PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Jiangnan University / North American College. Wuxi, Jiangsu P.R.C.                       2013 - 2014

Lecturer: Business – Corporate Liaison

Developed Classes and Curriculum to Address Specific Needs of Chinese Students Learning Business in       English Language System.  Developed Courses in Corporate Strategy and Planning, Human Resource Strategy and Planning, Total Quality Management and Performance Excellence, Operations Management, Interpersonal Communications and Relationships, Career Development and Business Ethics.  Focused on the skills of Critical / Analytical / Reflective Thinking and Problem solving.  Liaised with Local Businesses to help with recruitment, and understand the ever changing needs of International Corporations, in China, and transfer that knowledge to the classroom.

Mendel Biotechnology/Bioenergy Seed Co. San Francisco,Ca.                                 2010 – 2011

Director: Capital Expenditures / Supply Chain & Business Development

Administrator, tasked with providing leadership in Research facilities development, Supply Chain Strategy and Tactics for the Domestic Plant Propagation Supply programs, Logistical support for on time delivery of products to multiple shareholders.  Managed Technology and maintenance upgrades to existing systems, benchmarked industry standards, researched applications for continual development of efficiencies’ in Organizational  processes,  Procurement activities including Capital Expenditure and Operating Budget Development, Project Management for Research and Breeding stations. Safety, Staffing, Business Analysis

Selected Contributions:

§            Procured Capital Expenditure  equipment and support systems:  Laboratory Equipment, Protected Horticulture structures upgrades, Upgrades of Control systems,  Assimilation Lighting,

§            Lead initiative to develop “Just in Time” program for delivery of Green products to new product pipeline

§            Lead in the development of Supply Chain Q& A process’ with Suppliers, Co-Operators, Internal Stakeholders, End Users

§            Lead in the Development of 360 Degree feedback loop between all Components of Mendel Shareholders

§            Left due to immediate family health issues

HARRIS MORAN SEED CO., dAVIS, cA                                                      2009 - 2010

Director: Research and Development - Facilities & Programs

 Provide leadership in turn-around of research and Breeding sites, design of new facilities and procurement of equipment, technology and maintenance upgrades to existing facilities, provide direction in the development of crop cultural methodologies for breeding programs open-field and protected horticulture, project management, Safety, Staffing, Team Building, Budget development, remote Facility Development.

Selected Contributions:

§            Procurement CapEx equipment and support systems: Farm Equipment and Machinery, Laboratory Equipment, Protected Horticulture structures, Upgrade Control systems, Farm Management and Chemical Check software, Laminar Flow Hoods, Assimilation Lighting, CapEx Facility Design team leader

§            Lead role in developing sustainable budget for Main Corporate Research Facility for the Breeding and New Product Development of:  Tomato, Pepper, Watermelon, Melon and Squash production, including purity grow outs for Beans, Radish and cucumber

§            Lead in Safety program development in association with California Safety and Training Corporation

§            Left to follow Executive Vice President, Research and Breeding, to Mendel Bio-Energy Seeds Inc,.

Targeted Growth Incorporated, Memphis, Tennessee                                 2008 - 2009

Director: Research & Development - Program Development      .

Provide leadership in new facilities development, technology upgrades to existing facilities, provide direction in the development of crop cultural methodologies for breeding programs, monitoring of crop methodology progress, hiring of new employees including PhD Crop specific Breeding program Leads.

Selected Contributions:

§            Program/Project administration for 8mm dollar 40k square foot Glasshouse and 15k square foot Laboratory crop Development Facility – Memphis Tennessee

§            Lead role in defining crop specific research/Breeding site needs and designing or procuring facilities for Wheat, Corn, Camalina, rice, Canola, Soybean, Sorghum

§            Inspect and advise Executive Crop Development team on potential joint venture or lease site facilities.

§            Left to Follow Executive Vice President to Harris Moran Seed Company and loss of program funding 

glasshouse LLC, Saint Louis, Missouri                                             2004 – 2008 / 2011 - 2012

Vice President: Business Development / Project & Program Management

Provide leadership in areas of operations, project management, new business development efforts, and product concept and design. Leverage brainstorming techniques and partner with consultants and vendors to develop the best possible end products to attain bottom line goals. Establish project designs and budgets, Maximize production and revenue streams for shareholders. Engage and consult with Investors, C-level executives on vision, objectives and goals and other mission critical areas. Ensure that all projects meet budgetary constraints even with the inherent challenges caused by exchange rates and geographically dispersed teams.

