Experience

• 

  vcfo

  • Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area

  • Consulting CFO Team Lead

    • May 2022 - Present
    • Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area

    vcfo provides an integrated suite of finance, HR and recruiting support, including outsourcing and consulting solutions that improve operational performance and optimize productivity. Founded in 1996, vcfo pioneered the concept of the “Virtual CFO” with its original core offering of fractional or part-time CFO solutions. For 25 years, we have worked with more than 5,000 clients, evolving our service offerings and geographical footprint to meet new industry and market needs—expanding what we offer, the value we provide and the way we deliver it. At vcfo, our mission is always to make your company stronger. As team lead, I provide leadership and guidance for team members in our Austin, Dallas and Denver offices in a addition to carrying my clients. Current clients include:- Fractional CFO for a large dimensional saw mill, a SAAS provider, a hospitality operation, a mid sized retailer, and an Art e-commerce company- Assisting a local food bank and other clients with automation of their purchase to pay system - Assisting clients with large acquisitions and expansion/building financing- Typical assignment involves helping a company stabilize and streamline financial operations. Then we use the improved financial systems to successfully grow and maximize revenue and profits.

• 

  Kerusso Inc

  • Berryville, Arkansas, United States

  • VP Finance and Administration

    • Jul 2020 - May 2022
    • Berryville, Arkansas, United States

    Vice President responsible for Finance, IT, and Human Resources leadership at the country's largest manufacturer/distributor of faith based and patriotic apparel and gifts.

• 

  Elbert Johnson Consulting

  • Bentonville, Ar

  • Owner

    • May 2014 - May 2022
    • Bentonville, Ar

• 

  NBG Home

  • Austin, Texas Area

  • Corporate Controller

    • May 2018 - May 2020
    • Austin, Texas Area

    Senior corporate controller at nations largest provider of home decor and accessories. Company has manufacturing, sourcing, and distribution operations in Europe, Asia, and the United States plus a large E-Commerce presence. PE owned NBG Home is experiencing strong growth through internal growth plus acquisition activity. Supervise 5 division controllers spread geographically throughout the country.

• 

  Missouri Walnut LLC

  • Neosho, MO

  • Chief Financial Officer

    • Feb 2015 - May 2018
    • Neosho, MO

    A privately held saw mill manufacturing and kiln dry operation specializing in walnut lumber and raw wood products for international export. Company has 160 employees with operations in 6 locations. Company increased sales 75% during my tenure. Currently largest manufacturer of black walnut lumber in the world. - Senior leader tasked with transitioning foreign owned entrepreneurial manufacturing company into respected world leader in walnut and cherry wood products. - Implemented formal company structure including introduction of monthly accrual accounting, budgets, operational metrics, annual audits, skilled corporate counsel, and company’s first board of directors- Obtained $50+ million line of credit from large and regional banks for future major expansion- Responsible for acquiring and opening $35 million plant and operating division in Pennsylvania in 2018 - Actively supervised several major construction projects as part of Missouri plant expansion plan - Coordinated company risk management and improved environmental, insurance, and safety standards- Led company Human Resources-Improved hiring/retention reducing turnover by 50%- Improved inventory control doubling company inventory turnover- Also served as President of $2 million inbound trucking subsidiary. -Using existing resources reduced trucking costs 15% while increasing throughput capacity by 20%.

• 

  Advanced Sleep Concepts

  • Rome, GA

  • Interim CFO

    • Jun 2014 - Feb 2015
    • Rome, GA

    Interim CFO at $30 million mattress manufacturer specializing in private label bedding products serving bedding retailers across the country- Company was severely cash strapped and books had not been properly closed for several years. - Corrected and closed out three fiscal years in six weeks, cleaning up 2 years of improper bank reporting. - After original assignment, asked by CEO and Private Equity Partners to remain with company to improve financial reporting and assist daily operations as the company restructured and prepared for successful sale to a competitor. - Automated cash flow payments process to help company through extreme liquidity issues- Reworked company trucking operations with plant manager which led to significant cost reductions

• 

  Sunshine Media Group

  • Chattanooga, Tennessee Area

  • Chief Financial Offier

    • 2013 - 2014
    • Chattanooga, Tennessee Area

    A custom media and publishing company specializing in custom print and digital marketing solutions in the healthcare and financial services area. Company has 90+ employees and over 130 clients nationwide. - Senior Leader responsible for financial and operational efficiency for highly leveraged, private equity owned company. - On-site general manager responsible for company’s daily operations for remote CEO.- Improved overall client profitability by targeting larger and more complex clients, reworking pricing/profitability matrix, pushing for longer contracts, and non-renewing unprofitable clients. Company regained positive EBITA and cash flow under my guidance- Improved cash/operating cycle by obtaining favorable terms and lower pricing from major vendors, stepping up collection efforts, and converting clients to monthly billing platform which accelerated both revenue and payment cycles. - Implemented new internal IT platforms, new server hosting arrangements, and coordinated purchase of new digital production workflow system which will reduce future costs.- Guided third party consultants through annual audit and a detailed company valuation process.- Reworked employee health insurance program maintaining full benefits while reducing costs

• 

  Premier Designs, Inc.

  • VP - Financial Services / Director of Finance/Comptroller

    • 1994 - 2013

    A privately held direct-sales company featuring high fashion jewelry sold through e-commerce/home show party channel. Company has 225+ employees and 40,000 independent distributors nationwide. Company grew tenfold during tenure and has won local and national recognition for its success. Member senior management team responsible for planning, organizing, and implementing marketing/operational strategy for the corporation from start-up to very successful mid-sized company - General management position with responsibility for ERP, e-commerce internet order processing systems, and automated sort/shipping system processing millions of pieces of inventory a year - Developed and implemented successful private label credit card program saving millions in bank fees - Improved inventory control increasing inventory turnover from three to eight turns annually. - Co-led company’s selection and implementation process for new ERP/Financial Reporting system - Implemented cash and treasury management procedures that allowed company to become financially stable and debt free eliminating line of credit needs while reducing operating expenses. - Developed a comprehensive financial management support team. Several former team members were promoted to key company managers, supervisors, and support employees in other departments - Identified and negotiated significant cost savings/contracts in shipping, transportation, utilities, banking, healthcare insurance, 401(k) administration, and credit card discount fees at a time many vendors were taking major price increases. - Managed and streamlined corporate warranty processing operations.

• 

  Qualex Inc (Eastman Kodak)

  • Financial Analyst/Controller

    • 1988 - 1994

    - Managed sales budget/forecast for 33 plants in Western US photofinishing operations - Supported Western US sales team by pricing new business and reviewing contracts - Member of Customer Service Task Force that began consolidation of sixty-six call centers into four - Member Operational Task Force charged with developing new operations strategy. Identified and implemented major production cost saving initiatives to better compete against foreign competition - Performed financial analysis on two large competitor acquisitions - Worked with sales force to call on major retailers as company rolled out mirco photolabs

• 

  GTE

  • Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

  • Staff Accountant/Internal Auditor

    • May 1986 - May 1988
    • Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina Area

• 

  Ridgecrest Summer Camps

  • Supervisor-TL

    • 1978 - 1984