Planning the Unplanned:
Guiding Local Businesses to Increase IT ROI with More Operational Cost Control

Speaker Bio

JohnVanden Esschert
Fractional CFO

Career Highlights

• Reorganized a company into two separate legal entities which tripled the net worth of the owners.
• Developed both 13- and 26-week detailed cash flow models for several companies enhancing liquidity and bank line of credit borrowing decisions.
• Negotiated the acquisition of several small to medium size companies as well as the divestiture of marginally profitable companies and retail sites.
• Refinanced and navigated a company out of bank liquidation status into a significant new banking relationship twice in the last seven years.
• Implemented a new ERP retail system improving gross margins by approximately $300,000 over the last three years. The system also significantly enhanced the customer point-of-sale experience in the stores.
• Secured $3 million of initial financing for a high-tech start-up company. Additionally, I was instrumental in developing manufacturing processes as well as the purchase and installation of an ERP system.
• Enhanced company profitability by $22 million by driving the successful completion of a $125 million construction project which came in approximately 17% under budget.
• Generated a $5 million net profit over 18 months by leading a project to convert eighty apartment units into condominiums.
• Devised a seven-year innovative tax strategy which created approximately $1 million in tax savings.
• Developed a new investment product pricing model which increased net margins by 7% over an eighteen-month period.
• Slashed turnaround time of financial reporting process by two weeks by consolidating five different financial reporting systems.

Summary of Qualifications

Over 45 years of diversified experience in finance and operations in the Financial Services, High Tech, Real Estate and Distribution industries. Experience also includes start-ups, family-owned businesses and involvement in mergers and acquisitions. Effective communicator with significant expertise in building teams, training, and coaching.

Industry Experience

RPF Oil Company, Grand Blanc, MI – Vice President

& Chief Financial Officer

[Oil & Gas - Wholesale petroleum products distributor]

Ubermemorials, Inc., Novi, MI – Founding Member &

Chief Financial Officer

[Wholesale supplier - high tech lighting manufacturer]

Arcadia Corporation, Washington, MI – Chief

Financial Officer

[Real estate, golf course management & private investments]

Pension Portfolio Advisors, Southfield, MI – Chief

Financial Officer

[Financial services – Investment portfolio manager & investment advisor]

Pulte Group, Inc., Bloomfield Hills, MI – Assistant

Corporate Controller

[Residential home builder – involved in all aspects of building residential communities including construction & land development]

Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, Detroit, MI – Audit

Supervisor

[Professional services – Audit, assurance, consulting & tax services]

Education

B.S., Finance, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, 197