Brent Lonson

Experience

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  Cargill

  Apr 1992 - May 2000

  Responsible for control, reporting and analysis for $500 million USD trading business with six product-lines including futures, options, exotics and export financing. Oversight of financial reporting and controls in five trading, storage and distribution offices in Latin America, supporting controller. Implemented new systems (JDE) and performance measurement processes (EVA). Performed and led risk-driven, financially-based audits as well as special projects in diverse businesses primarily in Latin America countries. Department leader in IT-related issues from integrating IT audit process into normal audit process to lead for implementation and application of computer-assisted audit techniques.

  • Accounting Manager - Latin America Grain

    Aug 1996 - May 2000

  • Corporate Auditor

    Apr 1992 - Jul 1996
• 

  Carlson Wagonlit Travel

  May 2000 - Jan 2019

  Developed global finance structure and processes and lead business-partnering initiatives for a global line-of-business with $1 billion in sales, with material presence in over 25 countries and a staff of 13 finance professionals. Established global FP&A process for the global business unit: consolidated monthly reporting, forecasting, risk analysis, annual budgeting, and client-profitability reporting. Developed a streamlined commercial strategy for global and multi-national clients supported by a centralized resource/cost model, pricing model, terms & conditions and approval process. Partnered with operations and commercial leaders to identify and build global operating standards and project-level reporting for new operating system and processes. Created client profitability reporting for global and multi-national clients – used process to build similar reporting capabilities for smaller regional and local clients. Implemented a cash strategy including standard contract clauses, training for client-facing teams and centralized collection strategy. Show less Supported Latin American business growth from four markets to seven with organic traffic growth of 65%, improving EBITDA and operating cash flow by double-digit millions of USD while finding innovative solutions to reduce finance/accounting/admin department staffing from 140 to 80 yet improving reporting speed and quality of analysis without sacrificing controls. Executive sponsor and leader of acquisition and business integration of partner business in Costa Rica including transition services agreement to support new business until all lisences obtained Innovative contract structure for Brazil acquisition to control for questionable financial reporting (from due-diligence) Pioneered innovative processes to improve control, reporting and analysis:o Developed and implemented a rolling forecast for the region and countries, replacing quarterly re-forecastso Developed weekly reporting and analysis and early monthly p&l estimates to improve business responsivenesso Automated ‘quantitative’ analyses to focus on ‘qualitative’ analysis – reduced close time from 13 days to 6o Implemented global consolidation and reporting system (HFM) in the region Led implementation of standard back-office in Spanish-speaking countries and global reporting tool in LATAM Identified, retained, developed and promoted talent within the organizationo Three team-members added non-finance responsibilities to their roles and one moved into country manager role o One team-member promoted to senior-director role reporting to global CFO Show less Established the finance function in Latin America. Implemented business discipline as part of a clean-up and re-structuring when initial reviews identified concerns. New financial structure, process and controls supported sales growth of 53% and EBITDA improvement in the millions while earning Carlson Wagonlit Travel and Carlson Companies’ Finance Person of the Year Awards. Negotiated three jv deals in Chile (one with retailer and one with online agency) with $300k USD contribution Modelling of business risks significant factor in CWT decision to remain in Argentina during 2001 crisis Recapitalized businesses in Chile, Colombia and Peru minimizing cash and tax impacts, saving over $700k USD Re-engineered costing & pricing process – instrumental in profitable traffic growth of over 50% Show less

  • Global Business Unit CFO - Meetings & Events

    Jan 2013 - Jan 2019

  • Regional Chief Financial Officer - Latin America

    Jan 2006 - Dec 2012

  • Director of Finance for Latin America

    Aug 2001 - Jan 2006

  • Audit Manager for the Americas

    May 2000 - Aug 2001
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  UNPUZL Solutions, LLC

  Feb 2019 - now

  President

  Business advisory and Fractional CFO services focused on using financial metrics and right-sized governance processes in an entrepreneurial approach to ensure the pieces of your business align to drive your overall strategy.