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Dec 14
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December 2020: Lessons Learned from 2020 for a Prosperous 2021

By Business Consulting

LESSONS LEARNED FROM 2020 FOR A PROSPEROUS 2021

As we near the end of 2020 and reflect on the challenges and obstacles faced, the lessons we learned will carry us well beyond this year. Flexibility, transition, and transparency are words that accurately describe how organizations had to adapt to our changed world. As we seek to recover, reset, and eventually resume a normal life in 2021, Warren Whitney’s team of professionals took stock of the lessons they learned. Here are some key takeaways from our team of experts to support financial stability, a healthy business model, and a motivated workforce for years to come.

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Jul 20
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May 2018 Newsletter

By Nonprofit, Strategy

Board Room Confidential: Working term limits to your advantage

It happens all the time. Board members serve for long, extended periods of time, sometimes indefinitely. This can make for a difficult and uncomfortable situation. You are grateful and value your board members’ dedication to your organization …. But it is time for some fresh ideas. A common question asked is:

HOW CAN WE BEST HANDLE THIS SENSITIVE TOPIC?

We interviewed Katherine Whitney, our cofounder and managing partner on this topic. She recently dealt with this common pushback and having over 30 years of experience in the industry, who better to explain:

  • Why term limits are so important; the risks in not having them and their added value.
  • The best approach to part ways amicably and keep these individuals engaged in the organization.
  • How best to move forward.

Question: Why bother with term Limits?

Katherine Whitney: Term Limits are a tough topic to tackle.  You can get away without them as long as it works, but when it stops working, I believe the organization is at greater risk of not making a smooth transition.  Here are some of the risks in not having term limits:

  1.  One or more people stop doing the work that needs to be done by board members, and there’s no graceful way to have them rotate off the board.  I’ve seen this happen with board members who love an organization and who have worked hard for it, but at some point, they just get tired or get involved in other things.  Because the organization is important to them, they don’t want to resign; because they’ve done great work in the past, others on the Board are hesitant to ask them to rotate off.  Then that lack of work lowers the standard for engagement for all Board members.
  2.  Especially, for an original founding board, there is the risk that a large part of the board wears out all at once.  Several key people are suddenly really ready to rotate off, but no one has been brought along to replace them.
  3.  People who are not on the Board but who are interested in the organization begin to sense that there’s no place for them at the governing level.
  4.  Adding new people to the Board increases the opportunity to broaden the circle. A Board that is filled with legacy Board members doesn’t have enough space for new members.

Question: Can we say goodbye on good terms?

KW: Absolutely. Most organizations have community leaders associated with them.  They can roll off the Board when their terms are up, stay off for a year and stay engaged, and come right back on to start a new term.  That can work well.

Another option is to consider an emeritus category.  Typically, you would limit the number of spots available, but this would give you a handful of spots for Board members who have gone above and beyond.  These seats are forever but are usually non-voting.

Question: How do we continue to bring new and fresh talent to join our board?

Answer: Cultivating and engaging new board members is challenging.  I often compare it to the discipline of getting & staying in shape.  It’s hard to build the processes and transitions that are needed, and you need to give yourself some time and be regulated about taking the right steps.

It’s best to get some buy in from Board members before you approach new people.  It’s important to have a process that the governance (aka nominating or board development) committee takes to:

  • Determine the skills and experience needed from new board members
  • Identify potential new board members
  • Agree on which ones to approach

In short, the lesson is clear. Term Limits are a necessity. They act as a safeguard not only for the organization but also to keep a healthy and productive environment in the board room.

Katherine Whitney is a co-founder and managing partner of Warren Whitney. With more than 30 years of experience in helping organizations reach their potential, Katherine has a passion for helping to strengthen non-profit organizations by building good business practices to support their missions. Katherine holds an MBA from University of North Caroline at Chapel hill, and a BS in Mathematics from Davidson College. She is also a graduate of Leadership Metro Richmond and a BoardSource Certified Governance Trainer. If you are looking for help with your business, email Katherine at KWhitney@warrenwhitney.com .

Jun 28
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Beth Williams

By Uncategorized

Beth Williams, a Warren Whitney professional, has worked in human resource management for over 25 years with experience that spans many diverse industries. She provides a full range of HR consulting services and strategic solutions that are customized for each client and that provide a clear direction to company goals and objectives.  There are no pre-determined solutions; they are unique and creative taking best practices, individual personalities, management styles and company culture into consideration with each client. 

