Advisory &
Executive Board
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C. Alan MacDonald
Advisory Board,
Cost Containment Advisors
Alan MacDonald brings extensive experience in business operations, brand management, restructuring, manufacturing, and executive management to Cost Containment Advisors. He spent the first forty years of his career in the food industry, ultimately rising to President and Chief Executive Officer of Nestle Foods, Inc., a $2 billion wholly owned subsidiary of Nestle S.A. During his eight years at Nestle, Alan oversaw the doubling of sales as well as the acquisition of four new companies and the divestiture of multiple non-strategic businesses.
Prior to Nestle, as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Stouffer Food Corporation, Alan managed a ten-fold growth in sales through product extensions, brand management, and extensive new product development. He directed the conceptualization, development and implementation of Stouffer’s “Lean Cuisine,” one of the most successful new product launches in frozen food history.
After retirement from Nestle, Alan became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Lincoln Snacks. He continued to be active in a variety of company endeavors after its sale. Alan served as the Chairman of the American Frozen Food Institute, and has held several professional board positions both prior and since retirement.
Business Experience:
- Lincoln Snacks – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
- Stouffer Foods Corporation – President and Chief Executive Officer
- Nestle Foods, Inc. – President and Chief Executive Officer
Professional Affiliations:
- Lord Abbett & Company
- Fountainhead Water Company
- Lincoln Snacks Company
- The J.B. Williams Company
- CARESIDE, Inc.
- Velocity Co
- Seix Investments
- H.J. Baker & Bro.
Education:
- Cornell University – B.S. Hotel Administration
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Thomas C. Blum
Advisory Board,
Cost Containment Advisors
Mr. Blum has 23 years of experience in investment banking and investments in private equity and venture capital opportunities. Mr. Blum spent 14 years in investment banking, where he was actively involved in mergers & acquisitions, IPOs, high-yield and investment grade debt and corporate advisory transactions for a wide range of insurance and specialty finance companies. During a portion of this time he was based in Tokyo and oversaw the Salomon BrothersÕ Japanese and Asian Financial Institutions activities.
Mr. Blum was a Managing Director in the private equity firm, Columbia Financial Partners, for 3 years, during which time he helped manage the reorganization and liquidation of ContiFinancial Corp., an $11 billion mortgage company.
In 2001, Mr. Blum founded and led Channel Capital LLC, which provided venture capital and financial advisory services to emerging companies. There he became an active angel investor, backing eleven companies.
Currently, Mr. Blum is a partner at G.C. Andersen Partners, LLC, which is a New York City based boutique merchant bank that advises and invests in emerging growth and middle market companies.
Business Experience:
- G.C. Andersen Partners LLC (2006 - Present), Partner
- Channel Capital, LLC (2001 - 2006), Founder
- Columbia Financial Partners (1998 - 2001), Managing Director
- Bear Stearns & Co. (1996 - 1998), Managing Director
- Salomon Brothers Inc. (1984 - 1996), Vice President
Professional Affiliations:
- Landauer Metropolitan Inc., Board of Directors
- MZM Imaging, Inc., Board of Directors
- Interactive Frontiers, Inc., Board of Directors
- SkyFuel Inc., Board of Directors
Education:
- Princeton University, 1980, BS, Engineering
- Harvard Business School, 1984, MBA
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Kit Konolige
Managing Director,
Cost Containment Advisors
Kit Konolige has been an electric, power, and energy equity analyst and investment banker for 17 years, most of it at Morgan Stanley.
In his roles advising both investors and managements, Kit focused on how
asset-intensive, slow-growth industries could strongly boost returns on
investment and shareholder value aggressively through various strategies
including analyzing and reducing both financial and operational costs per
unit of production.
Kit brings to Cost Containment Advisors his extensive background of a very broad advisory financial, operational and regulatory knowledge base, and intimate industry acumen of the regulated and unregulated entities in the electric, power and energy spaces.
Business Experience:
- Morgan Stanley (2006-2007) Senior Advisor, Utilities/energy investment banking group. Worked on TXU $16B new build project, NRG new build, special projects.
