John Kiernan

Experience

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  Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.

  Aug 1995 - Feb 2006

  Managing Director

  Technology Investment Banker with small-cap IPO and M&A specialties.Covered mid–sized clients within the Internet, software, storage, semi–conductors/capital equipment, IT services, and emerging technologies segments, completing 60 transactions totaling more than $6B.

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  Alley Capital Partners

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2001

  CEO

  Obtained $10 million of capital to found a new NASD member investment bank which focused exclusively on early stage East Coast financings.

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  Susquehanna International Group LLC

  Feb 2006 - Aug 2006

  Managing Director

  Recruited to create a Technology Investment Banking platform within the growing investment banking division.

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  IBM

  Aug 2006 - Aug 2007

  Director - Corporate Development & Strategy

  Recruited to lead an experimental effort to acquire companies smaller than $500M to generate above–average returns. Collaborated with business unit sponsors to enhance business case; constructed valuations; partnered with legal, accounting, sales, PR, corporate development, and other business units in conducting due diligence and integration planning.As a test, jumped into the middle of a $3M acquisition, closing and signing the deal within 14 days, earning the confidence of the SVP and the respect of peers. Show less

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  Misys

  Aug 2007 - May 2009

  Targeted by both the CEO and CFO to lead Investor Relations and stabilize a declining stock price following an announced unique and complicated merger. Liaised with 18 analysts and 10 major investors and managed all analyst and investor communication programs.Eliminated the risk of corporate failure by developing an aggressive, precise, credible investor relations strategy that directly targeted investors and research analysts from both sides; fostered shareholder approval of the merger; and created an environment to facilitate long–term contract renewals. Show less Hand–selected by the CFO for Wall Street experience and modeling skills to quantify and develop cash flow liquidity solutions resulting from poor planning and inexperienced leadership. Led a 15–person treasury team in managing all liquidity–related activities, including capital markets and bank relationships.Improved several working capital accounts, stretched payables and offered discounts to improve collections, accrued legal fees into the next year, and extended the timetable for senior management bonus payments, averting an immediate crisis while ensuring the viability of the company and its reputation within the investor community. Show less Brought on board by the Executive Vice President for Strategy & Development during an aggressive turnaround by an activist hedge fund. Charged with negotiating strategic partnership agreements with leading software development firms in China, the US, India, and the UK. Directed 10+ deal teams.Created an aggressive timetable to quickly close priority agreements critical to the long–term viability of the product line and product roadmap, facilitating the entry into the Chinese commercial banking market and earning CEO credibility in the UK investment community. Show less

  • VP Investor Relations

    Apr 2008 - May 2009

  • Interim Treasurer

    Jan 2008 - Apr 2008

  • VP Strategy & Corporate Development

    Aug 2007 - Jan 2008
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  Global Crossing Ltd.

  May 2009 - Dec 2011

  Treasurer & SVP

  Selected by newly–hired CFO as one of his first key recruits to instill cash flow discipline and institute consistent treasury policies and procedures. Directed global treasury operations across 60 countries with 50 deposit banks managing $400M daily. Guided a 50–person treasury team in capital market transactions to strengthen the balance sheet and developed improved debt compliance and risk management programs. Resolved operational inefficiencies, high–leverage debt covenants, stagnant growth; and cultural malaise. Managed the debt burden by raising $750M of new high–yield debt with favorable covenants that virtually eliminated all cash flow issues and rebranded and positioned GC as an astute and sophisticated customer among investment banking and capital markets firms. Show less

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  Greenwich Associates

  Dec 2011 - May 2015

  Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

  Recruited by CEO to be 1st outside CFO to institutionalize a finance department suffering from a lack of credibility due to errors, inconsistent and inactionable analyses, and communication breakdowns in order to catapult the company to the next level. Transformed the finance department into a competent, stable, motivated team with exceptional ethics.Lead a 20–person finance team in the US and Canada. Direct all financial communication to the shareholders, senior management and the Board; M&A and integration activities; external financial relationships; debt compliance reporting; legal functions as well as liaison with external corporate counsel; and maintain all corporate records. Authored the revised Operating Agreement and Compensation Plan which serve as the LLC’s governing documents. Slashed $4M in operating expenses in the first year, sacrificing popularity to meet the 2012 EBITDA target and maintain adequate firm liquidity. Negotiated $10M of bank term loan financing on improved terms; negotiated the company’s first–ever outside capital. Show less

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  Alico Inc.

  Jun 2015 - now

  Alico is a holding company with assets and related operations in agriculture and naturalresources. In addition to its citrus operations, Alico is currently involved in cattle ranching, water management, mining and other natural resources. Our mission is to create value for our customers, clients and shareholders by managing existing lands to their optimal current income and total returns, opportunistically acquiring new agricultural assets and producing high quality agricultural products while exercising responsible environmental stewardship. Show less

  • President and CEO / Member of the Board of Directors

    Jul 2019 - now

  • EVP & Chief Financial Officer

    Jun 2015 - Jun 2019
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  FLORIDA LAND COUNCIL INC

  Jan 2017 - now

  Active Member
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  PeoplesBank, A Codorus Valley Company

  Apr 2022 - Jul 2024

  Independent Director

  Elected as an independent director for $2B community bank listing on NASDAQ. Am a member of Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Compensation Committee of the Board.

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  Florida Gulf Coast University Lutgert College of Business

  Mar 2024 - now

  Center for Agribusiness Advisory Committee

  Provide insights and recommendations to the Center's Director, teaching faculty, and Alico Eminent Scholars to build a center of excellence to serve FGCU's academic mission and SW Florida agricultural producers.