Larry Tropp (1976) Tenor Saxophone
Autobiography
I was a member of the New Trier West High School Recording Jazz Ensemble from 1974-1976, and the Lab Jazz Ensemble prior to that. From that experience, I learned the importance of learning, mastering the fundamentals, the importance of teamwork, dedication, and discipline. I also experienced the joy that one gets when the hard work pays off resulting in the excellence of the performance. The skills, which I learned, as a result of being involved in the Jazz Ensemble Program, greatly assisted me throughout my professional career. Below is my Professional Bio. In all my leadership positions, I have tried to stress the fundamentals which we all learned as a result of being part of the New Trier West Jazz Program of Studies and especially the Jazz Ensemble itself.
LAWRENCE B. TROPP has served as the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Manager of UPONUS Technologies, LLC (UPONUS) since May 2001. UPONUS is a developer of software focusing on cyber security. Mr. Tropp also currently serves as an international negotiator, working on behalf of his clients to facilitate the acquisition of critical products.
From 2000 until 2001, Mr. Tropp served as the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Sunstone Imports, a light manufacturer and value-added distributor of sterling silver jewelry.
Mr. Tropp served as the President and COO of BESCO Graphic Systems Corp., a Chicago based graphic arts equipment and supply distributor from 1990 until 2000. Mr. Tropp also served on the Board of Directors of BESCO from 1988 to 2000. Under Mr. Tropp’s leadership, BESCO had annual sales of approximately $190 million and nineteen branches located throughout the United States and was the third largest graphic arts dealer in the United States. BESCO had been recognized by the “Dealer Communicator,” a trade newsletter, as one of the top ten dealers in the country on numerous occasions.
From 1981 until 1989, Mr. Tropp was in management consulting specializing in strategic planning, business planning, quality improvement, asset management – cost containment systems and workouts of turnaround situations for manufacturing and distributing companies. He has developed strategic and operating business plans, inventory control, cost accounting, production/scheduling, and quality improvement systems for his clients.
From 1987 until 1989, Mr. Tropp was the Head of the Management Consulting Department at Pannell Kerr Forster’s Chicago office. He was responsible for developing the practice area and insuring its profitability.
From 1981 until 1987, Mr. Tropp was employed by Laventhol & Horwath (L&H). At L&H Mr. Tropp had been promoted to Manager, where he was responsible for developing the Manufacturing and Distribution Consulting, and Litigation Support Practice Areas. During this time, Mr. Tropp was actively involved in designing and implementing turnaround strategies, strategic plans, mergers and acquisitions, quality improvement programs, and cost accounting, inventory control, and production scheduling systems.
Mr. Tropp received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Masters in Accounting Sciences, specializing in cost accounting and systems design from the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana. Mr. Tropp was also an instructor of Accounting at the University of Illinois.
Mr. Tropp is a CPA and a member of the Illinois CPA Society, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and a past officer and current member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).
Mr. Tropp served 10 years on the Chicago Board, 6 years as a Regional Officer, and 4 years as an International Officer serving as a Member of International Network Committee. Mr. Tropp is a Two Time YPO International Award Winner awarded as a best of the best for the local and regional officer positions in which he served.