- Morgan Stanley (1994-2005) Utilities Analyst, Worked closely with bankers on M&A, equity issuance, IPOs. Led global utilities team for five years. Helped develop statistical models to compare international stocks. Was a member of key committee to analyze stock ranking system, and was ranked within top 3 among peers by Institutional Investor and Greenwich Associates for over 10 years.
- First Boston (1989-1994), Utilities Analyst, Developed statistical model that indicated 'rich' or 'cheap' stock - widely followed.
- Philadelphia Daily News (1974-1987), Newspaper Reporter, Covered public officials, political campaigns, corruption investigations.
Education:
- The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania (1989) MBA, Finance
- Haverford College (1973) BA, High Honors, Phi Beta Kappa
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James H. Martin
Advisory Board Member,
Cost Containment Advisors
Jim Martin spent the first twenty years of his career as CEO of four different manufacturing
companies across four different industries including office products, wood products, kitchen and bathroom, and automotive.
In 2003 Jim established J. Harwood Martin LLC to develop and represent Chinese automotive components
manufacturers within the North American automotive industry. Product categories include forge & cast
aluminum wheels, injection molded and plated plastic nameplates, emblems, and bright trim, plastic and
aluminum-overlay wheel trim, shock absorbers, cast pistons, zinc & aluminum castings, and plastic injection mold tooling.
His customer base includes General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler as well as Tier I Suppliers MANN+HUMMEL,
Behr America, Valeo, Delphi, Key Plastics, and Mark IV Automotive.
Jim’s extensive experience and far-reaching access to industry executives are valuable assets so that the automobile
sector can benefit from Cost Containment Advisors’ skills in reducing significant fixed overhead expenses.
Business Experience:
- Labelon Corporation, Office Products Manufacturer – CEO
- W.W. Babcock Co., Wood Products Manufacturer – Owner/CEO
- Bloch Industries Inc., Kitchen & Bath Manufacturer – CEO
- Livingston & Co., Automotive Instrumentation Manufacturer – CEO
- J.Harwood Martin LLC, Automotive Manufacturers Representative
Education:
- Cornell University, 1975 BS Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
- Cornell University, 1976 M.Eng. Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering
- Harvard University, 1978 MBA
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Craig Sheftell
Managing Director,
Cost Containment Advisors
Prior to his involvement at Cost Containment Advisors, Craig Sheftell founded Fallbrook Capital, an investment company focused
on mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments and Low Income Housing Tax Credits. Through Fallbrook,
Mr. Sheftell has completed transactions totaling in excess of $3 billion. Prior to Fallbrook Capital, Mr. Sheftell
served as a Senior Vice President of Smith Barney where he specialized in fixed income and corporate cash management.
Craig's extensive experience in tax saving venues brings great insight and knowledge to Cost Containment Advisors.
In addition to his investment and advisory activities, Mr. Sheftell serves on the board of Doc Prep Services,
Captive Media and Westlake Partners.
Business Experience:
- West Coast Capital
- Fallbrook Capital - Founder
- Smith Barney - Senior Vice President
Professional Affiliations:
- Doc Prep Services Board Member, Captive Media and Westlake Partners.
Education:
- University of South Florida, B.A.
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Richard A. Esser
Managing Director,
Cost Containment Advisors
Richard Esser brings knowledge of property tax consultation for large firms as well as knowledge of properties with significant property tax liabilities to Cost Containment Advisors. Rick specializes in strategic planning, acquisitions and long-term property tax management.
A specialist in central assessments and proactive assessment strategies, Rick has managed engagements concerned with property tax issues associated with complex properties including electric, gas, communication, airline, pipeline and natural resource properties.
He is experienced in making legislative presentations and analyses, value presentations and testimony for assigned property, and in negotiating settlements of litigation and Administrative appeals. Rick has served on several national committees and developed close working relationships with assessed property managers representing multiple states.
Business Experience:
- Arthur Andersen's Phoenix (1997-2002), Senior Manager, Member of National Property services leadership team. Rick had national responsibilities for energy, communications, transportation, natural resource and large multi-state properties.
- Complex Properties (1996-1997), Regional Director, including energy, transportation and communications properties for another big six firm.
