The Tolan Group Places CFO for Elwyn
October 31, 2017 – Executive search firm The Tolan Group has placed Cindy Bertrando as CFO of Elwyn, a nationally recognized leader in education and support services for children and adults with physical and intellectual challenges.
CEO and managing partner Tim Tolan led the search along with associate partner Kaye Johnson.
“Cindy is a strategic thinker and a very strong leader with outstanding people skills and will be critical to helping Elwyn achieve its long term growth plan,” said Mr. Tolan.
Ms. Bertrando is a seasoned financial executive with a deep background covering every major facet required in a CFO role. She has extensive experience in audit, has been involved in extensive financing deals, M&A, financial transformation, business development and is steeped in strategy and execution, said the search firm.
She was previously with AstraZeneca, where most recently she was the head of strategic projects. Before that, Ms. Bertrando was CFO of AstraZeneca Turkey where she was responsible for a $200 million business. She also spent 20 years at KPMG, equally dividing her time there between audit and the consulting services business unit. In her last role at KPMG she was the partner in charge of driving strategic initiatives, business development, strategic direction and financial leadership.
“Having Cindy on the executive leadership is a real asset for Elwyn as we push forward with our strategic growth plans,” said Charles McLister, Elwyn’s president and CEO. “Cindy is already making a huge impact on the organization and we are thrilled to have her lead Elwyn’s finance team and to have a seat at the table as we look ahead to our next chapter of growth.”
The Tolan Group, a member of the Sanford Rose Associates network, provides executive search services to clients and candidates servicing the healthcare IT industry. Sanford Rose has over 70 offices worldwide with locations in North America, Latin America and Asia.
Mr. Tolan has conducted searches for CEOs, CIOs, COOs CFOs, presidents, senior vice presidents, vice presidents of business development, product development and sales professionals. He has worked with large and small cap companies, as well as privately-held and early-stage companies. In addition to his executive search experience, he has been in the healthcare technology field for over 25 years holding executive-level positions for public and private companies. His network comes from years of serving as a healthcare executive with ProxyMed, Inc., Healtheon/WebMD, ePhysician and CITATION Computer Systems.
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 looking for as they work with recruiters to find their next CFO. The position generally serves as a close advisor 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 a few from the Hunt Scanlon Media archives:
Mercury Media enlisted WinterWyman Executive Search to help find its next CFO. Senior vice president and partner Ken Martin is spearheading the search. The CFO is expected to direct and oversee all of the financial activities of the company and will serve as a strategic business partner to the chief executive officer in driving operational initiatives and business strategy.
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) has retained Los Angeles-based Shelli Herman and Associates to find its next CFO. Shelli Herman, president of the recruitment firm, will lead the search along with her associate, Krista Haley. MOCA is seeking an experienced, results-oriented CFO for the museum’s strategic financial health, operational management and administration.
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.
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.
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
