Edmond B. (Ted) Gregory
LSWG CPA^s
201 Thomas Johnson Drive, Frederick, MD 21702
W 240-379-6322
M 301-639-9940
ted@lswg.cpa
https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmond-b-ted-gregory-41a5a5b
Finance executive with experience managing HR, IT, and operations, from both internal (publishing, manufacturing, start-up/technology) and external (accounting firm) sides of the house. Top leadership in a professional practice prepared me with a service mindset and the ability to work collaboratively with other executives, while in-house finance leadership roles deepened my understanding of operations and organization management. Accomplished in helping an organization through extreme industry stress and restructuring. Successful in implementing a wide range of business systems to meet the needs of the organization and its managers. Experienced in large scale development projects.
Employment and Experience
LSWG - Linton Shafer Warfield & Garrett (LSWG), a Certified Public Accounting firm in Frederick and Rockville, MD, January 2016 to present, Principal in charge of Business Valuation and Accounting Services. Returned to my roots for the intellectual and professional stimulation.
Randall Family, LLC (d/b/a The Frederick News-Post and as FNP Printing and Publishing), Frederick, MD; December 2000 to December 2015 as Chief Financial and HR Officer
Selected by the owners to lead the financial management as they bought out the other owners in 2001.The Frederick News-Post, an established daily newspaper publisher and commercial printer with more than 200 employees, has been in continuous operation since 1880 in Frederick.
• Implemented a complete overhaul of all business systems upon takeover and evolved those systems with technology changes over the last 15 years, maintaining a robust and efficient accounting and reporting system. Reduced the monthly closing cycle from 45 days to 4 while finding methods to put full financial information in the hands of the managers. Implemented innovative approaches to streamline a mixed Mac and PC technology environment to improve the quality of financial data available to the various functions of the company and meet end user needs.
• Tightened year end closing process to a schedule of last day of the year to reviewed financial statements in 30 days. Financial statements, including all disclosures, are entirely prepared in house before the review begins. There have been no adjustments to our financial statements in 15 years.
• Provided situational leadership as COO during the Great Recession and lead 16 restructuring activities to get us through the trough. Managed four refinancings for the company and sister entities owned by the family that involved finding the financial partner, making the pitch and successfully negotiating the terms. In addition to HR, Finance and risk management, managed the IT function for 8 years.
• Provided all the contract and financial management for a $60M plant and equipment expansion and subsequently handled all aspects of selling off the excess properties.
Maryland Business Appraisers, LLC, Frederick, MD, member and President – May 1, 2000 to present; providing business planning and valuation consulting services.
• Assisted outdoor event company with creation of business plan including feasibility studies, forecasts, funding structure and plan portfolio for potential investors. Consulted with startup partners to set parameters for potential investors and valuation of the venture.
• Numerous valuation engagements for estates, gifts and business disputes. Most engagements involved adverse parties where the valuation report had to withstand the rigors of a contested presentation, such as a divorce or the IRS.
Home Automated Living, Inc., Laurel, MD; May 2000 – November 2000 as Chief Financial Officer of a small, start-up technology company specializing in voice-activated home automation.
Business investors and partners include Intel, Microsoft, Compaq, Dell, Tandy and the Flanders Language Valley Fund, CVA. It was a thrilling ride on a cutting edge segment of technology at an exciting time. Many lessons learned about “eyeballs on the website” in contrast to revenue and cash flow! It was a valuable experience.
Linton, Shafer & Company, P.A., Frederick, MD, with additional offices in Rockville and Annapolis, MD; May 1978 – May 2000, President and Managing Principal.
Career progress from Manager to Partner, becoming top producer and leading executive of this large regional accounting firm. Evolved professional skills from auditing to complete client service for business owners including personal financial planning, tax planning and business management. Diversified professional skills by becoming credentialed in business valuation and developed local recognition for appraisal services.
Arthur Andersen & Company, Washington, DC, worldwide Certified Public Accounting Firm –1975 to 1978, Senior Accountant. A great professional beginning.
