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Biographical Sketch

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R. Louis Schneeberger (Lou)

EDUCATION

• Southeast High School, 1973
• Kent State University, 1977, Bachelor of Business Administration

Primary Experience

OM Group, Inc. - Chief Financial Officer

OM Group is a leading, $1 billion vertically integrated international producer and marketer of value-added, metal-based specialty chemicals and related materials.  Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, OM Group operates manufacturing facilities in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia.  I joined the Company in mid February 2004 and left in November 2005.

Olympic Steel, Inc. - Chief Financial Officer, partner & member of board of directors

Olympic is a NASDAQ listed, $500 million, multi-location steel distributor of carbon sheet, plate and stainless steel flat rolled products.  Acquired a 10% interest in Olympic in July 1987, prior to Olympic’s growth.  At that time, 4 of us owned 100% of this $30 million company (CEO, CFO, Sales & Operations).  Lead its 1994 IPO and 1996 secondary offering.  Left Olympic mid 2000 to focus on startup technology companies, other board roles, and sale transactions.

Royal Appliance Manufacturing Company - Chairman of the Board & Audit Committee

Royal was a $400+ million NYSE listed manufacturer of vacuum cleaners primarily under the label of Dirt Devil and other consumer products such as the Telezapper.  I’ve been involved with Royal since its acquisition in 1981.  At that time, Royal was a $9 million metal vacumn cleaner manufacturer that sold only through deal networks.  Involved in all facets of its 1991 IPO becoming a member of the board at that time, appointed Chairman in 1995.  As Chairman we quickly returned to profitability by getting out of various European businesses, began outsourcing to China to become more cost competitive and to improve quality, significantly improved the effectiveness of our advertising approach and made many changes to the top two levels of our management team.  Sold Royal to a Hong Kong based public company, Techtronic Industries, which closed in April, 2003.

Arthur Andersen LLP - Manager, CPA – 1977 to 1987

Initial years primarily of an audit and general consulting nature with a public company focus.  Was significantly involved in client purchases and sales of companies from my first year all the way through my last.  The last half included a concentration in M&A, strategic planning, and financing businesses.  During all 10 years most of my clients were public companies where I dealt with all facets of public related issues.  Spent a year in Los Angeles in 1982 focusing on the strategic plan for the firm.
Overall : Business experiences as a CFO, strategist, turnaround specialist, business advisor, and in public accounting with a focus on public companies.  Vast experience in M&A, managing and financing growth, public offerings, development of information systems and human resources.  Involved in over 100 acquisitions, 30 sales, 15 public offerings, and 20 private companies as an advisory board member or consultant.

CONTACT INFORMATION

R. Louis Schneeberger
7406 Royal Portrush Drive
Solon, OH 44139
Phone: (440) 519-9562
Cell: (216) 533-7320
E-mail – lschneeberger@ameritech.net