Jean-Pierre Ruiz
Corporate troubleshooter and special agent to the Business Owner/CEO

EcoStar Consulting, LLC

• http://www.ecostarconsulting.com

My company is based on a simple premise: Most people want to succeed. I help you do so.

If you are start-up, I can write your business plan so you obtain funding. I can also develop your marketing plan.

If you are an established small- to mid-sized company and you find yourself struggling, I can also help you. Most of the time, companies struggle because they failed to identify what and how they do, what their target market is, and the proper pricing for their products/services. They also struggle when work processes are inefficient and/or employees are unproductive. A lot of small-business owners work for the company, instead of having the company work for them.

I can tell you in a short time what works and doesn't work in your company; what people should be kept, promoted, moved laterally or let go. I can develop work processes which optimizes productivity.

In other words, I can make you better, more profitable.

I believe in creating an environment where employees and the community in which the company operates are seen as "valuable shareholders" and an integral part of the success of the company. I work on a short- to mid-term project basis.

Help you write your business plan and obtain funding if you are a start-up.

Optimize your operations and become more profitable if you're an established business.

I am fortunate to have everything I need at this time. However, like every consultant, I need referrals for new projects.

McGill University - Bachelor of Engineering

Chicago-Kent College of Law - Juris Doctor

Various management and financials at MIT; University of Chicago; and Center for Creative Leadership.

BLUEMONT GROUP, LTD., Seattle, Washington | Chicago, Illinois
8/2003 - Present

The Bluemont Group is a boutique international consulting firm specializing in increasing business productivity and profits by designing efficient work processes and effective corporate strategies.

Senior Business Consultant Turned around at-risk companies, increasing profitability and viability through improved management practices, clearer communication strategies, product or service repositioning, higher sales, targeted marketing efforts, cost reductions, and/or personnel replacement.

Diverse projects included:

Transportation Company - Analyzed market and tightened operations for company providing transport to disabled persons. Clustered fleet to lower fuel costs. Set up employee drug testing program, developed job descriptions and created policies and procedures; detected and terminated an employee committing fraud. Upgraded website, enhanced communications and negotiated insurance programs. Recommended close or sale of operations as best course of action.

• Renegotiated client contracts, growing revenues by 35% and boosting profit margins from 3 to 12%
• Created alliances with main suppliers, renegotiated price points and reduced operating costs by 20%
• Designed effective marketing strategies that increased revenue by 15%

Personal Services Company - Created policies and procedures, enhanced corporate communications, upgraded technology systems and made job descriptions for 24-hour facility with three locations and over 200 employees.

• Implemented efficient inventory procedures, reducing shrinkage by 45%

• Decreased employee turnover from 200 to 75% by improving morale, standardizing work processes and incorporating effective communication

Rail Transportation Equipment Manufacturer - Facilitated new US operations of a multinational passenger rail transportation equipment producer. Enhanced communication among suppliers, subcontractors and team members; upgraded technology to include wireless servers and a faster network. Traveled to facilities in several states to improve operations. Ensured purchases were in agreement with contract under challenging circumstances.

• Reduced project cycle time by seven months on $32 million contract by reworking business model

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TALGO, INC., Seattle | New York | Washington DC | Livingston, Montana 11/1998 - 8/2003

Talgo is a global manufacturing company specializing high-speed passenger rail and ancillary equipment.

Chief Executive Officer | United States Led $75 million, multistate US subsidiary of multinational Madrid-based Talgo Group. Mentored executive leadership team. Increased profits; developed budgets, and streamlined operations while transitioning from foreign-based to US-based workforce. Expanded company's presence with federal and state regulators, Senators and House Representatives; handily defeated competitor's aggressive legislative attack while simultaneously positioning Talgo equipment as the world's safest. Localized, updated and automated malfunctioning HR processes, established training program and soothed union relationships. Acted as company spokesperson, accepted frequent speaking engagements for audiences of up to 5,000; served as board member for four industry associations.

• Streamlined and standardized work processes, increasing profit by 42% over five years

• Developed customer-centric policies and innovative work programs; resulting in 100% equipment availability and increasing Talgo's market appeal throughout the industry

• Established constant work improvement processes, garnering productivity increases of 15% in two years from employee suggestions

• Created national award winning marketing campaign depicting Talgo equipment's technological and financial advantages

• Lobbied to educate politicians about the benefits of newcomer Talgo-provided intercity passenger rail, becoming the supplier of choice in seven states; awarded $2.1 billion project to build rail network across ten states - currently waiting matching federal funding

• Negotiated government equipment and maintenance contracts worth $250 million over five years

• Acquired two maintenance and manufacturing subsidiaries, increasing revenues from $8 million to $75 million annually and enabling ability to compete in US market

• Spearheaded acquisitions, led joint-venture negotiations, conducted due diligence, and managed tactical relationships with Fortune 500 company executives to enhance company resources

• Reduced costs 30%, increased efficiency 60%, and boosted profit margins from 5 - 19% by automating procedures, revamping training materials and instituting just-in-time (JIT) delivery process

Chief Operating Officer (5/1998 - 11/1998)

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Previous work includes leadership roles in international law, insurance, software and telecommunications.

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TEACHING POSITIONS

Adjunct Faculty - Bellevue Community College, Bellevue, Washington (2006 - 2007) International Marketing, Business Law Foundation

Visiting Professor - DePaul University's School for New Learning, Chicago, Illinois (1992 - 1995) European Union History and Law

Professor - l'Alliance Française, Chicago, Illinois (1990 - 1995) Basic to Advanced French

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EDUCATION

Juris Doctor - Illinois Institute of Technology | Chicago Kent College of Law

Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering - McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Trilingual - English, French and Spanish fluency

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PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Franklyn Covey: The 4 Roles of Leadership Center for Creative Leadership: Developing the Strategic Leader University of Chicago: Finance for Non-Financial Executives, the Art of Negotiation American Management Association: Extensive management coursework

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SELECTED SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Seattle University, Albers School of Business and Economics, Seattle, Washington (2002 - Present)

Corporate Governance and Ethics, International Marketing, Working with Foreign Board of Directors, Making Decisions at the Executive Level

Union Internationale des Chemins de Fer (UIC), Paris, France (2002) American Culture and its Influence on the Sub-development of Passenger Rail

American Society of Manufacturers, Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL (1991) What the European Union Means to your Business

(Extensive list of speaking engagements available upon request)

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COMMUNITY

Marketing Chair | Board Member - Children's Response Center, Bellevue, Washington

Marketing Chair | Board Member - The Children Trust Foundation, Seattle, Washington

Volunteer - Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center, Woodinville, Washington