Experience

The TCW Group

• United States
• Financial Services
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Senior Vice President--Alternative Strategies

  • Sep 2013 - Present

  Los Angeles, CA CFO of Craton Equity Investors I, LP, a private equity fund (“Craton Fund I”). Senior Vice President of TCW/Craton Equity Investors II (“TCW/Craton Fund II”), a private equity fund controlled by TCW. Restructured Craton Fund I’s financial, investor-related, and administrative functions, resulting in cash savings of over 50% and improved service levels. As Senior Vice President at TCW/Craton Fund II, transitioned the Fund’s infrastructure to TCW’s fund management systems, and served as… Show more CFO of Craton Equity Investors I, LP, a private equity fund (“Craton Fund I”). Senior Vice President of TCW/Craton Equity Investors II (“TCW/Craton Fund II”), a private equity fund controlled by TCW. Restructured Craton Fund I’s financial, investor-related, and administrative functions, resulting in cash savings of over 50% and improved service levels. As Senior Vice President at TCW/Craton Fund II, transitioned the Fund’s infrastructure to TCW’s fund management systems, and served as TCW/Craton Fund II’s Chief Financial Officer through the transition. Responsible for Fund administration and oversight at the Board level of several sustainable/clean-tech portfolio company investments. Left Craton Fund I 11/14 to focus on TCW/Craton Fund II. Show less



Craton Equity Partners (Fund I)

• Chief Financial Officer

  • Apr 2011 - Oct 2014

  Beverly Hills, CA CFO of Craton Equity Investors I, LP, a private equity fund (“Craton Fund I”). Restructured Craton Fund I’s financial, investor-related, and administrative functions, resulting in cash savings of over 50% and improved service levels. Left Craton Fund I 11/14 to focus on TCW/Craton Fund II.



Control Room

• Entertainment Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Financial Officer

  • Jan 2008 - Sep 2013

  Beverly Hills, CA CFO of Control Room/Live Earth, the leading producer of large-scale concert events worldwide. Recruited by Intermedia Partners (private equity fund controlled by Leo Hindery and former Liberty media executives) to upgrade financial and administrative infrastructure in preparation for a possible merger transaction. Negotiated $2 million settlement for Live Earth from insurers after terrorism forced cancellation of Bon Jovi concert in Mumbai. Also assisted Intermedia Partners by serving as an… Show more CFO of Control Room/Live Earth, the leading producer of large-scale concert events worldwide. Recruited by Intermedia Partners (private equity fund controlled by Leo Hindery and former Liberty media executives) to upgrade financial and administrative infrastructure in preparation for a possible merger transaction. Negotiated $2 million settlement for Live Earth from insurers after terrorism forced cancellation of Bon Jovi concert in Mumbai. Also assisted Intermedia Partners by serving as an interim CFO for three of their portfolio companies—Vibe Media/Magazine, Uptown Magazine, and Soul Train. Left Casbah/LE to focus on related entities: Craton Funds I and II. Show less



Roll Global, LLC

• Chief Financial Officer

  • Mar 2007 - Jan 2008

  West Los Angeles, CA CFO for privately-held $2 billion group of companies owned by Stewart and Lynda Resnick. Managed corporate tax, treasury, IT, IS, risk management, operational/strategic planning, and accounting functions. Also managed Roll Aviation and the Resnicks’ personal finances. Worked closely with Presidents and CFOs of operating companies (Teleflora, FIJI Water, POM Wonderful, Paramount Farms, Paramount Farming, and Suterra) on tax, operational/strategic planning, and growth-related issues. Focused on… Show more CFO for privately-held $2 billion group of companies owned by Stewart and Lynda Resnick. Managed corporate tax, treasury, IT, IS, risk management, operational/strategic planning, and accounting functions. Also managed Roll Aviation and the Resnicks’ personal finances. Worked closely with Presidents and CFOs of operating companies (Teleflora, FIJI Water, POM Wonderful, Paramount Farms, Paramount Farming, and Suterra) on tax, operational/strategic planning, and growth-related issues. Focused on improving quality of financial information/reporting, tax minimization, and improving functionality of recently installed Oracle financial software. Refinanced several loan facilities totaling over $300 million. Show less