Adjunct Faculty, at various times, at Frederick Community College and Mount Saint Mary^s University.
Education
• Master of Business Administration from Hood College, Frederick, MD, 1994
• Bachelor of Science from Washington and Lee University with Special Attainments in Commerce, Lexington, VA, 1975
Professional Designations
• Licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in Maryland (Designated a Certified Public Accountant, #5120, Virginia, April 18, 1978; Reciprocal Certificate as a Certified Public Accountant, #R-621, Maryland, February 1, 1979)
• Accredited Senior Appraiser, May 13, 2002; Accredited Member, October 5, 1998; Business Valuation, American Society of Appraisers (ASA)
• Determined to be an expert in courts in the following jurisdictions: Frederick, Washington, Montgomery and Baltimore Counties; U.S. District Court Washington, D.C. and Maryland Tax Court. Cases have included fraud, child support, divorce property valuation, shareholder and partner disputes, including valuation issues, and business damages
• Designated a Senior Professional in Human Resources, December 23, 2013 and a SHRM-SCP in January 2015
Community Service and Recognition
• Rotary Club of Carroll Creek (Frederick, MD) – community organization with 172 members
o Club founder (1993)
o President (1993-1994) and Treasurer (1997-1999)
o Chaired $100,000 Honduras water project that provided a clean water system for the regional healthcare provider in Santa Barbara
o Oktoberfest – Beer Chairman (how fun is that!) for this project that involves 750 volunteers and raises $250,000 for RCCC community service activities. Manage a team of 80 volunteers that produce most of the profit from the festival
• Frederick County Chamber of Commerce – Past President
• Trustee - The Community Foundation of Frederick County, Inc. – 2001 – 2008; Chairman (2006/2007), Vice Chair (2005/2006), Second Vice Chair (2004/2005), Treasurer (2002-2004)
• Trustee – C. Burr Artz Trust for the benefit of the Frederick County Library
• Director – Fort Detrick Alliance (2011 – 2014)
• Frederick City Airport Commissioner (2011 – present)
• Frederick Festival of the Arts – Founding President
• Frederick Bicycle Coalition – Director (2016 – present)
• Washington & Lee University Alumni – Alumni Association Board of Directors (2016 - present), local Chapter President (multiple terms)
Other Involvements
• Bowers Brewing Company, Fountain Rock Management Corporation, Monocacy Land Partners LLC and Monocacy Brewing Company LLC – Director and Secretary/Treasurer - assisted in founding Frederick^s first brewpub; raised $3,700,000 in capital through private placement and bank and government loans. Sales volume of the 5 restaurant group and brewery operations exceeds $10M
• Private pilot - following one of 5 personal written goals, helped form a flying club in 2003 and learned how to fly the plane we purchased. Member of two flying clubs with a 1947 Luscombe and a 1977 Cessna Cardinal. While the use is principally personal enjoyment, it has been beneficial for the business: http://www.aopa.org/News-and-Video/All-News/2009/August/14/Luscombe-is-newspapers-eye-in-the-sky
• My other great joy is hiking and camping the AT with a variety of friends. It’s important that I have no goal on my hikes other than the pleasure of the trip. When I tried to figure out why I like it, my hiking buddy got it right when he said “It makes me feel alive”
o http://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/environment/middle-age-on-the-at/article_97cdcbfb-a055-5169-b5a4-f7f0ad47ff56.html
o http://www.fredericknewspost.com/your_life/life_news_collection/travel_and_outdoors/more-middle-age-on-the-at---update-from/article_cec61e12-cc7b-5a65-805c-905e97bf0806.html
o http://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/lifestyle/travel_and_outdoors/the--mile-maine-wilderness-roots-and-rocks-and-bogs/article_ad510477-3bd4-552c-8adc-8186b7048d28.html
• Certified scuba diver and on a trip in the spring we were able to participate in a lionfish hunt, helping to eradicate this invasive species that damages the reef.