CFO Expertise for Evolving Enterprises

CMJ Consulting provides responsive, high quality advisory CFO and management consulting services to successful entrepreneurs and stakeholders of small to mid-size privately-held companies. Our specialty is helping companies going through times of change, where they can benefit from chief financial officer and financial executive services but may not need to hire a full-time executive. We serve clients from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara, including the Westlake, Agoura, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Oxnard and Ventura areas.

Accomplishments

Managing Change for Financial Results

  • During her six-year tenure as chief financial officer of a private equity firm, Cheryl managed the acquisition of three companies, directed the start-up of two others, and oversaw the divestiture of another company that had 25 subsidiaries.  Under her auspices the company grew 30% over five years and achieved revenues of $600 million. The high integrity of the financial statements and the budget controls Cheryl put in place allowed the firm to negotiate good loan terms and create positive cash flow for the company.

  • Cheryl obtained a $45M collateral based lending facility for an aviation fuel reseller. Facility provided financing for receivables and fuel inventory, including international receivables. Also had an amortizing term loan component. Negotiated a receivables insurance program to maximize borrowings. Previously negotiated a $15M and a $30M collateral based facility for same company with a different lender.

    Other significant finance arrangements negotiated include:

    • $8M collateral based receivable line and a $2.0M equipment line  for a food distributor;

    • $6M line for a aviation charter business and a $3M equipment line;

    • Negotiated numerous aircraft and yacht financings and refinancing ranging from a $3 million to $30 million facilities;

    • Secured commercial real estate financing for entitled land and commercial construction/permanent financing in excess of $10 million.
  • Cheryl oversaw the divestiture of company for a sales price in excess of $200 million. This transaction resulted in significant profits to the company’s stakeholders. Cheryl worked closely with the majority owner/CEO to provide a unique business valuation that resulted in a favorable sales price.  She participated in the management of the entire seller due diligence process, which resulted in minimal purchase price adjustments.  Cheryl also coordinated with counsel pertaining to seller representations and warranties and preparation of the buy/sell agreement.
  • Cheryl has managed the acquisition and subsequent divestiture of a charter aviation company, a food distributor, and an aviation fuel reseller.  Her involvement included overseeing both the buyer and seller due diligence, post-acquisition integration, finance/capital requirements for the acquisitions, and sales price support and negotiation.

  • In the last two years, Cheryl has negotiated several business and personal loan modifications. Such revised loan agreements provided for significantly reduced interest rates, lower monthly cash out flow and extended terms to meet borrowers current and expected future cash flow.

  • For two newly acquired companies, Cheryl set up accounting policies and procedures, established financial reporting guidelines, hired and trained new accounting departments, and supervised the accounting close.  She also established budgets and related controls, controls over loan compliance, and relevant management reports. In both companies, this resulted in accurate and timely financial reporting that enabled management to make informed business decisions.  Additionally, creditability with lenders and investors were established which resulted in improved cash flow, additional borrowings and more favorable terms.

  • Cheryl has participated in the wind-down of three companies, including one bankruptcy and two ABC liquidations.  Her involvement included the recovery of assets, negotiations of liabilities, human resource management and various business matters pertaining to dissolution of a business.