Chief Accounting Officer

Susan D. Mermer, CPA

** ****** ****, ********, ******* 32439 ● 772-***-****

E-mail: *********@*****.***

Senior Finance Executive

Accomplished financial executive experienced with business leaders, investors and Board of Directors in public and private equity-owned companies.

Dedicated, energetic and results-oriented business partner with experience across diverse industries including real estate, hospitality, construction, manufacturing, technology and financial institutions. Adept at seeing the big picture and implementing appropriate strategies to achieve results. Excellent leader, proven people skills, effective communicator, able to engage and inspire teams and skilled at enhancing relationships across departments and divisions.

Subject matter expert in:

Accounting and Financial Management

SEC Reporting and Disclosure

Complex Capital Market Transactions

Fair Market Value Analysis

Growth Strategy Development

Joint Ventures and Variable Interest Entities

Mergers and Acquisitions

Capital Fundraising and Liquidity Planning

Financial Analysis

Strategic Planning and Budgeting

Professional Experience

The St. Joe Company (JOE) – Watersound, Florida 2016-2019

Real estate development, asset management and operating company engaged in the development of various residential real estate developments; income producing commercial properties, including apartments, commercial office buildings and assisted living facilities; the operation and development of hospitality assets, including hotels, restaurants, marinas and a private membership club consisting of golf courses, a beach club and multiple restaurants; and forestry operations.

Chief Accounting Officer

Executive responsibility for all financial functions, which encompasses management and supervision of accounting team of 17, internal and external reporting, SEC filings, consolidations, cash management, property costing, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable and budgeting.

Responsible for developing, planning, and directing the accounting and internal control function and systems company-wide.

Oversight of the month-end close process, preparation of monthly financial statements for all divisions and the consolidated company, on-going internal control compliance, risk management and compliance with federal, state and local tax regulations.

Accountable for advising management of recommended changes in GAAP and federal, state and local tax reporting requirements. Provided guidance and leadership to ensure compliance with GAAP accounting requirements, including:

Implementing and maintaining compliance with new revenue recognition requirements;

Financial statement impact of the December 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act;

Implementing and maintaining compliance with new lease accounting requirements;

Ongoing review and analysis of consolidation and equity method accounting guidance for multiple variable interest entities and joint ventures;

Continuous review and analysis of fair value accounting for investment in real estate and investments in debt and equity securities.

Lighting Science Group Corporation (OTCM: LSCG) – Melbourne, Florida 2009-2016

Technology company that designs, develops, manufactures and markets LED lighting solutions for consumer and commercial applications.

Vice President and Corporate Controller

Responsible for the company’s global accounting and finance and human resource functions, including cash management, costing, payroll, budgeting, forecasting, internal and external reporting and consolidation of wholly owned subsidiaries in Hong Kong, China, India, Mexico and the Netherlands.

Direct responsibility for all SEC filings, internal controls, monthly closing activities, coordinating with accounting teams in each foreign location, risk management and compliance with federal, state and local tax regulations, as well as international tax and financial reporting requirements. Oversaw annual budget process and preparation of regular updates to forecast and liquidity analysis.

Manage and coordinate relationship with independent registered public accountants, attorneys and tax service providers.

Successful capital fundraising to support operations and R&D requirements, including:

$315 million of equity financing including multiple private placements of common stock and eight offerings of preferred stock from 2010 to present.

$30 million of long-term subordinated debt

$25 million ABL refinancing, which reduced interest and improved liquidity

Implemented proper accounting treatment for multiple complex equity transactions, coordinating with outside auditors and valuation consultants

Key player in multiple preferred stock offerings, as well as preparation for a planned re-IPO, re-introducing the company to the public markets and institutional investors (offering was postponed due to market conditions)

Key team member providing support for all treasury activities, including the close of a $15 million asset based lending facility in 2010, which was ultimately increased to $50 million with leading banking partner

The Goldfield Corporation (GV)– Melbourne, Florida 2007-2009

Electrical construction and real estate developer engaged in the construction and maintenance of electrical facilities for utilities and industrial customers and in the acquisition, development, management, and disposition of land and improved properties.

Controller

Overall authority for accounting and finance for the company. Direct accountability for all SEC filings, internal controls, payroll, payables and receivables, monthly closing activities, risk management and compliance with federal, state and local tax regulations.

Responsible for oversight of the Sarbanes Oxley compliance program implemented in 2008, including coordination with outside consultants providing internal audit function.

Led the establishment of procedures and execution of fair market value analyses of real estate inventory held for sale, determining lower of cost or fair value and identifying potential impairment charges for financial reporting purposes

eMerge Interactive, Inc. (EMRG)– Sebastian, Florida 2000-2007

Technology company focused on the agricultural and meat-processing industries. Products included CattleLog™ SAAS data base and data collection tools and a variety of other data management software tools and VerifEYE™ food safety technology applications.

Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President and Secretary (2006-2007)

Controller (2000-2006)

Accountable for leadership, strategic planning and development of entire finance function, as well as oversight and management of the human resource department.

Responsible for month end close, financial reporting, compliance with federal, state and local tax regulations and compliance with all SEC filings requirements.

Participated in negotiations for and successfully completed the SEC required registration statements for five PIPE transactions completed over a 26 month period.

Responsible for integrating eleven acquisitions during a nine month period that provided a $1 billion increase in revenues.

Subsequently responsible for supporting the exit and unwinding of these acquired entities and related discontinued operations due to restructuring with focus on core technologies and operating cost reductions.

Paravant Inc. (PVAT) – Melbourne, Florida 1998-2000

Defense electronics and communications company, engaged in design, development and manufacture of rugged, customized, portable computers and communication.

Director of Finance, Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary

Responsible for all SEC filings, consolidated financial statements, annual meeting of shareholders and financial analysis.

Supervised the company’s annual audit, quarterly reviews and SEC filings including relationship with the outside auditors, attorneys and financial printers.

Responsible for the consolidated annual budget and forecast.

Financial leader of the mergers and acquisitions due diligence team. Successfully completed and integrated two acquisitions.

Hoyman, Dobson & Company, P.A. - Melbourne, Florida 1997 to 1998

Audit Manager

Provided consulting to public company as they progressed through an acquisition, which tripled their size. Responsible for preparation and production of this company’s SEC filings.

Responsible for providing audit services to a client base including SEC, manufacturing, not-for-profit, and governmental entities.

KPMG LLP - Vero Beach, Florida 1989 to 1997

Audit Manager

Provided audit services to multiple firms, with aggregate annual revenues of $200 million and aggregate assets of $1.2 billion, including SEC, real estate development, residential and commercial construction, manufacturing, banks and savings and loans, not-for-profit, agricultural and governmental entities.

Responsible for advising clients as to adequacy of financial accounting and internal control functions and making recommendations for improving operations.

Formal Education and Training

Certified Public Accountant in Florida

Undergraduate courses required for CPA - Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL

Masters accounting courses required for CPA - University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL

Bachelor of Arts in History - University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Extensive personal computer experience and various software applications, including JD Edwards, Microsoft Dynamics AX, Oracle, Solomon, ProfitSage, Quickbooks, Equity Edge for Options, Microsoft Word and Excel

Professional and Business Affiliations

Member, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Member, Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Member, Beta Alpha Psi

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