Experience

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  Advance Bio-Material Technologies Corporation

  • Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  • Chief Financial Officer

    • Jul 2023 - Present
    • Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Proprietary patented processes for processing hemp Fiber for textiles and Bio Composite materials

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  EDE CAPITAL INC.

  • Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  • Board Member

    • Jun 2022 - Present
    • Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    EDE is a registered Portfolio Manager and Investment Fund Manager with the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), Alberta Securities Commission (ASC), British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC), and an Exempt Market Dealer with the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC). Investment Services - Portfolios are constructed with a strong focus on the Canadian metals and mining sector, and the rest of the portfolio is divided between biomedical healthcare, energy, and technology.Transaction Services - Provide Private Placement, M&A and Project Financing services for companies within all sectors of the natural resource industry.

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  Environmental Waste International Inc.

  • Whitby, Ontario, Canada

  • Member Board of Directors

    • Nov 2013 - Present
    • Whitby, Ontario, Canada

    Publicly traded company on the TSXV (Trading Symbol - EWS) using their proven, patented technology’s to convert End-of-Life tires into valuable by-products such as rclaimed carbon black, steel, oil and syngas.Responsibilities:As CFO reported to the Board, managed and directed all financial requirements for this publicly traded company. Ensured the Board of Directors were regularly informed of issues impacting the company’s performance. Acted as the Corporate Liaison with legal counsel, external auditors, major investors, investment bankers, insurers, tax authorities and suppliers. Produced all reports, financial statements and the MD&A for quarterly filing with the regulatory authorities and presentation to the Board.As CEO reported to the Board, managed and directed all domestic and internatinal business development and oversaw all technology development activities. Accomplishments:• Improved the quality of the companies public reporting activities to be in line with public company best practices.• Played an active role in raising over $20 million and refinancing over $3 million in debt.• Developed, grew and managed the companies domestic and international sales funnel to over US$300 million in potential sales.• Oversaw dramatic improvements in the technology (capital cost reduction of over 50%, improved plant efficiency and throughput).

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  iSign Media Solutions Inc.

  • Toronto, Canada Area

  • CFO & Board Member

    • Mar 2019 - Present
    • Toronto, Canada Area

    Our mission is simple... to become the leading interactive mobile advertising solution for advertisers, manufacturers, retailers, and advertising agencies worldwide while becoming the world standard for mobile messaging, both in advertising (Smart Antenna) and in public security (SAM).

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  Planswell

  • Toronto, Ontario

  • Chief Financial Officer & Board Member

    • Jan 2016 - Nov 2019
    • Toronto, Ontario

    Planswell is a financial services company that leverages a proprietary artificial intelligence system to provide clients with the best possible financial planning advice and automated optimization of their financial assets. Drawing on recent advancements in machine learning and chaos theory, Planswell does the math that other advisors can't do to ensure that its clients optimize their asset allocation, tax efficiency, risk management and government benefits automatically, economically, more frequently and more conveniently.As CFO and Board Member of this early stage company, set up the financial reporting structure and banking, dealt with cash flow issues, hired staff, and took an active role in raising capital and advising the CEO and the Board on both Strategic and operational matters.

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  Kaajenga Inc.

  • Toronto, Ontario

  • CFO and Board Member

    • Jan 2015 - Dec 2018
    • Toronto, Ontario

    KAAJENGA is a virtual private social network (VPSN) for a variety of vertical markets and an online video platform (OVP). For example, for the construction industry the platform measures, scores and rewards architectural specification with a reward card. KAAJENGA has integrated both education and product information into an online video rewards platform that tracks and measures participants’ learning, sharing and product specification. Influencers are instantly rewarded for the knowledge they gain and share within a “New” lunch and learn concept, continuing education and project profiles.

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  EUROPEAN BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOMENT (EBRD) – KAZAKHSTAN

  • Almaty, Kazakhstan

  • SENIOR INDUSTRY ADVISOR

    • Nov 2014 - Jul 2016
    • Almaty, Kazakhstan

    The bank finances a variety of infrastructure projects and businesses largely in former USSR block countires. I was asked to undertake an assignment for the bank with one of their small to medium sized clients, Olzha JSC.As a result of negative economic circumstances, a desire to grow, and input from new shareholders and lenders, Olzha asked for assistance in upgrading its annual budgeting process. During the first visit it became apparent that there were many areas that could be improved. The tools required to improve the company from an operational point of view or from a Transferable Enterprise Value point of view were not difficult to identify. The difficult part is the behavioural change needed throughout the organization to implement any change. The suggested recommendations now being implemented could result in:• A significant increase in enterprise value • A reduction in the Weighted Average Cost of capital• Additional career opportunities for employees • A reduction in employee turnover • An improvement in employee morale, leading to increased customer satisfaction

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  SPRING VALLEY CLASSIC CUSTOM CORP.

  • Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

  • Financial Advisor

    • Sep 2013 - Jul 2016
    • Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

    Privately held company that designs and builds niche custom and proprietary architectural wood and cement solutions for Tier #1 designers, architects and general contractors.

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  Energy Advantage Inc.

