Experience

Strong Force Innovation Portfolios

• Investment Management
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Financial Officer

  • Jun 2019 - Present

  Greater Los Angeles Area Strong Force creates value in dynamic markets by building Innovation Portfolios. We embrace early-stage uncertainty and complexity to build comprehensive patent portfolios of combinatorial innovation in technology-driven ecosystems. This enables us to capture broad value before there are indicators of product-market fit, the trigger for conventional patenting activity. As trends converge, use-cases accelerate, and product roadmaps solidify, we then help ecosystem participants realize this broad… Show more Strong Force creates value in dynamic markets by building Innovation Portfolios. We embrace early-stage uncertainty and complexity to build comprehensive patent portfolios of combinatorial innovation in technology-driven ecosystems. This enables us to capture broad value before there are indicators of product-market fit, the trigger for conventional patenting activity. As trends converge, use-cases accelerate, and product roadmaps solidify, we then help ecosystem participants realize this broad value. Our diverse competencies, senior relationships, and market-driven approach enable us to see across boundaries that trap others in isolated silos and inhibit the discovery and development of strategically valuable IP. We use our proprietary Strong Force™ Matrix to organize and combine our insights into a strategic array of thousands of potential patents, unlocking a geometric level of creation in areas untapped by other processes. Show less



Strong Force Catalyst

• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Financial Officer

  • Jun 2019 - Present

  Strong Force delivers strategic advantage by systematically innovating across technologies, use cases, and ecosystems and by combining innovative material from a wide range of perspectives to create large, comprehensive, category-influencing patent portfolios. This approach enables it to capture broad market opportunity well before use-case adoptions emerge to drive more typical patenting activity. To benefit innovators and other stakeholders, Strong Force Catalyst delivers thought… Show more Strong Force delivers strategic advantage by systematically innovating across technologies, use cases, and ecosystems and by combining innovative material from a wide range of perspectives to create large, comprehensive, category-influencing patent portfolios. This approach enables it to capture broad market opportunity well before use-case adoptions emerge to drive more typical patenting activity. To benefit innovators and other stakeholders, Strong Force Catalyst delivers thought leadership, dissolves market boundaries, contributes disruptive innovation, and drives ecosystem participation to catalyze categories. We have created billions of dollars in value across a wide array of sectors and helped hundreds of visionary inventors, market leaders, and capital allocators succeed. Show less



Strong Force Design

• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Financial Officer

  • Jun 2019 - Present

  Greater Los Angeles Area Strong Force Design employs market-proven methodologies to unlock the strategic potential of intellectual property, creating sustainable strategic advantage. Leveraging a diverse mix of competencies, the approach captures key drivers of IP advantage, fuels a highly systematic, combinatorial invention process, and guides prioritization and resource allocation. We identify strategic and valuable inventive material often missed by product-driven approaches. Our designs have supported successful… Show more Strong Force Design employs market-proven methodologies to unlock the strategic potential of intellectual property, creating sustainable strategic advantage. Leveraging a diverse mix of competencies, the approach captures key drivers of IP advantage, fuels a highly systematic, combinatorial invention process, and guides prioritization and resource allocation. We identify strategic and valuable inventive material often missed by product-driven approaches. Our designs have supported successful licensing programs and commanded high values in acquisitions. Show less



HM Grai

• CEO and Founder

  • Jul 2016 - Present

  Alta Loma, CA Advanced analytics and consulting firm automating operational performance, compliance and corporate performance management analytics in financial services, insurance and automotive. • Built software application for productivity management and forecasting in bill collections. • Designed and built working prototype for sales analytics application for the automotive industry. • Assisted major auto manufacturer in bringing in-house extended warranty and insurance business.



KPMG US

• United States
• Financial Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Management Consulting, Financial Management (Big 4)

  • Apr 2017 - May 2019

  Greater Los Angeles Area Advised clients on accounting and finance transformation; helped improve business performance by leveraging technology, data analytics and smart process design. • M&A integration: helped industrial conglomerate stand up finance and accounting function for newly acquired multinational medical device business (SAP application suite). • Helped the same client shorten the accounting close and improve insights for investor relations. • Led redesign of data management operating model at a… Show more Advised clients on accounting and finance transformation; helped improve business performance by leveraging technology, data analytics and smart process design. • M&A integration: helped industrial conglomerate stand up finance and accounting function for newly acquired multinational medical device business (SAP application suite). • Helped the same client shorten the accounting close and improve insights for investor relations. • Led redesign of data management operating model at a $1.5T+ investment management firm, resulting in improved data quality, faster provision and better change management (SAP suite). • Helped successfully steer a large financial institution through major accounting changes including dual reporting (GAAP, IFRS), CECL and lease accounting (ASC 842). • Led accounting design for new revenue recognition standard (ASC 606) at a diversified multinational manufacturer, achieving compliance balanced with process efficiency. • Directed lease accounting standard adoption (ASC 842) at a Silicon Valley based global networking equipment manufacturer (Oracle suite). Show less



Hyundai Capital America

• United States
• Financial Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Vice President, Special Projects

  • Aug 2015 - Jun 2016

  Irvine, CA Reporting to the CEO, led project to rethink the company’s strategic priorities and optimize resource allocation; solution leveraged Booz & Co’s “capabilities-driven strategy” concept. Also led successful IT strategy initiative with in-house team including the CIO, leveraging Gartner’s “pace-layered” concept.

