1. Kenneth L. Black
5401 Mount Aix Way, Yakima, WA 98901
509-961-8513 | black.ken2016@gmail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/ken-black-72a211112
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Accomplished – driven 28-year executive with a unique mix of skill sets in financial and manufacturing operations, highlighted
by rapid acceleration to increasingly responsible positions in agri-business, food and beverage industry, and public school
administration.
▪ Mergers & acquisitions
▪ Strategic financial planning
▪ P&L ownership & management
▪ Financial reporting to owners/board of directors
▪ Grower accounting & reporting
▪ Treasury functions
▪ Multiple successful ERP conversions
▪ Complex cost accounting
YAKIMA CHIEF – HOPUNION LLC | Yakima, WA 2015 – 2016
Director of Finance (Yakima Chief Hopunion), 6/15 to 8/16
➢ Executive management team member responsible for planning and implementing new business control
processes and financial/ERP systems.
➢ Directed restructuring inventory procedures that improve accuracy by 40%.
➢ Developed key business metrics by customer, segment, and product line to measure growth and gross
margin.
➢ Analyzed a variety of financial information (e.g. budget variances, cost projections, general ledger
accounts, payroll, etc.) for the purpose of providing direction and support, making recommendations,
maximizing use of funds, and/or ensuring overall operations were within budget.
HOPUNION LLC | Yakima, WA 2011 – 2015
Chief Financial Officer, 8/11 to 8/15
➢ Led acquisition implementing a key role in merging finance, human resources, and information technology
departments including everyday direct management of professional staff.
➢ Managed sales growth from $30M to $100M in a four-year period of raw product supply by drawing in
new growers outside of existing network.
➢ Monitored and directed the implementation of strategic business plans.
➢ Reduced percent past due accounts from approximately 40% of total AR to 20% and monthly closing cycle
from 15 working days to 10.
EAST VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT 90 | Yakima, WA 2007 – 2011
Director of Business Operations, 8/07 to 8/11
➢ Directed district financially through period of state funding reductions while maintaining scholastic
objectives.
➢ Compiled data from staff and schools for the purpose of analyzing issues and ensuring compliance for
annual state audits.
➢ Conducted two bond issues ($30 million) in four years constructing two new schools, transportation
center and district kitchen facility in rapidly growing district.
➢ Managed financial aspect of union negotiations with teachers and classified staff in the Washington
Education Association.
➢ In charge of all financial activity including insurance for 260+ employees and eight facilities in a district of
2600 students.

2. TREE TOP INC | Selah, WA 1994 – 2007
Controller, 12/05 to 8/07
Director of Financial Analysis, 8/04 to 12/05
Cost Accounting Manager, 8/04 to 12/05
Plant Accounting Manager, 5/95 to 8/04
➢ Implemented bar coding for inventory/shipping ($300 million) resulting in improved accuracy and reduced
costs.
➢ Led selection and implementation of new ERP system.
➢ Integral part of acquisition of three operations ($40 million) including financial analysis of acquisitions and
rolling them into Tree Top operating systems
➢ Drove capital budget process through investment and payback analysis with post project audits to ensure
desired results were achieved.
CURTICE BURNS FOODS (NALLEY FINE FOODS | Tacoma, WA 1990 – 1994
Plant Financial Analyst, 1/92 to 9/94
Sr. Accounting Supervisor, 11/90 to 1/92
➢ Monthly financial statement preparation and review with executive team for a multi-division entity
including a foreign subsidiary.
➢ Annual budget and mid-year forecasts.
➢ Standard product costing and detailed manufacturing variance analysis.
SEATTLE HILTON HOTEL | Seattle, WA 1998 – 1990
Staff Accountant
EDUCATION Western Washington University, Bachelor of Science – Accounting 1985 - 1987
Green River College, Auburn WA, AA - Accounting 1983 - 1985
REFERENCES
Don Bryant – former CEO of Yakima Chief Hop Union 425-223-2500
Tom Hurson – Sr. VP of Sales, Tree Top, Inc. 509-961-0368
Roberta Gabbard, Relationship Mgr., Banner Bank 509-930-9313
John Schieche – Superintendent of East Valley Schools 509-573-7300
Scott Robertson, former co-worker, Curtice Burns Foods 425-830-6370