Post by
stockarchangel on Sep 27, 2011 9:31pm
About Debra Farquharson
Debra Farquharson's SummaryDebra is a prime example of how you can bring an entrepreneurial spirit to any task or opportunity. Having founded, grown, and sold her own busines, she is a significant investor in a TSX – V manufacturing company in which she played a key role for over 5 years. She currently is a strategic advisor to several organizations, including the resource, manufacturing and NPO sectors.Having experience both as a CEO, and CFO, Debra has over 25 years of multi-industry management experience for both public and privately-held enterprises. She has been a key member of the leadership team in growth organizations with revenues ranging from $1 million to $6billion. Her responsibilities have included finance and accounting, IT, HR, public and media relations, sales & marketing as well as operations. She has been a change management facilitator in a variety of organizations.She is known for analyzing key business drivers and implementing winning strategies. Debra is a creative and resourceful visionary who delivers shareholder value. She is highly analytical, however, her leadership and communication style is very open and forth-coming. She is very much about teamwork and leadership cohesiveness. She excels and thrives in challenging environments and enjoys the complexity of integrating business requirements through innovation and people.SpecialtiesGrowth, Development, Turnaround Management,Restructuring, Rightsizing, Increase Shareholder Value, Public, Media, Investor Relations,Profit, Management, Budgets, Planning, Strategic, Private Equity, Public Companies, Clear, Direct, Inspiring, Communication, Senior, Management, Motivation, Inspiration, Direction, Re-engineering, Mission, FocusDebra Farquharson's ExperienceDirector, Fundraising - CorporateLearning Disability Association of BCNonprofit; Nonprofit Organization Management industryJune 2011 – Present (4 months)It is estimated that as much as 75% of our homeless and prison population have a learning disability. At least 1 in 10 of us has an LD, and approximately 1 in 4 families are affected. The hidden cost to our society is enormous, and largely preventable. The LDABC is a provincial organization with the primary mandate of increasing public awareness, providing support and education material to our chapters, our teachers, and the general public, as well as, lobbying for early diagnosis and intervention in our public school system. See Stories of Hope on our web site.President & CEOThe Turnaround TeamPrivately Held; Executive Office industryNovember 2008 – Present (2 years 11 months)Is your business achieving the profits you want? Are you looking for growth or succession? Is your management team functioning as a cohesive unit; and do they have all the skills needed to deliver growth?The Turnaround Team's primary focus-- "Pointing YOUR business in the right direction." Through a network of professionals, we provide Interim or permanent CEO's, CFO's, COO's as well as assist in or leading financial negotiations, M&A, business valuations, business development, developing growth strategy alternatives, evaluation of cost management, assistance with financial reporting requirements, including assistance with SEDAR, MDA, CanSox compliance, and preparing business plans and proposals.AssociateUHY Chartered AccountantsAccounting industryMarch 2009 – August 2009 (6 months)UHY is a multi-partner CA firm located in Langely, BC with international affiliates. I was a business coach for business turnarounds, developing strategic growth plans, addressing operational efficiencies; creating business plans. I also prepared complex corporate tax returns and multi-currency NTR's; provided some staff supervision; and handled client relations for specific clients.CFOIntertainment Media Inc.Internet industry2006 – 2008 (2 years)Intertainment Media is a multimedia web-based enterprise located in Richmond Hill, ON. I was responsible for all external financial reporting including preparing consolidated financial statements and MDA. I also advised management on downsizing and cost-cutting iniatives, assisted with hiring accounting staff as well as the implementation of a new accounting system. I also implemented software used to automate the process of consolidating divisional financial reporting.CEO/CFORoaDor IndustriesTransportation/Trucking/Railroad industry2003 – 2008 (5 years)RoaDor manufactures patented PVC panel rollup truck doors for both the reefer and dry freight trailers.“Debra was our Interim CEO/Contract CFO/Corporate Secretary/Director, and also an investor in RoaDor Industries. Debra’s involvement with RoaDor extended well beyond the finance and reporting area. She intuitively took an active as well as advisory role in sales, distribution, and operations. She was instrumental in putting together several private equity financings. Debra is an enthusiastic individual. I was delighted to have her on the team.” Rick Scully, Director/InvestorI was responsible for all external reporting including consolidated financial statements, MDA, and dealing with external auditors. I was also responsible for raising equity and external financing for this TSX-V venture capital company. I also negotiated a lease for new premises as well as obtained D&O, and renegotiated all insurance coverage. I developed business plans, and contributed to business development and sales strategies. I was also a Director, Investor, and Corporate Secretary. I was also responsible for Investor Relations.Sole PractitionerFarquharson & AssociatesFinancial