CFO Moves – week ending April 21, 2017

CFO Moves this week include:

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Eric Shander

Red Hat, Inc. [RALEIGH, N.C.] (NYSE: RHT) announced that Eric Shander has been named the company’s executive vice president and chief financial officer. Shander most recently served as Red Hat’s acting CFO, and vice president and chief accounting officer. Shander joined Red Hat in 2015. Shander came to Red Hat with more than 25 years of business, accounting, and financial experience at global software and technology companies, including at IBM and Lenovo. At IBM, Shander held several key roles in the company’s finance and operations organizations, including serving as the company’s vice president of Americas IT infrastructure delivery from 2011-2015. Prior to that, he ran IBM’s Finance and Accounting Global Process Services division from 2008-2011. Shander rejoined IBM in 2008 from Lenovo, where he was the company’s vice president and chief accountant. At Lenovo, he led the formation of the global CFO function immediately after the company acquired IBM’s PC business in 2005. Prior to Lenovo, Shander spent nearly 15 years at IBM, where he held a variety of finance and accounting roles.

Sears Holdings Corporation [HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.] (NASDAQ: SHLD) announced that Rob Riecker, currently Controller and Head of Capital Market Activities, has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of Sears Holdings. Mr. Riecker joined the Company in 2005 as Assistant Controller and served in various senior positions within the Company’s Finance organization. Mr. Riecker succeeds Jason Hollar, who has resigned from Sears Holdings to pursue another career opportunity.

The ONE Group Hospitality, Inc. [NEW YORK] (NASDAQ: STKS) announced that Samuel (Sam) Goldfinger, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will be leaving the Company to pursue other opportunities.

Barry Rowan

Gogo [CHICAGO] (NASDAQ: GOGO) announced that Barry Rowan will join the company as an Executive Vice President and will assume the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Rowan joins Gogo from Cool Planet, where he had served as Chief Financial Officer since 2013. Prior to Cool Planet, he served as EVP, CFO and Chief Administrative Officer for Vonage Corporation. Before joining Vonage, Rowan was EVP and CFO of Nextel Partners. Rowan began his career at Hewlett-Packard and held senior leadership positions at Comlinear Corporation and Fluke Corporation.

Birch Communications, Inc. [ATLANTA] announced the appointment of Kevin Dotts as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Before joining Birch, Kevin served as Chief Financial Officer of Internap. Before Internap, Kevin was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Culligan International in Chicago and EarthLink in Atlanta.  Kevin started his career with financial leadership roles in various domestic and international divisions of GE.

Paul Feehan

Hilco Global [NORTHBROOK, Ill.] announced the appointment of Paul Feehan as Chief Financial Officer at the international financial services holding company. Mr. Feehan will be taking over this role from John Chen, who has been managing these duties in addition to his current responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer which he will continue. Feehan has built an impressive career in financial services at GE Capital since joining in 1987, most recently having served as the Chief Credit Officer for its Corporate Finance unit.

USA Truck Inc. [VAN BUREN, Ark.] (NASDAQ: USAK) announced that Jason Bates has joined its leadership team as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Bates joins USA Truck from Swift Transportation Company, where he had served as Vice President of Finance, Revenue Services and Investor Relations Officer since 2010. Prior to his most recent role at Swift, Mr. Bates served as the company’s Vice President and Assistant Treasurer. Mr. Bates started at Swift in 2003 and previously served in financial leadership roles. Prior to Swift, he served in a variety of finance and accounting leadership roles for Honeywell International.

Devon Energy Corp. [OKLAHOMA CITY] (NYSE: DVN) announced that the company’s board of directors has elected Jeff Ritenour, most recently Devon’s senior vice president of corporate finance, investor relations and treasurer, to the position of executive vice president and chief financial officer. Ritenour has been with Devon since 2001 and has served in his most recent role since 2016. In his 16 years with the company, he has served in numerous leadership positions and in various financial and commercial roles, including senior vice president of investor relations and vice president of acquisitions and divestitures. Before joining Devon, Ritenour was affiliated with Ernst & Young in Dallas, Texas.