• Vice President, Corporate Finance and Planning

  • Jun 2009 - Aug 2015

  Irvine, CA Reporting to the CFO, headed up corporate planning and FP&A. Responsible for P&L, balance sheet, product and portfolio profitability management. Served on the Executive Finance Committee and the Risk Control Committee (highest decision making bodies). • Helped lead the company through tremendous growth (portfolio 6x to $30B, staff 3x). Leveraging deep finance, risk and operational experience, helped drive strategy on originations and portfolio management, technology, human resource… Show more Reporting to the CFO, headed up corporate planning and FP&A. Responsible for P&L, balance sheet, product and portfolio profitability management. Served on the Executive Finance Committee and the Risk Control Committee (highest decision making bodies). • Helped lead the company through tremendous growth (portfolio 6x to $30B, staff 3x). Leveraging deep finance, risk and operational experience, helped drive strategy on originations and portfolio management, technology, human resource allocation and treasury actions. • Ran key executive forums, communications and managerial reporting, assisting the CEO turn strategy into execution and facilitating information flows from the bottom up and across affiliates. • Built high-performance team of 35+ balancing experience, technical skills and fresh thinking. • Transformed finance operations by revamping key processes and increasing automation, which resulted in significant improvement in scalability, efficiency and controls. • Led system implementations for Oracle ERP, OFSAA, OBIEE, Hyperion, Ariba and Apptio. • Conceived and implemented best-in-class customer account level pricing and profitability monitoring and management system leveraging the latest Oracle technology. • Partnered with Risk and Sales on credit and residual risk policy setting, pricing and marketing program design for consumer lending and leasing and commercial lending. • Co-led task force that started up Hyundai’s extended warranty and insurance business.



HSBC

• United Kingdom
• Financial Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Vice President, Director - Business Unit Head

  • Aug 2008 - May 2009

  Greater Chicago Area, Greater Los Angeles Area Promoted to lead consumer lending business I helped start up, with multi-state branch network and ~200 staff. Facing unprecedented financial crisis, adjusted strategy and led the company through transition, controlling risk and reducing costs while maintaining team morale. • Achieved originations per branch 2x parent company’s with 25% lower risk by driving a culture that balanced sales with profitability, compliance and risk management. • Reduced operating costs by 40% by optimizing… Show more Promoted to lead consumer lending business I helped start up, with multi-state branch network and ~200 staff. Facing unprecedented financial crisis, adjusted strategy and led the company through transition, controlling risk and reducing costs while maintaining team morale. • Achieved originations per branch 2x parent company’s with 25% lower risk by driving a culture that balanced sales with profitability, compliance and risk management. • Reduced operating costs by 40% by optimizing marketing and products and rightsizing network. • Exceeded annual operating plan by $2.4MM through lower loan losses and cost savings.

• Vice President, Business Unit CFO and CRO

  • Jun 2003 - Aug 2008

  Chicago, IL Helped start up new consumer lending business within HSBC. Responsible for finance, credit risk and analytics; later added collections, customer service and telemarketing. • Implemented best-in-class planning, forecasting, pricing and performance monitoring, which helped provide direction, ensure transparency and drive compliance across the business. • Built and led team of 60+ in both analytical and operational functions. Achieved consistently high performance, great employee engagement… Show more Helped start up new consumer lending business within HSBC. Responsible for finance, credit risk and analytics; later added collections, customer service and telemarketing. • Implemented best-in-class planning, forecasting, pricing and performance monitoring, which helped provide direction, ensure transparency and drive compliance across the business. • Built and led team of 60+ in both analytical and operational functions. Achieved consistently high performance, great employee engagement and outstanding internal audit ratings. • Built from scratch credit risk infrastructure for unsecured personal loans and mortgages, enabling rapid growth while maintaining significantly lower losses than parent company.

• Sr Manager, AVP Corporate Credit Management

  • Feb 2001 - Jun 2003

  Responsibilities included internal consulting and corporate oversight for product and portfolio profitability. Worked with Treasury and Merrill Lynch to develop risk-based capital allocation methodology for rating agency reviews. Assisted with loan portfolio acquisitions. • Led redesign of risk-based pricing and system of early risk indicators at auto finance division, helping re-position the business, improve ROE and enhance financial forecasting. • Conducted review of marketing and risk… Show more Responsibilities included internal consulting and corporate oversight for product and portfolio profitability. Worked with Treasury and Merrill Lynch to develop risk-based capital allocation methodology for rating agency reviews. Assisted with loan portfolio acquisitions. • Led redesign of risk-based pricing and system of early risk indicators at auto finance division, helping re-position the business, improve ROE and enhance financial forecasting. • Conducted review of marketing and risk management of personal loans at finance company. Improvements lowered risk exposure while maintaining yield, saving $15MM a year. • Led analytics for Six Sigma project in card collections, significantly improving contact rates.



Capital One

• United States
• Financial Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Associate - Risk Management and Operations Analysis

  • Jul 1998 - Jan 2001

  Responsibilities included portfolio management analytics, product development, testing and commercialization and operations strategy analysis.



Verizon

• United States
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 700 & Above Employee

• Process Improvement Consultant, MBA Intern

  • May 1997 - Aug 1997

  Led project aiming to reduce customer claims by 60% at information services division. Leveraged statistical methods to identify anomalies that pointed to opportunities in sales and operations.



KPMG Bulgaria

• Bulgaria
• Financial Services
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Senior Associate

  • Jan 1996 - Aug 1996

  Advised multinational clients on market entry and expansion strategies and M&A opportunities. Assisted with annual audits, securing additional consulting opportunities.



PwC Bulgaria

• Bulgaria
• Accounting
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Tax Associate

  • Nov 1994 - Dec 1995

  Participated in annual audits and reviews of accounting and tax strategies for multinational clients.