- State of Arizona as Manager of the Centrally Assessed Property Division (1991-1996), focused on financial valuation, audit and natural resource property groups. He also helped the Hopi Nation develop property tax code, while at this position.
- Maricopa County Assessor's Office (1985-1991), Special Projects and Development Manager, responsible for developing appraisal and appeals methods and guidelines.
Professional Affiliations:
- Arizona Board of Appraisal, Certified General Real Estate Appraiser
- Arizona Department of Revenue, Basic and Commercial Certifications
- International Association of Assessing Officers, Public Utility Council, member
- Multi-State Tax Commission's Property Tax Audit Directional Committee, former voting member
- National Conference of Unit Valuation Standards, former voting member
- Western States Association of Tax Administrators Committee on Centrally assessed Property, former voting member
Education:
- Northern Arizona University, (1981) Bachelor of Science in Industrial Management, Energy and Transportation
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Frederick G. Dickerson, AVA
Advisory Board,
Cost Containment Advisors
Mr. Dickerson has over 30 years of experience in the theories and methodologies of property and business valuation. He has spoken and authored several publications on these topics, and has actively worked as a property appraiser. Recently retired from the Georgia Department of Revenue, Gregg provides consulting services relating to the determination of fair market values for ad valorem tax purposes of operating property owned by public utilities.
Gregg is a frequent speaker at the International Association of Assessing Officers' Public Utility Seminars, the National Tax Association / Wichita State University Annual Program on Appraisal for Ad Valorem Taxation of Communications, Energy and Transportation Properties, and has taught unit rule valuation methodologies at both state and national educational programs.
Gregg has written about such topics as discounting of owner financing and application of the income approach in unit rule appraisals, and has been published in "The Appraisal Journal," "Assessment Digest", and "The Property Tax Journal," the national publications in the property appraisal and property assessment fields.
Gregg is certified as an Appraiser IV by the Georgia Department of Revenue's Georgia Certification Program.
Gregg's extensive experience and devotion to the theories and methodologies involving the valuation of property, makes him an invaluable addition to the Cost Containment Advisors' Executive Board
Business Experience:
- Georgia Department of Revenue (2001 -2006), Program Manager, Public Utilities Section, Property Tax Division
- Norfolk Southern Corporation (1993-2001), Property Tax Manager
- Georgia Department of Revenue (1983-1993), Public Utility Valuation Manager
- Georgia Department of Transportation (1973-1983), Right of Way Appraiser I, II, and Team Leader
Professional Affiliations:
- Member, National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts
- Accredited Valuation Analyst
Education:
- University of Georgia, 1972, B.S. Ed
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Michael R. Zimmerman
Advisory Board,
Cost Containment Advisors
Michael Zimmerman has over 25 years' experience in providing corporate finance and capital
markets solutions to corporations. Since 1977, he has worked with virtually every sector of
the economy, including: automotive, business services, consumer products, distribution,
energy, banking, insurance, media, manufacturing, retailing, technology, transportation
and utilities. Most recently, he was Global Head of Citigroup's Private Equity business.
Michael's financial engineering skills are applied to mergers and acquisitions; the structuring
and issuance of debt, equity and preferred stock; limited partnerships; project financings;
real estate financing; sale leasebacks; start-up ventures; and late stage venture capital.
For the past ten years, Michael has provided these services, with a focus on mergers and
acquisitions advice and access to public and private capital markets to large U.S. based
private equity partnerships and their portfolio companies.
Michael is, therefore, in an ideal position to ascertain how cost containment solutions
can be implemented to protect or improve a client's market position and valuation.
Business Experience:
- Citigroup (1997 - 2003), Managing Director, Investment Banking, Global Head of Private Equity Group, Senior Member of Financial Entrepreneurs Group.
- Salomon Smith Barney (1994 - 1997), Managing Director, Investment Banking, Co-Head of Financial Buyers Group.
- The First Boston Corporation (1977 - 1994), Managing Director, Investment Banking.
