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Craig Doescher, Finance Expert in Clarkston, MI, United States
Craig Doescher

Finance Expert in Clarkston, MI, United States

Member since April 1, 2021
Craig has raised $100 million+ in debt and equity for companies seeking to grow, restructure, or exit. His unique combination of operational experience and financial expertise across industries gives him a 360-degree perspective to approach client situations and provide creative solutions for financial needs. After working as a finance executive or direct hire since 2004, he transitioned to freelancing in 2018 to leverage his vast range of interests and desire to expand his geographic reach.
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Career Highlights

Education

Select Certifications

Case studies

Expertise

  • CFO
  • Due Diligence
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Exit Planning
  • Financial Forecasting
  • Growth Capital Raising
  • Post-merger Integration
  • Startup Funding

Employment

  • President

    2018 - PRESENT
    Doescher Group
    • Advised the owner of a specialty contractor in the sale of the business to a key employee; worked with seller and buyer to develop a creative structure to meet the unique objectives of both parties, ultimately preserving the company legacy.
    • Served as the head of finance for a waste hauling business; completed a $30 million equity raise, including finding a PE investor and leading all financial due diligence. Oversaw all financial aspects of integrating five acquisitions post-financing.
    • Consulted to an early-stage training services business: developed the chart of accounts, the website and integrated eCommerce platform, and the first online training course; assisted in due diligence, which led to the sale of the company.
    • Assisted an automation company in raising mezzanine debt: prepared all lender reporting (e.g., rolling 13-week cash flow, income statement, and balance sheet commentary) and developed KPIs to assist with tracking business progress toward the budget.
    • Assisted a technology retail franchisee to prepare for a meeting with the franchisor to pitch a merger with another franchisee: analyzed data, worked with ownership to develop the strategy, and drafted the presentation to address franchisor concerns.
    • Conducted an exit audit for numerous closely-held businesses, assisting clients with understanding the potential value of their business and how ready they were for the sale process.
    • Facilitated personal and business envisioning workshops for numerous closely-held businesses, assisting business owners with understanding their personal goals and then developing an integrated business strategy to achieve those goals.
    Focus areas: Exit Planning, Capital Raising, Startup Funding, Accounting, Finance

  • CFO

    2017 - 2018
    Quantum Construction
    • Oversaw all financial aspects of the business, including reporting, analysis, forecasting, strategy, process improvement, investor relations, and bank relations.
    • Led and closed debt and equity financings, including negotiation and structuring of covenant packages and other key terms and conditions; negotiated subsequent modifications as required.
    • Developed materials and co-presented at board meetings for the company and for family office boards.
    • Ran all acquisition activities for the company, including the successful acquisition of an Orlando-based firm.
    • Managed all IT investments, including implementation of the new ERP software package and Salesforce.com.
    Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Post-merger Integration, Accounting, Capital Raising, Accounting Software

  • Vice President and Business Development Officer

    2015 - 2018
    Quantum Ventures of Michigan
    • Executed and oversaw family office investments, including the purchase, sale, and nurturing of portfolio businesses and real estate investments. Helped shepherd multiple divestments through close, including two industrial sale-leasebacks.
    • Reviewed hundreds of investment opportunities and successfully invested in several plastics, construction, and debt collection businesses.
    • Handled ad hoc projects, including an advisory assignment to assist in a $500 million+ sale of a technology company; served as the unofficial CFO through the entire sale process.
    Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Investing, Value Investing, Private Equity, Due Diligence

  • General Manager and Director of Operations

    2012 - 2015
    Clinton River Medical Products
    • Served as the day-to-day leader of the company, from concept to reality, with an achievable path to profitability.
    • Worked with the chairman from the earliest stage to analyze a multimillion-dollar IP acquisition in the durable medical equipment industry; supported the negotiation of the license agreement and deal closing that resulted in the company’s birth.
    • Authored the original business plan and subsequent updates, which drove the implementation of hiring, product development, sales and marketing, supply chain, production, quality, regulatory compliance, and finance plans.
    • Joined the company as employee #1 and subsequently hired all employees (10+) in engineering, purchasing, sales and marketing, and operations; conducted performance reviews, promotions, and terminations as required.
    • Managed a $1 million+ project to redevelop Tailwind's power-assist wheelchair technology for market acceptability, replacement of obsolete components, and building a competitive global supply chain.
    • Negotiated international distributorship agreements for Tailwind in UK, Ireland, France, and the Netherlands.
    • Established and implemented a global sales and marketing plan, including online marketing, SaaS tools like HubSpot and Salesforce.com, trade show attendance, rehab hospital education, dealer incentives, and building a distribution network.
    • Led the effort to forge a partnership with the largest wheelchair manufacturer in Asia (ex-Japan) for the supply/license of Tailwind technology in Asia and distribution rights for their high-end products in North America.
    • Won a Veterans Administration contract award with better-than-expected financial terms.
    Focus areas: Capital Raising, General Management, Entrepreneurship, Medical Devices, Sales, Purchasing, Engineering, Customer Service, IT

