Ben is the Chief Financial Officer at NC IDEA where he oversees the day-to-day management of the Foundation’s financial activities. He also manages the NC IDEA ECOSYSTEM grant program working with partners throughout the state who share in our vision to maximize the economic potential of the people of North Carolina.

Reporting to the CEO, it's my privilege to oversee the day-to-day management of NC IDEA's financial activities, as well as help support a variety of the Foundation's other efforts to maximize the economic potential of the people of N.C. by supporting the formation and fruition of high-growth entrepreneurial endeavors in the state.

Provided contract-based interim CFO services to growing firms in the Raleigh-Durham NC area.

I founded WellScale in order to create a technology platform to facilitate smooth successful business exits, allowing business owners to transition their ownership to company acquirers in an optimized fashion. WellScale was accepted into the Summer 2017 NC IDEA Labs incubator cohort, and after full analysis of the idea (using LEAN startup methodologies, significant customer interviews, and appropriate business model pivots), I was unable to pinpoint a true market need that I could satisfy with a tech-centric solution and thus suspended startup efforts.

As CFO of the >$20MM revenues, >120 employee company, I led teams that managed Finance/Accounting, IT, HR, and Sustainability efforts. During this time we successfully replaced our entire technical operating infrastructure (substituting Magento + home-grown systems with WooCommerce/Netsuite in Feb'17), implemented new management and HR systems including EOS/Traction (I served as the Integrator for >1yr), moved to Audited financial statements, raised a Private Debt investment round, mapped out an Ecommerce growth strategy, hired over 40 people, and took other steps to establish CCC's infrastructure for scaling.

CRISP Agency [formerly Three Ships] is a digital agency focused on helping clients influence customers and increase revenue. I served as the senior financial and administrative leader of the company and also led recruiting and talent development efforts. My chief responsibility was to ensure our team constantly innovated across all disciplines and consistently delivered on behalf of clients.

Led consulting engagements to assess and develop opportunities for investors and growing companies, including serving as an interim full-time Executive when appropriate. Sample projects include executive team strategy consultations, market and financial research, and new venture assessment and creation.

Managed daily financial and legal functions as a key business partner for a high-growth SaaS email marketing company. Functioned as a significant contributor to iContact's successful three year expansion from $13M in revenue / ~130 employees to $50M in revenue / ~250 employees in four strategic focus areas:- Financial Planning: Analyzed and reported budget-to-actual comparisons, multi-year forecasts, strategic scenario forecasts, pricing change assessments, segment profitability, and financing impacts to the balance sheet. Negotiated departmental budgets and held departments accountable for budget variances.- Financial Analysis: Performed spend analyses, return on investment analyses, best use of funds analyses, and downside scenario planning. Continually monitored results and coordinated with the CFO, CEO, and Board of Directors with updates and strategic recommendations. - Corporate Development: Directed competitor analyses and fundraising activities, successfully raising over $55M via a mix of preferred equity and multiple debt instruments. Managed secondary market share sale via SecondMarket offering. Determined budget allocations for technology, personnel, and identified outsourcing opportunities based on best use of funds.- Legal Management: Managed external legal relations and responded to document requests from various government entities. Handled intellectual property and material contract negotiations from $25K to $1M.I coordinated iContact's successful acquisition pursuit by Vocus [VOCS] for $169M and assisted in post-acquisition transition efforts.

Founded healthcare equity buyout firm with two partners. Collectively raised operating and investment capital and managed a $350K annual budget. Finalized niche parameters for target companies based on industry market opportunity, geographical growth trends, and personal knowledge of the healthcare industry. Networked with business brokers, banks, and law firms to create a deal-sourcing network and pipeline to identify prospective investment opportunities, as well as independently conducted research on prospective companies through D&B and industry reports for prospects to approach directly. Within eight months of launch, structured deals with equity and debt partners to acquire and merge two healthcare firms. Post-acquisition, served on company Board of Directors to set strategic growth direction.

After completing graduate school in December 2006 (a semester early) and passing the N.C. Bar Exam in February 2007, I conducted strategic research and financial analyses to identify and evaluate investment opportunities for this turnaround private equity firm. Collaborated with the executive team of a $60M, multi-location textile company to enhance margins and reduce inventory while evaluating opportunities to address persistent revenue decline.

Designed strategic fundraising plan for pre-clinical biotech startup company seeking venture capital funding.

Completed comprehensive operational and financial analyses to mitigate losses and enhance profits at two portfolio companies.

One of two students selected for prestigious year-long fellowship at this $20M seed-stage venture capital firm. Participated in weekly investment committee and prospect pitch meetings. Generated key portions of two investment memorandums analyzing the companies, the markets, and financial return scenarios, resulting in both companies receiving funding approval.

Provided strategic assistance to business incubator and three tenant firms with special projects in venture capital valuations and assessment reporting for a pre-clinical drug development company. Performed valuation of incubator’s prior venture capital and real-estate investments; valuation used for incubator’s NC Bankruptcy Court workout settlement.

Led teams to implement productive solutions such as optimizing staffing procedures for a 200-nurse hospital.

Led projects to determine market feasibility of opportunities for private equity, investment bank, and personal investors.

Participated as an implementation team member for a Fortune 100 company’s XML eProcurement system, as well as several system/process re-engineering engagements.