Rob Frost

Clayton, CA, (925) 768-5939 rfrost01@gmail.com

Executive Summary
Business Development, Operations, and Retail Project Management Professional
10+ years of leadership experience with the worlds leading convenience hardware retailer
including opening 280 new locations nationwide over a 24 month period, an increase of up to
26% YOY, especially through key marketing / incentive program development and competitor
program analysis driving brand loyalty and competitor interest. 6+ years representing 350
independent retailers and managing 160 new store / retrofit projects with individual budgets up
to $3 million and delivering 1st year revenue up to 200% over projection. Poised to deliver on
aggressive goals through communication and teamwork.

Professional Experience
Ace Hardware Corporation

Northern CA & Western

NV
Retail Project Manager

January 2013 to October 2014, April 2006 to January 2011

Summary: Managed 160 new store/retrofit projects with $50M total development budget
for the worlds leading convenience hardware retailer with $4.7B in wholesale revenue and
5000 locations worldwide. Promoted to Corporate Manager New Business for Ace
Hardware Corporation in 2011.
Recognitions: Ace Hardware National Retail Project Manager of the Year 2009
Led the development of inventory analysis processes for new and existing locations which
have become the standard for all projects nationwide.
Led store design processes by optimizing the customer experience resulting in gross sales
up to 200% over projection.
Exceeded 2014 annual project revenue target by 28%.
Created numerous value proposition plans and successfully grew annual YOY store project
count by 19%. Project revenue increased by 64%.
Successfully managed 7 new store projects concurrently in Q1 of 2014. All completed on
time and under budget.
Developed capitalization budgets up to $2M. Crafted individual project scope of work and
managed expectations of all stakeholders to ensure successful project completion.

Ace Hardware Corporation

Oak Brook,

IL
Corporate Manager New Business

January 2011 to January 2013

Summary: Managed a $3.3M operating budget, a $5M conversion budget and a

nationwide team of 22 new business managers for Ace Hardware Corporation that
produced $50M in 1-year new business and $98M of rolling-12 new business.
Led the implementation of a competitor conversion incentive program resulting in a 70%
increase in store conversions in 2011 and a 100% increase in 2012.
Exceeded annual target for total new store count by 26% in 2011 and 23% in 2012.
Exceeded annual target for rolling-12 month new business by 11.7% and 1-year new
business by 2.9% at the end of fiscal period 12, 2012.

 Successfully launched new business real estate strategy between Ace Hardware Corp. and
NAI Global Solutions across all regions nationwide to expand visibility among potential new
investors and locations.
Directed analytics development of geographic mapping products to streamline and
prioritize target markets for new store locations.
Led national new business team meetings, semi-annual convention new business activities
and seasonal trade show activities.
Led market conflict committee meetings with officers and directors.

Ace Hardware Corporation

San Francisco Bay Area

District Manager

August 2004 to April 2006

Summary: Led owners of 40+ retail locations with $67M retail sales to maximize
wholesale sales, retail sales and profits. Exceeded 2005 wholesale target with 5% YOY
wholesale sales increase. Promoted to Retail Project Manager for Ace Hardware
Corporation.
Designed strategic plan to ensure retail consistency through formation of a San Francisco
retailer group. Resulting $15M retail business unit realized a 3% YOY sales increase while
improving market penetration.
Exceeded quarterly sales targets for 6 consecutive quarters.
Successfully ensured voluntary execution of the Vision 21/IBR growth strategy by
assessing market conditions, competitive landscape and assessing individual business
needs resulting in a 20% increase in the number of compliant locations.
Directed retailers on budgetary and operational processes and provided high-level
coaching to team members on various initiatives as directed by Ace Hardware Corporation.

YardBirds Home Centers

Manager, Stores #218, #152, #240

Alamo, CA
December 1996 to August 2004

Summary: 8+ years of experience managing teams of up to 175 in various retail locations

for this privately-held company with 11 locations and $250M retail sales in 4 San Francisco
Bay Area counties with full P&L responsibility.

1+ year leadership experience managing teams of up to 50 with retail sales of up to $18M

and 40,000 square feet. Promoted to Manager, store #152
6+ years of leadership experience managing team of up to 50 from with retail sales of
$18M and 25,000 square feet.
Developed seasonal action plans to ensure high-level execution resulting in an industry low
8.9% payroll to sales ratio. Promoted to Manager, store #240.
1+ year leadership experience managing teams of up to 175 with retail sales of up to $35M
120,000 square feet.

Clayton Valley Ace Hardware

Manager, Store #898

Concord, CA
April 1985 to December 1996

Summary: 10+ years of experience managing teams of up to 50 in the largest of four retail
locations within this ownership group with $5.5 million annual sales and full P&L
responsibility.

Increased retail sales beyond target by up to 10% through inventory management, expense
management and customer service best practices.

Regularly exceeded P&L targets by developing and successfully implementing seasonal

and operational action plans to ensure high-level execution resulting in an industry low 15%
payroll to sales ratio and improving customer conversion rates.

Special Assignments
Labor Force Optimization Team

Ace Hardware 2007-2008

One of four Ace Hardware Corp. managers promoted to partner with McKinsey & Co. to conduct
diagnostics, development, pilot testing, training and implementation of the LFO/Customer First
program throughout the United States. Resulted in voluntary execution across 3500 independent
retailers saving an average of $75,000 in operational expenses and added sales per location.

Project Management Field Input Team

Ace Hardware 2009-2011

One of four Ace Hardware Corp. Retail Project Managers tasked with identifying disconnects and
inconsistencies between Project Managers across all divisions nationwide. Resulted in the
identification and addition of $875,000 in fixtures in 14 support centers needed to support retail
projects.

Coaching Development Team

Ace Hardware 2010

The only Ace Hardware Retail Project Manager chosen to develop coaching metrics, performance
management best practices and to conduct developmental coaching sessions across all
management levels.

Bus. Transformation Stabilization Team

Ace Hardware 2010 2011

The only Ace Hardware Corp. Retail Project Manager chosen to be responsible for identifying and
prioritizing stock reserve / SOA defects related to SAP supply chain transformation.

Special Training
American Management Association (Strategic Leadership)
Ace Hardware Corp. Public Speaking Training
Ace Retail Ops Leadership Training
Lead First Leadership Development
Lake Forest / Ace Hardware Project Management Training

September, 2012
June, 2012
April, 2010
August, 2006
February, 2006

EDUCATION
University of California Berkeley

Bachelor of Arts - English