CFO Moves this week include:
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Chris Clayton
JPI [IRVING, TX] announced Chris Clayton as the company’s new chief financial officer. Clayton comes to JPI from Forest City Realty Trust, where he most recently served as the company’s executive vice president, head of capital markets and treasurer.
Pier 1 Imports, Inc. [FORT WORTH, TX] (NYSE: PIR) announced the appointment of Robert Riesbeck as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Riesbeck succeeds Deborah Rieger-Paganis, who has served as Interim Chief Financial Officer since April 2019. Diemoz most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of Crate & Barrel and previously held the role of Chief Development Officer at Restoration Hardware as well as leadership positions at Williams-Sonoma, The Gap, Inc. and MEXX.
Stimwave Technologies [POMPANO BEACH, FL] announced the appointment of James M. Rallo as the company’s chief financial officer (CFO). Rallo previous role was president and CFO of Liquidity Services, Inc. Prior to that, Rallo served as CFO, treasurer and chief administrative officer of Sleep Services of America, Inc. and as an investment banker in the healthcare group at Deutsche Bank.
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Jim Grube
Vacasa [PORTLAND, OR] added Jim Grube as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Grube most recently served as CFO for online pet retailer, Chewy. Prior to Chewy, Grube served for six years as Hilton’s SVP of Finance and FP&A.
Whiting Petroleum Corporation [DENVER] (NYSE: WLL) announced that Correne S. Loeffler has been named Chief Financial Officer effective August 1, 2019. Loeffler previously served as Vice President, Finance and Treasurer for Callon Petroleum Company, from April 2017 to July 2019. She also served as Interim Chief Financial Officer of Callon Petroleum Company from June 2017 to December 2017. Prior to that, Ms. Loeffler was Executive Director with JPMorgan Securities, LLC where she was employed in the Corporate Client Bank Group from 2006 to 2017. She also was an Associate in Bank of America’s Global Corporate & Investment Bank from 2005 to 2006 and a Consultant at Accenture from 1999 to 2003.
Regional Management Corp. [GREENVILLE, SC] (NYSE: RM) announced that it has appointed Robert (“Rob”) W. Beck as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. His predecessor, Don Thomas, will remain with Regional to assist with a smooth and orderly transition before officially retiring from the Company on August 31, 2019. Most recently, Beck was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Prior to that, he was Chief Operating Officer of Citibank’s US Retail Bank, after previously serving as Chief Financial Officer of Citibank’s US Consumer and Commercial Bank.
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) [ATLANTA] appointed Christian Struwe to the position of vice president & CFO. Struwe replaces Harald Henn who left the company for a position with Mercedes-Benz UK. Struwe’s most recent post was director of controlling for Mercedes-Benz Cars in Stuttgart, Germany. Struwe started his career in the associate program with Daimler in Berlin in 1997. After several stations in operations at Juiz de Fora (Brazil) and corporate controlling at MBUSI (Tuscaloosa, Alabama), he assumed responsibility for production strategy and the key account Mercedes-Benz within corporate strategy in Stuttgart. In 2005, he was appointed CFO of Mercedes-Benz high performance engines in Brixworth (UK) and returned to Stuttgart 4 years later to take over the responsibility for development controlling powertrain, subsequently in 2012 becoming director controlling RD & material cost MBC. In 2016, he was placed in charge of controlling RD and funding MBC.
NCI Information Systems, Inc. (NCI) [RESTON, VA] announced Charles (Chuck) Hicks Jr. has joined the company as executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer. Before joining NCI, Hicks served as the CFO for Cresa Global, Inc. Prior to this, he was executive vice president for strategic growth, chief operating officer and CFO for SC3, which is now part of General Dynamics Information Technology. He also served in executive leadership roles at ASRC Federal, SAIC and USIS. Hicks’ career also includes having worked at Ernst & Young and serving in the U.S. Navy.
Lithia Motors, Inc. [MEDFORD, OR] (NYSE: LAD) announced that Tina Miller has been promoted to Senior Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer. Miller has held a variety of accounting, financial and audit leadership roles of increasing responsibility at Lithia for nearly 15 years. Most recently she served as Chief Accounting Officer and interim Principal Financial Officer.
Cross River Bank [FORT LEE, NJ] announced that it has appointed Melissa Ballenger as its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Ballenger joins Cross River from State Street Corporation, where she served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). Prior to that, Ms. Ballenger served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Santander Bank, N.A., before becoming EVP, Chief Business Control Officer for Santander US. Previously, she held senior leadership positions in other public companies, including EVP, Deputy Chief Financial Officer for TD Bank, N.A.; Controller and Principal Accounting Officer at MasterCard Worldwide and at Washington Mutual Bank; and senior financial positions at Freddie Mac. Ms. Ballenger began her career with Arthur Andersen in Washington, D.C., rising to audit manager serving institutions in a variety of industries.
ThriftBooks [SEATTLE] hired Ross Mignoli as the company’s chief financial officer. Mignoli is a former partner at Arthur Andersen. He has also served as CFO of Performance Driven Brands.
