified prospects, initiated contact, performed
valuation, negotiated terms, coordinated due diligence, and initiated integration of seventeen
acquisitions worldwide -- doubling company sales to $4.4 billion.
Monitored industry trends and competitive activities. Performed benchmarking studies against peer
groups and used to set long-term financial goals
Responsible for corporate communications. Created analyst, board-of-director, trade show, and
industry presentations for CEO. Wrote earnings releases and financial announcements -
Manager, Finanice -- Marketing
Kraft General Foods
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; KFT; Consumer Goods industry)
1992 — 1995 (3 years)
Analyzed ongoing performance of five divisions, identified issues and assessed impact
Managed the strategic planning process
Consolidated performance results into presentations for CFO and executive management
Managed the $800 million Sandwich Cheese Category as a member of the marketing team.
Responsible for all financial aspects of the business. Generated monthly profit/loss statements,
risk/opportunity analyses, and source/use reports
Developed a correlation between share and price gaps. Identified cost to buy share and optimized
Received Brand-of-the-Year and Win-Win awards
Managed monthly volume/profitability reporting for $600 MM Club Store business -
Risk Management Analyst
BP Amoco
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; BP; Oil & Energy industry)
1991 — 1991 (less than a year)
Developed a variety of crude oil hedging strategy to reduce price risk exposure
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Chemical Engineer
Dow Corning
(Privately Held; 5001-10,000 employees; Chemicals industry)
1987 — 1990 (3 years)
Managed technical sales and customer service for ultraviolet curing materials business
Identified $3 million in new opportunities for electronic applications
Invented several new adhesive technologies. Hold 11 patents. Wrote 16 technical papers. Won the
Technical Achievement Award -- Dow Corning's most prestigious award. Part of a team that
changed the product development process and commercialized four new products each in less than a
year, versus four year industry average. Received two Commercialization Awards for these efforts
Orchestrated new product installations for customers nationwide. Organized and directed ten scaleup
campaigns for manufacturing new products.
Earned the Outstanding Individual Contribution Award
Russ Kamis’s Education
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Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management
MBA , Finance, Marketing, Strategy & International Business , 1990 — 1992
- Activities and Societies:
- Graduated with Distinction, top of class
Earned Academic Achievement Award. GPA 4.0/4.0
Majors in strategy, finance, marketing, and international business
Member, Toastmasters
Consultant, computer lab
Volunteer, Business with a Heart Club
Member, Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society
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Case Western Reserve University
BS , Chemical Engineering , 1983 — 1987
- Activities and Societies:
- Graduated with High Honors. GPA 3.6/4.0
Studied junior year abroad at Edinburgh University in Scotland
Member, Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity
Work-Study employment -- financed 90% of education
Additional Information
Russ Kamis’s Websites:
Russ Kamis’s Groups:
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Case Western Reserve University -
Kellogg School of Management
Russ Kamis’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- consulting offers
- business deals