DMX Music

• United States
• Music
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive VP, COO and CFO

  • Sep 2001 - Mar 2007

  West Los Angeles, CA Hired as part of post-merger management team installed by Liberty Media to restructure operations and to prepare company for sale. Merger had created world’s second-largest provider of foreground music to retailers but left company significantly over-leveraged. Restructured and integrated operations, significantly reducing operating costs while improving customer service levels. Aggressively managed working capital, resulting in a 31% reduction in inventory and accounts receivable. Created… Show more Hired as part of post-merger management team installed by Liberty Media to restructure operations and to prepare company for sale. Merger had created world’s second-largest provider of foreground music to retailers but left company significantly over-leveraged. Restructured and integrated operations, significantly reducing operating costs while improving customer service levels. Aggressively managed working capital, resulting in a 31% reduction in inventory and accounts receivable. Created product pricing guidelines and success-based management/sales compensation plans. Rationalized sales model from an “all in” services model to “a la carte”, substantially improving yield. Developed and rolled out innovative third-party leasing program and increased usage of refurbished subscriber source equipment, reducing capital expenditures (primarily subscriber source equipment costs) from $17.5 million in 2001 to $7.7 million in 2004 without impacting operations. Managed financial restructuring process at the request of Royal Bank of Canada (lead of secured lender group) through Chapter 11 and successful sale of company assets to investor Steve Hicks (Capstar) through a “Section 363” sale. Promoted from Senior Vice President/CFO to Executive Vice President COO/CFO. Show less



Crown Media United States

• Executive VP and CFO

  • Feb 1999 - Sep 2001

  Studio City, CA Hired as part of a new management team installed by Liberty Media, tasked with preparing company for IPO within two years. IPO was completed in eighteen months. Relocated company from New York to Los Angeles. Built finance, treasury, planning, IT, accounting, HR, facilities/administration, broadcast operations and risk management functions to support 100% annual revenue growth. Active in network’s successful efforts to gain carriage contracts with major cable and satellite distributors. Asset… Show more Hired as part of a new management team installed by Liberty Media, tasked with preparing company for IPO within two years. IPO was completed in eighteen months. Relocated company from New York to Los Angeles. Built finance, treasury, planning, IT, accounting, HR, facilities/administration, broadcast operations and risk management functions to support 100% annual revenue growth. Active in network’s successful efforts to gain carriage contracts with major cable and satellite distributors. Asset value grew from $222 million to over $600 million during period. Promoted from Vice President to Senior Vice President, then to Executive Vice President. Key investors include Hallmark Cards and Liberty Media. Moved to DMX Music, Inc. at the request of Liberty Media; DMX required restructuring and integration of a significant acquisition. Show less



House of Blues Entertainment

• Vice President of Finance/Controller

  • Jan 1997 - Feb 1999

  Hollywood, CA Hired as part of new management team installed at key investor’s (Disney) request to take brand-driven company public within one year. Revenues tripled during tenure. Relocated finance function from Dallas to Los Angeles and upgraded IT environment to Windows NT WAN/Citrix within first year. Converted accounting/finance to “ė by Epicor” PC-based software. Focused on cash management and preparing company for IPO, while managing growth. IPO was canceled due to market conditions after registration… Show more Hired as part of new management team installed at key investor’s (Disney) request to take brand-driven company public within one year. Revenues tripled during tenure. Relocated finance function from Dallas to Los Angeles and upgraded IT environment to Windows NT WAN/Citrix within first year. Converted accounting/finance to “ė by Epicor” PC-based software. Focused on cash management and preparing company for IPO, while managing growth. IPO was canceled due to market conditions after registration statement was filed. Key investors included Disney and JP Morgan/Chase. Recruited by Liberty Media to be CFO of the newly created Hallmark Channel. Show less



