Blaine Vestby
Finance Expert in Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Member since March 22, 2020
As an experienced CFO in high-growth environments, Blaine has closed more than $150 million in capital financing and more than ten separate business acquisitions. He has an extensive background in capital transactions, financial models and decks, and the negotiation and closing of strategic business transactions. Blaine is excited to join Toptal and bring his hands-on, real-world expertise to clients looking to grow their businesses.
Blaine is now available for hire
Career Highlights
- New Jersey-based Provider of Technical Support to the Entertainment Industry
- Epic Production Technologies, Inc.
- Westsun International, Inc.
Education
- Brandon University
Select Certifications
- CPA Canada
Industry Expertise
Software Expertise
Other Expertise
- Capital Raising
- CFO
- Due Diligence
- Financial Modeling
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
- Private Equity
Employment
President and Partner, Founder
2013 - PRESENTQ One Show Technologies, Inc.- Founded the company and bootstrapped growth from $0 in revenue to $4 million in three years.
- Sourced $1 million in capital necessary to grow the company to self-sufficiency.
- Identified, interviewed, and hired all employees; negotiated terms with vendors and freelancers; identified suitable warehouse location; and secured and negotiated leases with landlords.
- Managed all day-to-day aspects of the company, including operations, purchasing, expense control, marketing, strategic planning, and human resources.
- Designed and integrated all internal controls, purchasing, and marketing processes. Developed and implemented accounting systems, financial administration systems, and external financial reporting requirements. Developed cash flow and financial forecasting systems and identified and monitored key performance indicators.
Focus areas: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Capital Raising, Operations Analytics, Strategic PlanningRemote CFO (Contract)
2016 - 2020New Jersey-based Provider of Technical Support to the Entertainment Industry- Completed a $6 million strategic sale of a major division of the company, necessary to restructure operations and return the company to financial stability.
- Developed and implemented financial controls for a company lacking even the basic systems necessary for management purposes and to attract growth capital.
- Sourced $2 million in debt capital to invest in new capital assets.
- Developed cash management and budgeting initiatives where none previously existed.
- Completed comprehensive financial analysis critical to a successful shareholder arbitration process.
Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Capital Formation Strategy, Financial Modeling, Budgeting, Capital Raising, Internal Control, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)Executive VP & CFO
2006 - 2013Epic Production Technologies, Inc.- Negotiated and closed a $25 million structured financing package to complete a strategic acquisition in the US.
- Developed a consolidated financial reporting system for an international, multi-divisional operation.
- Engaged as a primary point person for internal business relationships with private equity investors, operating shareholders, and other stakeholders.
- Completed and presented comprehensive pitch decks and financial models to secure outside debt and private equity investment necessary to complete $50 million of strategic acquisitions.
- Developed and completed all due diligence associated with acquisitions of multi-million-dollar US and UK competitors key to the company's growth strategy.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive financial metrics and accountability strategies that increased margins and streamlined business processes.
Focus areas: CFO, Financial Management, Private Equity, Capital Raising, Financial Modeling, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Strategic PlanningCFO
2002 - 2006Manitoba Aerospace Manufacturer- Implemented and defended an aggressive research and development tax credit submission, which resulted in approximately $2 million of incremental cash refunds and credits.
Focus areas: Development, Research, R&D, Forecasting, Budgeting, CFO, Financial ReportingSenior VP & CFO
1994 - 1999Westsun International, Inc.- Negotiated and sourced $25 million of funding for a number of strategic rollup acquisitions.
- Sourced and negotiated over $100 million of equipment financing.
- Negotiated and closed $10 million of venture capital financing.
- Executed capital formation programs to facilitate growth from $10 million to $90 million in revenue.
Focus areas: Financial Modeling, Financial Reporting, Venture Capital, Capital Raising, CFODirector, Treasury
1986 - 1992Federal Industries- Founded and developed a $300 million commercial paper program.
- Managed a $440 million revolving term credit facility with a syndicate of none banks. This facility provided the credit capacity to allow the company to quadruple in size within five years to over $2 billion in revenues.
- Managed the company's portfolio of interest rate and foreign currency swaps.
- Developed an internal financial and performance reporting system for the board of directors.
Focus areas: Treasury & Liquidity Management, Foreign Exchange, Corporate Finance
Education
- Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Planning1977 - 1980Brandon University - Manitoba
Certifications
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)OCTOBER 1983 - PRESENTCPA Canada
