Canadian CFOs on the Move - week ending May 13, 2011

Companies with CFOs on the Move this week include: Prize Mining Corporation, TSO3 Inc., CSM Systems Corp., Innoventé Inc., Primary Petroleum Corporation, Dundee Precious Metals Inc., InNexus Biotechnology Inc., Concert Properties, Xebec Adsorption Inc., Noveko International Inc., Ranaz Corporation, Greenfield Financial Group Inc.


Prize Mining Corporation (TSX-V: PRZ) reported that Nigel Kirkwood has joined Prize as its new Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Kirkwood is the Chief Financial Officer of Philippine Metals Inc. and a director and Chief Financial Officer of Citation Resources Inc. Feisal Somji, formerly the Corporation's interim Chief Financial Officer, will continue in his role as a Director of Prize.

TSO3 Inc. (TSX: TOS) announced the appointment of Benoît Deschamps to the position of Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance, effective June 15, 2011. Mr. Deschamps most recently held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Mechtronix World Corporation. Prior to this, he held positions of Vice President and Treasurer at Videotron, and Vice President, Private Investments at the Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec where he was Vice-President in the Private Investment group. Mr. Deschamps was also an Associate Professor of Finance at both the HEC, in Montreal and Georgia State University, in Atlanta, where he taught in areas covering corporate finance at the bachelor, master and doctorate levels.

CSM Systems Corp. (TSX-V: CKX) announced the appointment of Randa Kachkar as the new Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Kachkar brings a wealth of financial and operations experience to the company, and the board of directors is pleased to have Randa assume this position. Susan Lett has resigned her position to focus on other opportunities.

Innoventé Inc. (TSX-V: IGE) announced the appointment of Martin Lemay as its Chief Financial Officer. He succeeds Pierre Massicotte in this position. Mr. Lemay previously worked with Atrium Innovations Inc. as Director of Finance for seven years until his promotion to VP of Finance in 2008.

Primary Petroleum Corporation (TSX-V: PIE; OTCQX: PETEF) announced the appointment of Brian J. Spilchen to the position of Chief Financial Officer, replacing Mr. Plater. Mr. Spilchen was previously VP Finance & CFO, Director and Co-Founder of Nexstar Energy Ltd., a publically traded (TSX-V) oil and gas company based in Calgary Alberta. Nexstar was sold in February 2010.

Dundee Precious Metals Inc. (TSX: DPM) announced the appointment of Hume Kyle as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Most recently, Mr. Kyle served as Vice President, Treasurer and Controller, of TransAlta Corporation. Prior to TransAlta, Mr. Kyle held senior financial roles at Fort Chicago Energy Partners L.P., Noranda Inc. and Deloitte & Touche.

InNexus Biotechnology Inc. (TSX-V: IXS) announced that it has appointed Christie Amato as its Chief Financial Officer. Mrs. Amato replaces David Petulla.

Concert Properties announced the appointment of John McLaughlin as Chief Financial Officer. For over a decade, John served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for the Vancouver Organizing Committee (VANOC). He played an integral role in making Vancouver’s 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games one of the most successful in Olympic history. Prior to his involvement with the Olympics John held senior finance positions within Norwesco Packaging, a not-for-profit organization and the event that put Vancouver on the map — Expo 86.

Xebec Adsorption Inc. (TSX: XBC) announced the appointment of Eric Favreau to the position of Chief Financial Officer effective June 13, 2011. Mr. Favreau brings with him more than 20 years of corporate finance, strategic planning, operational and legal experience. Most recently Mr. Favreau held the position of CFO at Noveko International Inc., a publicly traded company (TSX: EKO) based in Montreal. Lyne Routhier will cease to act as interim CFO.

Noveko International Inc. (TSX: EKO) has appointed Eric Phaneuf as SVP & CFO, replacing Eric Favreau who has left Noveko. Mr. Phaneuf was formerly CFO of AAER Inc. until the acquisition of AAER by Pioneer Power Solutions, Inc. (OTC BB: PPSI) in August 2010. Phaneuf has previously held a VP position with MEGA Brands.

Ranaz Corporation (TSX-V: RNZ) reported the departure of Paul Guay as interim Financial Chief Officer. Mr. Guay remains with the company as advisor to the President. Ranaz also announces the appointment of Alain Lévesque as Chief Financial Officer.