Marketo, Inc. [SAN MATEO, Calif.] announced that Mark Miller is joining the company as chief financial officer (CFO). In addition, Marketo’s current CFO Brian Kinion has decided to leave Marketo to pursue other opportunities. Miller brings with him more than 20 years of experience as a finance leader at technology companies, most recently as CFO of ACTIVE Network. Prior to ACTIVE, Miller held the position of executive vice president and CFO of LHP Hospital Group, Inc., and EVP and CFO of Sabre Holdings. During his 10 years with Sabre, he also served as the company’s controller. Miller was previously CFO and vice president of finance at GetThere, which is part of Sabre Travel Network.

Aries Clean Energy [NASHVILLE, Tenn.] announced that Mark N. Witt has joined the executive management team as Chief Financial Officer. Witt has specialized for the 10 years in helping formulate financing and growth solutions for multiple companies as founder and president of Commercial Energy Services in Houston, TX. Prior experience includes financial management positions at British Petroleum, Goldman Sachs, and KPMG.

Dash Financial Technologies [NEW YORK] announced the appointment of Ari House as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. House joins Dash from The Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS), where he served as Chief Financial & Corporate Development Officer. Prior to that, Mr. House served as Director of Financial Planning & Analysis / Corporate Development for Fortent. He began his career in Salomon Smith Barney’s corporate finance division.

Hyperdynamics Corporation [HOUSTON] (OTCQX: HDYN) announced that Sergey Alexeev has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Alexeev joined Hyperdynamics in September 2016 as Vice President-Commercial Development on a consulting basis. Prior to joining Hyperdynamics last year, Mr. Alexeev was Chief Operating Officer for Soyuzneftegaz, and earlier was Chief Financial Officer and First Vice President for Rosneft. Earlier, he held executive positions with ABN AMRO Bank and Coopers & Lybrand, both in Moscow.

First Capital Real Estate Trust Incorporated [NEW YORK] announced that Stephen M. Johnson has joined First Capital as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Johnson joins First Capital from DRW Holdings LLC, where he served as Head of Equity Volatility Trading Asia. Prior to joining DRW, Mr. Johnson served as a Senior Portfolio Manager at Ronin Trading LLC, from February 2014 until March 2015 and at Marquette Partners L.P., between January 2012 and February 2014. From April 2007 to January 2013, Mr. Johnson served as Chief Financial Officer and Managing Partner at Hun Management LLC.

CampusLogic [PHOENIX, AZ] announced the addition of Colleen Shannon as Chief Financial Officer. Most recently she was CFO of Remarkable Health. She began her career as an auditor with Ernst & Young.

AAR Corp. [WOOD DALE, Ill.] (NYSE: AIR) announced that long-time Chief Financial Officer and Vice Chairman Timothy J. Romenesko will be retiring. Romenesko joined AAR in 1981 and performed various financial roles for several AAR operating units before being named Corporate Controller in 1991 and serving as CFO and Treasurer from 1994 to 2006. From 2007 to 2015, he was AAR’s President and Chief Operating Officer. Before returning to the role of CFO in 2016, Romenesko was Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of the Expeditionary Services segment.

AP Gas & Electric [HOUSTON] announced that John Williamson has been appointed Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining APG&E, Williamson spent 10 years at Direct Energy in various roles including CFO of Direct Energy Residential, CFO of Direct Energy Business, and Group Head of Accounting and Reporting in London.

Banker’s Toolbox, Inc. [AUSTIN, Texas] announced the appointment of Ashley Womack as Chief Financial Officer. Most recently, Ms. Womack served as a Senior Director in the Private Equity Performance Improvement group at Alvarez & Marsal.

Pressure BioSciences, Inc. [SOUTH EASTON, MA] (OTCQB: PBIO) announced that Joseph L. Damasio Jr. joined the Company as its Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Damasio has over 20 years of experience, most recently as Finance Director at Nelipak Packaging. Before joining Nelipak, Mr. Damasio held various financial positions at CP Bourg, IQE KC, and Kopin Corporation. Prior to Kopin, Mr. Damasio was employed by Pressure BioSciences, Inc., first as Accounting Manager (2007), then as Controller (2008), and finally as Vice President of Finance and Administration (2011). Prior to joining PBI, Mr. Damasio was a senior accountant at BearingPoint, Inc. (formerly KPMG Consulting) and an auditor at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, LLP. Mr. Damasio began his financial career with NEN Life Science Products Inc.

