Seeing an opportunity to create my own "business playground", where I could craft policies and procedures on my own and quickly see how they worked, I decided to open Sweet Clover Market. I researched the market for local, natural foods and developed a business plan to raised $700,000 in capital by negotiating alternative financing from banks, economic development funds and 24 community members to build a 3,700 square foot neighborhood grocery store. Over those years I solely managed the financial, legal, marketing, information technology, human resource and operational realms of this business. I crafted and implemented all of the policies, practices and procedures in this heavily regulated industry. Throughout, I have been privileged to hire and work with hundreds of people who enjoyed the positive workplace culture we worked hard to build and maintain. Along the way we forged effective relationships with farmers, food producers, inspectors, bankers, private lenders, and other community members to make the store a success with annual revenues exceeding $3 million, a staff of 35 and more than 300 customers each day. We managed through both the Great Recession and 20% annual revenue increases for 7 years. Our 'sales-per-square-foot' indicator is more than three times the industry average for a natural foods store our size. Along the way I also became a very experienced meat cutter, merchandiser and buyer. Through this experience I have learned a great deal about business, and about food. After 12 years, however, my brain was seeking new challenges. I continue to own the store, but now work as a CFO consultant to other small businesses and non-profits. Several years ago, I hired a terrific general manager to run the store. I hope to bring all that I have learned to assist other entrepreneurs and creative organizations in a way that gives me the opportunity to mentor and learn from others who are engaged in leading values-based businesses.

Providing part-time or temporary CFO services to small business, entrepreneurs and non-profits. Industries of expertise include retail, food manufacturing, nonprofits (small private schools, human services, daycares) and property management.

When the Head of School at this private K-6 school left unexpectedly, I volunteered my time to manage the administration of the school until a new Head was hired in order to save them the expense of hiring an interim principal. This small school has approximately 45 students and a budget of $600,000. I worked to learn existing systems regarding records management, licensing requirements, financial management, bookkeeping, legal affairs, IT and human resources. In each of these arenas, I maintained administrative operations and implemented improvements to effectuate excellent financial management and to make life easier for the new Head of School. Another volunteer managed the delivery of educational services, supervising teachers and relations with families. Despite a difficult situation, I maintained positive relationships with donors, lenders, inspectors and vendors. I hired and trained a new bookkeeper, and when the new Head of School did start, I transferred all administrative information to her and supported her with training and mentoring in business management. Even though this was an unpaid position, I worked approximately 30 hours per week for these six months. I performed this work concurrent to my work as general manager at Sweet Clover Market.

Reporting directly to the Executive Director, I was responsible for all sources of revenue for a $1.1 million budget including federal and state grants, community fundraising and foundation grants. I developed pro forma budgets for grant applications, developed data collection methodology to assess the value of our work, and wrote grant reports to meet deadlines. We created collaborative grant applications with police departments and other non-profits. After these grant awards were made, I assisted with auditing these sub-grantees and their work in support of the grants. Community fundraising involved managing a group of volunteers to provide education about domestic violence throughout the community, as well as planning and executing phone-a-thons, gala events, and dinners. I wrote press releases, designed educational brochures and event collateral and wrote scripts for volunteers to follow. I built relationships with local personalities to support our mission at public events and with major donors in the community in support of our mission. I also built and managed the database of donors and donor activity.

As the sole accountant dedicated to tracking revenues and expenditures in support of the children's medicaid waivers in the State of Vermont, I managed a budget of $23 million. It was my responsibility to track the committed dollars to each child's budget through various expenditures and to ensure billing to draw down funds in support of these budgets from various revenue streams. Most of these funds flowed through the state's ten community based mental health centers. As such, I supported the annual review of the performance of these centers by analyzing their proposed annual budgets and assessing their efficacy, looking for places where too much or too little funds were being allocated to do the job they were being paid to do. I also audited centers providing child care and educational services to children receiving waiver dollars to ensure their budgets were appropriate as well. When the state legislature was in session, I also provided expenditure forecasts for my department to support budget decisions.

Disability Determination Services are housed as a Vermont state agency in the Department of Children and Families. However, the funds and the directives come entirely from the United States Social Security Administration (SSA). As the sole accountant for this department, I tracked all expenditures such as payroll, supplies, and vendors, and reported them to the Social Security Administration for reimbursement to the State of Vermont. The annual budget was approximately $6 million. I wrote requests for proposals and contracts for medical examination services, medical consultant services, janitorial services and medical transcription services as well as updated the reimbursement schedule for medical evaluations. I provided financial reports to the director of the agency as well as to the regional SSA office, performing reconciliations, pro formas and research when necessary. I identified opportunities for reducing costs, and held administrative vendors accountable for their work. During this time I received a special employee performance award from the director of the Agency of Human Services which was created by my supervisor in recognition of my work.

Assisted KeyBank in opening several branches located within grocery stores throughout Chittenden County, Vermont. Provided banking services to individuals and businesses to include home equity loans and lines, mortgages, personal loans, credit cards, checking and savings account, CDs and cash management services. Worked with headquarters to plan installation of equipment, train new staff, and launch innovative concept of banking at a grocery store.

Along with two other property managers, worked as a team to manage 380 apartments at 6 developments and several commercial developments to include processing applications, performing credit checks, inspections, maintenance work request, scheduling and assessment, and capital improvements. Provided backup support to the bookkeeper and financial manager during their family leave. Provided administrative support to commercial real estate agents at an affiliated business, Richard Ray Real Estate.

Tutored math students aged 13 - 17 in algebra one, algebra two, geometry and pre-calculus on a part-time basis.

Provide support to management to ensure excellent customer service, food quality and staff support. Greet customers, ensure prompt service and assist with beautiful food presentation.