Acertitude Places CFOs for DexKo Global

June 21, 2018 – Executive search firm Acertitude has recruited Jeff Richard as DexKo Global’s new chief financial officer and Derek Peabody as CFO of the company’s subsidiary, Dexter.

The two finance leaders are critical hires for DexKo, which seeks to grow aggressively both organically and through acquisitions.

Kevin O’Neill, founder and managing partner of Acertitude, led both searches, partnering closely with Fred Bentley, chief executive officer of DexKo Global.

As CFO, Mr. Richard is charged with leading the global finance function for the global industrial manufacturer. He brings experience as a finance executive for multi-national organizations as well as private equity sponsored portfolio companies. Mr. Richard most recently served as CFO of SRS Distribution, a $2 billion private equity-backed building-products company. His career also includes roles as CFO of Checkpoint Systems, Safety-Kleen, Pavestone Company, Jacuzzi Inc. and various divisional CFO roles at Tyco International.

“Jeff’s career spans a variety of roles which uniquely suit him for this time in DexKo’s life cycle,” said Mr. O’Neill. “His public company and private equity-sponsored experience will serve DexKo and its sponsor well as they continue to create shareholder value. Jeff is smart and agile, which make him a great fit for a company going through such a large transformation.”

As Dexter CFO, Mr. Peabody leads the company’s finance function to support the growth and evolution of the business. He has extensive experience in manufacturing, operational and corporate finance. Previously, he was VP and group controller for the engineered products and solutions segment at Arconic Inc., a global provider of multi-material, precision-engineered products and solutions. Before that, he was VP of finance and group controller for Alcoa. He spent his earlier career in finance roles for Robert Bosch, Borg Warner Automotive and Sloan Construction Company.

“Driving a company toward an aggressive growth plan and creating shareholder value requires not only strategic leadership, but hands-on execution,” said Mr. O’Neill. “Derek is a perfect fit in that regard. He is an operationally-focused finance executive who rolls up his sleeves and creates rigor around process while providing high-level financial insights that leadership can use to run the business.”

“We’re incredibly honored to partner with Fred and the DexKo organization on these significant financial leadership hires,” Mr. O’Neill said. “We’re thrilled about the outcome and look forward to seeing them raise the business to the next level.”

A KPS Capital Partners portfolio company, DexKo Global is a global supplier of highly engineered running gear technology, chassis assemblies, and related components. The company is headquartered in Novi, MI.

Acertitude specializes in recruiting CEO, C-suite, and executive talent in the consumer, financial, healthcare and life sciences, industrial, private equity, professional services and technology sectors. Its consultants work from offices in Boston, Dallas, London, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Providence, Raleigh, Shanghai, Tampa and Washington, D.C.

With more than 25 years’ experience in global talent consulting, Mr. O’Neill has conducted over 500 senior executive and C-level searches in the consumer, industrial and private equity sectors.

Finding CFOs

CFOs continue to be in high demand. Finding them is keeping many of the nation’s top recruitment operations busier than ever. In recent months, search firms of all varieties have placed CFOs at various companies. Here’s a look at a few from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:

New York-based executive recruiter Herbert Mines Associates recently placed Paula A. Price as CFO for retail giant Macy’s. Ms. Price has 30 years of finance experience, mostly from retail and consumer-facing businesses. Most recently, she served as CFO of Ahold USA.

Houston-based search firm The Alexander Group placed Joshua Brumm as CFO of Kaleido Biosciences, a clinical-stage biotechnology company. Managing director Beth Ehrgott led the assignment. Mr. Brumm, an accomplished CFO with extensive financial and operational experience, has more than a decade of experience in the life science industry.

Caldwell Partners International placed Bradley Wear as the new executive vice president and CFO of Compassus, a nationwide network of community-based hospice. Neal Maslan and John Blank, both partners in the firm’s life sciences and healthcare practice, led the search. Mr. Wear has more than 20 years of experience in senior financial leadership roles in healthcare.

TalentRISE placed Laura Witter-Johnson as CFO of Prism Healthcare Partners. The assignment was led by J. James O’Malley, partner and executive search practice leader, and Beth Gordon, director for executive search. “We were looking for a sitting controller or director of accounting within a professional services firm,” said Mr. O’Malley. 

Sports and entertainment recruitment firm Turnkey Search placed Daniel Fumai as the CFO of the Milwaukee Brewers. In his new role, Mr. Fumai will provide direct, hands-on leadership for the financial operation of the Brewers organization and related entities, including the direction of all finance, accounting, reporting and treasury duties.

Sarasota, FL-based executive recruiter Brooke Chase Associates helped place Eric Skorge as CFO with Fabuwood Cabinetry in Jersey City, NJ. Mr. Skorge is responsible for all company accounting and finances as well as special projects like acquisitions and major expansion initiatives.

Slone Partners placed Roger Moody as CFO of Clinical Genomics. Mr. Moody served as CEO and remains a board director of GlySure Limited, a leading UK-based company specializing in continuous glucose monitoring. Mr. Moody will direct all strategic and tactical financial operations for the biotechnology business.

New York-based executive search firm the Risch Group placed Jason Emerson as CFO of Dynasty Financial Partners. Mr. Emerson, who has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, previously worked as managing director and chief operating officer for Convergex Execution Solutions.

Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Will Schatz, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media