Proven expertise in acquisitions, negotiations, business development, and operations. Demonstrated competency in addressing complex challenges through in-depth analysis and due diligence to produce dramatic improvements in efficiency, productivity, and business processes toward successful attainment of organizational goals. Possess solid international experience; multilingual in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. Expertise includes:
International Finance and GAAP Accounting ▪ SEC Reporting and Investor Relations ▪ Treasury, Commodity, Currency Hedging Strategic Planning and Implementation ▪ Acquisitions/Divestitures/Mergers ▪ Financial Planning and Analysis Sarbanes-Oxley 404 Implementation and Remediation ▪ Information Systems Strategy & Implementation ▪ Audit Management Inventory and Cost Management ▪ Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing ▪ Cash Management and Banking Relationships
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
→ Completed a comprehensive financial and operational turnaround initiative, which resulted in $6 million EBITDA improvement over previous year.
→ Efficiently identified significant accounting errors, which led to a correction of reported results from 2006 -2008. Slashed EBITDA 2008 quarterly losses run rate by half in first 6 months of 2009 through cost containment.
→ Initiated and implemented new real-time reporting package (QlikView) and JDE Enterprise Finance Package.
→ Initiated the discussion and agreement for capital structure as well as evaluated and settled accounting discrepancies that improved company business operation.
→ Directed and implemented strategy for the financial turnaround at Ford in Brazil with fixed cost improvement of more than $40 million and cash enhancement activity of over $100 million in the last six months of 2002.
→ Directed operational due diligence for the acquisition of Aoste Group based in Lyon, France. With $800 million in annual sales, Aoste was considered the company’s third largest acquisition.
→ Originated and launched baseline new products planning management system to monitor business growth for Sara Lee Meat’s for the international business.
INTERIM LEADERSHIP ROLES 2006-PRESENT
Engaged or hired for specific-purpose projects for business and financial turnarounds and/or interim CFO placement.
INTERMEC TECHNOLOGIES, EVERETT, WA ─ 2011
VP, FINANCE AND CORPORATE CONTROLLER
• Rebuilt team to ensure optimal reporting and accounting for $700 M Technology Company.
• Reviewed and recommended impactful short and long-term process improvements including new consolidation software, and implemented short-term improvements including Microsoft Royalty process improvements that resulted in approximately $300,000 in cash savings for 2011.
VAN’S NATURAL FOODS, INC., PHOENIX, AZ ─ 2009-2010
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Aligned operating costs and functions within Manufacturing, Quality Assurance and Food Safety, Purchasing, Supply Chain, Accounting, Financial Reporting, Cost Accounting, Legal, Human Resources, and IT departments. Instrumental in assuring US GAAP accuracy in accounting and reporting; managed overall aspects of the 2009 audit. Initiated selection process for operations, QA, purchasing, and accounting personnel for the Manufacturing plant and main office.
• Directed and implemented strategy for successful operational and financial turnaround in later part of the 1st quarter of 2010 through maximizing organizational capability to efficiently generate high quality of products in its sole manufacturing facility in Vernon, California.
• Increased and enhanced manufacturing capacity by 75% through $400,000 of added capital; directed in setting optimal inventory levels required to fulfill orders by 98% or more.
• Effectively realigned accounting; identified standards on 26 SKUs and developed metrics to track progress.
• Created/launched 2010 budget and new reporting system, which resulted to goals achievement and profitability.
• Budgeted and managed cash, and line of credit with timely bank covenant reporting.
NUTRACEA, INC., PHOENIX, AZ ─ 2008-2009
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Discovered, investigated and reported accounting inconsistencies for $25 million dollar Rice Bran manufacturer. Collaborated with Executive Team and Audit Committee in conceptualizing effective ways to resolve and document pre-existing issues. Charged with directing Accounting, Finance, Treasury/Cash Management, SEC External Reporting, Investor and Shareholder Relations, Human Resources, and IT departments.
• Cultivated solid relationships with external counsel, external auditors, and forensic accountants to comply with SEC inquiries that led to a three-year financial restatement (2006-2008) and formal SEC Investigation.
TATUM LLC, CHICAGO, IL 2006-2008
PARTNER – INTERIM EXECUTIVE SERVICES
Limited-duration CFO engagements, with concentration on mid-sized public and private corporations with focus on controllership, mergers/acquisitions/divestitures, IT leadership, manufacturing finance, business strategy, and corporate restructuring. Additionally, created a private practice; Aragon Financial Consulting (AFC)
INTERIM CFO, UHY ADVISORS-2008
• Three-month specific-purpose AFC assignment for $150 million privately held accounting services firm. Engaged to expedite finalization of year-end audit and manage cash (A/R, WIP and Collections) to support the firm through the slow season.
INTERIM CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, TERLATO WINE GROUP-2007-2008
• Tatum assignment for $200M luxury wine producer and distributor. Responsible for accounting, financial planning, and M&A/JV functions. Enhanced winery ROA through procurement improvements.
INTERIM SVP FINANCE AND CFO, WELLS DAIRY, INC (BLUE BUNNY) 2006-2007
• Tatum assignment for $1billion+ ice cream/novelty manufacturer. Initiated restructure of capital debt and equity. Improved manufacturing costs thru identifying gaps within manufacturing processes.
CONVENTIONAL CORPORATE ROLES 1999 TO 2006
WAL-MART STORES INTERNATIONAL, BENTONVILLE, AR 2004-2006
VICE PRESIDENT AND CONTROLLER
Led Finance, Accounting & Reporting, IT, Internal Compliance and Controls for $65 billion+ International Segment in 15 countries. Internal reporting included weekly P&L forecasts for segment (by country/by format), daily sales flash, monthly P&L Review, Annual Business Plan, and Strategic Plan. Collaborated with Strategy group on due diligence and strategic direction for potential acquisitions/JVs and work post-acquisition on integration. Responsible for valuations, opening entry and purchase accounting activity. Prepared and reviewed SEC External reporting requirements (MD&A, footnotes, etc.) for the International segment for Wal-Mart’s 10Q, 10K, and 8K filings.
• Investigated/quantified impacts of changes in GAAP accounting standards (i.e. Rent Holidays; EITF 5-6; FIN 46R)
• Implementing Sarbanes-Oxley 404 processes for each country, including scoping, process ownership, deficiency reporting, and recommendation in conjunction with internal audit. Pushed responsibility down to country CFO.
• Designed and established SOX 404 M&A Gap Assessment Model to recognize compliance gaps prior to investing in potential acquisitions as part of due diligence process.
• Initiated compilation of an Accounting and Finance Policy Manual in February 2005 for Wal-Mart International.
FORD MOTOR COMPANY, DEARBORN, MI 2001-2004
CONTROLLER, CUSTOMER SERVICE AND OPERATIONS, DEARBORN, MI (2003-2004)
Responsible for Strategic and Financial Planning, Accounting, Reporting, IT, Pricing for 250,000 active parts and Service Agreement Business for the FCSD Americas, approx. $6 billion in revenues. P&L responsibility for two separate JVs.
• Conceptualized and initiated a pricing “pull-ahead” strategy that resulted in $40 million additional profit.
• Planned, designed, and implemented strategic goals to generate incremental profit expectations, which resulted in 25% profit increase from 2002 to 2003. Set 2004 profit goals to over-deliver budgeted profits by 25%.
• Found gaps in original Blue Diamond Truck JV; wrote addendum that gave Ford revenue for parts sales.
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, FORD OF BRAZIL, SAO PAOLO, BRAZIL (2001-2003)
Responsible for Finance, Accounting, Treasury and Procurement for business totaling $3 billion in revenue. Restructured existing business during operational turnaround successfully resulting in significant fixed cost improvements, including union negotiated rates. Worked closely with Sales, Marketing and Ford Credit, on trade spending optimization as well as Dealer floor plan financing. Active member of New Product Launch Team for Novo Fiesta and EcoSport, ensuring that those products would launch profitably.
• Directed realignment of business during operational turnaround, which led to sustained fixed cost improvements, enhanced revenue, and improved cash management within a hyperinflationary market.
• Reached operational break-even in fourth quarter of 2002, which has since been sustained annually.
• Directed restructure of balance sheet debt to hedge against significant currency devaluation effects and localized $600 million of US Dollar denominated debt.
CONTROLLER, VEHICLE PROCUREMENT OPERATIONS, DEARBORN, MI (2001)
Responsibility for accounting, planning and attaining productivity requirements for VPO group, $40 billion+ in purchases. Provided strategic guidance to purchasing group and set in motion financial policies relating to accounting areas. Drove VPO to attain all productivity cost goals in ten months. Selected as one of 15 high-potentials annually to participate in 8-week Executive Partnering Program (elite developmental shadowing program).
• Initiated analysis on Supplier-owned tooling policy that resulted in recommending a change in policy to Ford-owned tooling. Executive leaders unanimously approved resulting in new negotiating platform for VPO. Tooling initiative coupled with a proposal for policy change on currency accounting for purchase orders, resulted in savings of $600M.
EATON CORPORATION, SOUTHFIELD, MI
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, AUTOMOTIVE CONTROLS OPERATIONS, WORLDWIDE (1999-2001)
Responsible for Finance, Accounting, Business Development and IT for ACO, $1.4 billion in revenues. Streamlined operations, in-depth strategic business planning,
• Initiated strategic analysis for Vehicle Switch & Electronics that resulted in divestiture proposal. Sold to Delphi.
• Led “Best in Class” processes for pricing and strategic business modeling; designed Controller’s Toolbox on website.
• Executed ERP systems implementation for Korea (MFGPro) and Netherlands (JD Edwards) operations.
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
SARA LEE CORPORATION, CHICAGO, IL - ¬¬DIRECTOR, BUSINESS PLANNING; CONTROLLER, SARA LEE MEATS WORLDWIDE; DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL FINANCE (5 YEARS)
AT&T CAPITAL CORPORATION - DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS SUPPORT AND ANALYSIS (NCR); REGIONAL ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE MANAGER, CAPITAL, LEASING SERVICES (3 YEARS)
EDUCATION
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ▪ Double Major in Finance and Accounting/Tax
Mercer University, Stetson School of Business and Economics, Atlanta, GA
BACHELOR OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION ▪ Major in Finance, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
8-Week Executive Shadowing Program (New Business Leader Training) – Ford Motor Company
Six Sigma Quality Training (Green Belt Designation) - Ford Motor Company
Performance through Ethical Leadership (Soderquist Center for Leadership) – Wal-Mart
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS & BOARD ACTIVITY
Executive Advisor, Automotive Women’s Alliance, 2001-Present
Advisory Board Member, Rockhurst University, 2005
Board Member and Audit Committee Chair, OE Connection, 2003-2004 |