Education:
- Columbia University Graduate School of Business, (1975 - 1977) M.B.A., Concentration: Finance and Accounting
- University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill), (1971 - 1975) B.A., Major: History
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Kevin Beierschmitt
Advisory Board,
Cost Containment Advisors
Kevin Beierschmitt, most recently served as Vice President of Finance at Alamosa PCS Holdings,
Inc., Sprint's largest affiliate. In his 6 years at Alamosa, Kevin was responsible for all
financial analysis around capital deployment, purchasing, real estate, fixed assets, facilities,
and all matters related to network finance. Kevin also had lead responsibility for acquisitions
and integration in the aforementioned fields.
Kevin had heavy involvement in due diligence related to the sale of Alamosa PCS for
$3.4 Billion. Prior to joining Alamosa, Kevin spent 6 years working for Southwestern
Bell Wireless holding several positions in the finance and accounting arena.
Prior to Southwestern Bell Wireless, Kevin spent 4 years in public accounting.
Primary responsibilities included auditing rural telephone cooperatives and their
wireless subsidiaries. Kevin earned his B.B.A. in Finance from Texas A&M University,
spent over 2 years pursuing an electrical engineering degree and is a CPA.
Throughout Kevin’s tenure at Alamosa PCS, he had the opportunity to deal with property tax
issues in 18 states. By understanding the tax laws in these states, technically understanding
the assets, and proactive managing this tax, Alamosa PCS was able to save millions of dollars
in property tax. Cost Containment Advisors was a valued consultant in this process, as Alamosa
PCS was a client of the firm.
Business Experience
- Alamosa PCS Holdings Inc., Vice President of Finance
- Southwestern Bell Wireless, Financial Accounting
Education:
- B.B.A, Texas A&M University
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Gregg A. Straus
Advisory Board Member,
Cost Containment Advisors
Gregg Straus is a creative and accomplished executive, a CPA with 15 years of tax and financial experience in the "Big 4" public accounting environment, as well as the public and private industry. His experience focuses on managing large projects, leading project teams, establishing processes to meet required deadlines, creating a positive team environment, and minimizing tax liabilities for large multi-state businesses. Greggs' strengths lie in motivating teams to achieve the highest level of productivity and accountability through continuous process improvement.
In Gregg's most recent position as Vice President of Tax at NationsRent, his responsibilities included managing Personal and Real Property Tax issues in 26 states. He was responsible for the compliance, appeals and payment of all property taxes. He created an internal tax department and effectively utilized the services of CCA and other tax service providers to significantly reduce its property tax burden.
With his 15 years of tax experience as both a service provider and a client running a tax department, Gregg is well positioned to effectively direct the tax and financial aspects of both public and private companies.
Business Experience:
- NationsRent, Inc. (1998-2006), Vice President of Tax, Planned and directed all aspects of the Company's tax policies and objectives. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local tax regulations while working to minimize tax liabilities and maximize after tax profits.
- Ernst & Young, LLP (1991-1998), Tax Consulting Manager, Provided federal and state tax consulting services to clients in various industries.
Education:
- University of Florida (1991) Master of Accounting
- University of Florida (1990) Bachelor of Science in Accounting
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Alfred P. Colangelo
Advisory Board Member,
Cost Containment Advisors
Alfred Colangelo is a senior financial executive with a demonstrated record of accomplishment in a dynamic, fast paced, high growth environment. Alfred significantly participated in the creation of United Rentals, Inc. (NYSE: URI), the largest equipment rental company in the world with revenues of $3.6 billion, 12,000 employees and 700 locations throughout North America. This growth was fueled by raising over $11.5 billion in debt and equity capital through public and private markets and by successfully completing and integrating over 250 acquisitions.
He has more than seven years of diverse public accounting experience with a global accounting firm. His experience and knowledge includes: capital formation, mergers & acquisitions, managing wall street investment banking and credit agency relationships, and strategic planning and analysis. Alfred also has extensive knowledge of GAAP and SEC, Internal controls, procedures and general accounting, Sarbanes Oxley Compliance, Commercial Banking and treasury functions, Income and Property Taxes, and Risk Management and Internal audit.
Professional Experience:
- United Rentals, Inc., Greenwich, CT, (March 1998 - July 2006)
Vice President, Special Projects.
- United Rentals, Inc., (June 2000 - Feb 2006) Vice President, Finance and Officer. Responsible for a broad range of financial, strategic and accounting matters.