Pacific Oak Capital, LLC [IRVINE, CA] announced the appointment of Michael Bender as chief financial officer. Prior to joining Pacific Oak Capital, Bender served in a similar capacity with Spirit Realty Capital, Inc., and Kamal Osman Jamjoom, LLC. Bender began his finance career as a senior audit manager at Deloitte & Touche, LLP.
Windsor Advantage [CHICAGO] announced the appointment of Jeff Nogle as Chief Financial Officer. Previously, he was Director of Risk Management. Prior to joining Windsor, Jeff worked for Charles River Associates.
FARO [LAKE MARY, FL] (NASDAQ: FARO) announced that Allen Muhich has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective July 26, 2019. Muhich joins FARO from Electro Scientific Industries, where he served as Chief Financial Officer. Muhich was previously of ID Experts, Smarsh, Inc. and Radisys Corporation. Mr. Muhich was also Vice President of Finance and Corporate Controller at Merix Corporation. Prior to that Mr. Muhich spent 15 years in financial management in the office printing business at Tektronix, Inc. and Xerox Corporation. Muhich will succeed Robert Seidel, who has served as FARO’s Chief Financial Officer since December 2016 and who will continue to serve as Chief Financial Officer of the Company until July 25, 2019 and then will continue as a FARO employee for a transition period.
TrialCard Incorporated [MORRISVILLE, NC] announced the appointment of Karen L. Russell as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Russell will assume the role from Interim CFO Mark Bogovich. Russell most recently served as CFO for Evidera. Prior to that, she enjoyed a long and distinguished career in finance at GSK, where her last role was VP, Finance for the Respiratory Business Unit, US Pharma.
Pappas Capital [RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC] announced that Matthew Boyer has been named Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Ford Worthy who will continue with the firm as a Partner and Senior Advisor. Boyer joined Pappas Capital as Controller in 2013 and has served as Director of Finance since 2017. Previously, he held finance and accounting positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Fidelity Investments and State Street Global Advisors.
Immunic, Inc. [SAN DIEGO] (NASDAQ: IMUX) announced the appointment of Sanjay S. Patel as Chief Financial Officer. Patel replaces Tamara A. Seymour, who has served as the company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer since April 26, 2019. From 2014 to 2016, Patel served as Chief Financial Officer of Pernix Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. From 2009 to 2014, Mr. Patel was Managing Director, Healthcare Investment Banking at Cantor Fitzgerald. From 2008 to 2009, Mr. Patel worked with the William J. Clinton Foundation as Manager, Global Malaria Program, Drug Access Team. Prior to that, from 2007 to 2008, Mr. Patel was Vice President, Global Healthcare Investment Banking at Cowen and Company. Mr. Patel spent the prior five years as a Financial Analyst at Sectoral Asset Management. His entry into investment banking began in 1998 at UBS Warburg, where he served for three years as Associate Director, Global Healthcare Group.
Agile Therapeutics, Inc. [PRINCETON, N.J.] (NASDAQ: AGRX) announced the appointment of Dennis P. Reilly as Chief Financial Officer effective August 5, 2019. Most recently, from 2017 to 2019, he served as Chief Financial and Operations Officer of Invisible Sentinel, Inc. From 2009 to 2017, Mr. Reilly was the Chief Financial Officer of NeoStrata Company, Inc. Prior to that, from 2005 to 2008, he served as the Chief Financial Officer, and prior to that role as Controller, of Barrier Therapeutics, Inc. Reilly was the Corporate Controller at the Medicines Company from 2002 to 2005.
Legacy Housing Corporation [BEDFORD, TX] (NASDAQ: LEGH) announced that Cornelius (Cork) Van Den Handel has been appointed as its new Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Treasurer. Van Den Handel most recently served as the Managing Principal of Vector Enterprises, LLC. Mr. Van Den Handel was previously CFO of three different companies, including Aviall, Inc. Van Den Handel replaces Jeff Burt, who, as part of the management reorganization, will remain with Legacy as the Chief Accounting Officer.
EVO Transportation & Energy Services [PEORIA, AZ] (OTC Pink: EVOA) appointed Eugene Putnam as chief financial officer, succeeding Michael Zientek. Most recently, Putnam served as an advisor to a major private equity firm performing due diligence on a potential acquisition. Previously, Putnam was president and CFO at Universal Technical Institute. Prior to Putnam’s role at Universal Technical Institute, he served in several executive and senior leadership roles for notable banking institutions, including Aegis Mortgage, Coastal Securities, Sterling Bancshares, SunTrust Bank, and Crestar Financial.
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Matthew Chiappa
Anthony & Sylvan Pools [DOYLESTOWN, PA] announced that it has hired Matthew Chiappa as its Chief Financial Officer. Chiappa will be taking the financial reins from Martin Iles, Anthony & Sylvan’s Chief Financial Officer since 2007. Chiappa was most recently the CFO at Preferred Sands, where he held various financial roles during his 10-year tenure, including Vice President of Finance and Business Operations.
