Darren Traub Resume

C-Level Executive Officer with Proven Expertise in Turnarounds and Business Growth

Results-driven professional with over two decades of dynamic leadership experience across diverse industries, ranging from startups to established enterprises. Adept at crafting strategic solutions that foster growth, drive innovation, and enhance stakeholder value. Specialized in transforming businesses through hands-on management, strategic planning, and operational excellence. A visionary leader with an exceptional ability to navigate complex challenges with a blend of creativity and practicality.

Core Competencies

• Strategic Leadership: Orchestrated turnaround and growth strategies, consistently exceeding revenue targets and increasing stakeholder value. Guided companies through complex transformations by leveraging a unique blend of visionary thinking and pragmatic execution.

• Multifaceted Expertise: Possess a broad skillset spanning engineering, project management, manufacturing, logistics, legal, technology (SaaS & programming), and agriculture. Successfully integrated diverse proficiencies to drive holistic business improvements.

• Operational Excellence: Implemented efficient processes, from ERP and IMS to SOP and QA/QC, enhancing productivity and quality. Proficient in resource allocation, project scope evaluation, and risk assessment, resulting in optimized operations.

• Strategic Planning & Execution: Pioneered high-level strategies that propelled startups into renowned market players. Instrumental in M&A activities, driving growth and diversification. Expertise in divestiture and acquisitions, ensuring ROI optimization.

• Intellectual Property Development: Championed the creation of intellectual property, leading to successful patents and trademarks, thereby enhancing firm value and differentiation.

Career Highlights

• Greenfield Startup Leadership: Led technical and operations initiatives in a hemp industry startup, building an industry-unique processing and packaging facility within six months.

• Rapid Revenue Growth: Spearheaded the growth of a manufacturing company, increasing revenues to ~$23MM annually within two years through team development and strategic acquisitions.

• Multi-Facility Leadership: Successfully directed a corporation with facilities across three states, overseeing 150+ full-time employees.

• Strategic Divestiture: Orchestrated divestiture of two out of three business entities, exceeding stakeholder ROI expectations. Simultaneously transformed operations and managed $7MM insurance claim.

• Innovative Technology Adoption: Upgraded technology and infrastructure to convert waste into high-value products, contributing to environmental sustainability and revenue generation.

• Operational Efficiency: Researched and implemented advanced systems (ERP, MRP, IMS, QA/QC), enhancing productivity, time management, and cost effectiveness.

• Key Client Engagements: Managed capital project contracts for Fortune 500 companies, delivering exceptional value on projects valued up to $20M.

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

• Masters (equivalent) in Industrial Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

• Professional Engineer Registration

• Engineer in Training, General Electric Company (Full Academic Scholarship)