Our Finance / HR / IT experience

By Greg Togni May 1, 2025
Chief Financial Officer ABOUT THE COMPANY Founded in 1947, Oregon Tool, Inc. has grown from a basement in Portland, Oregon, to a global designer, manufacturer, and marketer of precision cutting tools, equipment, and accessories for consumers and professionals in more than 110 countries with 3200 team members. Building off the pioneering spirit of its founder, Joseph Buford Cox, Oregon Tool has transformed the cutting industry and have become the world’s #1 manufacturer of saw chain and guide bars for chainsaws and diamond saw chain for concrete and pipe, a leading manufacturer of agricultural tractor attachments, and the leading OEM supplier of first-fit and replacement parts. Its products are sold into the aftermarket through multiple channels, including distributors, dealers, mass merchants and e-commerce, as well as to original equipment manufacturers for “first fit” use on new equipment. Since its founding in the 1940s, Oregon Tool has grown from a family business into a multinational organization. Oregon Tool is owned by Platinum Equity, a global investment firm with more than $48 billion of assets under management and a portfolio of approximately 60 operating companies that serve customers around the world. Platinum Equity specializes in mergers, acquisitions and operations – a trademarked strategy it calls M&A&O® – acquiring and operating companies in a broad range of business markets, including manufacturing, distribution, transportation and logistics, equipment rental, metals services, media and entertainment, technology, telecommunications and other industries. Over the past 29 years Platinum Equity has completed more than 450 acquisitions. POSITION SUMMARY Based on a recent promotion of Oregon Tool’s Chief Financial Officer to Chief Executive Officer, Oregon Tool is seeking an experienced Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead key financial functions across our U.S. and international operations with a team of 100 team members, with primary focus on accounting, tax, treasury, and internal audit, as well as IT. The CFO will be a key strategic partner to the executive leadership team, playing a pivotal role in shaping the company’s growth strategy, ensuring financial performance, managing risk, and overseeing the IT function. As the financial steward of a private equity-backed global organization, the CFO will. ensure strong financial governance and compliance, optimize cash flow, and support operational efficiency. While primarily focused on these areas, the CFO also provides limited oversight of financial operations, contributing to sound decision-making and the organization’s overall fiscal health. The CFO will also be responsible for aligning the IT team with the strategic vision set by the private equity owners, helping to drive value creation, cost optimization, and scalability. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Financial Leadership: Support both short-term and long-term growth objectives of the financial strategy to align with the playbook. Provide insights on capital structure, liquidity, and funding strategies. Partner with the executive leadership team to guide business performance and identify operational efficiencies. Support the execution of an exit strategy or liquidity event, working closely with the private equity firm to align with investment objectives. Financial Operations & Reporting: Oversee the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP and international standards, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements across all jurisdictions. Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting to the private equity firm, board of directors, and other key stakeholders. Implement best practices for financial reporting and performance analysis, ensuring the company maintains a strong financial position. Direct the team in accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, and tax compliance. Cash Flow & Risk Management: Manage the company’s cash flow, working capital, and liquidity to ensure the business operates efficiently and remains financially stable. Develop and implement risk management strategies, overseeing financial controls, insurance, and mitigation of operational, financial, and market risks. Work with external auditors, legal advisors, and tax consultants to manage risk and optimize the tax structure across global operations. This includes cyber security and IT Risk Management. Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and Capital Strategy: Lead or support M&A initiatives, including target identification, due diligence, valuation, and integration, to support the company’s growth strategy and value creation. Partner with the private equity firm to evaluate and execute on new investment opportunities, optimizing capital structure and aligning with the firm’s strategic priorities. Global Operations & International Oversight: Oversee financial operations in all international locations, ensuring compliance with local financial regulations and tax laws. Maximize financial processes and reporting systems across geographies, driving operational efficiencies and consistent decision-making globally. Coordinate with international finance teams to ensure alignment with overall company financial objectives and adherence to best practices. IT Strategy & Oversight: Lead the IT function, aligning technology