CFO, COO, CEO, President
Resume:
Jeff Finkelstein
*************@*********.*** linkedin.com/in/jeffreyfinkelstein
Results Oriented Executive
An energetic, innovative leader who applies a broad skill set grounded in solid fundamentals and
best practices. A passionate mentor who creates a culture of excellence and who revels in the
development and success of his team. Skilled in operational efficiency, margin improvement,
organizational development and strategic planning throughout multi-plant manufacturing and
distribution environments.
PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
ANOVA Furnishings (formerly Landscape Brands), St. Louis, MO 2005 – 2012
A mid-sized privately held industry leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of B2B
outdoor site furnishings employing 120 people with operations in St. Louis and Winona, MN.
Chief Operating Officer (2007 – 2012)
Chief Financial Officer (2005 – 2007)
Operational Excellence
• Led Process Improvement initiatives including 5S programs, Kaizen events, and Balanced
Scorecards, increasing gross margin in Winona by 150% or $1.7MM
• Established a culture of Safety, Quality, Continuous Improvement and employee
engagement, reducing workplace accidents by 80%, and a 8% savings in workers comp
• Reinvigorated New Product Development, transforming a stagnant cost center into a
consistent, prolific activity. New products sales were increased by 300% and now account
for a full third of manufacturing revenue, and nearly 50% of margin dollars
• Led the operational integration of the Winona, MN facility into the rest of the organization
by applying LEAN concepts in all departments, generating over $400M in annual savings
• Migrated the business from a dangerously antiquated accounting system to an appropriate
state of the art ERP system.
Organizational Development
• Established a results-oriented culture based on accountability, teamwork and respect
• Assembled and mentored a motivated, high-functioning management team, including the
Directors of Sales, Finance, MIS/IT, Marketing, Human Resources and Operations
• Led process improvements in Human Resources, developing standard candidate search
and interview processes, new hire on-boarding and a focus on training and development
Strategic Planning
• Led long range strategic planning process, including new market penetration strategy and
the complete rebranding of the company
• Developed creative freight solution, turning a cost center into a revenue source producing
over $1.2MM in annual profits
• Recognized shift in business ahead of 2007 recession and made proactive changes to
catalog circulation marketing plan, saving $600M
• Identified non-strategic customer relationships operating at a loss and transitioned away
from those programs, eliminating losses and creating profitable capacity resulting in
$800M in net margin enhancement
idX Corporation, St. Louis, MO 1999 – 2005
Jeff Finkelstein Page 2
An industry leader with over 500 employees, idX designs, manufactures and distributed custom
store fixtures serving the fashion, specialty and department store retailers with nine facilities
throughout North America and the UK.
Executive Vice President – Finance (2003 – 2005)
Corporate Controller (1999 – 2002)
Mergers, Acquisitions and Business Integration
• Led due diligence for successful acquisition of $12MM Baltimore location
• Initiated and then led a variety of corporate-wide cost-savings and operational
improvement programs, resulting in annual savings in excess of $850M
• Managed the rationalization of three underperforming locations, including the successful
transfer of viable customer contracts to other locations, lease settlements, asset auctions
and equipment relocations
Accounting and Finance
• Responsible for lender relationship issues, including debt covenant management and
analysis, forbearance and amendment negotiation, and the setting of new covenants
• Integrated previously independent manufacturing businesses onto one platform with
consistent culture, standards, policies and procedures and accounting system, including
all internal controls, procedures, and standards
• Improved monthly closings of consolidated financials from 15 to 7 business days
• Led implementation of a fully integrated ERP system, and instituted processes,
procedures and controls resulting in accurate and timely financial data as well as better
communication and sharing of data between remote facilities
Target Woodworks, Inc., Miami, FL 1994 – 1999
Chief Financial Officer
Codina-Bush Group, Inc. 1990 - 1994
Controller, Codina Construction Corporation
Hardrives of Delray, Delray Beach, FL 1986 - 1990
Director of Accounting (1989 – 1990)
Assistant Controller (1986 – 1988)
EDUCATION
University of Florida Gainesville, Florida
Degree: BS Business Administration
FMA Honor Society
Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, Florida
Post Graduate (5th Year) Accounting Coursework to meet CPA requirements
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Strategic Leadership; CFO: Becoming a Strategic Partner; Leading Organizational Change
OTHER INFORMATION
Certified Public Accountant (Florida Certificate #23374 - Retired Status)
AAIM Presidents Council
JCC Maccabi Games Head Baseball Coach
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