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Jeffrey Mazer, Finance Expert in Portland, OR, United States
Jeffrey Mazer

Finance Expert in Portland, OR, United States

Member since January 1, 2017
Jeff is a high-level financial expert and lawyer with proven skills in financial and investment analysis. He has specialized expertise in situations requiring a multidisciplinary view. He likes working on different types of projects and with companies in various industries, and freelancing allows him to do that. Jeff’s experience encompasses valuation and financial modeling, investment management and analysis, and corporate transactions.
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Case studies

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Industry Expertise

  • Finance
  • Banking
  • Insurance
  • Law Firms & Legal Services
  • Food & Beverage
  • Retail
  • Transportation
  • Financial Modeling

Other Expertise

Employment

  • CFO

    2019 - PRESENT
    Wyld
    • Updated the financial and cash flow forecasting process.
    • Built a high-functioning financial management team.
    • Modeled and advised the CEO/owner on capital structure.
    • Negotiated a favorable payment program with a major customer.
    • Created a national expansion strategy and forecast.
    Focus areas: Investment Research, Leadership, Strategic Planning, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

  • Principal

    2019 - PRESENT
    Mazer, LLC
    • Worked as a CFO for a growth-stage company in a new industry.
    • Coached and evaluated the current controller to determine their long-term potential as CFO.
    • Improved the information flows and decision-making processes to transition the finance team from a control function to a full business partner.
    • Created dashboards and improved the usefulness of financial information.
    • Vetted potential business partners.
    Focus areas: Financial Controls & Processes, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Legal Analysis, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Strategy, Finance Strategy, Finance

  • Chief Financial Officer

    2017 - 2019
    moovel North America (REACH NOW NA)
    • Led the finance and control function.
    • Developed financial strategies, including capital requests and budgeting processes.
    • Coached the VP of finance on skill sets and strategies needed to become a future CFO.
    • Partnered with HR and other department heads on personnel resource planning.
    • Supervised SOC-1 audits and participated in crucial other compliance and audit focused activities, including steps to completing a SOC-2 audit.
    • Led financial due diligence in a multinational joint venture.
    Focus areas: Leadership, Reporting, Finance

  • Partner

    2016 - 2018
    Social Venture Partners
    • Led a team in the creation of a program for culturally-specific preschool for an immigrant services organization.
    • Led a team creating a program for parent educational and vocational training at early childhood education organization (Head Start).
    • Reviewed proposals from potential grantee organizations for a nonprofit funding partnership.
    Focus areas: Project Estimation, Project Management

  • Principal

    2016 - 2017
    Acme Financial, LLC
    • Created a valuation model for LLC units as an expert witness in a US bankruptcy proceeding.
    • Built a management budgeting and forecasting model for a consumer product company.
    • Created a valuation model for a business owner seeking to sell the business.
    • Analyzed and prepared a report challenging the valuation for a co-owner in the dissolution of a business.
    • Assessed claims and monetary damages; built a financial model for a lawsuit alleging investment fraud.
    Focus areas: Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Valuation, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Modeling

  • Director and Western Region Manager, Institutional Fixed Income Sales

    2010 - 2015
    Bank of America Merrill Lynch
    • Led a seven-person team of investment professionals covering the Western US with responsibility for profit, loss, and production.
    • Advised 250+ corporations and institutions on investment and liquidity options—leveraging expertise to provide guidance on best practices for investment and treasury management.
    • Built fixed income portfolios for corporate and other institutional investors.
    • Acted as the key member of an integrated investment-and-treasury-management service offering global solutions to corporate clients.
    • Was recognized as a subject matter expert on short-term fixed income securities and on cash management.
    • Counseled growth-stage and middle market technology companies on investment and treasury management issues; in many cases developing their first investment program.
    Focus areas: Valuation

  • Investment Consultant

    2008 - 2010
    Silicon Valley Bank
    • Delivered, as a member of an integrated investment and treasury management sales team during the US financial crisis, client-focused solutions to SVB’s growth-stage and middle market technology company client base.
    • Guided SVB’s client base through cash management problems caused by their investments in auction-rate securities (ARS), working to provide alternative liquidity solutions and market updates. Technology companies were significant investors in ARS.
    • Generated over $2 billion in new assets under management in two years, highest among investment consultants, during a period of unprecedented market disruption.
    • Retained investment clients during a financial crisis beginning in 2008; communicated with approximately 150 clients in three weeks, providing proactive advice on impact of investment issues that maintained client confidence.
    • Advised venture capital and private equity firms on investment and treasury management issues as part of a firm-wide program to provide superior client service to those organizations and generate additional banking opportunities.
    Focus areas: Financial Modeling

