Michel Apaid - VP of Operations Product and Business Development, AGA Corp

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Work Background

AGA Corp/ANACAONA Free ZoneVP OF OPERATIONS, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Dec. 2018Miami Florida & P-A-P HaitiI led and supported the company upon embarking in major agricultural projects and agricultural park/free zone under ANACAONA FZ, overseeing management and planning to ensure sustainability. I supported the company president in preparing $28M public capital raising campaign for large-scale agricultural project that would drastically impact the people and the volatile economic situation of Haiti. - Since late 2023, I started the installation of a $1.8M irrigation system for new 300 hectares of properly drained Hass avocados. I established living quarters and logistics for all basic needs and amenities for entire 40 upper staff crew of engineers and agronomers to execute the project, including 6 foreigners from Mexico. I also helmed the construction and installation. - I unveiled the first Stevia project, started in 2019 with Propagation, Plantations, Production, and Harvesting in St. Michel and extraction to powdered sugar at factory setup in Croix des Bouquets Haiti at ZFSD Park. - I built a thriving CBD oil and Stevia powder extraction facility with sophisticated extraction equipment and processes, starting with zero experience, and with the help of bioengineer consultation (Mexico) over an 18 months of trial and error. I also honed best practices. - I led full operations development, cultivation, and extraction to production of CBD oil in a 25,000 sq.ft. facility and 12-acre land in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I launched proprietary CBD brand, Sound CBD, in Miami, FL. I Shipped ~900 kgs of Stevia powder to Mexico; 40 kgs CBD oil to US to launch Stevia brand (Sweetevia); CBD oil brand (Sound SBD) in Miami, FL. - I unleashed a second growth-driven project with 30 hectares plantations of Hass avocados for export, a first in Haiti. - I set up 2 greenhouses reahing a weekly production capacity of 600,000 Stevia cuttings (5 hectares plantable/week), 4,000 Hass avocado plant-lings (5 hectares plantable/week); 15,000 hemp seedlings (3 acres plantable/week).

AGA Corp/GMC S.A-ZFVP, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Apr. 2018 - Dec. 2020Miami Florida & P-A-P Haiti I spearheaded new business developments and startup growth of business and accumulated textile sector experience in directing several manufacturing and logistics facilities. I organized Accounting Department to prepare and analyze financial reports and operational performance of facilities through income statement, budget reviews, and fine tuning. - I coordinated the construction of AGA Group’s new industrial parks and free zones with a capacity to create 12,000 new jobs in agriculture processing and manufacturing industry to boost the Haitian economy and help lower high UE rate in Haiti. - I reduced first phase cost to <$6M––construction of one 100 sq.ft. building; two 2,700 sq.ft. customs and administrative office buildings for industrial park installed representing first location for agricultural projects that AGA Group. I also managed all logistics.

AGA CorpBusiness Development Manager

Nov. 2011 - Apr. 2018Miami Florida & P-A-P Haiti I assessed market prospects and target markets. I generated new leads for possible new customers, specifically interested in full package production. I followed up on full-package sales activity. Devised business models. Evaluated business potential. Navigated customer service. Oversaw Costing Department, ensuring quotes are distributed efficiently to customers. - I facilitated $500,000 yearly profitability. I controlled, led, and analyzed annual budgets, expenses, and financial statements. - I propelled the company from annual losses to annual net gains up to ¾ of $1M; I immediately generated profits from selling worker minutes as a service. This approach focused on more complex garments with higher quality and lower margins. - In 2014, I spearheaded this new model; yielded $200,000 profit vs. monthly $100,000 losses in other business models. - By Year 2; 3, I averaged $700,000 annual net profits; At the peak year $900,000, Year 2––reflected AGA’s most successful model to date. - I fostered customer partnership, focused on people management and HR while the customer managed material sourcing, manufacturing, and product sales–– This was referred to as the Shelter Model–– This eliminated for the customer all hassles of local management of people, country challenges, payrolls, and HR.

Interamerican WovensManaging Consultant

Apr. 2008 - Apr. 2018Port-au-Prince, Département de l'Ouest, HaitiI oversaw 1500 sewing operators alongside the general plant manager as part of a textile company that employs 1300+ workers and 200+ executives. I directed and co-managed all plant operations––HR, Shipping, Receiving, Production, Quality, Planning, Payroll. I was also selected to adopt other corporate duties, including budgeting and income statements. - In last 4 years, I consulted and supported factory growth from 58% efficient sewing facility at 24,000 units shipped weekly with 700 staff to 75% efficient sewing facility at 170,000 units shipped weekly with 1300 operators sewing various styles. - I drove factory to 90% efficiency before being forced to shut down due to national instability in November 2020. Year 3, reached 75% efficiency vs 70% breakeven. I Led weekly meetings, enabling each department’s management to respond to high-pressure environment while receiving interdepartmental support to drive profitability. I set up new KPI measuring system––weekly Steering Committee; championed team that represented solutions and set up a thinktank for innovative problem solving. - I navigated union workers, enabling sewing facilities to minimize work stoppages due to strikes. I established strong relationships and clear communications with union leaders and workers, especially during minimum wage talks and industry riots. As Board Member (AMCHAM), I maintained peaceful talks with union leaders and politicians with support of industry associations, ADHI and AMCHAM.

Interamerican WovensAssistant Managing Consultant

Sep. 2007 - Apr. 2008Port-au-Prince, Département de l'Ouest, HaitiI collaborated with General Plant Manager as an apprentice, trained and honed intricacies of manufacturing and daily issues impacting plant efficiency. I invested and devoted significant time to departments, including HR, Shipping, Receiving, Production, Quality, Planning, and Payroll to managing all departments concurrently.

AGA CorpSALES, TRAFFIC, CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, PURCHASING

Jan. 2005 - Nov. 2011Miami, Florida, United StatesI received and shipped purchased items for factories in Haiti. As a material planner, I coordinated with material planner in Haiti to ensure factory’s production plans were not interrupted by missing trims or fabric. I aided production planning in Haiti to facilitate timely customer order delivery. I communicated with customers and kept them informed on order status and addressed critical issues. I also coordinated parts and trims purchasing.

The LimitedSales Associate

Jan. 2004 - Mar. 2004Industry: Retail Store; - I was a sales associate responsible for making sure all the customers were taken care of and that they found what they needed in the store.

AGA CorpAssistant Warehouse Manager

Jun. 2001 - Aug. 2001Industry: Contract Manufacturer/Importer of Apparel; - I was responsible for organizing the warehouse and making sure shipments were properly received and shipped out. - I also did some data entry into the warehouse receiving system.