Portland State Magazine Fall 2009

ALUMNI NOTES Helping companies turn it around AS THE RECESSION dragson,businessescontinuetofailat a jaw-dropping clip. The GMs and Chryslers may grab head– lines, but smaller and mid-sized companies are also shuttering their doors. Sadly, many might have avoided that fate, says Renee Fellman MBA '85. "There are a lot of companies going out of business," says Fellman, "that might have been saved or sold at prices more favorable to the share– holders." Fellman should know. She is a turnaround expert-hired by compa– nies struggling to stay afloat. Recently a large employee-owned manufacturing company turned to her for help. The company was delivering half its orders late. The angry and frustrated sales staff complained that they couldn't sell che company's products if they didn't have confi– dence that the jobs would be done on time. By streamlining and creating accountab ility-cracking how long ic took everyone, including the sales staff, to complete a job-Fellman turned che company around. Jc delivered 98 percent of its orders on time while banking more profit. "The day I left," says Fellman, "I had my management ream in my office teary eyed. We'd been through che war together and survived." Fellman, who is headquartered in Porcland, cakes clients rhac allow her full decision-making authority. Typically she's on board six to 12 months. She has no interest, she says, in stay– ing once che immediate challenge is mer. Barbara Barber '91 was one of25 women business leaders given rhe 2009 Orchid Award by rhe Portland Business journal. Barber is a senior human resources manager for AT&T Mobility Pacific Northwest. Dan Olds '91 is owner of Gabriel Consu lting Group, a ma rkeri ng and strategy consu lting firm in Beaverton. Rebecca Ann Rix '91 is an assistant professor of history at Princeton Uni– versity. Rix earned an MA from Reed College and a PhD from Yale University. Rodney Sargent '91 is presi– dent and chief executive officer for BMSI Holdings, Inc., a provider of insurance services to rhe banking industry. Sargent In the past 18 months, Fellman has seen an enormous spike in the need for her services-oftentimes at companies that haven't yet faced up to che music. Many construction-related businesses are reporting a 50 percent decline in revenue, and consumer retail spending is dropping off the cliff. "People are just caught totally by surprise," says Fellman. "Things happen so fasc." Thar's why she developed a list of seeps companies should rake to prevent the worse. Renee's Rules™ for the Recession Don't sell to customers who won't pay. 2 Prepare worst-case cash projections for the coming six months; if necessary, take action now to prevent a meltdown. 3 Solicit ideas from employees and advisers; implement those that will have the greatest impact in the shortest time. 4 Implement changes to company processes that will lower costs and improve customer service. 5 The sooner, the better. "Many companies can be saved through operational improvements," she says. "But sooner is better in avoiding bankruptcy or closure . .. che most important rule of all." ■ BY MELISSA STEINEGER lives in Edmond, Oklahoma, with his wife, Heather '89. Penny Lutz MA '92 retired af– ter 30 years of teaching with rhe Lake Quinault School District in Amanda Park, Washington. Lutz first came to Quinaulr as a seventh grader and returned ro reach in 1972. She writes, "Ir's nor just a job bur a love for rhe area and its people." Garret Romaine MBA '92 was honored as a fellow of The Society for Technical Com– munication at its national conference in May. A fellow is rhe highest rank that rhe society confers on a member. Romaine reaches technical writ– ing courses at PSU. He is also the author of the 2009 third edition of Gem Trails ofOregon. FALL 2009 PORTLAND STATE MAGAZINE 29