Richard Stephenson Email and Phone Number

AFI Partners portfolio company

Active participant in due diligence for a private equity firm investing in US based mid-market businesses. I serve as an accomplished advisor on business strategy, operations, and turn around requirements; develop strategies focused on transformation of underperforming businesses into highly functioning operations; restructure administration, assist in raising capital, retain strategic resources, and implement best practice solutions to drive organizational efficiency, profitability, and long-term growth.

Electek is the shared service supporting SASCO. Currently lead the Accounting/Finance, Human Resources, Risk Management, Information Technology and Facilities teams.

In this position, I was the leader of a company reorganization for a Private Equity backed supply chain management services provider, strategically reinventing the business model. As the driving force for overall direction in day-to-day operations, I primarily focused on transitioning the business out of bankruptcy, providing advanced solutions and leading continuous improvement efforts. I also efficiently assumed CFO activities including treasury, financial reporting, and financial planning and analysis. I was very effective at gaining insight on market trends, identifying business expansion opportunities to create revenue growth, as well as implementing strategies to add value, ultimately generating higher profits.Key Accomplishments:★ Established disciplined processes, structure, and cost reduction initiatives, internally funded all revenue growth through aggressive cash management practices, creating a healthy organizational culture, reinvigorated work environment, increased growth by 200%, delivered outstanding MOIC and IRR for Private Equity investors.★ Directed conversion to new ERP system, (SAP to Sage), streamlining processes with greater internal controls.★ Optimized supply chain performance with design of innovative order to payment process, reducing cost, increasing efficiency, accuracy, and improved internal controls.★ Launched project integrating key customer fulfillment operation, while increasing quality and customer satisfaction, achieving 100% on-time delivery with zero quality issues, positioning company as a Trusted Vendor with core customer. ★ Overhauled company policies, instituting organization-wide system of internal controls, ensuring accurate reporting to Board of Directors

My role was to lead the startup providing cryptographic cybersecurity solutions for small, power-constrained chips and devices, serving the Aerospace, RFID, IoT, Smart Grid, and automotive markets. I positioned the company at the forefront of the industry through the development and implementation of a highly aggressive growth strategy. I robustly orchestrated and led the capital fund raising, successfully raising $10M. Another focus was on building unique core team capabilities in encryption algorithms, semiconductor design, and embedded security.Key Accomplishments:★ Championed product development, go-to-market and brand influence strategies; evolved the entrepreneurial venture, establishing standardized systems, metrics, policies, and processes.★ Transformed Revere from an algorithm on paper to development of full suite of products, positioning them as 2011 SINET 16 Showcase company for innovative emerging technology in cyber security, one of Top 100 Movers and Shakers in the Smart Grid in 2010.★ Optimized organization performance through hiring, developing, and training world-class team of cyber security experts, including Dr Whitfield Diffie (National Inventors Hall of Fame), utilizing a collaborative peer approach.★ Utilized a collaborative mentorship approach in building and developing strong team performance, cultivating consensus for excellence.

With Covisint, I evolved through several diverse leadership roles during multiple corporate transformations. Initially, I was instrumental in designing early company SAAS strategy and business model. I also built the finance organization establishing financial reporting, back office, capital funding, international banking, and cash management processes. In later roles I led the sales team, business development, marketing, and European operations, with focus on identifying areas of opportunity, leveraging financial data to drive process improvements and cost optimization strategies. I also was the leader of M&A financial due diligence, and integration of business processes and IT systems on all acquisitions.Key Accomplishments:★ Implemented open communications and key performance metrics to build a cohesive and unified organization and fluid business model.★ Executed process improvements, reducing IT hosting cost by 50%, overall operational costs by 65% in 18 months.★ Transformed European operations, building an efficient, high growth, cost-effective operation, increased profits by 22% in less than 12 months.★ Built top talent finance team, managing day to day financial reporting, FP&A (SAAS metrics), and Treasury functions, implemented ERP system as startup revenue grew to $50M.

Began as college coop student; Corporate Financial Planning & Analysis, International Finance, Production Control and Logistics among other roles