investments with financial goals and operational needs. Ensure systems are scalable, secure, and enable financial reporting and forecasting capabilities. Partner with the IT team to ensure the integration of financial systems (e.g., ERP, cloud services) to enhance reporting accuracy and streamline operations. Drive initiatives that optimize the company’s technological infrastructure, ensuring it supports both financial and operational goals, particularly in the context of global manufacturing and sales. Leadership & Team Development: Build and lead a high-performance team, providing mentorship and fostering professional growth opportunities. Develop strong relationships with cross-functional teams to ensure finance is closely integrated with all business operations. Collaborate with the leadership team to set the overall direction for the business, ensuring that financial goals are met and exceeded. QUALIFCATIONS • Minimum of 5-7+ years of experience in executive financial leadership positions, with a focus on manufacturing, sales, and international operations. • Prior experience in a private equity-backed company is highly preferred, with a proven track record of driving growth and value creation. • Strong experience in M&A, capital structure optimization, and working closely with private equity investors. • Experience in capital markets managing banking and investor relations. • Strong financial modeling, analysis, and business forecasting skills. • Expertise in U.S. GAAP, IFRS, international financial regulations, and tax compliance across multiple jurisdictions. • Experience in IT or Business Analyst management, optimizing global systems, ERP software, and other integrated technologies. • Excellent leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment. • Ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly to both financial and non-financial stakeholders, including the private equity investors. LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES Strategic Orientation & Commercial Acumen The ideal candidate will have a strategic mindset and will look at business challenges and opportunities in a holistic way. With that strategic mindset, executing on the existing Playbook is the priority. They will understand how to integrate market and competitive trends, organizational state, and other issues into a coherent vision for change and growth and link this vision into a series of initiatives and priorities that are compelling and logical. They will have a strong track record of driving growth and value through internal initiatives. Execution / Results Orientation The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated track record of delivering impact in the business. The individual must have a high sense of urgency, be a highly driven execution- oriented leader who has repeatedly led organizations through rapid transformation that yield increased levels of growth and sustainable performance. They will have the ability and determination to move a portfolio of strategic imperatives forward, using performance metrics and benchmarks to track progress. Team Leadership / Talent Development The candidate will build deep organization strength, inspire and motivate the entire organization to impact the future growth, continuity and profitability of the business. They should be focused on coaching, mentoring and testing their senior leadership team to ensure continued growth and success of the business. The leader will consistently be recruiting to benchmark their existing team and as needed, bring in best-in-class performers. The ideal candidate will possess the ability to effectively motivate others to achieve goals and objectives as they build the next level leadership talent. Collaboration, Communication & Influencing The leader will be a good listener with outstanding interpersonal qualities and a natural, effective consultative style. They will have demonstrated the ability to be straightforward, frank, and direct with others while communicating respect. They must be able to influence, collaborate and partner with the different entities to drive improvements. This includes the ability to work effectively with a virtual, geographically dispersed organization. Interested in Learning More? 180one has been engaged by Oregon Tool to manage this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Matt Oltmann /971.235.6236/ matt.oltmann@180one.com .
By Greg Togni March 3, 2025
180one is pleased to announce our recent partnership with Forest City Trading Group and the successful placement of a new Assistant General Counsel! With roots going back to the 1960’s, Forest City Trading Group (FCTG) , may have started as a small lumber yard run by two immigrant brothers, but has since grown into North America’s largest wholesale lumber product distributor. FCTG facilitates the distribution of products across 6 continents through our network of 12 operating companies and over 800 employees. The company’s impact is far-reaching, especially when considering that one in every ten houses today is built using products sourced and sold by our operating companies. As proponents of forest sustainability, FCTG actively supports suppliers who use sustainable forest management practices that promote forest sustainability and result in long-term environmental, social, and economic benefits. Congratulations to FCTG and the 180one Search Team on a successful placement!
