Mitchell B. Arden, CTP

Bio

Mitch Arden is a Senior Managing Director at Phoenix. He is recognized on a national level for his operational skills and abilities to assist troubled and transitional companies. He has led and participated in more than 185 client engagements in a multitude of industries, including manufacturing, wholesale and retail distribution, transportation, utilities, food service, and a variety of service-related enterprises.

Mitch has an extensive background working with public and privately-owned companies in the areas of turnaround management, crisis management, operational improvements and efficiency, business strategy, short- and long-term planning, distribution, inventory management and control, cash flow forecasting, financial oversight, and financial management.

He has successfully assisted a large number of clients with obtaining new or expanded credit facilities or alternative sources of capital. He has also assisted a variety of Phoenix clients with their merger and acquisition activities. In addition to his advisory expertise, Mitch has served in interim operational and financial management positions with a broad array of Phoenix clients, including roles as CEO, COO, CRO, and CFO.

Life Before Phoenix

Prior to joining Phoenix Management, Mitch served as Senior Vice President and CFO of TransEuro Group, Inc., a multi-location importer and distributor of automotive replacement parts. Before joining TransEuro Group, he served as Assistant Corporate Controller of The Horn & Hardart Company, a $550 million AMEX company principally engaged in restaurant management, direct marketing operations and hotel/casino management. Mitch began his professional career in 1981 with the Big Eight public accounting firm of Touche Ross & Co. (now Deloitte & Touche).

Education & Affiliations

Mitch earned his B.A. from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) in 1981. He is active in a large number of industry-related organizations, including the Turnaround Management Association (TMA), Association for Corporate Growth (ACG), Commercial Finance Association (CFA), American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), and the Risk Management Association (RMA).

He has served as a Member of the National Board of Directors of the TMA as well as the Executive Vice President of the Philadelphia Chapter of TMA. He currently serves as a Member of the Board of Directors of the Philadelphia Chapter. In addition, Mitch has served as a Member of the Governing Board of the Education Foundation of the Commercial Finance Association and a Member of the Advisory Board of the Annual American Bankruptcy Institute. Mitch holds the Certified Turnaround Professional (CTP) designation from the Turnaround Management Association (TMA).

Featured Transactions

CRO, Orleans Homebuilders: Led the proceedings and emergence from bankruptcy in less than a year for Orleans, a $300 million home building company. Over 200 jobs were saved, and more than 500 families were able to complete their homes.

Interim CFO, Steel Service Center: Led the turnaround of a multi-location steel service center and Tier-1 automotive supplier. He participated in successful negotiations and introduced extensive financial and cost controls throughout the organization.

Oversight Partner, Industrial Manufacturer: Developed and implemented recovery plans to stabilize and ultimately return a prominent manufacturer of industrial scales to profitability through consolidation and the implementation of cost controls.

CRO, Distributor of High-Tech Satellite and Direct Broadcast Components: Brought leadership and focus to a business facing rapid growth, developed and implemented the plan to regain trade support, and ultimately led the successful sale of the Company to a strategic buyer.

Advisor, Manufacturer of Hard Goods: Developed a plan to aggressively integrate a recent acquisition and maintain critical bank group support for a large importer/manufacturer of hard goods that were sold predominantly through “big box” retailers.

Advisor, Manufacturer of High-End Fishing Equipment: Consolidated a high-end fishing equipment manufacturer’s operations, while also aggressively outsourcing component parts production to more efficient, third party manufacturers.

Advisor, Jewelry Retailer: Implemented a plan to restructure and downsize the operations of a publicly held, $250 million, 41-store jewelry retailer that invested in an aggressive expansion beyond its 25-store core market.

COO, Municipally-Owned Utility: Managed and restructured operations, including gas delivery, purchasing, plant operations, and service operations, resulting in a $75 million improvement in the utility’s operating cash flow.

Financial Advisor, Manufacturer: Refinanced a $22 million credit facility for a Midwest-based manufacturer.

Financial Advisor, Manufacturer/Wholesaler: Refinanced a $13 million credit facility for a manufacturer/wholesaler that sold to large retailers throughout the United States.

Financial Advisor, Manufacturer of High-End Sporting and Fishing Equipment: Led the cash sale of a large manufacturer of high-end sporting and fishing equipment.

Financial Advisor, Publisher: Managed the process that resulted in the §363 sale of assets for a large publisher of children’s books to a strategic buyer.

Financial Advisor, Importer and Distributer: Led the process of selling the assets associated with an importer and distributor of satellite and direct broadcast components.