CFO Moves this week include:
Zynga Inc. | Molson Coors Brewing Company | 99 Cents Only Stores LLC |
Crocs, Inc. | PG&E Corporation | LyondellBasell |
Meadows Behavioral Healthcare | The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids | Invitae Corporation |
NextDecade LLC | Pristine Sun | Getty Realty Corp. |
TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. | Tesla | The Manitowoc Company, Inc. |
Apollo Residential Mortgage, Inc. | BioHiTech Global, Inc. | Libertate Insurance |
Kewaunee Scientific Corporation | Brookdale Senior Living Inc. | Markwins International |
Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. | WEX Inc. | EnerBank USA |
Calabrio | Corporate Visions, Inc. | PureSnax International, Inc. |
ABILITY Network | Winnick & Company | Holly Energy Partners |
Biota Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | Warren Resources, Inc. |
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CFO Moves is published by Samuel Dergel (Executive Search Consultant and CFO & Financial Executive Search Specialist with Stanton Chase). Samuel can be reached by email at s.dergel@stantonchase.com or by phone at +1 (415) 738-2070.
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Zynga Inc. (NASDAQ: ZNGA) [SAN FRANCISCO] announced that its Chief Financial Officer David Lee is resigning as CFO and departing the company on December 11, 2015. Michelle Quejado, Zynga’s Chief Accounting Officer, will serve as interim CFO. Quejado joined Zynga in March 2015 as Vice President of Finance and Corporate Controller, and in June was appointed as Zynga’s Chief Accounting Officer. Prior to joining Zynga, Quejado held various financial roles at Lam Research Corporation, between 1999 and 2015, most recently serving as its Assistant Corporate Controller. Before joining Lam Research Corporation, Quejado was as an auditor for the United States Department of Defense from 1989 through 1998.
Molson Coors Brewing Company (NYSE: TAP; TSX: TPX) [DENVER & MONTREAL] announced that David Heede, currently Chief Financial Officer, Molson Coors Europe (MCE), has been appointed to the role of Chief Financial Officer, Molson Coors, on an interim basis, effective 16 November 2015. As interim Chief Financial Officer, Heede will sit on the Molson Coors Executive Leadership Team (ELT) until completion of the process to select a new permanent successor for Gavin Hattersley, CFO of Molson Coors and CEO of MillerCoors. Heede has held senior leadership positions with Molson Coors in Sales, Strategy, Finance and Procurement across more than 30 years’ experience with the organization. He was Finance Director on the UK Board of Molson Coors before taking up his current role as Chief Financial Officer, Molson Coors Europe, in 2013.
99 Cents Only Stores LLC [CITY OF COMMERCE, Calif.] announced that Felicia Thornton has been appointed as its Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Ms. Thornton’s appointment is part of a broader Operating Advisor agreement with Ares Management, L.P., the company’s majority shareholder. Interim CFO Michael Fung will continue in his position as a member of the company’s Board of Directors and will return to his position as head of the Board’s Audit Committee. Ms. Thornton served in senior leadership positions at DSM, Inc., Albertsons, and The Kroger Company. Most recently at DSM, Inc., she served as Co-Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer of the supermarket chain, and prior to that, she was Chief Executive Officer of Knowledge Universe U.S. At Albertsons, she served as Chief Financial Officer for over five years. For eight years prior to that, Ms. Thornton served in a variety of executive strategic and financial roles at Ralphs and Fred Meyer, both of which eventually became part of The Kroger Company, where she continued as Group Vice President responsible for retail operations.
Crocs, Inc. (NASDAQ: CROX) [NIWOT, COLORADO] announced that Carrie Teffner has been named executive vice president, chief financial officer of Crocs, Inc. and is expected to join the company on December 16, 2015. Teffner was appointed to Crocs’ board of directors in June 2015. Prior to joining Crocs’ board of directors, she served as executive vice president and chief financial officer for PetSmart. Prior to her position at PetSmart, Teffner served in the chief financial officer role for Weber-Stephen Products, and for Timberland. Teffner spent the first 21 years of her career in various business and leadership roles for Sara Lee Corporation. Mike Smith will continue to serve as interim CFO until Teffner joins the company in December.
