Management Manager

Adrian Thiel, B.Comm., CMA

**** ****** ****., ***********, ** L5C 1L1

Cell: 647-***-**** ********@*****.***

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Senior Finance Executive with a broad range of skills and experience gained by leading and directing

finance and accounting operations in a fast growing, publicly traded company with international

operations. An innovative and results-oriented problem solver who stimulates thought and new

opportunities while encouraging and challenging staff to perform and develop their experience and

abilities to their fullest.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

COPA AIRLINES (NYSE:CPA), Panama City, Panama JUNE 2001 – JULY 2013

A high growth publicly traded airline providing service to 65 destinations in 29 countries. Copa is

one of the most profitable airlines in the industry, with yearly revenues of USD$2.2 Billion and an

asset base of USD$3.5 billion for fiscal 2012

SENIOR DIRECTOR CORPORATE FINANCE, JUNE 2006 – JULY 2013

Lead and directed the Strategic Financial Planning, Financial Reporting, Analysis and Accounting

functions

Lead and guided a team of 6 direct reports and a further 290 employees located across 29 countries

to provide accurate and timely business information to develop and support strategic decision

making

Directed the preparation of all SEC, regulatory and management reports in compliance with

GAAP, tax law, and regulatory requirements

Notable Achievements:

Lead a team through a considerable period of profitable growth while maintaining headcount in the

finance function relatively flat

o From 24 destinations in 18 countries in 2005 to 64 destinations in 29 countries in 2013

o Revenue growth of 270% from $0.6B to $2.2B with an average operating margin of 19%

Lead projects of restructuration and cost reduction which generated savings of over USD $30M

o Lead re structuring and outsourcing initiatives to improve efficiencies and control

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o Created a dedicated tax planning department to address tax planning and control needs which achieved tax

savings of $16M

o Lead various cross functional and hierarchical team initiatives, including the renegotiation of contracts,

taking advantage of the consolidation of services as well as current and future economies of scale

Created the Corporate Finance Office subsequent to the IPO in 2005, thus transitioning the finance

organization from a private, family owned company to one required to comply with SEC

regulations

Designed the corporate PMO structure. Developed, proposed and presented the structure to the

CEO and Strategic committee. The PMO office in Copa currently has 3 successful years of

operation

Participated in and lead a team entrusted with the preparation of follow on prospectus documents,

and the coordination of legal and accounting due diligences allowing the investors (Continental

Airlines and The Motta Group) respectively to monetize their investment

BAHIA INVESTMENTS, Panama City, Panama

Bahia Investments is the headquarters of the Motta Group, Copa Airlines’ principal and controlling

shareholder

DIRECTOR – FINANCIAL REPORTING AND ANALYSIS, JUNE 2003 – JUNE 2006

Lead and guided a team of 5 direct reports

Oversaw the debt acquisition and management for aircraft requirements

o Work with banks, lawyers and the Export Import Bank of the United States to conclude aircraft financial

deliveries

Administered debt and cash management of +$500 million USD with international banks

o

Notable Achievements:

Lead a six person team entrusted with the preparation of Copa Holdings’ IPO prospectus,

coordination of legal and accounting due diligences, and the conversion of financial statements to

USGAAP among other requirements

Managed the integration of accounting and reporting functions of the Colombian subsidiary, Aero

Republica, to U.S. GAAP and blended 2 culturally diverse operations

Negotiated and closed a new $15M USD revolving line of credit with the IFC “International

Finance Corporation”

COPA AIRLINES (NYSE:CPA), Panama City, Panama JUNE 2001 – JUNE 2003

MANAGER – FINANCIAL REPORTING AND ANALYSIS, JUNE 2001 – June 2003

Lead and guided a team of 2 direct reports

Notable Achievements:

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Established multiple changes to the budget process which resulted in a 3 month or 30% reduction

in the budget preparation process

Introduced stringent processes to increase the accuracy of financial data

BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE, TORONTO, ONTARIO NOVEMBER 1998 – FEBRUARY 2001

Performed the FINANCIAL ANALYST function in the following 3 corporate divisions:

CONTROLLERS GROUP, 2000 – 2001

Worked on complex aircraft financing deals

Tabulated and presented the annual budget and strategic plan for the Spares Business Unit

Prepared monthly management reports and forecasts

ASSET MANAGEMENT GROUP, 1999 – 2000

Performed financial analysis on aircraft transactions and maintained the used aircraft portfolio

database.

Played a team role in preparing the annual budget and monthly/quarterly forecasting

Uncovered weaknesses with the surplus and obsolete inventory management process, improving the

pertinent data provided to the Senior Management team

Adjusted the audit of consignments to eradicate inconsistencies to ensure regular audits were

conducted according to mandate

TRANSACTION ANALYSIS GROUP, 1998 – 2000

Developed an excel model to assess the viability of transactions in the Materials Management

Division

Scrutinized new aircraft contracts, payment and delivery schedules

Provided expertise in financial control, assisting with the annual budget process

THE SOCIETY OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANTS OF ONTARIO, TORONTO,

ONTARIO 1995 1998

SUPERVISOR – FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

Lead and guided a team of 3 direct reports

Supervised the financial operations of the organization

EDUCATION

ADVANCED MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR INNOVATION 2011

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UC Berkeley, Hass School of Business, Berkeley, California

CERTIFIED MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANT (CMA) 1998

The Society of Management Accountants of Canada

BACHELOR OF COMMERCE 1995

Ryerson Polytechnic University, Toronto, Ontario

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

The Society of Management Accountants of Canada

LANGUAGES

English (Native), German, Spanish

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