Management Experience:

Beth’s passion is helping businesses optimize their greatest investment, their staff.  Whether she is in an interim HR management role or is working on a short-term project, she immerses herself in as many aspects of the business as possible.  From conducting employee focus groups, providing organizational development through training opportunities, to coaching managers regarding employee relations or performance management, there is consistent and continuous improvement that is measureable.  The results are stronger leadership, smoother operations, improved employee morale and compliance on important legal issues thus reducing risk to the organization.

Beth serves her clients in the following areas:

  • Recruiting and Executive Search services
  • Benefits consulting
  • HR audits
  • Performance management
  • Employee focus groups and culture definition
  • Change management
  • Compliance, process improvement, and policy development
  • Leadership development and counsel

Prior to joining Warren Whitney, Beth successfully owned and operated her own HR consulting business for 14 years and is a principal in a technology consulting business. She has a solid understanding of the challenges business owners face, and enjoys using her HR and consulting expertise to offer solutions and strategies that help overcome those challenges.  Many of her clients have been long term as she was serving in a fractional HR management role for these small businesses.

Education and Professional Associations:

Beth received her B.A. in Psychology with an emphasis on business school coursework from the University of Richmond.  She is a native of Roanoke, VA and has served on various boards in the Richmond area. For eight years, Beth served on the Board of Coordinators 2 Inc., a local adoption agency whose mission is to find forever families for infants and foster care children.  Currently, Beth serves on the Marriott Board of Directors for Crystal Shores Resort in Marco Island and she loves spending time in southern Florida and representing the owners of the resort in COA matters.

 

Send Beth an E-mail

Jun 28
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Jill M. Swinger

By Uncategorized

Jill Swinger is a director of Warren Whitney and is primarily engaged by organizations requiring financial management and marketing analysis. Jill brings more than 30 years experience in both public accounting and private industry.

Management Experience:

Jill generally serves her clients in the role of business controller, sales and marketing controller, chief financial officer, or special assistant to the president or owner. She offers a well-rounded business background with a concentration in financial controls; sales results measurement; and profitability analysis of customers, products, and distribution channels. Jill can also serve her clients as an active driver in company acquisition analysis and has played a lead role in computer system implementation and the financial justification of facility closures, expansion, and consolidations. She functions as a leader in cross-functional teams to improve asset management and increase sales and margin performance.

Prior to joining Warren Whitney, Jill was the sales and marketing controller with Overhead Door Corp. in Dallas, Texas where she was responsible for directing sales and marketing reporting and analysis for an industry-leading $340 million garage door division and a $160 million Genie-brand opener division. She developed district, regional, and channel sales reporting structures, including forecasting; customer contribution margin; salesman performance results and product line price; and volume and mix analyses. Jill was also responsible for developing and monitoring the performance of more than $30 million in sales and marketing expenses.

Before joining Overhead Door, Jill worked as an independent consultant on a project for a $25 million vertically integrated manufacturer of cotton apparel where she was responsible for overseeing the daily manufacturing operations and managing the procurement, planning and distribution, and system support for two facilities. Prior to this, Jill worked with Rubbermaid, Inc. where she held a variety of positions during her 10-year tenure, including internal auditor, general accounting manager, manufacturing accounting manager, manager of sales and marketing financial support, and ultimately business controller.

As manufacturing accounting manager for the Home Products Division of Rubbermaid, Jill was responsible for reporting cost of goods sold for $500 million that represented approximately 60% of gross sales for a six-plant operation, including outsourcing operations. She also developed plant overhead rates, shipping budgets, and warehousing budgets. As manager of sales and marketing financial support, Jill provided financial analysis and support to achieve optimal sales and margin generation, expense control, and resource allocation. As business controller of Rubbermaid Cleaning and Maintenance Products, she managed all financial functions of a $120 million strategic business unit, including budgeting and forecasting, asset control and management, and full profit and loss reporting. She also performed due diligence prior to an acquisition and was part of the transition team during the integration of the former Empire Brush facility with Rubbermaid Cleaning Products.

Jill began her professional career with KPMG Peat Marwick, rising to the position of audit senior. She performed audits of various manufacturing, health care, and not-for-profit educational institutions.

Education and Professional Associations:

Jill earned her B.B.A degree in Accounting from Kent State University and qualified as a Certified Public Accountant in Ohio. Since moving to the Richmond area, she has volunteered as Treasurer to several local non-profit organizations.