PG&E Corporation [SAN FRANCISCO] announced the appointment of Jason P. Wells as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective January 1, 2016. Wells will succeed Kent Harvey, who is retiring in the first half of 2016 after 33 years with PG&E. To facilitate an effective transition, Wells will assume his new role on January 1, and Harvey will serve as Senior Vice President, Finance, for PG&E Corporation until his retirement. Currently, Wells is Vice President, Business Finance for Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Wells began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLC, where he led audit teams for a variety of energy and utility clients. In 2007, Wells joined PG&E as the director of technical accounting; he was promoted to senior director of corporate accounting and assistant controller in 2008. Wells was appointed to his current role in October 2011.
LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) [HOUSTON and LONDON] announced that Thomas Aebischer has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) effective Jan. 1, 2016. Mr. Aebischer joins LyondellBasell after having served in a variety of positions, including CFO, over a nearly 20-year career with Holcim. Holcim merged with Lafarge in 2015.
Meadows Behavioral Healthcare [WICKENBURG, AZ] announced that Kyle Wescoat has joined the company as its new Chief Financial Officer. He replaces Rick Flaherty who is retiring. Wescoat comes to the Meadows with more than 25 years of CFO experience in a variety of well-regarded public and private companies, including Emulex, VIZIO and Vans. He also has previous experience in the field of behavioral health as the former Executive Vice President and CFO of Aspen Education Group.
The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids [NEW YORK] welcomes Gina Samson as its new Chief Financial Officer. Most recently, Gina was the Director of Finance and Administration for Women Deliver, Inc. She has previously held top finance positions with Comprehensive Development, Inc.; National MS Society, Southern NY Chapter; and Draft – Foote, Cone & Belding.
Invitae Corporation (NYSE: NVTA) [SAN FRANCISCO] announced the appointment of Christine M. Gorjanc to its Board of Directors. Christine currently serves as chief financial officer at NETGEAR, Inc. Prior to joining NETGEAR as vice president of finance in November 2005, Ms. Gorjanc served as vice president, controller, treasurer, and assistant secretary for Aspect Communications Corporation, from September 1996 through November 2005. From October 1988 through September 1996, she served as the manager of tax for Tandem Computers, Inc. From June 1987 through October 1988, Ms. Gorjanc served as the manager of tax operations for Xidex Corporation.
NextDecade LLC [THE WOODLANDS, Texas] announced that Benjamin Atkins has joined NextDecade as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Prior to joining NextDecade, Atkins was a senior vice president with GE Capital for 10 years. Prior to his tenure at GE Capital, he served New York and Boston financial services clients at McKinsey & Co and worked as a risk manager in State Street Corporation’s Securities Finance division.
Pristine Sun [SAN FRANCISCO] announced that it has hired Doran Hole to serve as its new Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Hole comes to Pristine Sun from Deutsche Bank.
Getty Realty Corp. (NYSE: GTY) [JERICHO, N.Y.] announced that Christopher J. Constant, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, has been selected by the Board of Directors to succeed as President and Chief Executive Officer as of December 31, 2015. Mr. Constant has served Getty in a number of capacities since he joined the Company in November 2010 as Director of Planning and Corporate Development. He was appointed Chief Financial Officer in December 2013 after previously being named Getty’s Treasurer (May 2012) and, more recently, Vice President (May 2013). Mr. Constant joined Getty from Morgan Joseph & Co. Inc. where he served as Vice President in the corporate finance department.
TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. (NYSE: TSLX) [NEW YORK] announced that Ian Simmonds will join the Company as Chief Financial Officer, effective November 30, 2015. Mr. Simmonds will succeed the Company’s Chief Operating Officer, Bob Ollwerther, who has assumed the role of Chief Financial Officer on an interim basis. Before joining TSLX, Mr. Simmonds spent over 10 years at Bank of America Merrill Lynch where he was most recently a Managing Director in the Financial Institutions Group, including as an advisor to TSLX for the past three years in that capacity.
Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA) [PALO ALTO, CA] announced that Jason Wheeler will be Tesla’s next Chief Financial Officer. Jason joins Tesla after 13 years at Google Inc. where he was Vice President of Finance and led Google’s global finance function. Jason will replace Deepak Ahuja, who announced his intention to retire from Tesla earlier this year. Jason will assume his new role on November 30, 2015, with Deepak remaining at Tesla for the next few months to ensure a smooth transition.
The Manitowoc Company, Inc. (NYSE: MTW) [MANITOWOC, Wis.] announced that John O. Stewart has been appointed chief financial officer of Manitowoc Foodservice, Inc. Most recently, John Stewart was executive vice president, chief financial officer, and chief administrative officer of Hostess Brands, Inc. Prior to that, John was executive vice president and chief financial officer of Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc. Earlier in his career, John held various finance roles in North America and Europe in both the food and beverage divisions of Diageo PLC.