Greenfield Financial Group Inc. (TSX-V: GRF) announced that Gerald Greve has resigned as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Deborah McDonald has been appointed by the Company as interim CFO subject to TSX and regulatory approval. Deborah has acted as corporate controller for a number of companies within VRG Capital, the Toronto-based merchant banking division of the Vimy Ridge Group Ltd.

If you have news about CFOs on the move, or any comments on this feature, please email us.

Canadian CFOs on the Move - week ending April 22, 2011

Companies with CFOs on the move this week include: Emera Inc., Conway Resources Inc., Gold-Ore Resources, New Millennium Capital Corp., Coronet Metals Inc., CYGAM Energy Inc., Catalina Metals Corp., Nextraction Energy Corp., Inspiration Mining Corporation


Emera Inc. (TSX: EMA) announced that Judy Steele has been appointed interim Chief Financial Officer effective May 16, 2011. Ms. Steele is replacing Nancy Tower who was recently appointed CEO for Emera Newfoundland and Labrador, and Executive Vice President of Business Development for Emera. Ms. Steele is presently the Vice President of Finance for Emera Energy Inc., and a member of its Executive Team. Prior to joining Emera Energy, Ms. Steele worked in a variety of capacities across Emera's business including Investor and External Relations, Strategy Development, and Regulatory Affairs. Ms. Steele is a Director of Film Nova Scotia, a Crown Corporation of the Province of Nova Scotia; and a former Director of The Halifax Port Authority, and Chair of its Audit Committee. She is well known for her community leadership, which has included serving as Treasurer of the 2011 Canada Winter Games, and as National Chair of The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (the "Run for the Cure").

Conway Resources Inc. (TSX-V: CWY) announced the appointment of Gilles Rochette as Chief Financial Officer and a Director of the Corporation. Mr. Rochette replaces Francois Kalos, who has resigned as a Director and Chief Financial Officer and will henceforth be in charge of corporate development for the Corporation. Mr. Rochette has acquired 20 years of experience in the accounting industry working for accounting firms, financial institutions and companies. He specializes in project and treasury management.

Gold-Ore Resources (TSX: GOZ) announced the appointment of Michael Kerfoot to the position of Chief Financial Officer, replacing Maricruz Alvarado. Most recently, Mr. Kerfoot was the CFO for Panoro Minerals, an exploration company with two advanced stage exploration copper porphyry properties in Peru. Prior to that, he was the Controller at a tungsten mining company.

New Millennium Capital Corp. (TSX-V: NML) announced that Mark Freedman, currently acting as interim Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation, has now been confirmed as Chief Financial Officer.

Coronet Metals Inc. (TSX-V:CRF.H) announced that Theo van der Linde has been appointed Chief Financial Officer. Mr. van der Linde currently provides financial consulting, management and accounting services to Public companies. During the last seven years of his career Mr. van der Linde has worked with Etruscan Resources Inc. and ended up as the CFO for Burkina Mining Company in Burkina Faso.

CYGAM Energy Inc. (TSX-V: CYG) announced that Ali Rawji will resign from his position of Chief Financial Officer effective June 1, 2011.

Catalina Metals Corp. (TSX-V: CTX.H) announced that Ian Gallie has resigned as Chief Financial Officer and director of the Company. Alec Peck has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Peck brings more than 25 years experience in the financial markets. From 1986 until 1993, he was a partner in Toronto and then Vancouver with member offices of the international public accounting firm Horwath International. From 1993 until March, 2004, he was a vice-president in the corporate finance group of publicly listed full-service investment dealers, first with CM Oliver and then Canaccord Capital Corp., which acquired CM Oliver.

Nextraction Energy Corp. (TSX-V: NE) announced that Scott David Badcock has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Nextraction, Mr. Badcock was employed by two of the world's largest professional service firms, Ernst & Young and Deloitte & Touche and has extensive oil and gas industry experience serving such clients as Paramount Resources Ltd., MGM Energy Corp. and British Petroleum PLC in Calgary, Alberta.

Inspiration Mining Corporation (TSX: ISM, FRANKFURT: OI8) announced that James Davis, its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), is retiring from the company. Inspiration is pleased to report that Mr. Davis will be succeeded by Peter Anderson as its new Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Anderson was formerly the Vice President Finance of Stratacon Inc. Prior to joining Stratacon Inc., Mr. Anderson was the Chief Financial Officer of Gas Recovery Systems LLC, a major U.S. based landfill gas to energy company.

If you have news about CFOs on the move, or any comments on this feature, please email us.

