CFOs Honored at Annual Awards in Orange County

February 21, 2018
Financial professionals and guests gathered at the Orange County Business Journal’s annual CFO of the Year Awards on Thursday, January 21 to honor this year’s nominees and recipients. Century Group proudly sponsors the event each year to honor area financial professionals who have shown the highest level of talent and commitment as corporate stewards for their respective companies in the preceding fiscal year.

This year’s awards went to Liz Williams of Taco Bell Corp. (Outstanding CFO of a Public Company), Kent R. Crandall of MBK Real Estate Co. (Outstanding CFO of a Private Company), Laurie Peterson of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire (Outstanding CFO of a Not-for-Profit Organization), Madhu Vijay of Aviation Capital Group Corp. (Lifetime Achievement Award), and Gina Mastantuono of Ingram Micro Inc. (Rising Star).

“Each honoree took the time to mention how the award was a testament to the hard work and success of the members of their team,” said Ron Proul, Century Group’s CEO. “This truly resonates with what we do at Century Group, working with CFOs throughout the Southern California area to build teams and support the success of both the CFOs and the companies themselves.”

Winners Madhu Vijay, Laurie Peterson, Gina Mastantuono, Liz Williams and Kent R. Crandall
Winners Madhu Vijay, Laurie Peterson, Gina Mastantuono, Liz Williams and Kent R. Crandall (Photo by Laurel Hungerford Photography)

In addition to thanking their teams, both Liz Williams and Laurie Peterson spoke about their pride for their companies. Williams considers herself very lucky to be part of such an amazing brand, which makes being passionate about work easy, while Peterson remarked that she truly has her dream job.

“Century Group is proud to be part of the biggest celebration of the year for the Orange County finance community,” said Tim Calley, Managing Director of Century Group’s Orange County Office. “From Liz Williams, who Century Group nominated for this year’s award based on her phenomenal track record at Taco Bell, to Lifetime Achievement honoree Madhu Vijay, who helped reshape an entire industry as a part of Aviation Capital Group’s executive team, to Rising Star honoree Gina Mastantuono of Ingram Micro, who spoke of her pride in joining the Orange County community when she took on this role, this year’s winners represent some of the most iconic companies in today’s business world. It is definitely a testament to the strength of finance leaders and businesses in Orange County.”

The awards committee selected the winners from 37 finalists, all of whom were nominated by colleagues in the profession. Each nominee was said to have certain attributes, including the ability to successfully promote and support excellence as a CFO; establish procedures; set an example of ethical behavior; act as a team-builder, mentor and innovator; and contribute to the advancement of the industry and community. More details and photos from the event can be found online. Profiles on each honoree were published in the February 1 issue of the Orange County Business Journal.

Barnaby Wang, CFO of the Year winner Liz Williams and an event guest
Barnaby Wang, CFO of the Year winner Liz Williams and an event guest

Tim Calley, past CFO of the Year winner David Justus, CFO of the Year Nominee Chris Martin and his fiance
Tim Calley, past CFO of the Year winner David Justus, CFO of the Year Nominee Chris Martin and his fiance

CFO of the Year Nominee Mark Sweetman and Nathalie Hollants
CFO of the Year Nominee Mark Sweetman and Nathalie Hollants

Barnaby Wang and CFO of the Year Nominee Kimberly S. Boren
Barnaby Wang and CFO of the Year Nominee Kimberly S. Boren

Tom Erwin, Lisa Chang, Dave Dutt and Daniel Van Hill
Tom Erwin, Lisa Chang, Dave Dutt and Daniel Van Hill (Photo by Laurel Hungerford Photography)

Nathalie Hollants and Tim Calley
Nathalie Hollants and Tim Calley
2016 OC CFO of the Year Awards

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