Highly accomplished financial and operational leader, with demonstrated achievements at technology start-ups, Fortune 500 companies, a major league sports franchise and a top CPA firm. Achievements include strengthening profit and performance through expertise and execution designed to improve company liquidity, cash flow and profitability. As CFO of a public software company, helped lead a significant turnaround and financial overhaul of the company. Also directed the IPO process as the Corporate Controller of Salesforce.com. Built multiple IT and finance organizations and managed IT, HR and Legal departments. Coordinated start-up operations in China and supported international operations on four continents.
Specialties include:
▪ IPO and M&A readiness ▪ Venture and Debt Fundraising ▪ Investor Relations ▪ Financial Systems & ERP Implementation ▪ Working Capital Management ▪ SEC and Management Reporting ▪ Risk Management ▪ Strategic Planning ▪ Audit Preparedness ▪ Budgeting, Forecasting and Planning ▪ Multiple Entity Reporting ▪ GAAP and Regulatory Compliance
Chief Financial Officer & Executive Vice President @ Private equity owned entertainment company comprised of The Detroit Pistons NBA team, Palace of Auburn Hills arena, DTE Energy Music Theatre, and Meadow Brook Music Festival.
• As a member of the executive team, led Finance, Accounting and IT. Collaborated with the President and other executive team members to implement a new vision and strategy to dramatically improve business performance. By focusing on customer engagement and analytics, reversed a multi-year slide in season ticket sales and renewals.
• Overhauled personnel, processes and systems to improve effectiveness, internal controls and scalability. Established the company's first FP&A group and hired a new Controller and FP&A Director and numerous staff members.
• Led the transformation of the IT organization by replacing old and outdated systems and adding a number of new fan experience enhancements, including arena-wide Wi-Fi, DAS, and mobile payment options.
• Led multiple, simultaneous IT infrastructure and software projects, including implementation of Microsoft Dynamics GP ERP and Hyperion Financial Management.
• Presented financial and business results at monthly Operating Committee and annual NBA meetings.
• Worked with Ernst & Young on the company's initial inception-to-date audit and the subsequent 2 clean annual audits. Supported successful audits by the auditors representing the league and players' union, as well as audits of the 401K plan and the team foundation.
• Raised debt and established equipment financing for arena improvements.
• Worked with the parent private equity company to reorganize the structure of the company, opening up opportunities for more leverage and improving multiple entity reporting. From July 2012 to September 2014 (2 years 3 months) Chief Financial Officer @ Publicly listed education technology company that accelerates learning by applying proven research on how the brain learns. Fast ForWord and Reading Assistant educational software are distributed online and on premise to U.S K-12 schools and learning centers in 45 countries around the world.
• Joined in December 2008 as a part of a leadership and strategic transformation and, along with a new CEO, led the company to increases in sales (32%), EPS (to $0.26 from a loss $0.19) and in share price (258%) during 2009.
• Overhauled Finance and Accounting department personnel, processes and systems to increase effectiveness, achieve scalability and decrease costs; reduced the number of employees by 33%, while improving service to the business.
• Transformed the IT organization by consolidating 2 separate, dysfunctional groups and leading the replacement of old and outdated hardware and software that held back growth of the business.
• Led IT projects, including the infrastructure for converting an on premise software business to SaaS, moving all customer-facing functions to Salesforce.com, and implementations of Microsoft Dynamics AX and Host Analytics
• Assumed responsibility for International Operations in May 2011, with a strong focus on China; established foreign entities and developed an efficient tax structure.
• Maintained constant interactions with the board of directors, investors and analysts, including presentations at investor conferences. From December 2008 to July 2012 (3 years 8 months) Vice President of Finance & Administration @ Pioneering online ad exchange & network, backed by Sequoia Capital & DAG Ventures, reached more than 160 million monthly US unique visitors, while providing site-level transparency, display and video capabilities, and an open platform for real-time bidders. Grew to over 100 employees, $35M in venture funding and annual revenues of more than $30M.
• Built the G&A organization, including Finance, Accounting, Legal and HR from a single billing analyst into a team of 13.
• Led a $23M venture capital round and a $10M debt financing.
• Served as a key member of the executive team and strategic advisor to the CEO and the board of directors.
• Successfully executed the company’s inception-to-date, three year audit with a big 4 firm.
• Implemented financial systems, controls and processes; established the annual budget process and planning cycle.
• Managed a 40% reduction in force in response to the 2008 economic crisis. From November 2006 to December 2008 (2 years 2 months) Vice President Finance @ Pioneering global cloud computing company best known for its customer relationship management (CRM) SaaS applications. Grew from approximately $50 million in revenue and 200 people in 2003, to a $500M annual run-rate and almost 2,000 people in 2006. Currently ranked as the most innovative company in America by Forbes.
• Hired to lead a new finance and accounting team and developed close, consolidation, accounts payable, payroll, planning and reporting processes in the year before the IPO.
• Worked with the company’s auditors to successfully complete an inception-to-date and 3 year-end audits.
• Overhauled Oracle Financials and implemented Hyperion Financial Management and Reports applications.
• Rolled out worldwide corporate finance and accounting policies and developed internal controls and SOX 404 documentation during the company’s initial year of compliance.
