The Risch Group Recruits CFO for Dynasty Financial Partners
October 10, 2017 – Chief financial officers continue to be in high demand. Finding them is keeping many of the nation’s top recruitment teams busier than ever. In one of the most recent cases, New York-based executive search firm The Risch Group placed Jason Emerson as CFO of Dynasty Financial Partners.
Mr. Emerson will be based in the firm’s New York office and will be responsible for helping set and deliver financial strategy for Dynasty and deliver the company’s outsourced CFO services to its partner firms in its nationwide advisory network.
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. Prior to that, he was EVP and CFO for Gain Capital. Over his career, he has held management positions at various firms, including Knight Capital Group, Instinet and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Dynasty chairman Todd Thomson said Mr. Emerson brings valuable experience to the company, and at a critical time. “We are pleased to have someone of Jason’s caliber join our firm as we continue to professionalize our functions,” he said. “Jason brings extensive financial and operational experience to this position as Dynasty’s growth continues to accelerate.”
The new CFO was equally happy to be on board. “Dynasty’s impressive partner network, leading-edge technology and emphasis on client service make them a leader in the independent wealth management space, and I am excited about contributing to the firm’s expansion,” he said.
Dynasty Financial Partners develops, sources and integrates management capabilities for independent investment advisor firms. Its integrated platform services delivery chassis offers customized, open-architecture wealth management solutions and technology platform supporting advisors as they look to protect and grow their clients’ wealth.
The Risch Group is led by founder Richard Risch, who serves as chairman and CEO. He directs senior level search assignments for key clients within the financial services and technology markets. Mr. Risch has conducted a broad range of searches for CEOs, business heads and functional leaders throughout the U.S., Latin America and Europe.
Finding CFOs
The need for top-flight financial executives is growing, say recruiters, and CFOs are in greater demand than most C-suite leaders. That raises the question of what exactly CEOs are after as they work with recruiters to find their next CFO. The position generally serves as right-hand man to the chief executive, so the stakes are high.
In recent months, search firms of all varieties have placed CFOs at various companies. Here’s a look at just a few from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:
Polachi Inc. placed Stephen Smith as executive vice president and CFO of Inseego Corp. in San Diego. Since 2016, Mr. Smith has worked as a financial consultant for multiple early and mid-stage SaaS, networking and 3D imaging businesses. He has also served as interim CFO of TetraVue Inc.
BridgeStreet Partners placed Tony Cossentino as CFO of J.W. Logistics. Dave Westberry, managing director of the search firm, led the search. Mr. Cossentino brings a wealth of financial and logistics experience in private equity, corporate sponsored and publicly traded middle-market growth companies primarily in the manufacturing, distribution and third-party logistics industries.
TRANSEARCH International placed Jarrett Pugh as the CFO of Greenberry Industrial LLC. The search was led by consultants Mike Morrow and John Ryan. Mr. Pugh has held several positions in the Gulf Coast area, where he recently worked as the manager of finance and project accounting in the oil, gas, and chemical division of CDI Corporation.
TillmanCarlson recruited Terence R. Rogers as EVP and CFO at Roadrunner Transportation Systems. Founder Rob Tillman led the searches. Mr. Rogers previously served for four years as CFO for the Heico Companies, LLC, parent company for a diversified portfolio of more than 35 businesses.
Diversified Search placed Sean P. Roddy as CFO for Catholic Charities USA. Nalini Perkins, managing director of the recruiter’s non-profit practice, and Mark Mulvanerty, managing director of its financial officers practice, co-led the assignment. Most recently, Mr. Roddy was a consultant for accounting and financial consulting firm Cordia Partners.
ON Partners recruited Mike Berry as EVP and CFO of McAfee. Most recently, Mr. Berry served as EVP, CFO, and chief operating officer at FireEye, responsible for worldwide finance, accounting, data analytics, investor relations, facilities, procurement, information technology, manufacturing operations, and internal audit.
Acertitude placed Anubhav Raj as CFO of Aligned Energy. The search was led by Kevin O’Neill, founder and managing partner, supported by partner Geoffrey Votta. Mr. Raj will direct major financial planning initiatives, as well as identify new and refine pre-existing efficiencies to achieve Aligned Energy’s fiscal objectives.
Spencer Stuart recruited Richard J. Schmaeling as EVP and CFO of Entercom Communications Corp. Mr. Schmaeling brings deep media expertise and more than 30 years of finance and leadership experience to Entercom. Most recently, he served as chief financial officer at Travel Leaders Group.
AETHOS Consulting Group placed Douglas L. Ludwig as EVP, treasurer, and CFO of Red Lion Hotels Corporation. Managing director Ken Greger led the assignment. Mr. Ludwig most recently served as CFO of Baha Mar Resorts Limited for the past 10 years. Prior to his time at Baha Mar, he spent more than 20 years with Four Seasons Hotels, including 13 years as CFO.
The McAulay Smith Firm recruited Alexander Pease as executive vice president and CFO of Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. President Steven Smith led the assignment. Mr. Pease joins the company from McKinsey & Co., where he was a leader in the firm’s global corporate finance and business functions practice working with leading CFOs across a wide range of industries.
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
