Bridgepoint Consulting Expands in Houston Market
July 23, 2018 – Austin, TX-based Bridgepoint Consulting is expanding its financial consulting and professional search practices in Houston. The firm’s renewed focus in the Houston market includes the promotion of CFO consultants Ross Goolsby and Lucas Walters to director roles. The professional search practice, led by Kristi Kershaw, is expanding into the city.
Messrs. Goolsby and Walters will lead strategic efforts to grow the financial consulting practice’s network of consultants and service capabilities to support middle market companies with a broad range of initiatives, said the firm. These include business process improvement, data analytics, technical accounting and transaction advisory services.
The professional search practice will support emerging ventures to large, established companies, with securing executive-level finance, accounting, audit, tax, treasury and HR roles. Ms. Kershaw will also help identify candidates for successful placement with Bridgepoint clients.
“Today’s CFOs and finance executives are facing increasing expectations to help drive growth, while still managing their financial reporting and operations,” said Manuel Azuara, principal at Bridgepoint Consulting. “With the addition of Ross and Lucas to our leadership team, Bridgepoint is well-positioned to help companies in the technology, manufacturing and energy sector, optimize and transform their financial and technology operations.”
A Seasoned Leader
Mr. Azuara described Ms. Kershaw, meanwhile, as an excellent leader who understands the diverse needs of both clients and candidates. “Her rich network of professional connections, coupled with her breadth of knowledge in accounting and finance, will help companies tap into a larger pool of high quality talent throughout Houston,” he said.
Mr. Goolsby has extensive experience in capital markets, including the venture capital and IPO process, international expansion, and merger and acquisitions with high growth companies, said Bridgeport Consulting. He has supported a broad range of companies on all aspects of planning and forecasting, treasury and cash management, investor relations, internal controls, information systems, and SEC compliance and reporting. Mr. Goolsby is a former CFO of several technology companies, including SigmaTel, HealthTronics and Calxeda. He has experience in a number of industries, including distribution, manufacturing and medical products. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Houston.
Mr. Walters has extensive experience across multiple executive-level functions, including accounting, finance, HR, IT and facility management. Prior to Bridgepoint, he served as a VP of finance for a fast-growing Austin start-up. Mr. Walters has experience in a number of industries, including energy, manufacturing, software and technology. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Concordia University and a master of business administration from the University of Texas-Austin. He is also a CPA in Texas.
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Ms. Kershaw has more than 15 years of progressive experience in professional accounting and finance roles, including Big Four public accounting as well as private and publicly-traded companies. In 2007, she transitioned into an executive recruiter role for a leading executive search firm. Prior to Bridgepoint, Kershaw led the talent acquisition efforts for a publicly traded global medical device manufacturer. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana University, and is a CPA.
A Leading Firm
Bridgepoint Consulting, founded in 1999, is a leading management consulting firm that helps organizations throughout their business lifecycle. Offering a broad range of finance, technology and risk/compliance services, Bridgepoint supports clients from the start-up phase all the way to IPO readiness and beyond. The firm has been helping executives and management teams reduce their business and operational risks, bridge resource gaps and improve overall performance. The firm has offices in Dallas and Houston and the capability to deliver solutions across the U.S.
Last year, Bridgepoint Consulting was acquired by recruitment firm Addison Group. Terms of the deal were undisclosed. “We saw a clear opportunity to leverage Addison Group’s high-caliber team, proven performance, and industry-leading growth with a well-established firm offering a full suite of management consulting services and similar growth strategy,” said Thomas Moran, CEO of Addison Group.
The acquisition strengthened Addison Group’s presence in several high-growth Texas markets, anchored by a tenured leadership team with deep industry expertise and business relationships. The transaction was aligned with Addison’s strategy to broaden its national service footprint through organic growth and acquisition of high-growth, high-margin firms with strong client relationships and complementary service offerings, said the firm.
The acquisition helped to expand Addison Group’s consulting arm and solidify its status as a leader in the professional services market through Bridgepoint Consulting’s niche expertise and team of over 140 finance, technology and risk professionals.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor; and Andrew W. Mitchell, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