Canadian CFOs on the Move–week ending February 18, 2011

 
Companies with CFOs on the move this week include: Rogers Insurance Ltd., Ridgement Iron Ore Corp., Crosshair Exploration & Mining Corp., Romios Gold Resources Inc., Pretium Resources Inc., Viridis Energy Inc., Pershimco Resources Inc., LOREX Technology Inc., NovaGold Resources Inc., Fortress Energy Inc., Abzu Gold Ltd.

Rogers Insurance Ltd., an employee owned brokerage in Western Canada, announced the appointment of Sara Robb as Vice President Finance. Sara has been employed with Rogers for 1 year.

Ridgement Iron Ore Corp. (TSX-V: RDG) announced the appointment of Anna Ladd as Chief Financial Officer, replacing Sonya Atwal. Ms. Ladd is an experienced financial professional with a wide array of experience in the mining industry. Ms. Ladd is currently the Chief Financial Officer of Logan Resources Ltd. and the former Chief Financial Officer of Sulliden Gold Corporation and Crowflight Minerals Inc. She has also held senior positions with various mining companies, including Kinross Gold Corporation and has worked in Thompson and Sudbury operations for Vale Inco. 

Crosshair Exploration & Mining Corp. (TSX: CXX, Amex: CXZ) announced the appointment of Sonya Atwal as Chief Financial Officer of Crosshair, replacing Adam Kniec. Ms. Atwal has been Crosshair's Controller since 2005. 

Romios Gold Resources Inc. (TSX-V: RG, OTCBB: RMIOF, FRANKFURT:D4R) announced that Michael D'Amico has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer, replacing Errol Farr, who has resigned to focus his attentions on Adex Mining Inc. where he serves as President. Mr. D'Amico is a former partner at KPMG and has served as Chief Financial Officer of several companies in various industries including distribution, technology and a publicly traded technology company. Most recently he has been providing Investor Relations and other consulting services to publicly traded mining companies.

Pretium Resources Inc. (TSX: PVG) announced that Tom S.Q. Yip, Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Silver Standard Resources Inc., has been appointed to its Board of Directors. Mr. Yip has over 25 years experience in the mining industry, including 20 years with Echo Bay Mines Ltd. where he held finance roles of increasing responsibility, including Vice-President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, before the company merged with Kinross Gold Corporation in 2003. Prior to his current role with Silver Standard, he was Chief Financial Officer for Asarco, LLC. 

Viridis Energy Inc. (TSX-V: VRD) announced the appointment of Michele Rebiere as Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Rebiere has been the Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Ms. Rebiere replaces Isaac Moss, the Company's previous Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Moss will continue to serve as a director and Corporate Secretary.

Pershimco Resources Inc. (TSX-V: PRO, FRANKFURT: BIZ) announced the nomination of Serge Cotes, as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Company. Mr. Cotes will be replacing Jacques Fortin who was acting interim CFO for the Company. Mr. Fortin will still sit as director on the Board of the Company. From 1995 to 2000, he worked for KPMG as an auditor of private and public companies. During this period he was heavily involved in various cases of public companies both in public accounting issues, taxation and financial manners. From May 2000 to April 2004, he worked for the Fonds Regional de Solidarite FTQ as an investment councilor where he joined the boards of directors of private corporations while realizing several capital investments both in private and public companies. In April 2004, he entered the broker firm National Bank Financial where he worked as an investment advisor until October 2008. From January 2009 to February 2011, he was employed by the accountant firm Deloitte in Rouyn-Noranda where he worked in the tax department, specializing, amongst other thing, in mining taxation issues.

LOREX Technology Inc. (NEX: LOX.H)  announced that its Chief Financial Officer, Jordan Schwartz, has left the Company in order to pursue other business opportunities.  The Company has appointed David Mundy to act as interim Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately, while it searches for a permanent replacement. Mr. Mundy, a Chartered Accountant, practiced with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP from 1987-2000 in the firm's audit and IT practice areas. In 2000, he became an independent consultant assisting public and private companies with their financial reporting responsibilities. Since March 2010, Mr. Mundy has provided consulting services to the Company, with particular emphasis on financial reporting.  

NovaGold Resources Inc. (AMEX: NG, TSX: NG) announced the appointment of Elaine Sanders to the position of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Ms. Sanders joined NovaGold as Controller in March 2003, was promoted to Vice President Finance in 2006, was appointed Corporate Secretary in 2008 and has been Interim CFO since April 2010. Prior to joining NovaGold, Ms. Sanders worked in the high tech sector and in the assurance practice of Price Waterhouse. While with NovaGold, Ms. Sanders also took senior management positions with the Company's spin outs as Controller for SpectrumGold Inc. and CFO for Alexco Resource Corp.

