1. November 25, 2015
John Carrigg joined the Klement Sausage Team in late 2012 as a consultant when family ownership was contemplating sale of the
company. John was tasked with implementing standard business planning, control and reporting practices. He helped the company
prepare for the rigorous and comprehensive financial and operational reporting required for the sale process. John also instituted
budgeting and developed weekly metrics reporting which provided early notice of company performance.
John aided in the sale process working extensively with Klement management, the steering committee and the M&A and legal
teams. He participated in management presentations to suitors and worked up ad hoc reports for the many information requests.
John was highly involved with the sale process right up through the closing.
Subsequent to the sale of the company in May, 2014, the new private equity ownership asked John to stay on at Klement to help
with the transition, hire new personnel, manage the IT function on an interim basis, design a new financial reporting package and
project-manage the installation of new software.
As the current President & CEO of the business, I can attest to outstanding performance that John exhibited throughout his
engagement at Klement Sausage Company, Inc. I began working closely with John at a time when I was also engaged in a consulting
role to the business. This iconic family owned business lacked the rudimentary fundamentals to successfully navigate the
complexities of today’s business climate and there was a need to implement and train the entire staff in essential business practices
and controls that simply did not exist here.
John’s expertise in financial controls and reporting along with his outstanding work ethic allowed him to instruct others in the
understanding of complex, yet essential policies and procedures while insuring that our team was not overwhelmed with the changes
implemented. His even-handed manner and steady presence inspired the team to tackle these new challenges with an open and
eager demeanor.
John was a constant source of support to me personally and was a great sounding board as we worked collaboratively to move the
business forward. I tried everything in my power to entice John to remain on as our permanent financial team leader but he has goals
and objectives that lead him in a different direction.
During my career leading companies as a C-Level executive I have never appreciated more the true partnership that we enjoyed as
CEO and CFO. He is an outstanding individual who is results oriented and plays to win at all times. He is non-threatening to others as
he challenges them to rise to higher levels of performance and meet expectations that seem to be beyond their grasp, but clearly are
not. His is a man of integrity who will represent any organization with class and integrity.
John will always have my highest regard and respect and I would recommend him for any position that a prospective client or
business may have. Please feel free to reach out to me at any time that you would like regarding my personal experience working
with John.
Sincerely,
Ray Booth