Jim Ferrell

Louisville, KY CFO

38 Years of Experience

Direct Contact:
jimferrell@

502 500-7109

Jim is a CPA and seasoned senior-level financial executive who, after graduating from the University of Kentucky and spending three and a half years at Peat, Marwick and Mitchell in Louisville KY, left Public Accounting and spent the next 30+ years pursuing an understanding of those visionary individuals able to breathe existence into a concept and grow that concept into a thriving enterprise. That pursuit lead Jim to partner with a number of serial entrepreneurs over the years in various roles: Controller, VP of Finance, CFO, Partner and Trusted Advisor. He determined the best way to support the achievement of the future of each enterprise as envisioned by these entrepreneurs was to become a source of trusted counsel in all steps required to bring the vision to reality: conceive, research, plan, create, monitor, analyze, adjust, and repeat. Not only did this require Jim to develop the skills necessary to be regarded as a highly competent Business Generalist, it also required developing working relationships with various business specialists i.e. Attorneys, Auditors, Bankers, Insurance Professionals, IT Professionals etc. Now, with the addition of the collective resources of the 200+ Partners of B2B CFO^®, Jim would like to assist you in Achieving Your Vision.

Below are examples of industries and enterprises Jim has been involved with during his career:

As General Manager and CFO for The Computer Store during the early to mid '80s, he experienced firsthand how the proper application of this relatively inexpensive computing technology could improve the competitiveness of small and mid-sized businesses through the use of spreadsheets, databases, accounting software, and local and wide area networks.This experience provided a strong foundation in considering existing and emerging technologies to address strategic and operational challenges encountered from those early days through the present.

From the late '80s through the late 90's he experienced the dynamic effects of the deregulation of the Telecommunications Industry and the break-up of the Baby Bells, first as VP of Finance for a Louisville KY based Telecom Service reseller and later as CFO and partner of a privately owned Correctional Communications Telecom Services Provider with an eye toward rapid growth through organic and acquisitive channels. The decade of Telecom experience taught him the importance of having financial systems and internal controls in place to withstand the rigors of the due diligence experienced in the sale of an enterprise and the importance of establishing relationships and documenting sources and uses of capital well before attempting to execute strategic initiatives.

From the late '90s through early 2000's he was CFO of a privately owned staffing company started by one of his former partners in the Telecom business. During his tenure the company grew from 4 branches in Louisville Ky to 64 branches throughout the southeast and from $2 million to over $60 million in revenue through both organic and acquisitive channels with commensurate growth in infrastructure and capital requirments. This experience taught him how strategic growth can be enhanced when preceded by relationship building and diligent planning.

By the early 2000's, it was apparent that the internet was going to be a game changer and he was eager to learn more about the technology and related business opportunities. As it so happened, one of his entrepreneurial contacts from his staffing company days had acquired a majority interest in a web hosting business in distress and had successfully turned it around and was looking to grow the business. So in 2004, Jim joined the company as CFO and a plan of pursuing strategic acquisitions was formulated. During his tenure as CFO, the company grew revenue five fold by successfully entering new markets through two strategic acquisitions funded through a venture capital relationship established and cultivated long before the acquisition strategy was initiated. Once again the importance of establishing systems and controls which can withstand the due diligence necessary to raise capital was evidenced.

While not an exhaustive list of Jim's experiences during his career, these are representative of the types of challenges often experienced by entrepreneurs in high growth environments where relationships, personnel, systems and planning play an important role in the successful realization of a founders vision.

Jim is married to Fran, his wife of 43 years, and they have two children and three grandchildren. After serving in the Army, Jim graduated from the University of Kentucky in May 1974 and was licensed as a Kentucky CPA in 1976. He has spent the bulk of his career working in and with owner operated start-ups, early stage, and mid-sized enterprises in and around Louisville, KY.