  • Principal

    2003 - 2008
    Acme Capital Advisors
    • Created operating and financial strategies for clients undergoing fundamental corporate changes, including acquisitions, raising startup and growth capital, management buyouts, and project finance.
    • Served as the interim US subsidiary CFO, reporting to group CFO in Stockholm, Sweden. Structured, negotiated, and closed the first US acquisition, and led the financial analysis and due diligence efforts.
    • Developed valuation and working capital analyses. Analyzed and evaluated accounting, IT, and HR functions, and developed post-acquisition forecasts and budgets.
    • Developed an acquisition strategy that enabled a client to achieve financial and strategic objectives while limiting downside risk.
    • Advised the management team of a successful subsidiary of a struggling company on a spin-off strategy designed to accelerate growth as an independent company.
    • Created and implemented a strategic plan for an energy bar contract manufacturer.
    • Modeled the capital structure options and developed capital raising plans.
    • Built a network of investors in venture capital, private equity, and project finance.
    Focus areas: Finance Shared Services Management

  • Portfolio Manager | Head of Bankruptcy and Restructuring | Portfolio Manager | Counsel

    1989 - 2003
    Allstate Insurance Company
    • Closed over 50 deals, with approximately $20 million committed in each transaction. Portfolio companies included television networks, magazine and newspaper publishers, professional sports teams and leagues, outdoor recreation equipment and apparel manufacturers and retailers, food producers, and supermarket chains.
    • Developed specialized expertise in the branded consumer products and outdoor recreation industries.
    • Led noteholder committees in bankruptcy and restructuring of major public and privately-held companies; including analyzing financial and strategic information, setting noteholder committee direction, and coordinating the activities of lawyers and other professionals. Cases included transportation companies, department store chains, luxury apparel & jewelry retailers, and newspaper publishers.
    • Led teams in mergers, acquisitions, and joint venture transactions.
    • Led an acquisition team for Allstate’s acquisition of a non-standard auto insurer in Canada; including coordinating, reviewing and analyzing financial and operational due diligence, document negotiation, and transaction execution.
    • Reported to the senior management on the financial impact of investments in new acquisitions and joint ventures.
    • Acted as a key player on a team that developed Allstate’s acquisition process—resulting in a program that was thorough and comprehensive and aligned with corporate goals.
    • Managed complex transactions including acquisitions of major insurance companies to sales of non-core insurance lines and money managers; including deal structuring, financial analysis, due diligence, and contract negotiation.
    • Spearheaded Allstate’s acquisition program in Europe.
    • Negotiated and closed sales of corporate subsidiaries and assets.
    • Managed the portfolio of corporate venture capital investments, including the Asian infrastructure fund.
    • Acted as a board observer for companies in the portfolio.
    • Advised investment department on private placement transactions, distressed asset situations, and venture capital transactions.
    Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Financial Modeling

Other Experience

  • Demystifying Cryptocurrencies, Blockchain, and ICOs (Publication)
    https://www.toptal.com/finance/market-research-analysts/cryptocurrency-market
    Despite significant advancements, cryptocurrencies remain highly controversial; while some tout it as “the next internet,” others view Bitcoin as “evil.” At their simplest, they are the newest fintech fad; yet at their most complex, they’re a revolutionary technology challenging the political and social underpinnings of society. This article will demystify cryptocurrencies’ appeal, its complex underlying technology, and its value. It will also examine the accounting and regulatory, and privacy issues surrounding the space.
  • Selling Your Business? Stop Leaving Money on the Table (Publication)
    https://www.toptal.com/finance/mergers-and-acquisitions/selling-a-business
    When looking to sell your business, you will want to maximize its value through a combination of planning and timing. This article runs through some of the most important considerations to keep in mind when preparing for a sale.

Education

  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) in Finance
    1997 - 2019
    CFA Institute - Charlottesville, VA, USA
  • Juris Doctor degree in Law
    1980 - 1983
    Boston University - Boston, MA, USA
  • Bachelor's degree in Government and History
    1975 - 1979
    Oberlin College - Oberlin, OH, USA

Certifications

  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
    DECEMBER 1996 - PRESENT
    CFA Institute
  • Attorney
    JUNE 1983 - PRESENT
    New York State

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