1. Highly agile finance and operations professional who draws upon broad industry
experience and subject matter expertise to strengthen top and bottom lines for
startups and middle-market VC and PE companies.
Astrategic leader, adept at identifying high yield
activities and designing and implementing
actionable solutions to complex business
challenges. Skilled in engaging teams
and gaining consensus around vision
and strategy. Blends adaptability, clear
thinking, and focused execution with
the professional attributes necessary
for success in today’s demanding and
rapidly changing business environment.
Personal Insight
Q: How has experience in many different
industries equipped you for your next position?
A: While every position has a learning curve, my insight into the fundamentals
of business across industries allows me to parachute into virtually any situation
and hit the ground running. Having led both finance and operations for a variety
of companies, I am comfortable at the nexus of those two areas. Being able to tie
together cross-industry and cross-functional experiences enables me to have a
positive impact wherever I go.
Q: What are the biggest obstacles for most companies in achieving
sustainability?
A:Too often companies are less than the sum of their parts, a series of functional areas
that are not collaborating to achieve a common goal. I have been repeatedly successful
at helping companies get their operating departments aligned and working together.
The outcome is better working capital management, more efficient use of resources,
and often increased revenues.
Q: How do you keep your cool when leading an organization through
difficult times?
A: I’ve always kept my emotions at bay, not take things personally, and focus
on the areas that are under my control. I set realistic plans, act decisively, and
communicate regularly and candidly with all stakeholders. I also make sure each
employee knows how they can contribute to the goal. By nurturing the best talent
and a culture of accountability the company will be in the best position to succeed
during challenging times.
Q: What has been your greatest lesson learned over your career?
A: People and companies need to constantly question what they do and how
they do it, or risk complacency and stagnation. It is easy to stop asking “why?”
and to just rely on routines and habits, which often compromises performance.
I have learned as a leader to ask questions, no matter how simple or basic, to
productively challenge the answers, and then to keep drilling down until we
have the best answers. This practice can be uncomfortable, but it often leads to
new insights and better results.
Lee Sailor
lee@sailoradvisory.com Pasadena, CA 626-676-9890
MAKING
DOLLARS AND
SENSE OUT
OF BUSINESS
OPPORTUNITY
Finance &
Accounting
Operations
Management
2015 2010 2008 2005 1998 1992
Founder and President
Sailor Business Advisory Services
Chief Financial Officer
Contour Energy Systems
Chief Operating Officer
Nutrition Express
Vice President – Finance and Operations
Smiland Paint Co.
Business Manager
Conco Paint Co.
Career Timeline
Debt & Equity
Mergers &
Acquisitions
Budgeting
& Reporting
International
Business
Analyzed
negative cash flow trends for $50M company; identified
root causes and restructured operational, finance and
supply chain processes, turning company cash flow positive.
Acquired
sold, divested and/or integrated multiple companies
representing $40M in value.
Guided
transition and built financial infrastructure, including
an accounting system and framework for ERP
implementation of a carve-out from P&G.
Resurrected
the financial operations and ensured the survivability of
$50M staffing company while successfully navigating
through a hostile ownership transition.
Initiated
cultivated and optimized numerous relationships
with bankers, investors and other external resources,
generating over $40M in debt and equity.
Corporate
Restructuring
Strategic Planning
Problem/
Resolution
Focused
Quick to
Impact
Culturally
Attuned
Relationship
Oriented
Strategic
Enabling
Performance for
VC/PE Startups,
Middle-market and
Established Growth
Companies