Contact Jill by E-Mail

Jun 28
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Pauline Murphy

By Uncategorized

Pauline Murphy is a member of Warren Whitney’s accounting service team. She provides clients with accounting services typically performed by a bookkeeper or senior accountant. Pauline has worked in the nonprofit, healthcare, construction, and retail industries. She is particularly talented at running an efficient and cost-effective administrative function. In addition to serving clients, Pauline has been the office manager with Warren Whitney for more than 15 years. She has more than 20 years of management experience, with a background in computers and accounting in a variety of industries.

Management Experience

Pauline generally services her clients in the role of bookkeeper or database manager. She has more than 20 years of experience in accounts payable and receivable, payroll and benefit solutions, budget and audit preparation, reconciliations, financial report generation and database management. She is also experienced in vendor negotiations, as well as preparing policy and procedure manuals.

Prior to joining Warren Whitney, Pauline was the executive assistant for the administrator of a home health agency, and a DME company. She was responsible for auditing client records, Medicare/Medicaid, third-party billing, purchasing office and medical supplies, and HR functions. She was also an office manager for a national construction firm and the executive assistant to the vice president of another construction company, where she was responsible for contracts, OSAS logs, processing A/P, and payroll, as well as other management functions.

Pauline possesses excellent computer skills and is proficient with MS Office and QuickBooks Pro, Peachtree and OSAS, as well as other accounting software.

Education and Professional Associations

Pauline graduated summa cum laude from J. Sargeant Reynolds with a degree in Computer Information Systems. She is also a Notary Public with the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Contact Pauline by E-Mail

Jun 28
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Bonnie Grow

By Uncategorized

Accounting and Management Experience:

Bonnie Grow joined Warren Whitney in December of 2012 as a senior accountant after a 27 year career as Finance Director of a non-profit assisted living facility serving low-income elderly and disabled residents.  As such, she has extensive experience in all aspects of the accounting function including A/R, A/P and payroll processing, both in-house and out-sourced.  She was also responsible for preparation of monthly financial statements, year-end closings, budgeting and completion of numerous reports for local departments of social services and state agencies.

Bonnie also has experience in the banking industry preparing job descriptions and creating audit program guides for a local Savings & Loan Association.

She is currently serving as a senior accountant for several clients in the non-profit sector and the for-profit industry.

Education and Professional Associations:

Bonnie has an undergraduate degree in Biology from Mary Washington College and a post-baccalaureate certificate in Accounting from Virginia Commonwealth University.  She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of her local community association.

Jun 28
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Gene Gregory

By Uncategorized

Gene Gregory is a director of Warren Whitney, working with clients requiring senior level operations, accounting, or financial management.  He brings over 30 years of progressive experience helping organizations establish and meet growth and profitability through active and ongoing management decision making.

Management Experience:

Gene generally serves clients in the role of CFO or COO. He brings to clients a creative and enthusiastic, but studied approach to problem solving and broad, multidisciplined experience in effectively managing numerous projects and people to meet organizational goals.

Gene has served Warren Whitney for over twelve years, starting originally in 1993, with a break in service for a successful 11-year entrepreneurial stint as an owner of a specialized home medical equipment company. Returning in 2007, Gene has continued to serve not-for-profit clients with a variety of social enterprises and missions and business clients in a variety of industries.  Clients have included:

  • A local mental health and educational services organization,
  • A multi-location health and fitness business,
  • A regional family-owned quarry operation,
  • A national membership organization,
  • A local home health agency,
  • A regional computer value-added reseller,
  • A local family-owned heavy equipment service center,
  • A local home health agency,
  • A local performing arts organization.

 

Gene assists clients by identifying the organization’s strengths and weaknesses in operational and financial systems and processes, helping clients leverage strengths and correct deficiencies. Because of his broad functional experience, he favors comprehensive management to achieve an organization’s goals and can perform as a leader or management team member.

From 1996 to 2006, he was the senior vice president and part owner of Medical Modalities Inc. (MMI), a North Carolina based home medical equipment dealer. During that tenure with MMI, he managed operational and financial functions of the company, leading the company from its small business roots to regional recognition and success. He formalized organization and processes as the staff grew in number from eight to 55. Working with his partner, the company’s founder and president, Gene helped MMI open new product markets in profitable niches. Sales grew 800% over 10 years and the company’s market expanded from one to five states. The partners sold the company to a venture capital group with the financial capabilities to launch a national expansion, thus meeting a goal set when Gene joined MMI.