Apollo Residential Mortgage, Inc. (NYSE: AMTG) [NEW YORK] announced that it has appointed Gregory W. Hunt to the positions of Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of the Company, effective March 15, 2016. Mr. Hunt will assume these titles from Teresa Covello, who informed the Board of Directors of her resignation in September. Ms. Covello has agreed to work with Mr. Hunt to transition her responsibilities over the next several months. Mr. Hunt currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Apollo Investment Corporation (NASDAQ: AINV). Mr. Hunt will continue to serve as CFO and Treasurer of Apollo Investment when he assumes his roles at AMTG. Mr. Hunt began his term as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Apollo Investment in May 2012. Previously, Mr. Hunt was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Yankee Candle which he joined in April 2010. Prior to joining Yankee Candle, Mr. Hunt served as the Executive Vice President of Strategic and Commercial Development for Norwegian Cruise Lines from 2007 to 2009. Prior to joining Norwegian Cruise Lines, Mr. Hunt served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Restructuring Officer of Tweeter Home Entertainment Group, Inc. from 2006 to 2007 and Chief Financial Officer and Co-Chief Executive of Syratech Corporation from 2001 to 2006. Prior to Syratech, Mr. Hunt held several senior financial leadership positions including Chief Financial Officer of NRT Inc., Culligan Water Technologies, Inc. and Samsonite Corporation. Mr. Hunt also serves as a Director of LogicSource, Inc. and as a member of the Board of Advisors for the University of Vermont School of Business.
BioHiTech Global, Inc. (OTC: BHTG) [CHESTNUT RIDGE, N.Y.] announced the appointment of Brian C. Essman as Chief Financial Officer. Essman has over 20 years of financial management experience, starting as a CPA with PricewaterhouseCoopers as a senior manager, followed by a CFO role at a Fidelity Capital (the Private equity arm of Fidelity Investments) portfolio company. He has held various executive level positions from 1997 through 2014 at several Havas operating companies, including most recently, the CEO of Data Communique.
Libertate Insurance [ORLANDO, Fla.] announced the addition of Ray Bailey as Chief Financial Officer. Ray worked for the Brown and Brown organization for eighteen years where he served numerous roles to include Operations Leader and Accounting Leader.
Kewaunee Scientific Corporation (NASDAQ: KEQU) [STATESVILLE, N.C.] announced that Thomas D. Hull III has joined the Company as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer. In addition, Mr. Hull has been elected by the Board of Directors to the position of Secretary and Treasurer of the corporation. Mr. Hull replaces D. Michael Parker, who recently retired from Kewaunee after 25 years of service. Mr. Hull held several management positions with Ernst & Young in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Charlotte, North Carolina from 1998 through 2011. Since 2011, he has been the Vice President of Finance, Accounting, and Information Technology with ATI Specialty Materials, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Brookdale Senior Living Inc. (NYSE: BKD) [NASHVILLE, Tenn.] announced that Lucinda (Cindy) Baier will join the Company as its Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Baier is expected to start on December 1, 2015. As previously announced, Mark Ohlendorf, the Company’s President and Chief Financial Officer, will step down as Chief Financial Officer upon Ms. Baier’s joining the Company and will continue to serve in his role as President. Ms. Baier most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Navigant Consulting, Inc. since March 2013. Prior to that, she was Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of Central Parking System, Inc., having previously served as its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Baier also previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Movie Gallery, Inc. and as Chief Financial Officer of World Kitchen, LLC. In addition, Ms. Baier serves as a member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee of The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.
Markwins International [LOS ANGELES] announced the recent appointment of Leslie H. Hernandez, as Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Hernandez was promoted from her previous position as Markwins International Senior Vice President of Finance, a position that she held for the past three years. Prior to that, Ms. Hernandez served for eight years in a similar role for Physicians Formula. During her time at Physicians Formula, Ms. Hernandez also spent a year as Corporate Secretary on the Board of Directors, a role which resolved when the company was acquired by Markwins International in December of 2012.
Asterias Biotherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: AST) [MENLO PARK, Calif.] announced the appointment of Georgia Erbez to the position of Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Ms. Erbez joins Asterias after serving as a financial consultant to numerous biotechnology companies and previously serving as Chief Financial Officer, Secretary, and Treasurer of Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp. Ms. Erbez served as Raptor’s CFO, Secretary, and Treasurer from 2012 to 2014. Prior to Raptor, Ms. Erbez was a Managing Director, Healthcare Investment Banking at Collins Stewart, a senior level investment banker at Beal Advisors, Jeffries & Company, Inc. and Cowen and Company. She has also held positions of increasing responsibility at the investment banks Hambrecht & Quist and Alex, Brown & Sons Inc.
WEX Inc. (NYSE: WEX) [SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine] announced that Roberto Simon will be appointed chief financial officer, on or about February 26, 2016. Steve Elder, WEX’s current chief financial officer, will remain with WEX to assume the newly created position of senior vice president, investor relations. Mr. Simon joins WEX from Revlon, Inc., where he most recently served as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Prior to this role, Mr. Simon served as senior vice president, global finance, at Revlon. Mr. Simon joined Revlon as part of the Company’s acquisition of The Colomer Group, where he most recently served as chief financial officer and formerly held global leadership roles managing financial reporting and operations for the Americas, Africa, Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom. Prior to joining The Colomer Group in 2002, Mr. Simon held various finance and accounting roles, including senior financial consultant at the Michael Page International Group.
EnerBank USA [SALT LAKE CITY] has named Charlie Knadler, current Executive Vice President and CFO of the Bank, as President and CEO to replace the incumbent who will retire at the end of the year. Knadler joined EnerBank in 2004 and has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 2010. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Credit Officer.
Calabrio [MINNEAPOLIS, MN] hired Theresa McGlothlen to serve as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). She previously served as CFO of Convey Compliance Systems, and prior to that served as CFO of Wizmo Inc.
Corporate Visions, Inc. [PLEASANTON, Calif.] announced the appointment of Gloria Fan as CFO. Fan most recently served as CFO at ClearEdge Power, Inc. Prior to ClearEdge Power, she spent seven years in the solid-state lighting industry where she was CFO for both Pinecone Energies and Bridgelux. Previously, Fan spent seven years at UTStarcom as VP of finance and global business operations.
PureSnax International, Inc. (OTC PINK: PSNX) [WOODBRIDGE, NJ] announced the appointment of Mark S. Engler as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Mark began his career with the Internal Revenue Service Agency (IRS) as a Senior Field Revenue Agent. Since leaving the IRS in 1977, Mark has been in private practice using his knowledge and expertise to help his corporate clients navigate the stringent rules and regulations of corporate tax law.
ABILITY Network [MINNEAPOLIS] announced that John A. Gappa has joined the organization as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining ABILITY, Gappa served as the Senior Vice President and CFO for MOM Brands Company. Gappa also served four years as Senior Vice President and CFO of Universal Hospital Services (UHS). Before that, Gappa served for nine years as SVP, CFO and General Manager of Red Line HealthCare Corporation. While at Red Line, Gappa also held the position of General Manager of the company’s Medicare billing division. He also held progressive financial and accounting management positions with The Pillsbury Company over nine years.
Pacific Capital Group and Winnick & Company [LOS ANGELES] announce that after 17 years of service, Gregg Ritchie has decided to retire.
Holly Energy Partners (NYSE: HEP) [DALLAS] announced Rich Voliva, previously Vice President, Corporate Development of Holly Logistic Services, L.L.C., was appointed as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of HLS. Prior to joining HLS in April 2014, Mr. Voliva worked as an analyst in the institutional investment business in the energy sector, and prior to that as Vice President, Energy Equity Research for Deutsche Bank Securities in New York, NY.
Biota Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: BOTA) [ATLANTA, GA] announced the appointment of Mark P. Colonnese as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Biota, Mark was Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Stealth BioTherapeutics, Inc. Previously, Mark served as Executive Vice President (EVP) and CFO at Transgenomic. He has also served as EVP, commercial operations and CFO at AtheroGenics. Mark has also held a number of executive and management positions at Schering-Plough Corporation.
Warren Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ: WRES) [DENVER] announced the appointment of Brian Gelman as Interim Chief Financial Officer. Stewart P. Skelly, the current Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has resigned, in order to pursue other opportunities in connection with the relocation of his family to Ireland. Mr. Gelman served as Warren’s Controller immediately prior to his appointment as Interim CFO and has been with the Company in various financial and accounting roles since 2002. From 1998 to 2002, Mr. Gelman was an audit senior with Eisner LLP.