• Directed the development of the S-1 and worked closely with multiple corporate functions and external advisors to successfully respond to multiple SEC queries and complete the IPO process in June 2004.
• Established and led corporate budgeting and forecasting operations and provided the information for issuing quarterly earnings guidance. Reviewed quarterly SEC filings and developed a regular reporting package for Investor Relations.
• Developed Finance MBA recruiting, including hiring 2 summer interns. From January 2006 to January 2007 (1 year 1 month) Corporate Controller @ • Hired to lead a new finance team and developed close, consolidation, accounts payable, payroll, planning and reporting processes before the IPO.
• Overhauled Oracle Financials and implemented Hyperion Financial Management and Reports applications.
• Rolled out worldwide corporate finance and accounting policies.
• Hired, supervised and trained employees.
• Directed the development of the S-1 and worked closely with multiple corporate functions and external advisors to successfully respond to multiple SEC queries and complete the IPO process in June 2004.
• Participated in development of internal controls and S-Ox 404 documentation during the company’s initial year of compliance.
• Managed the transition to 123R stock option expenses, including accurately forecasting the impact on year one earnings.
• Established the company’s annual budget process and planning cycle.
• Reviewed quarterly SEC filings and developed a regular reporting package for Investor Relations. From March 2003 to January 2006 (2 years 11 months) Corporate Controller and Sr. Director Finance @ Global wireless broadband equipment (WiMax) manufacturer with over $100M in funding.
• Developed accounting and forecasting systems, internal controls and procedures, and financial reporting requirements
• Coordinated the implementation of Oracle Accounting, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Inventory modules and Employee Self-Service Modules.
• Hired, supervised and trained accounting employees, while helping coordinate activities in IT, HR, Purchasing and Receiving departments.
• Developed pricing/revenue recognition policies and sales comp models.
• Supported two year-end audits and supervised all tax reporting.
• Coordinated the set up of two international subsidiaries. From February 2001 to April 2003 (2 years 3 months) Corporate Controller and Director of Finance @ Early stage CRM software, SaaS and consulting services provider with over $30M in funding.
• As the first full-time finance employee, developed and led all aspects of accounting and financial operations at an early-stage SaaS company.
• Assisted the management team in developing strategic plans and presentations for venture capital fund raising .
• Managed cash flow, including during times of severe cash shortages.
• Worked on designing benefit programs, including the selection of a new 401k plan.
• Coordinated the sale of assets and wind-down of company operations. From February 2000 to March 2001 (1 year 2 months) Sr. Manager @ Group Cost Manager, Household Products Division (1999-2000):
• Responsible for budgeting and reporting of all product costs for the biggest division in the company, with over $600M in costs at 10 manufacturing facilities.
• Supervised 3 finance managers and a staff of 10 employees in key accounting activities, including monthly close, cost savings and development of standard costs.
Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis Manager (1998):
• Reviewed and approved all corporate capital projects > $5M, including international acquisitions and product launches.
• Reviewed and updated key financial policies, including establishing cost of capital and dividend rates.
• Redesigned and standardized a financial analysis model for major projects.
• Designed and delivered corporate finance training to company managers. From 1998 to 2000 (2 years) Finance Manager @ $2 billion manufacturer of fault-tolerant computer systems for ATM networks, banks, stock exchanges, telephone switching centers, and other transaction processing applications requiring maximum uptime. Acquired by Compaq and Hewlett Packard.
• Served as the HQ liaison to the European and Professional Services divisions.
• Designed and maintained alternate channel profitability and software revenue models.
• Managed the finance department supporting global IS group of 400 employees and $80 million in annual spending.
• Coordinated integration of the IS organization after the Compaq-Tandem merger.
• Led a company-wide taskforce to simplify post-merger organization structure in conjunction with financial system conversions to SAP and Hyperion.
• Directed Tandem’s MBA recruiting at the University of Michigan. From 1996 to 1998 (2 years) Senior International Auditor & Consultant @ Multinational $64 billion conglomerate manufactures high-technology products, including aircraft engines, helicopters, HVAC, fuel cells, elevators and escalators, fire and security, building systems, and industrial products. UTC is also a large military contractor, producing missile systems and military helicopters, most notably the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
• Planned and participated in audit and consulting engagements at manufacturing, sales, and service locations in Russia, Japan, Australia, Canada and Hong Kong. From 1993 to 1994 (1 year) Senior Audit Consultant & Licensed CPA @ “Big Five” Accounting Firm. The former consultancy and outsourcing arm of the firm is now known as Accenture.
• Planned, administered and performed audit, tax and financial consulting projects in multiple industries, including manufacturing, service, retail and non-profit.
• Established and monitored project budgets, while concurrently managing multiple engagement teams.
• Participated in S-1, 10Q and 10K audits and due diligence projects in acquisitions. From January 1990 to July 1993 (3 years 7 months) Greater Detroit Area
MBA, Finance &International Business @ University of Michigan - Stephen M. Ross School of Business From 1994 to 1996 BA, Economics & Accounting @ University of Michigan From 1986 to 1989 Bob Feller is skilled in: Mergers, Venture Capital, IPO, Budgets, Auditing, Financial Services, SOX 404, Start-ups, Financial Analysis, Forecasting, Financial Reporting, SEC filings, Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Finance, Strategy, Management, Leadership, SEC Filings, Strategic Planning