Studio Development | 8/2005 - Present
Studio71South | Grand Rapids, MI
Established creative services group of professionals that are working together in operating an event venue, photography studio, frame shop, art gallery, and art wholesaling business. Have dedicated resources to building and promoting an arts district for Grand Rapids, Michigan branded “Avenue for the Arts”. The current business has grown by the successful merger of other entrepreneurs and businesses into this enterprise and by building wholesale and retail clientele. Setup systems, managed media relations, committee work with business and neighborhood groups, conceptualize and facilitate community wide events.
Director of Finance & Information Systems | 8/1997 - 8/2005
Glass Corner Greenhouses | Grand Rapids, MI
Supervise Accounting Functions (General Ledger, Payroll, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Financial Statement Preparation and Analysis). Responsible for planning and implementation of information system enhancements including: installation of MS Exchange Server, conversion from Novell Netware Server to MS Windows NT Server, and primary contact with custom software developers. Risk Management work including: Property and Casualty Insurance Need Specification, Quoting, and Carrier Selection; Legal Document Review; Safety Program Development; and Facility Review. Human Resource Management (Hiring and Termination Guidelines, Forms Compliance, Orientation Programs, etc.). Product Costing and Business Planning.
Controller | 7/1994 - 8/1997
Finish Corp./Track Corp. | Grand Haven, MI
Supervised Financial Functions for $11 Million/150 Employee Industrial Processor. Financial Statements, Quarterly Board Reports, and Annual Audit. Responsible for accounting staff of four. Implemented Ethernet LAN, UNIX Server, Windows NT Server, Lotus Notes, and Industry Specific ERP System. Provided user training, technical support, and system enhancement to the organization. Critical role in QS9000 registration. Collections and negotiations with major accounts. Performance monitoring, product costing, and process improvement.
Staff Accountant | 3/1992 - 7/1994
Intec, Inc. | Grand Rapids, MI
Responsible for Financial Statement Preparation and Analysis. Inter-Company Consolidations and reconciliations. Fixed Asset and Long Term Debt Recordkeeping. Implemented New Billing System. Collections on Customer Accounts Including Court Action. Process Credit Applications. Payroll Tax Return Preparation. Coordinate with Accounts Payable and Payroll Processing Personnel. Heavy involvement with Annual External (Public) Audit.
Accounting & Systems Consultant | 8/1990 - 2/1992
Business Directions Inc. | Grand Rapids, MI
Provided system installation, training, support, and incident problem solving. Developed custom information systems. Set up and provided periodic review of standard and job order costing systems. Administered budgeting and internal auditing projects.
Management Accountant | 11/1988 - 7/1990
Compass Business Services, Inc. | Grand Rapids, MI
Provided bookkeeping services for small and medium sized clients. Guided end-users in establishing sound bookkeeping and filing practices. Responsible for maintenance of computerized general ledger, preparation of payroll, payroll tax returns, bank reconciliations, financial statements, and communication with clients and their public accountants. Led management consulting projects involving forecasting, statistical analysis, business planning, and system development.