Services industry1996 – 2005 (9 years)Farquharson & Associates was a CA firm located in Newmarket, ON. I was the founder/owner of this CA practice specializing in business advisory and tax planning services for owner-managed businesses. I grew the business to a team of 5 employees and over 300 clients. I sold the practice in 2005.CEO/CFOOSPCAPhilanthropy industry1995 – 1996 (1 year)OSPCA is a NPO founded in the late 1800's with the primary objective of promoting animal welfare. “Debra is a natural-born leader. Her infectious enthusiasm and ability to clearly articulate her vision and her ideas causes others to be inspired and to gravitate around her. As a result of her efforts, we received an additional $4MM in proceeds on a property sale. She would be a tremendous asset to any organization.” Paul Busch, CA, former director Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.As the CEO, I was responsible for approximately 35 animal shelters; managing the Newmarket farm property and head office, 140 employees and hundreds of volunteers; public and media relations; lobbying efforts; enforcement; fundraising; human resources management; and financial reporting; financing; cash management; accounting and internal controls. I negotiated the sale of the Newmarket property for over $6MM providing funding for the construction of the new facility in Stouffville, Ontario.Director, FinanceGenesis MicrochipPublic Company; GNSS; Semiconductors industry1994 – 1995 (1 year)Genesis Microchip is a non-fab producer of semiconductors traded on the TSX and Nasdaq exchanges. I was responsible for financial reporting; attendance at board meetings; bank and lease financing; preparing business plans; and administrative information systems. I implemented an information system for sales and administration. I introduced a new accounting system that could accomodate a mult-user environment. I worked with an accomplished group of Ph D’s and engineers and developed a good working knowledge of the microchip industry.CFOEXCO TechnologiesAutomotive industry1993 – 1995 (2 years)Exco Technologies manufactures injection molds for the automotive industry, and extrusion dies for the aluminum and plastics industries. I was responsible for preparing quarterly and annual financial statements for this public company traded on the TSX; all internal and external financial reporting; 3 divisional controllers; business plans; internal controls and corporate information systems. I handled communication with auditors on all accounting, tax and reporting matters. I also Implemented a new accounting system for the corporate head office.Director, FinanceMonsantoPublic Company; MON; Biotechnology industry1991 – 1992 (1 year)Monsanto is a global diversified manufacturing organization with over 40,000 employees worldwide. It has Canadian locations in Mississauga, ON; Winnepeg, MN, and LaSalle, Quebec. I managed a staff of 20 and a departmental budget of $1MM for a chemicals and plastics manufacturer with sales in excess of $100MM. I was responsible for all internal, external and parent company reporting, financial accounting, manufacturing and inventory accounting, budgeting, project economics, credit and receivables management.ConsultantBusinessLandExecutive Office industry1989 – 1990 (1 year)Businessland was a privately-owned company with a US parent that designed and installed computer mainframe systems. I provided general business management expertise including managing the controllership and CFO responsibilities, accounting and financial systems design, and reviewing internal controls and procedures. I also prepared business plans, addressed organizational structure, assisted with recruiting, information systems design, internal controls, external and internal reporting.Director, PlanningSuncor EnergyPublic Company; SU; Oil & Energy industry1987 – 1989 (2 years)Suncor is a Calgary-based oil and gas producer. I managed the long range planning process and worked with senior managers on the development of business strategies. I also analysed potential acquisitions and disposals and various other business venture opportunities. I also monitored the impact of fluctuating oil and gas prices, exchange rates, interest rates, and legislative changes. I was responsible for the development of a custom-designed corporate consolidated planning system.Business Development AnalystDome Petroleum LtdOil & Energy industry1981 – 1987 (6 years)Dome Petroleum was the largest oil and gas producer in Canada with over 8,000 employees and assets in excess of $6B. It was subsequently acquired by Amoco. I developed long range plans and senior management presentations for strategic planning. I evaluated expansion capital project opportunities in the company’s lucrative gas products business. I custom-designed an economic simulation model for extraction plants using APL. I was part of a team that designed and implemented a cash planning system which automated the process of consolidation and projected the company’s cash position through the use of scenario planning.Senior AccountantPrice Waterhouse CoopersPartnership; Management Consulting industry1977 – 1980 (3 years)PriceWaterhouseCoopers is one of the largest CA firm in the world with offices around the globe. I worked in the Toronto office. I was responsible for all aspects of audit field work including planning, budgeting, supervising staff, and preparing all financial statements and reports. My clients included companies in the retail, manufacturing, real estate, mining, government, and mutual funds sectors giving me a wide range of industry exposure.