Experience

Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association

• United States
• Utilities
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Financial Officer

  • Mar 2019 - Present

  Provides strategic and operational guidance for both the electric utility which serves over 55,000 consumers and holding company with multiple for-profit business lines serving over 65,000 customers with combined annual revenues exceeding $135 million. Works closely with the CEO, COO and Board of Directors on strategic initiatives, multi-business budgets and merger and acquisition opportunities. Leader in capital planning, including collaborating with departments on construction and reporting. Fundamental contributor for all information technology aspects of business including ERP systems, processes and efficiency opportunities. Leads a department of 20 employees with an impactful, active approach of empowerment. Impact Overview: - Long-Range Financial Management Plan: Created a dynamic, long-term plan by analyzing revenues, expenses, operational and capital needs while determining an optimal level of debt resulting in 114% increased equity in three years. - Private Equity Investing: Performed due diligence in determining the business valuation before investing in a start-up electric vehicle (EV) charging network company. Actively engaged in creating the articles of incorporation, bylaws, and shareholder agreements. Currently providing consulting services including accounting, financial and board related matters including capital raise and bridge financing activities. - Mergers and Acquisitions: Perform due diligence, engage in negotiations, determine a purchase price and work through all required legal documents in the closing of the sale and acquisition of the business. - Five Year Cost of Service Study: Analyzing and adjusting rates of over 50 different rate classes generating over $120 million in annual revenues. Resulted in more parity among rate classes, closing the gap by approximately 6%, reducing rate volatility over the 5-year period, improving the organization’s competitive advantage by over 152% in the first year, all while enhancing transparency.



CliftonLarsonAllen

• United States

• Project Chief Financial Officer - Client Advisory Services

  • Feb 2016 - Mar 2019

  Provided in-depth consultant services for a wide array of clients including for-profit, non-profit, governmental entities, national sports teams, construction, community centers/outreach and health care. Performed detailed comprehensive financial, operational, due diligence and marketing assessments to locate opportunities and areas of improvement. Created business and marketing plans for a variety of clients. Implemented fundraising campaigns and financial policies and procedures for state and local clients. Modernized and streamlined budgeting processes by implementing updated ERP systems and function as a liaison for auditors. Impact Overview: - Start-up/non-profit client: raised over $14 million in donations to finance construction of urban green space adjacent to large professional sports facility. Additionally, played an integral role in finance, policy and staffing decisions. - Municipal client: balanced challenging budget without using equity (which was previous practice), added $720,000 to the utility funds net income and saved the organization $65,000 annually in administrative and staffing expenses. - Health care client: enhanced internal controls and autonomy in business operations, vastly improved financial reporting through implementation of upgraded ERP solution and drove efficiencies by eliminating physical transfer of information saving over 200 hours/year. - Community center client: after initial assessment, quickly secured $75,000 in donations to keep organization solvent, saved $45,000 annually in operational expenses, recovered over $47,000 in outstanding receivables and generated an additional $22,000 in monthly revenues. Implemented a new robust marketing/fundraising campaign to increase donation opportunities.



City of St. Louis Park, MN

• Chief Financial Officer

  • Jan 2010 - Feb 2016

  Leader of financial and organizational initiatives including coordination and execution of the annual $70 million budget process, debt management, treasury, long-range planning/forecasting and community/council/board presentations. Also, functioned as the Risk Manager and Treasurer. Maintained the multi-site operational budget which included hundreds of individual budgets in over 50 various areas of business and the $190 million, 10-year capital improvement plan including collaborating with Engineering on construction. Key member in economic development/redevelopment projects in the commercial, residential and mixed-use spaces, including mergers and acquisitions and securing financing for projects up to $400 million. Led accounting and finance functions for the Housing Authority for both Section 8 and Public Housing programs. Managed Finance Department including staff development, coaching and performance management for a team of eleven.Impact Overview:- Developed a 10 Year Long Range Financial Management Plan focusing on revenues, capital expenses, operating expenses and impact to the community regarding property taxes, utility rates and franchise fee. I then communicated this to the City Manager and City Council allowing them to make informed decisions for the near and long-term.- Leader in bond issuances for the City and Economic Development Authority through public sale or private placement ranging from several million dollars to nearly $500 million. This included official statement preparation, tax documents, ratings calls with the bond rating agencies and presenting to the governing bodies and public. - Led debt issuance with community partners generating $625,000 annually on over $500 million in bonds.- Reduced complex budget preparation time by over 150 hours/year and saved over $40,000 in staff time by implementing innovative technology and eliminating hundreds of Excel worksheets.

• Finance Manager, Assistant Finance Director

  • Nov 2007 - Jan 2010


City of South St. Paul, MN
• Finance Director

  • Feb 2007 - Nov 2007


City of St. Louis Park

• United States
• Government Administration
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Accounting Manager

  • Jan 2005 - Feb 2007

• Accountant

  • Jan 2002 - Jan 2005


City of Andover, MN
• Accountant

  • Jun 1998 - Jan 2002