Hollywood Park Casino

• United States
• Gambling Facilities and Casinos
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Vice President--Development/Chief Financial Officer--Gaming

  • Jun 1995 - Jan 1997

  Inglewood, CA Managed all non-gaming operations at Hollywood Park Casino, including cage, credit, HR, accounting/finance, IT, food/beverage, security and facilities, totaling over 1,000 employees. In one year, Hollywood Park Casino rebounded from a $10 million EBITDA deficit to $10 million of EBITDA. Concurrently supervised/managed construction of $75 million hotel/casino and was responsible for development of proposed $200 million Hollywood Park Stadium for NFL’s Raiders and UCLA. Successfully completed… Show more Managed all non-gaming operations at Hollywood Park Casino, including cage, credit, HR, accounting/finance, IT, food/beverage, security and facilities, totaling over 1,000 employees. In one year, Hollywood Park Casino rebounded from a $10 million EBITDA deficit to $10 million of EBITDA. Concurrently supervised/managed construction of $75 million hotel/casino and was responsible for development of proposed $200 million Hollywood Park Stadium for NFL’s Raiders and UCLA. Successfully completed environmental impact report, obtained all permits, engaged contractor, approved plans and began site preparation prior to Raiders’ decision to relocate to Oakland. Show less



Hemmeter Enterprises

• Chief Financial Officer

  • Mar 1992 - May 1995

  Denver, CO Chief Financial Officer of emerging gaming development and management company controlled by Chris Hemmeter. Raised $140 million through private placement of convertible debt underwritten by DLJ and Salomon. Managed budget and oversaw development of $225 million joint-venture gaming development in New Orleans. Responsible for finance/treasury, accounting, planning, IT, and risk management. Successfully built capability to support explosive company growth from ten to 2,000 employees within three… Show more Chief Financial Officer of emerging gaming development and management company controlled by Chris Hemmeter. Raised $140 million through private placement of convertible debt underwritten by DLJ and Salomon. Managed budget and oversaw development of $225 million joint-venture gaming development in New Orleans. Responsible for finance/treasury, accounting, planning, IT, and risk management. Successfully built capability to support explosive company growth from ten to 2,000 employees within three years, while successfully restructuring company’s Colorado casino operations, which had opened to soft market conditions. Promoted from Controller of investor, Hemmeter Partners, first to CFO of the Bullwhackers Casino operations in Colorado (two casinos) and then to CFO of a newly-formed parent of all Hemmeter gaming operations—Hemmeter Enterprises, Inc. Show less



Arthur Andersen & Co.

• Accounting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Audit and Business Advisory

  • Sep 1985 - Mar 1992

  Los Angeles, CA Specialized in public companies, especially within entertainment and gaming industries. Engagement manager for MGM/UA, MGM Grand, Inc., MGM Grand Air and Twentieth Century-Fox Studios client service teams. Seven clients I served for most of my tenure were public companies active in capital markets. Focused audit and business advisory teams on business approach to audits and on productivity. Other clients included the Pebble Beach Company, Wickes Corporation, ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Hollywood… Show more Specialized in public companies, especially within entertainment and gaming industries. Engagement manager for MGM/UA, MGM Grand, Inc., MGM Grand Air and Twentieth Century-Fox Studios client service teams. Seven clients I served for most of my tenure were public companies active in capital markets. Focused audit and business advisory teams on business approach to audits and on productivity. Other clients included the Pebble Beach Company, Wickes Corporation, ICN Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Hollywood Park, and Desert Inn Hotel and Casino. Extensive public company/high-risk client experience, including initial public offerings, debt/equity offerings, and periodic reporting. Managed teams of up to 30 with annual fees in excess of $1 million on projects ranging from complex multi-location audits to an $800 million asset purchase investigation. Show less