PROFILE
INTERNATIONAL FINANCE EXECUTIVE with expertise in establishing financial infrastructures used to improve operating results and springboard rapid growth. Trilingual (French and Spanish) international executive with hands-on pan-European and Latin American experience. MBA, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
* International Finance Leadership
* Multi-Site Profitability Management
* Corporate Strategic Planning
* Financial Reporting/Global Consolidations
* US GAAP and IFRS
* Conversion of local country GAAP to US GAAP presentations
* Internal Control Systems * Budgeting, Forecasting, Cost Control
* Establishment of Finance Infrastructures
* MRP / ERP Installations
* Employee Benefit Programs/ Health Plans
* Proven Problem Solver and Financial Troubleshooter
* Free Trade Zone – Costa Rica
* Bank Negotiations
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
CONSULTING Various periods between 1999 – Current
Financial Consultant / Interim Financial Officer
Provide comprehensive financial and administrative management services to companies on a project, short-term assignments and/or on an extended basis.
ROYAL PET, LLC. – Farmington Hills, Michigan
Controller 2009 – 2010
Controller for this specialty retail operation with 65 stores and approximately $150 million in revenues in multiple states. Initially brought in to professionalize the accounting, finance and administrative functions of this company in anticipation for a financial transaction (Sold to private equity group in October 2010).
* Raised credibility/utility of the company’s accounting and finance function; upgraded staff and systems, and instituted financial controls.
* Instituted financial reporting and cost controls impacting operating results positioning the company for future M&A transactions.
* Re-negotiated an $8.0 million line of credit facility. Established solid banking relationship with Comerica Bank.
* Corrected deficiencies in the company’s retirement plan.
* Directed the favorable resolution of various federal, state and local tax issues.
* Reduced outside audit professional fees by 50% after first year.
VIA INFORMATION TOOLS, INC. – Troy, Michigan
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer / Consultant 2002 – 2008
Initially brought in as the interim CFO for this technology company focused on developing software products in the manufacturing executions systems space and in IT services subcontracted to HP. At that time, the company was generating annual revenues of $12 million and then doubled in size within two years. Assumed newly created role as CFO after three months and began building a team of nine professionals in finance, accounting, human resources, IT, and purchasing.
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Business partner and advisor to the company’s CEO/founder on strategic matters, and ongoing business management and finance issues both domestically and internationally.
Served as a key player who spearheaded and negotiated the sale of the company’s IT services business unit during 2005/2006.
Additional Contributions:
* Raised credibility/utility of the company’s accounting and finance function; upgraded staff and systems, and instituted financial controls.
* Instituted financial reporting and cost controls impacting operating results, turning around an operating loss during 2002 to operating profits in 2003 and beyond.
* Negotiated a $2.5 million line of credit facility and a separate fixed-term financing arrangement. Established excellent banking relationships with ABN Amro-LaSalle Bank, currently Bank of America, and The Private Bank.
* Created a comprehensive management reporting model used to monitor and manage the company’s ongoing business.
* Direct all financial aspects of the company’s international subsidiaries in Europe and Central America. Investigated and established the company’s first near shore operation within the Free Trade Zone laws in Costa Rica.
* Directed the favorable resolution of various federal, state and local tax issues.
WORLD ONLINE INTERNATIONAL – Rotterdam, Netherlands 1999 – 2001
Director of Finance / Consultant
Brought in as a consultant to assist with the company’s €2 billion IPO, install management controls, integrate acquisitions, and to assure financial reporting compliance with US GAAP. Assumed the role of Finance Director for this pan-European Internet Service Provider (ISP) with operating units in 16 countries and with over 2 million active subscribers. Charged with improving the quality of information throughout the company’s operations, and for troubleshooting and resolving various financial management issues throughout the company’s subsidiary operations. Expatriate in Europe.
Additional Contributions:
* Assumed role as interim financial officer for the company’s German operations. Coordinated all year-end financial reporting, sub-consolidation and various tax planning matters meeting all previously unreachable reporting deadlines.
* Assisted with compiling and drafting the corporate consolidated financial statements included in the company’s prospectus, and interfacing with the independent accountants.
* Provided input as one of three members of the Company’s finance committee charged with the responsibility of establishing and implementing corporate policies and procedures.
* Conducted ongoing liaison work with the subsidiaries monitoring operating results.
* Taught revenue recognition principles under SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, and International Accounting Standards topics at semi-annual meeting of subsidiary finance directors.
FUTURE MEDICAL SYSTEMS, S.A. – Geneva, Switzerland 1997 – 1999
Vice President of Finance
CFO and corporate controller for this international niche developer of medical equipment with locations in Switzerland, France, Sweden, Italy, The Netherlands and the United States. Responsible primarily for positioning the company for a potential IPO in the United States. Significant hands-on work in Europe.
* Developed and implemented a comprehensive international financial reporting system that included budgeting, forecasting and periodic performance reviews.
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* Prepared worldwide financial reporting. Extensive work with multi-layered, multi-currency consolidations converting local generally accepted accounting principles into US GAAP. Prepared 10-K and 10-Q reports as if the company were publicly traded.
* Took a lead role in establishing the company’s Dutch holding company.
THE SINE COMPANIES, INC. – Mount Clemens, Michigan 1988 – 1997
Vice President of Finance & Controller
Directed all aspects of financial management, information systems, employee benefits and risk management for this manufacturer of heavy duty connector products and value-added cable assemblies.
Provided strategic and operational financial management during the growth period from $9 million in annual sales with operating losses, to $40 million in annual sales and generating significant profits. Key member of a senior management team that negotiated the sale of the company to Amphenol in 1996.
* Established the company’s strategic planning process and served as the annual planning session facilitator for six years.
* Financed the company’s growth entirely with a combination of improved internal cash flow and increased bank-borrowing limits at improved interest rates. Built solid banking relations.
* Installed two separate ERP systems.
* Led a team that designed award-winning employee benefit programs including a 401(k) plan, group health insurance (with flexible spending), and a corporate wellness program.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP – Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan 1980 – 1988
Audit Manager
GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION –Ypsilanti, Michigan 1977 – 1980
Cost Accountant/Supervisor of General Accounting
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
Executive MBA, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
MS, Taxation, Walsh College, Troy, Michigan
BBA, Accounting, Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan
Certificate in Foreign Language Study, University of Detroit, Detroit, Michigan
CPA (Active Status), State of Michigan
Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA)
Recent Continuing Professional Education study-
* Certificate of Educational Achievement—International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS)—American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
* Intermediate Spanish Language—Instituto Cervantes, Albuquerque, New Mexico and Soléxico, Playa del Carmen, México
AFFILIATIONS
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Member
LANGUAGE SKILLS
French – Professional work experience in France and Switzerland and academic coursework. Intermediate to advanced level conversation and reading skills; Intermediate writing skills.
Spanish – Professional work experience in Costa Rica and ongoing academic coursework. Intermediate level conversation, reading and writing skills. Completed several university level classes, individualized tutoring sessions and two separate intensive courses on-site in Mexico. |
