Biography
Warren Frank, CPA, MBA
Wcfrank3540@gmail.com § 847.922.1143
https://www.linkedin.com/in/warren-frank/
SUMMARY
Financial & Operations C-Level Executive with core capabilities of accounting and finance, strategic planning and budgeting, operations and administration, human resources, and procurement.
Reversed deficits to surpluses and reached appropriate liquidity and reserve levels with no interest-bearing debt. Motivated staff to deliver value-added services and products for members through coaching, guidance, encouragement, and market-based compensation.
Key areas of strength include:
Strategic Leadership Calculated Risk-taker Cost containment and revenue enhancer Business development Leader and innovator of office operations and real estate strategies Motivator of direct reports and project teamsPROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Chinese American Service League, Chicago, Il. February 2022
Vice President - Finance
ANIXTER CENTER, Chicago, Il. 2019 – 2021
Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer
Led and managed organization’s accounting, facilities, finance, grant management, information systems, and properties areas. Currently focusing on process improvements, budgeting and forecasting including cash flow analysis and capital needs, and build-out projects.
Led team to compose first operating surplus budget in a decade. Acquired Paycheck Protection Program Grant and forgiveness. Led team to set-up a real estate strategy for its over 20 properties valued over $19M. Sourced and brought in a replacement insurance broker offering greater coverage and lower premiums. Enhanced/improved upon the financial statement presentation to the Finance Committee. Initiated a forecasting process that was easily readable for the CEO and Finance Committee Members. Obtained an unmodified/unqualified independent auditors’ opinion for Fiscal year 2020. Negotiated and finessed a value-add line of credit. Led team for the sale of a major property to accomplish liquidity. Reduced accounting and administrative costs and processes. Led team to bring-in new investment advisor firm.NATIONAL AUTOMATIC MERCHANDISING ASSOCIATION, Chicago, IL 2019
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Led & managed association focused on closing-out the prior year annual audit, preparing the subsequent annual budget, and project managing an office build-out.
CHICAGO ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS, Chicago, IL 2006 - 2019
Chief Operations & Financial Officer
Led & managed association with up to 60 staff and up to a $15M budget over six facilities within the Chicagoland area.
Led turn around initiative with annual deficits to annual bottom line surpluses and appropriate related reserves. Reduced staff size from 60 to 40, and guided and motivated staff through restructuring. Initiated the R.E.D. (reduce, enhance, & defer) program during the Great Recession. Led the charge to implement rich staff benefits program to better recruit and retain staff. Built new banking and investment relations to decrease treasury costs and increase investment income supplementing the association with non-dues revenues. Implemented association’s first ever bottom-up planning and budgeting processes and structure. Composed Financial Policies to improve internal controls. Initiated Finance and Audit Committees to obtain volunteer member value-added input. Led relocation of the association into current 430 North Michigan Avenue facility. Reduced number of facilities from 6 to 2 through technology. Re-engineered member-facing customer-service call center. Increased non-dues revenues (Education & Member Benefits). Increased value-added member benefit offerings. Prepared for the inevitable cyclical recession.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE, Chicago, IL 2002 - 2006
Regional Director - Operations Midwest Region
Multi-faceted position managing facility and administration operation of 12 locations with staff of 30 to 3,000 and square footage of 800,000. Guided and motivated 12 direct reports and 400 staff. Coordinated all contractors from interior design to base building architecture to informational management. Managed an annual operating budget of $57M.
Closed, opened, and consolidated offices in five cities totaling over 600,000 square feet; saving over $5M annually; entailed occupancy trend analysis and space test fits, minor to major construction, financial analysis, and continual project tracking. Implemented open office design utilizing hoteling concept with innovative support services, as “Service Centers” across two large size offices; increased morale and decreased space needs. Increased Administrative Assistant chargeable hours by over 50%. Implemented Service First philosophy utilizing the “FISH” philosophy across the Region. Re-engineered processes and re-structured staff roles at relocated locations.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS, Chicago, IL 1994 - 2001
Regional Director - Infrastructure Midwest Region
Managed facility and administration operation of 25 locations with staff of 30 to 2,000 and square footage of 900,000. Led cross-functional teams through company merger transitions. Guided and motivated 20 direct reports and 200 staff. Coordinated all contractors from interior design to base building architecture to informational management. Managed an annual operating budget of $60M.
Led charge after merger to close, open, and consolidate offices in 10 cities totaling over 500,000 square feet; saving over $1M annually. Implemented open office design utilizing hoteling concept. Led national cross-functional team to research and negotiate telecom vendors for USA offices. Composed, utilizing Disneyworld and Ritz Carlton Hotels as benchmarks, and presented with team, a “Be Our Guest: Hospitality” customer service program.
Facilitated benchmarking of staff, equipment, and space related functions to share and standardize best practices; decreased annual cost per staff from $6,000 to $4,000.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS, Chicago, IL 1982 - 1994
Vice President - Administration/Facilities (1984 – 1994)
Managed facility operations in Chicago, Elk Grove Village and Washington, D.C.; total sqft of 350,000. Led a staff of 70 as well as contractors. Managed an annual operating budget of $13M. Planned and forecasted budgets for marketing, human resources, education and executive offices.
Reduced building and administrative services annual gross budget from $13M to $8M through re-engineering processes and re-structuring staff. Enhanced Chicago facility to rise from "C" to "B" rated facility. Negotiated leases to maintain market or better rental rates, which influenced tenants to remain and increase occupancy rate to over 95%, Controlled capital expenditures of "C-" rated Washington, D.C. facility; saving $1M. Analyzed and decided to terminate D.C. office location with a positive NPV.
Director - Operation/Audit (1982 – 1984)
Improved and maintained internal controls and protected company assets.
EDUCATION | CERTIFICATION
MBA Management, Northwestern University, J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management
MBA Finance, DePaul University, Graduate School
Certified Public Accountant, University of Illinois
BBA Accounting. Loyola University, College of Business
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Lakeview Food Pantry – Personal Shopper Volunteer
Habitat of Humanity - Volunteer
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Columbia College Chicago, 2008 - Present
Adjunct Instructor – Accounting/Finance/Funding – Business & Entrepreneurial Department
Instructional Areas
To help students grow learning the art and science of finance, accounting, and funding.
Degrees
M.B.A., Finance DePaul University 1984
M.A.M., Management Northwestern University 1993