Michael Lewis
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan 48301
248-***-**** *******.****.*******@*****.***
FINANCIAL EXECUTIVE
Decisive and collaborative leader with proven success leading organizations to improved controls, efficiency and
profitability. Recognized for systems approach in developing organizational solutions incorporating multiple
disciplines. Excellent problem solving, financial modeling, project management, negotiation, and external
constituent management skills. Hands-on, outcome oriented leader able to develop and manage teams focused
on effective business changes. Areas of Expertise include:
Financial Reporting (External and Internal) Forecasting and Budgeting
Financial Planning and Analysis Strategic Planning
Funding Negotiation and Management Investor Reporting and Management
Acquisitions, Mergers and Restructuring Business Process Improvement
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
BENTELER AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION, Auburn Hills, MI Feb 2013 - present
Vice President Finance – CFO of North American Operations
Manage all financial, accounting, tax, insurance, legal, facilities and IT functions in North America to support
manufacturing operations with revenues in excess of $1.8 Billion. Lead a team of 19 local reports and up to 30
matrixed indirect reports.
Responsible for accounting consolidation/reporting related to 14 manufacturing facilities in multiple
jurisdictions. Directly involved in all monthly financial performance reporting, budgeting and business
planning efforts, and communication of results to business owner and management Board.
Responsible for management of all banking relationships and services, and negotiate/ implement all forms of
credit, leasing and long-term supply agreements to support operations.
Responsible for all insurance renewals, tax filings and compliance related activities
Lead investment reviews and have signature authority for product investments in the region. Reduced
capital spending by 20% while maintaining top-line expectations by redeploying assets.
Provide strategic direction support; new program/project development and evaluation, including capacity
rationalization and program approval.
Direct operational restructuring efforts, including manufacturing footprint optimization, resourcing ex ternal
suppliers and operation disposition efforts. Restructured two operational facilities and various
administrative staffs improving EBITDA by over 20% from prior run-rate.
Improved financial forecasting process with shortened timing, accuracy, and reliability of forecasts.
Consistently reduced volatility in forecasts by 50% year-over-year.
Rebuilt financial organization increasing competency, accountability and performance
VISTEON CORPORATION, Van Buren, MI 2010-2012
Vice President, Treasurer and Director of Investor Relations
Managed capital structure, financing plans (including emergence financing of $200 million ABL and $500 million
high yield public debt), hedging, insurance, U.S. pension and Joint Venture ownership structures for
approximately 120 Worldwide Affiliates with revenues of approximately $7.5 billion. Included responsibilities for
corporate insurance, US pension, FX and interest rate strategy and Investor Communications. Led a team of 15
direct reports and up to 200 matrixed indirect reports.
Reduced annual interest cost by 125 basis points or $40 million cumulative by renegotiating contracts.
Increased Pension funding percentage by 300 basis points from 2008 – 2011 through leveraging external
advisors with effective investments.
Reduced Insurance brokerage costs by approximately 30% since 2009 by renegotiating contracts.
Created and presented Financial and Strategic updates to Visteon Board and various Committees.
Managed Investor communications, new share offering and re-listing on the NYSE.
o Developed investor presentations and public financial reporting including guidance.
o Communicated performance and implications of publicly listed foreign businesses.
Board Member of approximately 80 holding companies and 20 operational entities.
Assistant Treasurer 2007-2010
Created financing plans, hedging, insurance and Joint Venture ownership structures for approximately 120
W orldwide Affiliates with revenues of approximately $6 billion. Managed a team of 10 direct and 60 indirect
matrixed employees.
Served as Lead Negotiator/Planner on all capital markets transactions (two $500 million secured term debt
offerings and $206 million unsecured private/public exchange offering).
Secured comprehensive Corporate Insurance Plan, including property, liability, and Directors and Officers
insurance. Reduced premium expense by approximately 40% over a two year period.
Led negotiations on January 2009 $55 million settlement with PBGC regarding termination liabilities.
Developed and implemented financial risk mitigation plans that addressed Foreign Currency and Interest
Rate exposures, including Board Approval and controls necessary for FAS 133 compliance.
Developed and managed rating agency and credit insurer communications, including communication of
operating and financial status. Worked extensively with Investor Relations and Corporate Communications.