Powin Energy Corporation [TUALATIN, OR] (OTCQB: PWON) announced that Craig Eastwood is the newest members of the company’s executive leadership team. Eastwood joined the company in March 2017 and is directing all fiscal functions for the company as chief financial officer. Most recently, Eastwood was the corporate controller at Erickson. He has also held senior financial leadership positions with ESCO, Daimler Trucks, and Pharmaceutical Product Development. He started his career in public accounting with Deloitte.

Gary G. Gemignani

Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. [NEW YORK] (NASDAQ: SGYP) announced that Gary G. Gemignani has been appointed as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Gemignani replaces Senior Vice President, Finance, Bernard Denoyer. Most recently Mr. Gemignani served as Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Biodel, Inc. Prior to this role, Mr. Gemignani served in senior and executive financial and operational roles with multiple public and private companies including Coronado Biosciences, Inc., Gentium S.p.A., Novartis Pharmaceutical Corp. and Wyeth. Mr. Gemignani began his career with Arthur Andersen.

Michelle Schwalbach

Growth Acceleration Partners [AUSTIN, TX] has promoted Michelle Schwalbach to Chief Financial Officer. Prior to Growth Acceleration Partners, Michelle was the Controller for Digby, Pinion Software and HotData.

Lynn Atchison

Q2 Holdings, Inc. [AUSTIN, Texas] (NYSE: QTWO) announced the addition of Lynn Atchison, CFO of Spredfast, Inc., to its board of directors. Atchison currently serves as chief financial officer of Spredfast, Inc., which she joined in February 2017. Prior to Spredfast, Atchison served as the chief financial officer of HomeAway, Inc., from August 2006 until March 2016.

HALO Maritime Defense Systems [NEWTON, N.H.] announced that David Tolly has joined as Chief Financial Officer. David Tolly is coming to HALO from Corporate Solutions Group, Inc., where, as CEO, he held leadership roles including CFO, interim CFO, and interim CEO for numerous private equity portfolio companies, as well as provided a wide range of financial advisory and transaction services. Prior to Corporate Solutions Group, Inc., Tolly was COO and managing director at Focus Management Group. Prior to Focus, Tolly was Chief Operating Officer of Fabricated Products Group, and was the CFO for Diam International.

United Community Banks, Inc. [BLAIRSVILLE, Ga.] (NASDAQ: UCBI) announced the appointment of Jefferson L. Harralson as executive vice president and chief financial officer of both the parent company and its banking subsidiary, United Community Bank. He replaces Rex Schuette, who has served in the role of chief financial officer for the past 16 years. Harralson joins United from Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, where he was a managing director. He joined KBW as vice president in 2002, and was charged with rebuilding the firm’s Southeastern Bank Research effort after the events of September 11, 2001.

Green Bancorp, Inc. [Houston, Texas] appointed Terry Earley as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Green Bancorp. Mr. Earley served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Yadkin Financial Corporation (“Yadkin”), from July 2014 until the closing of Yadkin’s merger with F.N.B. Corporation in March 2017. Prior to his employment with Yadkin, Mr. Earley served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of VantageSouth Bancshares, Inc. and VantageSouth Bank beginning in February 2012 and March 2012, respectively, each located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Prior to that, Mr. Earley served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Rocky Mountain Bank and Rocky Mountain Capital, located in Jackson, Wyoming, in 2010, and as Chief Financial Officer of Bancorp of the Southeast, LLC, located in Ponte Vedra, Florida, in 2009.  Mr. Earley also served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of RBC Bank (USA), which he joined in 1992.

HAVERTYS [ATLANTA, GEORGIA] (NYSE: HVT and HVT.A) announced that Richard B. Hare will join the Company as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Prior to joining Havertys, Hare was senior vice president, finance, treasurer and chief financial officer of Carmike Cinemas, Inc. from March 2006 until it was acquired in December 2016. His previous experience includes serving as chief accounting officer and controller for Greenfuels Holding Company, LLC, from August 2002 to March 2006 and as assistant treasurer for SCI Systems, Inc., from October 2000 to June 2002. Hare also served as treasurer and assistant treasurer for Wolverine Tube, Inc., from January 1994 to October 2000. Before that he spent four years in the audit practice at Coopers & Lybrand in Birmingham, Alabama.