Selected Contributions:

§            Boosted glasshouse crops yields by driving Green Energy initiatives; cogeneration of methane from landfills reducing greenhouse gases which provided a cheap source of electricity for enhanced productivity.

§            Initiated savings efforts which reduced utility operating expenses by at least 15%, while minimizing labor costs by an additional 10% – 18%.

§            Generated higher bottom lines while reducing payback and profit realization obstacles through the design and implementation of lean project management techniques, which have proven beneficial to teams in overcoming hurdles encountered during projects.

§            Triggered an average savings per project of 3% to 15%, which is forecasted to contribute to a continual increase in yields and enable the shareholders to pay off all funding vehicles within 12 years.

§            Left to work for Executive Vice President Targeted Growth Inc

University of Maryland, College Park, Md.                                              2000 – 2004

Director - Research Facilities and Environmental Control Systems

Spearheaded projects mostly with full autonomy, authorized to oversee capital ranging from a $20+ million research facility to a $300,000 growth chamber purchase. Interacted with individuals at the highest levels of the University’s executive offices and provided reports and updates. Entrusted wholly to lead capital projects and corresponding operating protocols, equipment purchases, joint ventures and contracts. Managed vendor relationships on both domestic and international.  

Selected Contributions:

§            Contributed to the development of a $20+ million state of art research facility by providing direction to domestic and international vendors as well as ensuring program success by leveraging project management, quality improvement, continuous improvement solutions, scalable equipment purchases and optimal relationship management.

§            Honored by the President of University with the “Leadership Award” for driving all facets of the $20+ million research facility project from conception to completion.

§            Orchestrated all efforts for 2 colleges as Chair of the Project Advisory Committee in regards to capital projects and remote sites for UMD facilities.

§            Selected by University to participate in the US Department of Agriculture NCR-101 Board as environmental control/research facility expert.

§            Laid off due to State Budget Shortfalls

AFFILIATIONS

National Science Foundation SBIR-STTR Commercialization Mentor/Reviewer

EDUCATION

Masters in Business Administration – Global Management

University of Phoenix (Saint Louis)

Bachelor of Science in General Education – Agricultural/Horticultural Business Management

Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, Missouri

John Howard Korns, MBA TESOL / TOEFL

Dear Sir/Madam:

Achieving bottom line goals, spearheading business development efforts and reducing bottlenecks characterizes how I have impacted the profitability and productivity of global organizations. Seeking to add value to a progressive organization such as yours, I included my resume in this package for your consideration.

With a demonstrated history of key decision-making that has impacted growth, combined with my superior business acumen, I offer your organization the opportunity to achieve immediate and longstanding results.

A sample of my recent achievements includes:

·            Initiating cost saving initiatives and reducing utility operating expenses by at least 15%, while minimizing labor cost by an additional 10% – 18%.

·            Generating higher bottom lines through the design and implementation of lean project management techniques.

·            Receiving the “Leadership Award” from the President of the University of Maryland for driving all facets of an $ million state of art research facility project from conception to completion.

·            Being selected to participate in the US Department of Agriculture NCR-101 Board, as part of my tenure with University of Maryland, as an environmental control/research facility expert.

·            Trimming the product development lifecycle, from laboratory to finished product times, from 12 years to 8 years in close collaboration with Australian Government Agency overseeing C.S.I.R.O.

·            Realizing a $30 million revenue stream by enabling the early release of the world’s first transgenic herbicide cotton seed – BXN-47; which allowed the company to capture a majority of the market share rapidly.

Today, with organizations seeking administrators with a history of success in exceeding corporate objectives, my strong leadership attributes, combined with my proven ability to unlock opportunities can help your organization achieve its goals.

For a detailed presentation of my career background, please review the enclosed resume and feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience. Thank you in advance for your consideration and I look forward to your call.

Sincerely,