Dalton Wayne

Promoted to President to transform company from basic beef processor to innovative industry leader with diverse services and products. Manage $12M P&L and oversee an organization of 6 direct and 60+ indirect reports in all areas including production, sales, finance & safety. As Vice President, led company through COVID and market volatility with strategies focused on forming partnerships, developing new products and services. Managed $10M budget.

Propelling Sales Growth & Capturing New Markets

• Improved net profit by 110% despite a harsh period for the beef industry, depressed by drought and the lowest national inventory, with a multi-year strategy focused on service revenue, strategic partnerships, and 50+ new service based products. Slashed 50% of wholesale revenue, then used this service revenue model to increase gross profit from 20% to 56%, as conventional COGs doubled. Pulled EBITDA from -10% to +15%.
• Grew accounts by 400%, raising total accounts to 250+. Aligned sales, production, and distribution teams to serve new customers like US Foods, PFG, Chefs’ Warehouse, Kroger, Harris Teeter & hundreds of independent accounts.
• Led entry into E-commerce & retail by negotiating partnership with Whole Foods, Primal Beef Company, The Wellness Company & more.
• Captured $5M in new revenue (wholesale & service) by leading company to pass rigorous 3rd party audit with 96% score, securing approval for products to be sold in retailers like Kroger, Whole Foods, Harris Teeter, and more.

Forging Strategic Partnerships & Launching High-Margin, Year-Round Revenue Streams

• Increased business resiliency by creating high-margin marketing service, growing service revenue to 35% of total revenue in 5 years.
• Formed 20+ strategic partnerships to develop value-added products, such as skincare (Hearth & Homestead – #1 brand on Amazon), leather goods (Moore & Giles), snacks, pet food, and more. Created Biltmore partnership, turning the famed Biltmore cattle into beef, skincare, leather products & more to generated $250K in annual partnership revenue.
• Enabled year-round revenue stream by forming a new retail brand (Virginia Beef Co) in 2021 alongside existing food service business. Sold 15 million pounds by 2025 in mid-Atlantic region through 100+ Kroger stores and others.

Building Resilient Financial & Operational Structures

• Identified and resolved $500K inventory discrepancy with comprehensive analysis and correct inventory valuations.
• Enhanced inventory and cost management by co-developing and implementing a custom traceability & accounting software. Increased customer satisfaction from 25% to 95% with elimination of issues.
• Enabled strategic decision-making by creating finance model and cash flow analysis algorithms.
• Reduced production costs by 20% through revamped scheduling process and sourcing strategy.
• Ensured zero health & safety issues in company’s 10-year history by creating formal safety training and training the production managers to uphold standards and best practices for their teams.

Tapped to revitalize struggling start-up by leading sales strategy and team of direct and indirect reports. Promoted to Director after two years, taking responsibility over operations in addition to sales and overseeing 5 direct and 50 indirect reports. Managed $700K/year staffing budget.

• Turned around sales performance from $50K/month EBITDA loss to generating $1.2M/month in sales by energizing the sales team with focus on expanding reach and building relationships.
• Largest regional based beef company in the southeast region with the most diversified services & value-add products.

Expanding Capacity Through Fundraising & Capital Investments

• Won $1.5M in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan and the USDA’s Local Meat Capacity Grant program to expand capacity. Design-built and installed production equipment capable of 5X’ing output, adding up to $50M in revenue annually. Secured additional $2M from investors to fund expansion plans.
• Raised $5M+ to date from investors, government agencies, and competitions to fund expansion plans.
• Led company to win 2022 Bull Pen Award (“Virginia’s Shark Tank”) in the Virginia FAIRS Agricultural & Forestry Innovation Challenge by pitching the idea to scale beef hide processing and create new high-margin products with wasted hides, resulting in $250K annual cost savings (disposal fee), the launch of Seven Hills leather product line, and a new agricultural export of prepared hides destined for Italian tanneries serving high-end luxury goods makers.

Developing High-Performing Workforce & Efficient Processes

• Built robust talent pipeline by partnering with local jail authority to form the first prison work-release program. Successfully graduated dozens of workers from the program since inception, with many staying on as employees after.
• Decreased employee turnover from 70% every quarter to just 8% annually with clear communication of expectations and deep commitment to their growth through mentorship and training. Helped 20+ employees land roles outside of the company with referrals and recommendations.
• Enhanced cattle procurement process from relationship building and contract negotiations to logistics and compliance. Directly executed $60M in procurement to date.

Maintained remarkable 90%+ employee retention rate in challenging Virginia meat processing labor market.

Attained 90%+ scores on 2020 engagement survey with employees feeling valued and empowered at work.

• Recruited to manage $25M US Navy facility renovation project with 6 direct and 50 indirect reports.
• Oversaw project from demolition to final touches coordinating demolition, plumbing, engineering, HVAC and other teams.