finance, SEC, GAAP, M&A, cash management, FP&A

J. RICHARD GIST, CPA

********@*****.*** • Elgin, IL• 314-***-****

FINANCIAL EXECUTIVE REPORTING, TREASURY & MERGERS/ACQUISITIONS

MULTIPLE-INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE

--PROBLEM SOLVING BUSINESS LEADER--

Proven financial division leadership in privately held, private equity backed and publicly traded companies.

Experienced across multiple industry including global manufacturing, wholesale distribution, consumer services, healthcare, energy and mining. Big 4 experience with Arthur Andersen.

Demonstrated success delivering tactical and strategic leadership in M&A, growth-oriented companies and Financial Planning and Analysis across disciplines including operations, finance, accounting, information systems, legal, and HR.

Strong people leader with hands-on, roll-up-the-sleeves work ethic. Known for ability to inspire, coach, train, and grow high performing multi-disciplined teams.

Accomplished presenting complex concepts and leading discussions with key stakeholders including senior leaders, and clients.

Collaborative, professional and ethical business leader, adept at guiding and partnering with Boards, C-suite executives, and various operational, sales, and administrative leadership and support staff.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Financial Reporting, Planning and Analysis

Recognized throughout career for ability to identify and foster attention to key business drivers. Excels at budget preparation, forecasting and analysis, and creating engaging leadership dashboards that depict real-time results.

Led annual audit and preparation of the annual financial statements (most locations). Reduced statement delivery by two months to avoid debt covenant penalties. (EYECARE PARTNERS)

Managed SEC reporting, IPO and other public offerings, earnings release preparation, and participation in earnings and investor calls. (ARMSTRONG, D&K)

Provided leadership and technical expertise to Operations and Finance personnel relative to the analysis and forecasting of sales, inventory levels and margins to enhance cash flow and provide more accurate information. (EYECARE, ARMSTRONG, D&K, THERMADYNE)

Treasury and Cash Management

Led cash management, including development of sophisticated cash forecasting models to understand trends. Moved platform from over 100 local banks to 1 national platform (EYECARE PARTNERS)

Primary contact for federal and state compliance tax work and planning. (EYECARE PARTNERS, ARMSTRONG, D&K). Designed new unit structure to avoid taxation to individuals. Corrected capital accounts to avoid future tax. Led transfer pricing project to ensure proper valuation. (Eyecare Partners)

Negotiated bank credit agreements and debt offerings. Assured compliance with covenants. Handled Asset Based Lending agreements at multiple positions. (EYECARE PARTNERS, ARMSTRONG, D&K)

Restructured debt covenants to avoid recurring penalties for late filings, saving from $500,000 to $1 million per quarter. (THERMADYNE)

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Mergers & Acquisitions

Directed financial portion of merger and acquisition work for over 30 events ranging in value from $500,000 to $70 million: opening balance sheet prep, valuation of goodwill, and dealing with third-party valuation consultants. (EYECARE PARTNERS)

Key advisor in M&A reviews ranging in value from $10 million to $200 million, participating in target discussions, preparing models, reviewing contracts, and analyzing historical financial information, forecasts and legal background. (ARMSTRONG, ARCH, D&K)

Performed post-acquisition reviews to determine success of transaction – led post-closing integration and consolidation of acquisitions. (Eyecare Partners, D&K)

Operational, Tactical, and Strategic

Led contract evaluation and pricing group, working directly with sales force, customers, operations and attorneys to negotiate or restructure coal supply agreements to maximize the financial value of the asset. Collaborated across the company to ensure the most favorable transaction outcomes. (PEABODY COAL, ARCH)

Decision maker in implementation of ERP systems (Microsoft AX, SAP, JD Edwards) and development of individual system components.

Approved sales contracts, capital expenditures and divestitures, including analyses to support the decision. (ARMSTRONG, THERMADYNE, ARCH, D&K)

Negotiated lease agreements with equipment manufacturers on new and used equipment. (ARMSTRONG)

Dealt with the insurance providers for both medical and property-related policies and renewals (ARMSTRONG, D&K)

Team Leadership and Controls

Developed policies and procedures to reduce 10 material weaknesses to 1. (EYECARE PARTNERS)

Centralized and trained Accounting teams of fast-growing companies to increase efficiency and effectiveness. (EYECARE PARTNERS, ARMSTRONG). Reduced expense by over $2 million. (EYECARE PARTNERS)

Introduced training and professional discipline to staff with no GAAP knowledge and limited experience in financial prep. Developed both internal and external reports and restated financial statements to conform SEC regulations. (ARMSTRONG)

Reviewed, corrected and implemented new foreign currency translation procedures. (THERMADYNE)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

EYECARE PARTNERS (dba Clarkson Eyecare), St. Louis, MO 2016-2018

A private equity backed optometry and ophthalmology service provider with over 240 offices nationwide and annual revenue growing from $70 million to $350 million.

Vice President – Treasury and Accounting

Directed the financial portion of over 30 acquisitions. Responsible for cash management and forecasting, external audit, coordination of all tax work, development of management reports, and centralization of accounting.

ARMSTRONG ENERGY, INC., St. Louis, MO 2009-2016

Privately-held coal producer backed by a private equity group with annual sales growing from $50 million to $400 million.

CFO and Sr. Vice President– Finance and Administration

Managed all aspects of the financial and treasury functions for a business that grew from 0 to over 9 million tons of production, mostly from Greenfield development that necessitated large capital investments in both equipment and reserves. Responsible for full SEC reporting requirements.

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ARCH COAL INC., St. Louis, MO 2007-2009

One of the largest coal companies in the United States with annual revenue of $3 billion.

Vice President of Financial Sales and Contract Administration

Restructured and negotiated coal supply agreements to maximize the financial value of the asset. Involved in acquisitions and developing sales bonus programs to incentivize profitable long-term sales agreements.

THERMADYNE HOLDINGS CORP, St. Louis, MO 2006-2007

Publicly held multi-location global manufacturer of welding and cutting equipment with annual sales of $500 million.

Director of Financial Reporting

Resolved issues that allowed a troubled company to get SEC filings current and filed on time thereafter. Reviewed, corrected and implemented new procedures regarding foreign currency translation and improved the consolidation process of foreign subsidiaries. Implemented new controls and procedures to eliminate numerous material weaknesses in internal controls.

D&K HEALTHCARE RESOURCES, INC., St. Louis, MO 1999-2006

Publicly held multi-location wholesale drug distributor with annual sales growing from $100 million to over $3 billion. Purchased by McKesson Corporation and closed offices in St. Louis in June 2006.

Vice President – Controller and Investor Relations

Responsible for all accounting and reporting functions of the company, including internal and external reporting, accounting, financial planning and analysis, budget preparation and review, tax compliance, audit coordination, payroll, cash management, and loan compliance.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

Prior to the above, held progressively responsible positions at several public and private companies ranging in size from $ 50 million to over $5 billion in sales.

Responsibilities included controllership positions, internal and SEC financial reporting, M&A review and integration, contract pricing and administration, financial planning and analysis, and budget preparation and implementation. Heavily involved in preparation and negotiation of several IPOs as well as numerous debt offerings and bank credit agreements.

Also held positions at non-corporate locations to gain experience at other levels of operations.

Began career at ARTHUR ANDERSEN. Progressed through various stages of responsibility, culminating as an experienced senior with the responsibility for one of the largest engagements in the office.

EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, B.S. Accounting

Certified Public Accountant

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