BioScrip, Inc. [DENVER] (NASDAQ: BIOS) announced the appointment of Stephen M. Deitsch to the positions of Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Deitsch succeeds Jeffrey Kreger, who stepped down from his roles as Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Deitsch joins BioScrip with extensive strategic and operational financial leadership experience, including over twelve years in the healthcare industry at Zimmer Biomet, Biomet and Lanx. Mr. Deitsch served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Zimmer Biomet Spine, Bone Healing, and Microfixation business and as Vice President Finance, Biomet Corporate Controller. Mr. Deitsch was the Chief Financial Officer of Lanx from September 2009. From 2002 to 2009, Mr. Deitsch also served in various senior financial leadership roles at Zimmer Holdings, Inc., including Vice President Finance, Reconstructive and Operations, and Vice President Finance, Europe. Most recently, since August of 2015, Mr. Deitsch has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of Coalfire, Inc.

Onit, Inc. [HOUSTON] announced that it appointed York Richards as Chief Financial Officer (CFO). York was most recently serving as CFO at Riversand Technologies, Inc. York managed the development and execution of the Sarbanes-Oxley compliance program for BMC Software. During his career, he held a number of senior financial positions and served as director of finance of NetIQ Corporation, controller at PentaSafe Security Technologies and senior auditor of Price Waterhouse Coopers.

Royal Financial, Inc. [CHICAGO] (OTCQX: RYFL) announced that William M. Morfoot was appointed Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Bank. From July 2014 to April 2017, Mr. Morfoot served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer for Standard Bank and Trust Company in Hickory Hills, IL. From 2010 to 2014, he served as Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, and Treasurer of Urban Partnership Bank in Chicago, IL. Previously, from 2007 to 2010, Mr. Morfoot served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of ShoreBank in Chicago, IL. Prior to joining ShoreBank, he was an Executive at Crowe Horwath, LLP (“Crowe”).

Christopher C. Diaz

Meridian Waste Solutions, Inc. [MILTON, GA] (NASDAQ: MRDN) named Christopher C. Diaz CFO. Mr. Diaz has nine years of waste industry experience most recently serving as corporate controller for Advanced Disposal Services, Inc. He has also held financial reporting and auditing positions with CSX Transportation and Skinner Nurseries, Inc. Mr. Diaz began his career as an auditor with the national accounting firm McGladrey & Pullen, LLP.

VAALCO Energy, Inc. [HOUSTON] (NYSE: EGY) announced the appointment of Phil Patman, Jr. as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining VAALCO, from 2012 to 2016, Mr. Patman served as Senior Vice President of Business Development, The Americas, for Thailand’s National Oil Company PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP). Mr. Patman also served as Managing Director, Mergers & Acquisitions (Asia) for The AES Corporation from 2010 to 2011. He also served as Principal, Global Infrastructure, for Darby Private Equity, from 2007 to 2010.  Before that, Mr. Patman was Director, Business Development-Asia, for Globeleq Ltd. from 2004 to 2007.  He also served as a Professional Consultant, LNG and Natural Gas, for Marathon Oil from 2002 to 2004. Mr. Patman began his career as a lawyer in private practice in Houston, from 1993 to 1997.

CareDx, Inc. [BRISBANE, Calif.] (NASDAQ: CDNA) announced the appointment of Michael Bell as Chief Financial Officer joining CareDx, and succeeding Charles Constanti. Michael is the former CFO of Metabiota. Previously, he served as the CFO of Singulex, and has held leadership and executive positions within Novartis, including tenure as the CFO of Novartis Diagnostics. Previously, Michael worked in public accounting at Ernst & Young and Deloitte.

Sorenson Media [SALT LAKE CITY, UT] announced Greg Woodward as Chief Financial Officer. Woodward previously served as CFO and COO at Pluralsight. Prior to Pluralsight, Woodward served as CFO of PermaPlate and as SVP in the Portfolio Group of Huntsman Gay Global Capital.

Freedom Leaf, Inc. [LAS VEGAS, NV] (OTC PINK: FRLF) announced Charles Grigsby as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Grigsby joins Freedom Leaf from a successful 28 year career in Charles Grigsby & Co CPA’s and Grigsby Forensics & Valuation.