Six San Fernando Valley CFOs Honored at Annual Awards

Financial professionals and guests gathered to celebrate the San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s annual CFO of the Year Awards on Tuesday, June 23. Century Group was proud to serve as a presenting sponsor at this year’s event, which honors the important work of CFOs in the area as financial stewards in public, private, nonprofit and government/public sector companies and organizations throughout various industries. The awards went to Steven Raft of Alfred Music, Outstanding CFO of a Private Company (small); Ron Ford of Silgan Containers, Outstanding CFO of a Private Company (large); Martin Louie of Marcus & Millichap, Outstanding CFO of a Public Company (small); Douglas Benn of the Cheesecake Factor, Outstanding CFO of a Public Company (large); John Fleck of Lycee International de Los Angeles (LILA), Outstanding CFO of a Nonprofit Organization; and Karen Velligan of Avjet Corporation, Publisher’s Award.

The winners and the awards Committee

Each winner shared similar sentiments, among them how honored they were to be selected and their gratitude to those who support them. John Fleck of LILA said he shared the award with his entire team and that they were the key to his success. “You hire good people and give them room to grow.” Martin Louie of Marcus & Millichap shared a similar sentiment, noting that his award was “a great testament to my team.”

“The San Fernando Valley CFO Awards provided a tremendous opportunity for local accounting and finance leaders to demonstrate the pride they have in their work – especially those like me who have been connected to the valley their whole lives,” said Phil Bruno, managing director of Century Group’s San Fernando Valley offices and a member of the awards committee. “This event also emphasizes the strong economic role that the San Fernando Valley plays in the greater Los Angeles business community.”

The awards committee selected this year’s winners from 41 finalists, all nominated for the award by colleagues in the profession. The committee looked at a number of criteria for each person who was nominated, including the length of time they had been with their organization, the overall body of work in their career, the impact they made within their organization; the impact they made compared to their peer group, the financial success and stability of their company, and their involvement in both industry groups and the community.

More details and photos from the event, as well as a profile on each honoree, can be found in the June 29 issue of the San Fernando Valley Business Journal.