  • Toronto, Canada Area

  • Senior VP & CFO and then Board of Advisers for last year

    • Jan 2009 - Mar 2014
    • Toronto, Canada Area

    Energy Advantage Inc. is an independent global energy and environmental services company.Responsibilities:Finance; accounting; human resources; contract origination and management; M & A and acquisition integration; governance (Board member); strategic, operational and capital planning (including IT spending); forecasting; restructuring; recapitalizing; and international market development activities in Dubai, India and China. Accomplishments:• Managed the selection and implementation process for an organization-wide accounting system conversion to an Oracle based system; revamped the chart of accounts which extended reach & ensured standardized reporting across the many subsidiaries, profit and cost centre’s, and management structures – On time, On budget – Benefit was sophisticated timely reporting• Designed and implemented transfer pricing between multiple foreign and domestic subsidiaries to ensure compliance to taxing authorities in each respective jurisdiction – ensuring that there were never any problems with the CRA, IRS and others.• Facilitated a company-wide restructuring and recapitalization process that successfully brought costs in line with sales and cash flow goals designed to position the company for long term and more dramatic growth – costs were reduced by just over 20% without loss of customer service, the company became scalable (profitable expansion was then possible)• Led a costing and modeling exercise to enable each profit centre to determine contract profitability prior to pricing the service – Improved overall contribution margins to ~ 50%• Provided leadership and oversight for the company’s market development activities in China, India and the UAE, which established offices and sales in India and Dubai and over 20 qualified prospects in China. .• Led the M & A process to acquire a Quebec based company and then lead the integration process that resulted in achieving the planned benefits. Also, screened many other targets.

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  PRESTON WILLIS GROUP (Formerly - CORPORATE PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL)

  • Toronto, Canada Area

  • Partner

    • Jan 1993 - Dec 2012
    • Toronto, Canada Area

    Have served on, or advised, boards of many public and private, as well as not-for-profit organizations. The for profit organizations include mining, environmental, alternative energy, high tech (both hardware and software), construction, and architectural.Have taken long term leaves from time to time to undertake the abovePWG and their worldwide affiliates help CEOs of SME’s by providing outsourced expertise & consulting in Corporate Finance & delivering liquidity improvement as well as enhancing top line performance, outsourcing North American market entry and improve enterprise value.Responsibilities undertaken for Clients:Interim Chief Financial Officer; Board member; business financier; merger & acquisition project leader; strategic and operational planning; and organizational design. Selected Accomplishments:• Started and ran an early stage US based alternative energy company (as CEO/CFO). • Affected the turnaround of a TSE listed environmental products company (as CEO).• Facilitated ownership change and succession, market direction, merger negotiations and integration, and Board member selection for a number of engineering consulting, mechanical contracting and architectural firms.• Facilitated the merger of two jewelry store chains and acted as the General Manager & CFO for over six months to integrate both operations – sales were improved chain wide by over 30% • Found and then acquired a custom corporate garment manufacturer dealing with all of the problems of a new acquisition in need of restructuring (acted as interim CFO for the financier)• Normalized banking relationships reduced average receivables to fewer than 30 days; refocused sales allowing the founder to prioritize long term prospects, design issues and major client relationships acting as COO/CFO for a high growth product design & manufacturing company.

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  Selient Inc.

  • Toronto, Canada Area

  • Chief Financial Officer - Publicly Traded Company Providing SaaS for Credit Unions

    • Apr 2004 - Dec 2008
    • Toronto, Canada Area

    Responsibilities:Reporting to the President, managed and directed all financial requirements for this publicly traded company. Ensured the President, Senior Management and the Board of Directors were regularly informed of issues impacting the company’s performance. Acted as the Corporate Liaison with many professionals. Produced all reports, financial statements and the MD&A. Additional responsibilities included M & A, administration, human resource, forecasting, and the management of contracts, cash, and the planning and review process.Accomplishments:For Selient:• Managed the process of finding a strategic buyer which resulted in the shareholders obtaining a 45% premium to market. This exceeded our goal of selling at just above market.• Managed the process that took the company private – On time, On Budget• Redesigned and led the forecasting process that significantly improved the accuracy of revenue, cost and cash projections – In this lumpy sales environment (large irregular sales), actual results ranged between 95% and 105% of projections.• Managed a cost reduction process that brought the company into a monthly and annual profitable position without reducing services to clients – On Time, On Budget• Developed and implemented financial models that provided the sales force with tools to determine the expected client ROI post software implementation –The sales personnel could confidently re-price the offerings confidently.• Successfully lead the financing effort to allow the company time to reposition itself in the market prior to finding a strategic buyer.• Continually worked to balance resources between longer term strategic objective and short term profitability and cash flow needs.For the combined entities: • Integrated Aegon NV offices in Canada and the US as well as the Selient operation on to one reporting platform including.• Established an integrate operations and planning process for the combined company.

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  Earlier Work Experience prior to 1993

  • Canada

  • Various titles

    • 1985 - 1993
    • Canada

    • Venture capital as Vice President Investments• Mining Exploration – Field work, director and officer for publicly traded junior mining companies