Supported Sales, Plant Operations and Supply Chain Continuity through bankruptcy process; developed
and implemented financial and operational alternatives during accommodation, wind-down and resourcing
plans.
Director of Mergers and Acquisitions 2005-2007
Managed all work streams related to acquisitions, divestitures and balance sheet restructurings (closed four
transactions with third parties - two share sales, two asset purchases, and multiple financial and legal
restructurings). Managed a team of 3 direct and up 100 indirect staff including external advisory personnel.
Managed all elements of transaction process and communications through deal completion (including post-
transaction liabilities) for multiple projects.
Developed, evaluated and sought approval of licensing/royalty arrangements for technology development
and applications, and manufacturing plans to support various Customers (OEM, Service, Aftermarket and
Suppliers).
Developed business valuation (EBITDA multiples, precedent transactions and trading comparables),
negotiating strategy, and critical business objectives (strategic and financial) through deal analysis.
Director of International Treasury and Hedging Strategy 2003-2005
Managed capital structure, financing plans and Joint Venture ownership structures for approximately 60
W orldwide Affiliates with Revenues of approximately $4.5 billion. Developed risk mitigation plans related
Foreign Currency, Commodity and Interest Rate exposures. Led a team of 2 direct report and 25 indirect
domestic and international resources.
Managed Service Bank and Investment Bank relationships to provide credit and other services globally at
competitive cost.
Manager of International Treasury 2000-2003
Managed capital structure and financing plans for European, South American and Asian Affiliates. Developed
and obtained approval for Corporate/local liabilities to support operational plans, integrating operational, tax,
legal, accounting and regulatory issues at specific joint ventures and subsidiaries. Managed international
Treasury resources of approximately 15 (includes full and part-time resources).
Negotiated credit facilities in excess of $100 million on behalf of Affiliates and Visteon Corporation,
reducing annual interest expense by $1 million, $8 million cumulative.
Negotiated debt, cash management, discounted receivables, early payment, and cash collateralized
lending structures.
Created cash management tactics/controls to support local and regional operational requirements .
FORD MOTOR COMPANY, Dearborn, MI
Project Manager, Forecasting Team Corporate Finance – F@ST 1998-2000
Responsible for replacing worldwide actual, budget, forecast, and business plan reporting systems and business
processes with staff of 18 in US and Europe.
Implemented new processes, timing, and metrics that reduced forecast completion by three days, and
developed plans to reduce by an additional four days.
Created Management performance criteria for Corporate, Divisional, Product and Regional Operational
Managers.
Senior Cost Analyst, Manufacturing Operations 1996-1998
Responsible for operation’s performance to budget, operations analysis and communication of all aspects of
cost reporting, planning and performance evaluation.
Developed business plan and budget for a $32 billion division of Ford with four strategic business units
and 17 international plants.
Consistently reduced costs by approximately $30 - 50 million per year, exceeding budgeted targets through
greater efficiencies in labor and overhead.
Presented Program Approval reviews to Vehicle Line Directors, Divisional Controllers, and represented
Finance organization at Program Steering Team meetings.
Financial Analyst, Profit Analysis, Product Development 1994-1996
Responsible for financial development and evaluation of all-new vehicle program (CW170/Focus). Functioned
as North American liaison for derivative of European base vehicle program (split time in London and Dearborn).
Developed budget and business plan for global vehicle program of $4.5 billion in revenue.
Performed financial analysis for derivative products entering new segments using ratio analysis and break -
even studies.
Developed foreign currency exposure analysis to establish corporate hedging strategy.
Systems Analyst, Finance Systems 1993-1994
Responsible for developing and managing accounting systems for accounts receivable, payable and transfer
pricing systems.
Analyzed current business practices and identified process improvements.
Designed, programmed and created production scheduling for world wide divisions, resulting in
approximately 40% time-to-close savings, and $100,000 annual savings.
EDUCATION
Executive Education Program, IESE Business School, University of Navarra, Barcelona, Spain
M.B.A., International Business, with Honors 1993 - W ayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
M.S., Finance, with Distinction, 1992 - W alsh College, Troy, Michigan
B.S., Management Information Systems 1986 - Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan