Mike Howard is Principal of Howard CFO Advisors, which he founded in 2007 to provide business advice and consulting solutions for Boards, CEOs and CFOs. Howard has an MBA from UNC Chapel Hill, BA from Yale University, and a wealth of high quality experience with leading businesses, start ups and not for profit organizations.His practice areas have included filling CFO and Board leadership roles, and providing advice in strategic planning, financial and operational analysis, performance improvement, business development, governance, executive mentoring/coaching, compensation, organizational development, and effective use of metrics/balanced scorecards. Mike’s background as a C suite financial executive includes thirty years working with leadership teams to meet short and long term organizational goals. Mike was formerly SVP of Corporate Services, CFO and Secretary of MEDRAD Inc., an innovative medical device company . During his 16 year tenure the company grew from $49 to $600 million annual sales, increased margins and ROI, held a successful IPO, and received the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. In addition, Mike was VP Finance of a key group of Boston Scientific divisions during a four year period when sales increased five-fold, and Controller at Teradyne Connections Systems during a turnaround from a down economic cycle.Mike serves or has served on numerious Boards of for profit and not for profit organizations, and has held leadership roles up to and including Board Chair. The common thread has been his commitment to each responsibility, and a consistent track record of contribution and leadership. Specialties: Financial management,mentoring/coaching, organizational development, organizatonal effectiveness, governance, compensation,strategic planning and implementation, operations, and business transactions. Also Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award approaches, effective balanced scorecards, and global perspective.