Fortress Energy Inc. (TSX: FEI) announced the appointment of J. Michael Sullivan to the position of Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Sullivan was Managing Partner of Affluence Capital Corporation. During his tenure at Affluence, Mr. Sullivan was responsible for corporate finance advisory work with a number of public and private energy companies including Western Carbon Ltd. Hyperion Technologies, International Petroreal, Brink Energy, Interex Oilfield Services and Vault Power Corp. where he acted in senior management capacity including interim chief executive officer, chief financial officer and/or chief strategy officer. Prior to establishing Affluence Capital Corporation in 2001, Mr. Sullivan was a founder and Chief Financial Officer of a private midstream infrastructure company that was sold to AltaGas Services Ltd. Prior thereto, Mr. Sullivan was the Chief Financial Officer of the Morrison Facilities Income Trust, a TSX listed entity. Prior thereto, Mr Sullivan was the manager for project finance at TransCanada PipeLines. Mr. Sullivan is a board member and Treasurer of Independent Living Resource Center which is a national non-profit charity that provides resources for disabled persons and a former board member of the Calgary Society of Financial Analysts.

Abzu Gold Ltd. (TSX-V: ABS) announced the appointment of Ross McDonald will become Chief Financial Officer for the Company, replacing Chris Cherry. Mr. McDonald has a broad range of experience in public company accounting and finance, providing accounting, audit and tax services to small and medium sized businesses. The majority of his clients are in the resource industry and include public companies, mining professionals, exploration service companies and consultants. He serves on the Board of Directors of Fjordland Exploration Ltd. and Miranda Gold Corp.

If you have news about CFOs on the move, or any comments on this feature, please email us

You’ve been a CFO for a long time. What’s next?

As a CFO with many years of experience, you certainly have seen a lot in your career. If you are a CFO and have been working for over 30 years, the thought of ‘What’s next’ certainly enters into your thoughts, not to mention the thoughts of your family members. You’ve worked hard all your life and would like to slow down the pace a notch, but you don’t want to give up the challenges you need to feel the personal satisfaction that has driven you throughout your career.

Here are some options to consider:

Taking a CEO position: I can hear you say ‘I thought you said this would help me slow down the pace a notch? Becoming CEO would be more stressful, not less.’ What I am advocating for is for you to consider only those roles where being CEO would call on your talents and abilities, but have you manage a team of people to get the details done – your role would be the Quarterback. Think about it – Have you ever thought that the CEO you worked for had a less stressful job than you? Of course you have. Now it’s your turn. (Read from CFOZone: Prepping to become CEO: How CFOs can become CEO)

Become a Board Member: There is a high demand for people with your talent on Boards of Directors. According to Deloitte’s Corporate Governance Webcast: CFOs on Boards, a CFO can expect to spend 250 hours a year in time commitment to a Board of Directors. While this Webcast was more for a currently employed CFO sitting on the Board of Directors of another company, a lot of the advice still applies in this situation. Experienced CFOs with a few Board positions have the flexibility they want with the challenges they need, and the compensation is good too.

Those that can, work. Those that can’t, Consult? If you are getting ready to slow down a bit, it might be a good time to hang up a shingle and call yourself a Consultant. The word Consultant has been used by many professionals in between jobs as a euphemism for their lack of employment. But this does not have to be the case. We have seen (and helped) many Senior Finance Executives in between opportunities find contractual roles that allow them to keep busy, earn good pay, and have a level of flexibility they have never had. Making a career move to Consulting has been a good move for many experienced CFOs.

Help build a Start up: With all the experience you have, wouldn’t it be great to be involved with creating a real business out of an idea? There are many entrepreneurs, young and not so young, that have a great idea, are fabulous at the technical, the marketing, or both, but have little understanding as to what the mechanics of finance and administration are. They need help with financing the company, managing cash flow and all the other good things necessary to make a great idea or great product into a great company. Combining your strengths with amazing ideas and talent could be the best thing that ever happened to you in your career. Isn’t it time to have some fun?

While you may like these ideas as options, your next Question is: “So how do I find these opportunities?” The same way you find other opportunities – network and build your personal brand while adding value to those around you. Consider which option would suit you best and let people know what you are looking for.