- United Rentals, Inc., (March 1998 - June 2000) Vice President, Financial Reporting and Analysis. Responsible for all SEC and external reporting. Researched and implemented all significant and complex accounting pronouncements.
- Deloitte & Touche, LLP, Stamford, CT, (Sept 1990 - March 1998) Accounting and Auditing Manager.
- Cost Containment Advisors, Greenwich, CT (August 2006 - present) Advisory Board Member.
Education:
- Fordham University, Bronx, New York (1990) BS, Public Accounting
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Douglas D. Moffitt
Advisory Board,
Cost Containment Advisors
Doug's career features a wealth of experience in building and rebuilding successful teams and
mutually beneficial key client relationships at the highest levels of corporate America.
He has proven his management abilities by developing and managing high-performing teams at
every organizational level and in a variety of financial climates. He has increased revenues
in the face of decreasing staff, improved underperforming regional portfolios by reviving key
client relationships, and motivated others through supervisory and mentor relationships.
His clients have included many of the largest mutual fund and hedge fund organizations in
the country. Finally, Doug has used his experience in a senior position to direct such diverse
activities as legal, marketing, investor relations, operations, and disaster recovery.
Doug's experience with high-functioning teams and key client relationships make him intimately
familiar with the strategic value of a focus on delivering cost containment solutions that
improve operations and shareholder value.
Business Experience:
- APLOS Advisors LLC (2004 - Present), Chief Operating Officer.
- Goldman Sachs (1996 - 2004), Managing Director, Equity Sales and Sales Management.
- CS First Boston Corporation (1985 - 1996), Director, Equity Sales and Sales Management.
- Xerox Corporation (1981 - 1983), Marketing Representative.
Education:
- Northwestern University, Kellogg Graduate School of Management, M.B.A.
- Northwestern University, B.S
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John F. Otto, Jr.
Advisory Board,
Cost Containment Advisors
An active 30 years in Wall Street investment banking prepared John Otto for the roles he now
plays as a private investor, entrepreneur, board member and advisor to both for-profit and
not-for-profit organizations. He currently invests through Waterfront Partners, LLC and,
in addition to service on several boards, co-founded Jet Equity, LLC, a private aviation
company in White Plains, NY.
As Managing Director at Salomon/Salomon Smith Barney/Citigroup, John headed the Global
Telecommunications Group, sat on the Management Committee and handled many international
as well as domestic clients. Under his leadership, the telecommunications franchise grew
from 13 professionals and annual revenues of $46 million to 125 professionals worldwide
and $875 million in revenues. Prior to Salomon Brothers, he headed the Media and Entertainment
Group at Bear Stearns directly influencing the Media Group's rise to the number one ranked
League Table position. Prior to joining Bear Stearns, John was a Managing Director,
Corporate Finance Department, at Merrill Lynch & Co. In his 15 years there, the investment banking team grew from 55 professionals to one of
the top ranked investment banks worldwide with the acquisitions of White Weld and A.G. Becker.
The breadth of John's experience, his acknowledged business leadership skills and a
solid corporate finance background uniquely equip John to devise and judge cost
containment strategies.
Business and Board Experience:
- Salomon-Salomon Smith Barney-Citigroup (1997 - 2003) Managing Director, Global Telecommunications
- Bear Stearns & Co. (1987 - 1997) Senior Managing Director Media and Entertainment Group
- Merrill Lynch & Co. (1972 - 1987) Managing Director, Corporate Finance
- Boston College, member Wall Street Counsel
- Davidson College, Board of Visitors
- ENACT, New York based not-for profit.
- Member of the Board of Directors: Alamosa Holdings, Inc, JetEQUITY, Canal Industries, Boy's & Girl's Club of Greenwich
Education:
- Columbia University, Graduate School of Business, MBA, (1972)
- Boston College, BA Cum Laude, (1970)
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David W. Kratovil
Advisory Board,
Cost Containment Advisors
Prior to joining Cost Containment Advisors, Mr. Kratovil worked with a variety of Fortune
500 multi-national clients in addition to smaller private and public clients while at Credit
Suisse First Boston, a leading global investment bank. He was involved with counseling senior management
in the execution of financing arrangements and the on-going cash flow generation with which a client would
strengthen their respective balance sheet. This activity involved a review and analysis of operating
efficiencies to include revenue enhancement and cost containment strategies. Principal relationships were
focused in the auto, consumer products, and diversified manufacturing industry sectors.
