Here's the skinny on the crew at Laforza....:
MANAGEMENT BIO'S
Laforza has assembled a highly talented group of automotive professionals. The management team has more than a five (5) year track record in the Company's proposed business. With many more years of combined experience in design, engineering, marketing, sales, distribution, and general operations, the Company is poised for future growth and expansion.
The Company has adopted a management philosophy, which, in practice, empowers subordinates to use good judgement in taking immediate action to identify and produce results. Regular meetings with all employees ensure that everyone is involved and informed. The implementation of top-down/bottom-up planning and budgeting, and weekly reporting serves to keep all members of the team accountable.
Mr. David S. Hops Founder, President of the Corporation, and Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Hops, 37 years of age, has served as President and CEO since founding MMS, the original company, in 1992. He has overall responsibility for day-to-day functions of the Company. Mr. Hops is also acting as the Vice President of Finance as well as the Vice President of Operations, Laforza Division.
Mr. Hops' specific responsibilities include:
Development of the Vehicles
Quality Control
Facility Management
Engineering & Design of New Products
Cost Control
Expansion Capital
Overall implementation of the Business Plan
Corporate structuring of the Company
Previous to this position, from 1989 to 1992, Mr. Hops was the Manager of Border's Motor Cars. For four years prior to Border's Motor Cars, Mr. Hops was Manager of Paragon Porsche. For the two years prior to that, Mr. Hops was involved in the auto racing industry. Mr. Hops attended Palomar College (1978-1981), then San Diego State (1981-1983) where he majored in Business Management.
Mr. Hops has over fifteen years of experience in the automotive industry, from technical and engineering, to production, to sales of specialty vehicles. His hands-on technical knowledge has been a key factor in the success of MMS. That talent will also be of tremendously value during the expansion of Laforza Automobiles, Inc.
Mr. Hops currently owns the rights to market and distribute the Laforza vehicle in the US, and has first right of refusal for world wide rights (excluding Saudi Arabia).
Richard "Skip" Braden Vice President / General Manager
Mr. Braden has over twenty-nine years of management experience in both government and private industry. From 1995 until recently ARINC Research employed him as Program manager overseeing government engineering and support contracts valued in excess of 45 million dollars. Mr. Braden retired as a captain from the UDS Navy in 1994. During his Naval service, he held numerous positions of significant responsibility including Commanding Officer of two aircraft training squadrons each week with a work force of over seventy officers and four hundred fifty enlisted personnel operating nearly one billion dollars worth of equipment with an annual budget of 10 million. Mr. Braden also served in various Chiefs Of Staff positions responsible for decisions regarding all operational and administrative matters for an aircraft wing with over 400 aircraft and a Battle Group with sixty ships. Mr. Braden was the Commanding Officer of a fleet aircraft squadron that set records for safety, maintenance and operational effectiveness.
Mr. Braden graduated from St. Mary's University of Minnesota in 1968 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. He maintains an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Rating and belongs to numerous professional and social organizations such as the Association of Naval Aviation (ANA), Early Ford V8 Club of America, and Porsche Club of America.
Linda Drury Secretary/Treasurer of the Corporation / Director
Ms. Drury had over 15 years of experience in office administration when she joined MMS in 1992. Her job responsibilities include setting up and administering all corporate filings and business licenses as well as general office management. Ms. Drury currently serves as Corporate Secretary of MMS. Her responsibilities include maintaining all financial records, such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, taxes, incorporation filings and all licenses. Ms. Drury also serves as assistant to Mr. Hops and will continue to be involved in sales and customer support.
Trevor Haywood Vice President Marketing and Sales
Mr. Haywood has served as Vice President of Marketing and Sales since 1996. While he has overall responsibility for all marketing and sales activities for the Laforza as well as MMS divisions, his primary focus is on the successful marketing and sales of the Laforza automobile.
Previous to this position, from 1991 to 1996, Mr. Haywood was the Vice President at Cambridge Technologies. For three years prior to Cambridge Technologies, Mr. Haywood was Manager of Distribution & Reseller channels at Western Digital. Three years prior to that, Mr. Haywood was the General Manager of Marshall Technologies in San Diego, where he ran a six million dollar semiconductor distribution division.. Mr. Haywood has a BA in Business Administration from National University.
Mr. Haywood has over twenty years of experience in both Sales Management as well as Distribution and OEM Sales These skills have proven invaluable in helping structuring the dealer and distribution arrangements, and will be of tremendously value during the expansion of Laforza Automobiles, Inc.
Robert "Bob" Bell Director
Mr. Bell received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science from Gettysburg College in 1971,
Mr. Bell has more than 20 years experience in retail management This includes serving as President and Chief Executive Officer for Monica Scott, a chain of 78 stores specializing in large-size apparel, He also served as Vice President of Personnel and Vice President of Operations for the Gap and more recently divisionalized, rolled out and ran Gap Kids; the Gap's trend setting $300 million, 226 store entry into the children's clothing market. Mr. Bell joined Sweet Factory in 1992 as President and Chief of Operations and now serves as President and Chief Executive Officer for Sweet Factory.
Gene Stinson Director
Mr. Stinson is a 60-year-old graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in Engineering. He was employed by General Motors' Buick Division for 17 years and became Head of the Engineering Department for Laforza in 1988. He left that company in 1990 to form his own automobile consulting firm in Las Vegas, NV where he now lives.
Mr. Stinson has a long history of successful management in the automotive, industrial and truck business, including the manufacturing and marketing of parts, accessories and systems to both the OEM and after-market segment of the business. His experience also covers the establishment of national training programs for major companies in the fields of Carburetion, Ignition, Electrical and Brake systems. Mr. Stinson was also the Vice President of Legend Industries, a company engaged in the development, manufacturing and marketing of turbocharger systems to the OEM automotive industry. He has worked closely with the "big three" American automobile companies as well as Volkswagen of America, Isuzu of America, Subaru, and both Pininfarina, and Lamborghini in Italy. Mr. Stinson owns and operates his own consulting and management company from which he services the automotive and engine industries, in development, and emission certification testing.
Board Of Advisors The Company has appointed a special Board of Advisors comprised of certain individuals who will assist with the successful implementation of this business plan. These advisors will act in a voluntary capacity and shall serve at their own leisure. Management feels that the individuals selected to serve on this inaugural board, will all have great impact on the facilitation of the Company's business objectives.
Ray W. Grimm, Jr.
Mr. Grimm is a graduate of State University at Fullerton where he received a basketball scholarship. After focusing on business and marketing in graduate school, he then used his business training to create California's largest agricultural irrigation company during the 1970s, and co-founded two prosperous Network Marketing companies.
Building upon these achievements, Ray brought his established reputation and solid business foundation to co-found Body Wise International in 1989. Body Wise International is a wellness-focused company with more than 75,000 Consultants and $60 million in annual sales. Body Wise International is now one of the fastest growing nutrition companies in the nation.
Ray's hobbies include tennis, travel and collecting rare and exotic foreign cars. Included in this collection are his Countach Lamborghini, Rolls Royce Bentley, Maserati and his Laforza.
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