Background

Innovative Senior Executive with a record of accomplishment in strategic business planning, and financial planning and reporting. Executive team leader known for providing strategic insight, creative growth strategies, and change management initiatives. Collaborative leader, mentor, and coach able to develop and manage high-performing multi-cultural teams that develop and execute financial and operational strategies, implement performance metrics and the ongoing monitoring of control systems. Native fluency, bilingual command of colloquial English and German.  Contract Negotiations & Strategic Alliances  Internal Controls and Compliance  Process Optimization Capital Market Transactions  Budget & Cost Management Initial Public Offering (IPO)  Change Management & Restructuring New Business Development  Recruiting, Training & Development Financial Reporting Improvement  Revenue Recognition, Leasing US GAAP, IFRS, HGB (German GAAP)  Multicultural Team Building & Performance Improvement Software implementation

Job experience

• January 2017 - present
  CFO
  Andrie
  

  Muskegon, MI, USA

  ANDRIE LLC., Muskegon, MI/USA
  Premiere, family owned, marine transportation, consulting, and supply chain solutions company.
  Chief Financial Officer, 2017 – Present
  Direct Reports: VP of Finance, HR Manager, Project Managers, IT Manager, Business Development Manager and Legal Counsel.
  Responsible to the CEO and Board of Directors with accountability for the financial, administrative, and risk management operations of Andrie and its affiliated companies, including the development of financial and operational strategies, performance metrics and the control systems designed to preserve company assets and report accurate financial results. Additionally, oversee the IT, Legal, and HR Department. Serve as primary point of contact for Customers, Investment Bankers, Advisors (Accounting, Tax, Legal, Insurance), Financial Institutions, and Strategic & Financial Investors (Private Equity).
  Instrumental in successfully negotiating long-term, multi-million-dollar customer contracts (e.g. BP, LafargeHolcim, U.S. Venture).
  Introduced business development pipeline to manage and grow the customer base, service offering, and geographical footprint.
  Optimized transaction processes with newly implemented integration software that reduced cost and enhanced cross-functional efficiencies within the finance, accounting and operations departments.
  Implemented People Management integrated software solution for performance management, payroll, recruiting and tracking of professional license compliance.
  Developed formalized Human Resources department including policy, procedure, compliance, recruiting, performance and retention strategies that resulted in a talent pipeline and employer branding.
  Implemented new webpage and mobile application that increased operational efficiencies, supported existing customers, enhanced marketing and business development and improved employee retention.
  Chaperoned robust sales negotiations resulting in healthy EBITDA multiple in the sale of privately held company to private equity.
  Developed and executed successful transition to new ownership structure and Board of Directors (e.g. 100 Day Plan).

• August 2015 - January 2017
  Principal
  Baker Tilly Virchow Krause
  

  Chicago, IL, USA

  BAKER TILLY VIRCHOW KRAUSE, LLP, Chicago, IL/USA
  Full-service accounting and advisory firm that offers industry specialized services in audit, tax, and management consulting.
  Principal, Assurance & Tax Services, Corporate Finance/M&A, Due Diligence, 2015 – 2017
  Direct Reports: Business Development Manager, Project Managers, International Project Teams ranging from 2-12, German Office Managers, Personal Assistant.
  Led the development of Go-to-Market strategy, Branding, and Business strategy. Developed and executed client/customer events that fostered existing client relationships and built new relationships to targets and prospects. Provided assurance, tax, consulting, due diligence and M&A services to privately owned and publicly listed companies as well as foreign owned subsidiaries. Oversaw and managed teams in 10 locations in 2 countries while attracting new talent at campus and leading professional recruiting initiatives.
  Established Services Desk in Germany and the US that supported German clients conducting business in the US and US companies conducting business in Germany.
  Served as Transportation Channel Leader spearheading the firm’s industry initiative by attending conferences, meeting with potential clients, implementing events and generating industry thought leadership.
  Established GAAP Conversion Services Desk that assisted clients in selecting and implementing appropriate reporting structures.
  Established relationships with Private Equity clients to provide M&A advisory services resulting in effective transaction execution and integration.

• September 2001 - June 2015
  Senior Manager
  Ernst & Young
  

  Chicago, IL, USA

  ERNST & YOUNG, Detroit, MI/USA, and Stuttgart, Germany
  Global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services.
  Senior Manager, Detroit, MI/USA, Chicago, IL/USA, Stuttgart, Germany, 2011 – 2015
  Direct Reports: Business Development Manager, Project Managers, International Project Teams ranging from 2-20, Personal Assistant.
  Led Assurance Services and Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) interacting and communicating with C-Level client contacts, Board Members and Chair, Audit Committee Chair. Managed audit, consulting and carve-out engagements including the definition and execution of the strategy with accountability for the economics of projects. Solved complex client issues related to finance and accounting topics while protecting and enhancing client relationships. Created a positive working environment across regions that included developing team members to build sustainable competence while creating, managing, coaching and motivating high-performing teams.
  Served on Vehicle Component Supplier Network (VCS) Steering Committee that developed solutions for industry related problems around finance, accounting and operations.
  Led VCS Germany Switzerland Austria (GSA) initiative focused on shared business development and quality assurance.
  Directed FAAS GSA sub area Private Equity Go to Market initiatives that resulted in new clients and pipeline growth.
  Manager, GBC; FAAS; International Audit and Advisory Services, Detroit, MI/USA, Stuttgart, Germany 2008– 2011
  Direct Reports: Business Development Manager, Senior Associates, International Project Teams ranging from 2-12, Assistant.
  Managed audit engagements and capital market transaction while leading critical client and internal meetings. Led career development of associates and seniors as a counselor. Represented EY at recruiting events and integrated people with different skill sets into international teams by assessing intercultural differences. Managed a vast variety of different clients with diverse needs and expectations. Created an international network by serving multinational clients and living abroad.
  Sr. Associate, Department International Audit & Advisory Services, Stuttgart, Germany, 2006 – 2008
  Associate, 2004 – 2006
  Trainee, 2001 – 2004

Education

• UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, ROSS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
  MBA
  

  2012 - 2014
• BADEN-WÜRTTEMBERG COOPERATIVE STATE UNIVERSITY
  Diplom-Betriebswirt (DH)
  

  2001 - 2004
• Open University
  Bachelor of Arts
  

  2001 - 2004

• Certified Public Accountant
  Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
  

  - present
• German Public Auditor (Wirtschaftsprüfer)
  Wirtschaftsprüferkammer Berlin
  

  - present
• Tax Advisor (Steuerberater)
  Steuerberaterkammer Stuttgart
  

  - present