Throughout his business career, Mr. Kratovil has assisted clients in providing solutions to their
financing needs by conducting thorough due diligence, coming to a full understanding of the business
and working to bring the appropriate resources to bear on a particular problem. Always keeping the client
in the forefront, he would work to keep the focus on the issue at hand. Where only minor adjustments would
be necessary, the solutions offered would be simple, but as more complex issues arose as in the financing
of a supply chain or a re-capitalization, the aspects of facility management, cost containment and risk
mitigation, among others, would be utilized in arriving at the proposed solutions for senior management to
consider.
With 25+ years of business experience, Mr. Kratovil offers the clients of Cost Containment Advisors his
insights gleaned from working on both an international and domestic platform covering a range of companies
from US subsidiaries of European and Asian trading companies to the Fortune 50.
Business Experience:
- Credit Suisse First Boston - Director, Corporate Banking & Leverage Finance Group (1997 - 2004)
- Credit Suisse & Zurich, Switzerland Various management positions in the corporate marketing groups and Manager of Precious Metals Marketing & Trading (Americas) (1981 - 1997)
- Chemical Bank Initiated business career covering the electric utility industry (1973 - 1981)
Education:
- Harvard University Executive Courses (1991)
- New York Institute of Finance (1985)
- University of Virginia, B.A. Industrial Psychology (1973)
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Andrew DiSalvo
Advisory Board,
Cost Containment Advisors
Andrew is highly knowledgeable property tax professional with over twenty years of accounting and
property tax experience. Excellent people skills, a good communicator and negotiator, and able to
analyze and make sound decisions. Andrew is versatile, flexible, resourceful and self-Starter.
Holds , has well-honed multi-state tax experience and is computer literate. Andrew is a CPA in
addition to holding a BS/BA in accounting. Andrew is a personable self-confident advisor with an
upbeat positive attitude.
Andrew has extensive multi-state property tax experience working with large multi-state
companies to help manage and reduce property taxes. He facilitates businesses in reducing
their property taxes through supervising compliance, negotiations and appeals. Responsibilities
include planning and reviewing, challenging, and negotiating real and personal property tax
assessments for multi-state companies. Additionally, Andrew assists companies by preparing
and recommending property tax minimization strategies.
Andrew has worked on engagements in industries including, but not limited to chemicals,
manufacturing, and insurance.
He has appeared at hearings before local tax assessors, state property tax agencies and appeal
boards, in an effort to obtain fair and equitable property tax treatment for client properties.
Business Experience:
Andrew has worked for PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Uarco, Ernst & Young and McDermott &
Associates as an experienced manager in all property tax services areas. Andrew worked on
engagements involving: Personal property tax consulting and review of personal property tax
returns, real property analysis and appeal, obsolescence studies, fixed assets review, and
overall property tax planning. Recent accomplishments include:
- Reducing $1MM audit assessment to less than $100K for an international manufacturer.
- Tax planning and full compliance for over 1000 returns for a major specialty retailer including tax calendar tracking, asset ledger cleansing, tax planning and filing of returns.
- Recognized expert on property records and fixed asset verification techniques in an industrial and office environment.
- Worked extensively with major Fortune 50 Aerospace and Defense/Building Systems Company to effectively reduce personal property taxes at all major company divisions. Accomplished by fixed asset verification to produce savings and increase efficiency. Projects included bar coding of all major personal property assets. Estimated savings of approximately $3.0 M.
- Aligned with Corporate Finance practice of EY to combine fixed asset verification with APB 16 and valuation work for purchase accounting. This strategy allowed client to satisfy internal verification requirements and save property taxes, under the umbrella of purchase accounting.
- Managed real property engagement for major developer of shopping centers, hotels and office buildings. Assignment included review and appeal of over 75 properties in 10 states.
Professional Affiliations:
- Member AICPA, Speaker CBIA Property Tax Conference
Education:
- B.A./B.S Accounting - University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT
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