On April 13, 2017, I was fortunate enough to attend a panel discussion hosted by KPMG with The CFO Leadership Council of Orange County titled and lead by Steve VerBurg: How to Manage the Expanding Role of the CFO. This panel featured 4 keynote speakers to discuss the developing role of the CFO in organizations, answer the questions of attendees and provide an amazing opportunity to network with other studs/stud-ets ;).

The global theme was the role of CFO is moving from operational to more strategic…much like what we are seeing with the role of CIO and all executive offices in fact. While there was a wealth of knowledge shared at this event, I wanted to give you all access to the advice each speaker gave at the end of the panel along with a description of who they are. Also, if you are interested in talking more about other takeaways or things I learned, feel to comment and/or reach out to me directly.

1) Jim – Know your business model.
2) Jeff – Allocate time to get out of your office every day.
3) Brett – There are two types of people. Complicators and simplifiers. Be a simplifier.
4) Frank – Be humble.

Jim Johnson, CFO, Adaptive Insights

Jim Johnson is a seasoned financial chief who brings to Adaptive Insights a unique background of leadership in finance and business operations at highly successful private and public companies. Previously, Jim was CFO of TIBCO Software and helped lead the company through one of the largest take-private transactions of 2014. He joined TIBCO through the acquisition of Jaspersoft, where he was CFO of the fast-growing software as a service (SaaS) and subscription analytics company. Jim’s diverse financial leadership experience includes 15 years with Sun Microsystems, during which time the company grew fro less than $1 billion to over $18 billion in annual revenue, as well as serving as Senior Vice President of Finance for Veritas Software. He has also been CFO of two private equity-owned companies and has been instrumental in leading successful M&A and financing transactions in both the private and public markets. After serving four years with the U.S. Navy, Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in English and literature/letters from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Jeff Husseri, Managing Partner, CoralBridge Partners*

Jeff Husseri brings over twenty-five years of business experience as a consultant, Human Resources executive, and mediator. He is a Founder and Managing Principal of CoralBridge Partners, a boutique consulting firm that works with clients to champion organizational heath. The practice is unique in that it blends Conflict Management and Dispute Resolution services with traditional Organizational Development initiatives that enhance leader and team performance. His work health organizations resolve their people-related challenges and make better decisions about human capital. He also leads a private meditation practice, JLH Meditation, focusing primarily on resolving workplace, employment, and family business disputes. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Jeff was Executive Vice President of Administration and Chief Human Resources Officer with MB Financial Bank, an $8.2B pubicly-traded full-service bank where he was responsible for Human Resources, Marketing, Legal, Compliance and Property Management. Prior to the bank, he held HR leadership positions with Allied Van Lines and Fellowes Manufacturing Company. Jeff received a BA in English from Georgetown University, his MBA in Marketing and Human Resources Management from Northwestern University’s J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a Masters Degree in Dispute Resolution from The Strauss Institute at the Pepperdine University School of Law.

Brett Potts, Principal, NewCap Partners, Inc.

Brett Potts is a principal at the investment bank, NewCap Partners, Inc. which enables him to effect mergers, acquisitions, and capital raises directly. NewCap Partners is a FINRA-registered Broker Dealer. A successful executive and entrepreneur, Brett and his teams have executed impressive growth paths and exits for business owners in a variety of industries, from Aerospace Manufacturing to Software Development. As one example, his executive team successfully grew Coast Plating, Inc. more than 230% in 19 months to $29 million in annual revenue, through acquisitions and organic growth, reaching an ownership exit in 2014. The group, now called Valence Surgace Technologies, Inc. remains the largest independently-help metal surface processor in the United States. Brett has served as a board member, CEO, CFO, COO and General Manager. His prior work at Intel Corporation, Cintas Corporation and as a Surface WarfareOfficer in the United States Navy provided his operational leadership foundation. Brett holds a B.S. Engineering from Entrepreneurial Finance from the University of Southern California (USC).

Frank Schools, Chief Financial Officer, Universal Services of America

Frank Schools joined Universal Services of America as Chief Financial Officer in September 2014, overseeing finance, accounting, and treasury. Universal Services was a private equity owned, nation-wide security company providing security guards and security systems in all 50 states. Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Canada. During his tenure, Universal acquired 16 companies and grew from a $1.1B revenue company with 40,000 employees to a $2.5B revenue company with 85,000 employees. In August of 2016, Universal merged with Allied Barton to become Allied Universal, the nation’s largest security firm, with approximately $5B in revenues and 160,000 employees. Prior to that, Frank was Senior Vice President, Chief Financial officer and Treasurer of 99 Cents Only Stores, Inc. from February 2012 to May 2014. 99 Cents Only Stores was a $2 billion retailer owned by Ares Management and the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board. From 2006 until November 2012, Frank was a partner with Tatum, a national professional services firm. During his time at Tatum, Frank performed assignments for many PE-owned firms, such as Skilled Healthcare, Apria Healthcare, and Sitel Worldwide. From 1994 to 2006, Frank held key finance positions at Pacific Sunwear, with his final position at that company as Vice President of Finance and Assistant Secretary. Prior to Pacific Sunwear, Frank help finance positions at various other public retail companies, including MacFrugals Bargains Close-Outs, HomeBase and Grace Home Centers West. Frank is an active California CPA and achieved his MBA from California State University, Fullerton. Brett is a current Trustee and Vice Chairman House Committee of the United States Naval Academy Board of Trustees. He is an avid surfer and skier, remains active in corporate governance, veterans’ organizations and church, and loves spending time with his family.

Steve VerBurg, President, Dale Carnegie Orange County

Steve VerBurg is the President of Dale Carnegie in Orange County. As an Author, Executive Coach and Corporate Trainer he specializes in helping individuals and organizations implement programs that guide them to increased profitability, production and performance.

*Jeff and I really connected and became friends. I will have him come in and speak to the group sometime.

Location

20 Pacifica # 700, Irvine, CA 92618