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Michelle Tanner
MasterControl [SALT LAKE CITY, UT] announced that Michelle Tanner will assume the role of CFO for the organization. Most recently, she held executive positions with InsideSales and Venafi.
Exactus Inc. [DELRAY BEACH, Fla.] (OTCQB: EXDI) announced that Kenneth E. Puzder has been appointed Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Exactus as a Board Member in January 2019, Mr. Puzder served as Chief Financial Officer of Ceed2Med, LLC. Prior to 2018, he served as a Co-Founder, Managing Member, and CFO of the Lukens Group, LLC. From January of 2007 to December of 2017, Mr. Puzder was president of his own consulting firm, Kenneth E. Puzder Consulting. From July of 2003 through December of 2006, he served in various positions with the Arby’s Restaurant Group (“ARG”) family of companies, including: Chief Financial Officer of AFA Service Corporation (a sister company to ARG), VP of Accounting and Finance for Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc., and Regional Controller for RTM, Inc. (a subsidiary of ARG). From August of 2000 through April of 2003, Mr. Puzder served as Controller of Panera Bread Company. From January of 1999 through August of 2000, he served as Vice President and Secretary of the Linder Funds, a series of mutual funds. Prior to serving that position, from March of 1998 through August of 2000, he was Financial Operations Principal and Assistant Secretary of Lindner Asset Management, the asset management firm for the Linder Funds. From February of 1996 until March of 1998, he was an audit manager with KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP.
Eargo [SAN JOSE, CA] announced the hiring of Adam Laponis as CFO. Laponis joins Eargo from Tesla, Inc., where he served as VP, WW FP&A and Business Operations. Laponis was also previously VP Finance, CFO Cardiovascular Care at Cardinal Health, and Senior Director of Finance at Johnson & Johnson.
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Karl Noone
Logically [PORTLAND, MAINE] named Karl Noone as its Chief Financial Officer. Previously, Noone was the SVP and Corporate Controller for Global Capacity. Prior to Global Capacity, Karl held financial executive positions with several technology companies including, Atlantic Tele-Network, Digitas, Lightbridge, CentrePath and CMGI.
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Russ Clark
FMG Suite [SAN DIEGO] announced the appointment of Russ Clark as its new Chief Financial Officer. Most recently he held CFO positions with Certona and Mitek Systems.
Kymera Therapeutics [CAMBRIDGE, MA] announced that Bruce Jacobs has joined as Chief Financial Officer. Jacobs previously was Managing Partner for Westfield Capital Management. Jacobs was also a Director with Alex Brown & Sons/Deutsche Bank and part of the health care investment banking group and the equity research team.
Harvard Bioscience, Inc. [HOLLISTON, MA] (NASDAQ: HBIO) announced that Michael Rossi has been named Chief Financial Officer. Rossi most recently served as Chief Financial Officer of Laborie Medical Technologies. Prior to serving as Chief Financial Officer of Laborie Medical Technologies, he served as Chief Financial Officer of Medical Specialties Distributors. Prior to that role, Rossi held finance roles of increasing responsibility at various public companies, including Haemonetics Corporation, The Princeton Review, Inc., American Tower Corporation, Sonus Networks and Manufacturers’ Services Limited.
Valley National Bank [NEW YORK, NY] (NASDAQ: VLY), the holding company for Valley National Bank, announced the appointment of Michael D. Hagedorn to Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective August 10, 2019. Hagedorn is succeeding former CFO, Alan Eskow, who as previously announced will take on a Senior Advisory role at the Bank. Most recently, Hagedorn served as President and Chief Executive Officer of UMB Bank and Vice Chairman of UMB Financial Corporation in Kansas City, Missouri for over four years. Previously, he served as Chief Financial Officer for UMB Financial Corporation since 2005. Prior to UMB Financial, Hagedorn held various positions of increasing responsibility with Norwest Bank and Wells Fargo.
Compeat [AUSTIN, TX] announced the appointment of Paul Willson as Chief Financial Officer. Before joining Compeat, Willson served in senior financial planning and analysis roles at Evity, BMC Software, Convio, Blackbaud, and most recently as Senior Vice President Financial Planning & Analysis and Treasurer of Bazaarvoice. Willson will succeed Kerry Carney, who served as CFO of Compeat since 2016.
Glooko [MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA] announced the appointment of Stephen Lien as Chief Financial Officer. Lien comes to Glooko having served most recently as CFO of PipelineRx. Prior to PipelineRx, Lien successfully served as CFO at several other companies, including Smart Tuition and SmartCare. Prior to that, as CFO of Skrill Limited—Moneybookers, Inc,
Willamette Valley Vineyards [SALEM, Oregon] (NASDAQ: WVVI) announced that Chief Financial Officer Rich Goward has notified the Company of his intention to retire from his role as CFO of Willamette Valley Vineyards by the end of 2019.
Micron Solutions, Inc. [FITCHBURG, MA] (NYSE American: MICR) announced the appointment of Wayne M. Coll as its Chief Financial Officer. Coll previously served as Chief Financial Officer in various companies in the medical device industry, including National Dentex Corporation, Modern Dental Laboratory USA and Keystone Dental, Inc.