Prior to Gene’s earlier years with Warren Whitney, he was a senior manager for McGladrey & Pullen, a national public accounting and consulting firm. He coordinated financial consulting, auditing, and accounting services to manufacturing, distribution, and service companies, as well as to a variety of not-for-profit organizations including colleges, trade associations, and charitable entities. Perhaps uniquely, his experience with non-taxable entities added a fundamental knowledge of fund accounting and government reporting requirements to his other business skill sets. Before joining McGladrey & Pullen, Gene was an instructor of accounting and economics at Averett College.

Education and Professional Associations:

Gene holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a BA in Economics from Clemson University. He is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant by the Commonwealth of Virginia.  He is a past member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, the North Carolina Association of Medical Equipment Suppliers and the Virginia Government Finance Officers Association.

Contact Gene by E-Mail

Jun 28
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Charles “Rique” Flato V

By Uncategorized

Charles “Rique” Flato is a director of Warren Whitney. Rique generally serves his clients in the role of controller or CFO. He has a consistent record with various companies, utilizing financial expertise to improve accounting practices and turn problematic business conditions into profitable operations. The primary businesses served include construction, retail, real estate, and service organizations.

Management Experience:

Rique has broad experience in financial reporting in accordance with GAAP. He has been successful in developing appropriate internal accounting control systems and is also skilled at introducing and managing change while maintaining organizational relationships and management processes.

Prior to joining Warren Whitney, Rique was the controller for Fountainhead Development Group, a real estate development company. Rique played an integral role in helping to generate historic tax credits on development projects that the company owns and manages in Shockoe Slip, Shockoe Bottom, and Manchester areas of Richmond. Before joining Fountainhead, Rique was an independent business consultant to small- and medium-sized businesses. Services provided were similar to controllership and consulting services provided under the current Warren Whitney business model.

Rique also served as vice president and corporate treasurer for Fas Mart Convenience Stores, which operated 160 convenience stores in three states with annual revenues of approximately $200 million and 500 employees. During his tenure at Fas Mart, Rique was in charge of managing the accounting and financial record keeping with respect to the operating company, its affiliates, and related entities, including financial planning, budgeting, and profitability planning. In addition, he was responsible for the management of financial accounting systems and implementation of policies and procedures with respect to the control of cash and other elements of loss control. Responsibilities also included managing deposit and credit relationships with banks and for cash management and treasury operations.

Prior to joining Fas Mart, Rique was treasurer of Brooks Transfer and Storage Company and supervisor at McGladrey and Pullen, a national public accounting and consulting firm. During his five-year tenure at McGladrey, Rique supervised multiple audit teams led by senior auditors, revised audit documents to ensure proper compliance with GAAP, trained staff members in auditing procedures, and prepared and reviewed corporate, individual, proprietor, Sub-chapter S, and not-for-profit tax returns.

 

Education and Professional Associations:

Rique holds a BBA in Accounting from Sam Houston State University in Texas. Rique has served on the Board of Directors of Ducks Unlimited as treasurer, is a member of the West Richmond Businessman’s Association, Willow Oaks Country Club and is involved in many sports organizations in the Richmond community.

 

Jun 28
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Janet Duncan

By Uncategorized

Janet Duncan, a Warren Whitney professional, has over 20 years of varied Human Resources and Compensation management experience fostering in long term, competitive strategies to attract, retain and engage top talent and achieve cost management. Her primary focus has been with Fortune 500 companies at the corporate, regional and manufacturing / distribution work environments. Her industry experience spans healthcare, energy (oil & coal), consumer products, and education. Janet provides a full range of HR consulting services and strategic solutions that are customized for each client and that provide a clear direction to company goals and objectives.

 

Management Experience:

Janet’s specialties are implementing HR projects and processes including acquisition/merger compensation, performance management, employment/ staffing and training/development.  She enjoys rolling up her sleeves whether in an interim HR management role or working on a short-term project. Janet serves her clients in the following areas:

  • Recruiting and Executive Search services
  • Compensation consulting
  • HR audits
  • Performance management
  • Employee focus groups and culture definition
  • Change management
  • Compliance, process improvement, and policy development
  • Leadership development and counsel

 

Education and Professional Associations:

Janet received her M.S. in Human Resources Management from Georgia State University and her B.S. in Sociology with a Concentration in Analysis and Research (CAR) from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.  She also holds two national certifications in Human Resources and facilitated HR accreditation courses for eight years. She is a member of the Richmond Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and national SHRM organizations.

Email Janet

 

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