  • MBA Management Development Program, Automotive Aftermarket Division

    2010 - 2012
    Bosch
    • Took part in a two-year MBA rotational program, encompassing three to six-month stints in various functional departments.
    • Spearheaded a continuous improvement process to improve supply chain coordination between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
    • Led the North American launch of a new tire changer and wheel balancer line. This included coordinating the sell-down of old inventory with the sales group, pricing new products, and working with the supplier in Italy to ensure delivery and quality.
    • Co-managed the on-time, glitch-free, $25 million Valvoline oil and air filter launch.
    • Created a performance dashboard for a brake pad manufacturing facility in Juarez, Mexico, in collaboration with the business unit leadership team to drive business unit improvements.
    • Analyzed the North American car-sharing market to determine the implications for Bosch.
    • Supported the M&A team with market and financial analysis of prospective target companies.
    Focus areas: Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain Management (SCM), Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Credit Risk, Market Research, Manufacturing, Operations, Demand Planning

  • Director of Supply Chain

    2007 - 2009
    Tegu
    • Oversaw the supply chain, from raw materials selection to customer order fulfillment, for startup wood toy company.
    • Identified, selected, and managed all vendors outside of Honduras: qualified vendors, conducted RFPs, negotiated pricing and credit, maintained vendor accountability, coordinated shipping, and implemented supplier quality measures.
    • Led a project to find a better raw material supplier for the most expensive input, resulting in over 25% cost savings.
    • Worked with the Honduras team to create an inventory and order management system to minimize production disruptions.
    • Designed the company's initial supply chain strategy, including initiating relationships and managing RFPs with raw material and capital equipment suppliers, contract manufacturers, and shipping companies.
    • Explored technical feasibility and gathered cost estimates for multiple product concepts to help build the business plan.
    • Joined the company as the first non-founding employee after completing a management internship the previous summer.
    Focus areas: Supply Chain Management (SCM), Global Sourcing, Logistics, International Trade, Honduras

  • Strategy & Special Projects Manager

    2004 - 2007
    Ralco Industries
    • Performed analysis and advised the CEO of a metal stamping company on financial, strategic, and managerial issues. This included financial forecasting, managing commodity volatility, and prioritizing the CEO's workflow.
    • Designed and implemented a CRM system, including the creation of an automated, Excel-based quote module with Visual Basic.
    • Managed ongoing coordination and analysis of new business opportunities, resulting in a five-fold increase in proposal throughput.
    • Identified, analyzed, and advised Ralco on a valuation and bid for an $8 million metal stamping company.
    • Led a project to identify a suitable location to build a new stamping plant in the southeastern United States. Considerations included geography, quality of life, local workforce characteristics, and financial incentives.
    • Coordinated and led a seven-member team in Ralco’s first corporate strategic planning effort.
    Focus areas: Sales, Forecasting, Marketing, Visual Basic, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Strategy

  • Analyst, Restructuring & Reorganization Advisory

    2004 - 2004
    The Blackstone Group
    • Conducted financial analyses and prepared presentations for use in advising distressed and bankrupt corporations in the restructuring and reorganization of their businesses.
    • Advised The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company on restructuring alternatives; assisted in the construction of an integrated global business model capable of running scenarios to simulate multiple operational and financial restructurings.
    • Analyzed the potential stock price impact of different settlement scenarios related to asbestos claims against a publicly traded chemical company.
    Focus areas: Corporate Restructuring, Debt Restructuring, Financial Analysis, Financial Modeling

  • Summer Analyst, Industrial & Natural Resources Investment Banking Group

    2003 - 2003
    Goldman Sachs
    • Implemented various financial analysis techniques to value corporations and determine the effects of mergers and acquisitions for clients.
    • Prepared a presentation of potential targets for a multinational industrial company, which was presented to the CEO.
    • Assisted with presentation materials related to a multibillion-dollar debt capital raise for a storied American industrial company.
    Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Debt Capital Markets, Equity Capital

Education

  • MBA in Business Administration
    2007 - 2009
    MIT Sloan School of Management - Cambridge, MA, USA
  • Bachelor's Degree (BBA) in Business Administration
    2000 - 2004
    University of Michigan, Ross School of Business - Ann Arbor, MI, USA
  • General Course in Economics and Government
    2001 - 2002
    London School of Economics and Political Science - London, England

Certifications

  • Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA)
    OCTOBER 2018 - PRESENT
    Exit Planning Institute

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