Richard W. Kunes is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Est�e Lauder Companies Inc. He is responsible for the classic finance functions including Internal and External Reporting Treasury Taxation Risk Management Internal Control Operations Finance and Investor Relations. In addition Mr. Kunes is responsible for the Corporate Strategic Planning department and the Global Information Systems Group. He is also Chairman of the Fiduciary Investment Committee.
From January 1998 through October 2000 Mr. Kunes was Vice President - Financial Administration and Corporate Controller. He was named Vice President - Operations Finance Worldwide in November 1993.
During his 21 years with The Est�e Lauder Companies Mr. Kunes has played a major role in enhancing profitability and in successfully completing the acquisition and integration of newer brands. As Chief Financial Officer he has successfully guided the Company to continued sales and profitability growth while establishing a strong financial and capital structure for the future. He has developed foreign exchange and hedging strategies opened affiliate companies throughout the world and served as a key resource in overseeing the global financial organization.
As Vice President Financial Administration and Corporate Controller Mr. Kunes oversaw global financial reporting S.E.C. reporting corporate planning activities and financial administration and worked closely with the Tax and Treasury groups. He also had responsibility for the financial group supporting worldwide inventory management cost accounting and all financial matters relating to the Company's global manufacturing activities.
Mr. Kunes joined the Company in 1986 as International Manufacturing Controller providing senior financial counseling to the International Operations Group. He has served as Regional Financial Officer for Asia/Pacific markets and Vice President Controller for the Global Operations area.
Prior to joining The Est�e Lauder Companies Mr. Kunes spent ten years with the Colgate-Palmolive Company in a variety of financial management positions. He has an M.B.A. in International Business/Finance from Pace University in New York. |