Holden Richardson Assists Phase Change Solutions with CFO Search
April 24, 2025 – Holden Richardson has assisted in the recruitment of Alberto Valentin as the new CFO of Phase Change Solutions in Greensboro, NC. Mr. Valentin is a CFO with broad, comprehensive experience in global multi-national businesses of varying revenue sizes and industries including aerospace (Dept of Defense projects), industrial and commercial mfg, distribution and logistics plus services. He has participated in over 10 M&A’s including due-diligence, integrations with ERP implementations. Mr. Valentin most recently held the role of CFO for Crestview Aerospace and Kemco Aerospace Manufacturing after acquisition by P/E firm American Industrial Partners (AIP).
Mr. Valentin previously served as CFO of TIGHITCO, Inc. Before that, he was a regional CFO for GXO Logistics. Mr. Valentin also gained experience during his career with Ingersoll Rand, Honeywell Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Tyco.
Phase Change Solutions is a smart materials company whose proprietary family of BioPCM products decarbonize end use applications through temperature management. Its mission – to develop and manufacture smart and sustainable materials to decarbonize our footprint and enable human health – is focused on creating a sustainable shared value for all through the use of smart materials.
Holden Richardson is a boutique executive recruiting firm focused on building leadership teams in the diversified industrial space, with a strong concentration in automotive, on-and off-highway and specialty equipment OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and their tier-one and tier-two supply base. The firm works globally and supports a broad range of clients headquartered both in and outside of the U.S. Holden Richardson has a track record of working with large F500 companies as well as small venture backed companies at the opposite end of the spectrum. The firm has locations in Chicago, Detroit, Austin, Houston, and San Francisco.
Brad Holden is a founding partner of Holden Richardson and has over 30 years of recruiting experience. Prior to venturing out on his own, he was with Heidrick & Struggles, where he served as practice leader, global automotive and as a partner in the global industrial practice from 2004 to 2010.
Alex Richardson is a founding partner at Holden Richardson and has over 20 years of recruiting experience. He has served automotive and diversified manufacturing clients including original equipment manufacturers, tier one and tier two parts suppliers, engineering service providers, as well as aftermarket manufacturers. Mr. Richardson has managed assignments for CEOs, chief operating officers, divisional presidents and functional heads with a concentration in operations, supply chain management, engineering and commercial leadership roles.
CFO’s Increasing Importance
CFOs are being asked to play an ever-broader role. “The tumultuous environment companies are operating within demand a different skill-set in the CFO chair,” said ON Partners co-president Tim Conti. “CFOs are playing a critical strategic role in companies, not only to pull levers necessary to secure a company’s financial platform, but also to position the company to emerge in a strong competitive positioning in a marketplace where not all will survive. This requires the CFO to lead from the front, be strategic and savvy, to navigate a company through choppy waters. When boards and CEOs do not have confidence that they have this strategic CFO, then they have no choice but to seek out an alternative.”
Related: A Look at How the CFO Role in Private Equity is Evolving
“In times like these, where businesses demand hyper-agility, being a functional specialist isn’t good enough,” said Bryan Buck, partner at ON Partners. “It’s required now that CFOs can see around corners and understand the physical (and digital) trends that are reshaping their world – and then act quickly. They need to think like P&L owners – not like accountants. Regardless of the product or service their company offers, customer expectations have changed. And the CFOs in highest demand right now are the ones who have proven to be nimble and business-focused enough to drive organization’s to where the puck is moving (both organically and inorganically).”
Financial Services is Booming, CFO Role Continues to Evolve
Despite economic uncertainty and the challenges of finding top talent, the financial sector continues to change and grow. Interviewed by Hunt Scanlon Media, search leaders who specialize in the sector offer their insights on the path forward, the CFO’s responsibilities, and more.
This business environment is also putting more pressure on CFOs. “There’s definitely more need for CFOs to operate with transparency around the realities of the market conditions, how those conditions are impacting the business in the short and long term, and what strategic steps are being taken to address the challenges faced,” said Mr. Conti. “Shareholders understand that market conditions are challenging, and they’ll be more patient in these unique times, but only if they have confidence in the CFO’s leadership and strategy.”
“Yes – and it’s industry-agnostic,” Mr. Buck added. “For public companies specifically, those in negatively impacted sectors are trying to survive the rapid slow down, and maintain various levels of ongoing business operations, while planning and positioning for a potential recovery that could happen within the next few quarters…or the next few years,” he said. “Public finance leaders on the other end of that spectrum are seeing tremendous growth and demand, but they’re also cognizant that current share price reflects Wall Street’s expectation of perfection – leaving no room for quarterly missteps.”
Related: Forward from Finance: From CFO to CEO
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief and Dale M. Zupsansky, Executive Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