By Catherine Landgraf February 13, 2025
Vice President of People Services ABOUT THE COMPANY Every Decision. Every Detail. Every Day. Locally owned since 1886, Lease Crutcher Lewis is a commercial construction company committed to making a positive impact for their clients and the community they build in. At Lewis, where every employee is an owner, their people are empowered to make decisions – big and small – to meet the goals of their clients. They understand that in construction even the smallest of details affect the integrity of the work and the safety of their sites. That’s why their teams are tenacious when it comes to getting it right, day in and day out, to deliver quality buildings that stand the test of time. With personal fulfillment as one of their six core values, Lewis has a collaborative and supportive culture committed to the success and development of their people. A few notable projects which highlight their expertise in delivering high-quality, innovative projects for their clients include: The Rainier Square Tower in downtown Seattle; the Oregon Zoo Elephant Lands and the Cedarbrook Lodge . ABOUT THE ROLE The VP of People Services will serve as a strategic partner to the executive team, aligning people strategies with organizational goals to drive growth, innovation, and cultural excellence. This role will lead the charge in creating a supportive, inclusive and collaborative workplace across all levels of the organization. With a focus on scaling talent acquisition, retention, and development programs, the VP of People Services will leverage data-driven insights and innovative approaches to enhance workforce planning, performance management, and overall organizational health. In addition to driving strategic priorities, this role will act as a trusted coach and mentor, empowering the People Services team to support employees and leaders effectively. They will prioritize people over processes, ensuring a culture that values empathy, authenticity, and connection. This role requires a visionary leader who can navigate the complexities of a multi-state and unionized environment while designing actionable solutions to HR challenges and continuously adapting to evolving business needs. PRIMARY FUNCTIONS & ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Strategic Leadership : Serve as a key advisor to the CEO and executive leadership, aligning people strategies with organizational goals and fostering a culture of performance and inclusion. Align People Strategies: Collaborate with executive leadership to develop and implement People Services and Learning and Development strategies that support business objectives, drive growth, and enhance organizational effectiveness. Foster Inclusive Culture: Champion inclusion initiatives to create a workplace where all employees feel valued, engaged, and empowered to perform at their best. Support Decision-Making: Provide data-driven insights and recommendations on workforce trends, talent acquisition, compensation, and retention to inform strategic planning and executive decision-making. Drive Performance Excellence: Partner with leadership to design and execute initiatives that build leadership capacity, enhance team performance, and cultivate a culture of accountability and innovation. Utilize the Lewis Leadership Development Program’s (5) Pillars and corresponding competencies as guidelines. Performance and Talent Management : Develop and oversee the implementation and execution of an evolved performance management process. Further integrate learning and development programs to create a wholistic approach to talent management. Enhance Performance Processes: Develop and manage performance management systems that align individual and team goals with organizational priorities, ensuring continuous improvement and accountability. Integrate Learning and Development: Implement strategies to seamlessly connect performance management with learning and development programs, fostering a comprehensive and continuous approach to talent growth and retention. Support CEO in the ongoing development and implementation of the Lewis Leadership Development Program (LLDP). Support Leadership Development: Support the identification and cultivation of high-potential talent through targeted learning and development and succession planning programs. Utilize Data-Driven Insights: Leverage performance metrics and feedback to refine learning and development programs, address skill gaps, and drive organizational excellence. Employee Engagement: Develop and implement employee engagement strategies to reinforce Lewis’ Purpose, Values and Culture. Consult on elements of effective communication (w/ VP of MarComm), recognition programs (w/ CEO), and opportunities for growth and connection (w/ Department & Operations Leaders) to enhance employee satisfaction, and drive engagement. Reinforce Purpose and Values: Develop engagement initiatives that align with Lewis’ Purpose, Values, and Culture, fostering a sense of belonging and shared mission among employees. Drive Employee Satisfaction: Implement programs to enhance satisfaction and morale through effective communication, meaningful recognition, and responsive leadership. Foster Connection and Growth: Create opportunities for employees to build relationships, develop professionally, and contribute to organizational success through tailored engagement strategies. Measure and Improve Engagement: Utilize surveys, feedback tools, and data analysis to monitor engagement levels and refine strategies to address evolving workforce needs. Total Rewards and Compliance : Ensure Lewis provides competitive compensation and benefits programs, maintains compliance with employment laws, and promote an equitable and inclusive workplace. Administer Competitive Rewards: Design and manage compensation and benefits programs and systems to attract, retain, and motivate top talent while aligning with market benchmarks. Ensure Legal Compliance: Monitor and enforce compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws, ensuring HR practices meet regulatory standards. Navigate Complex Union Agreements: Collaborate with leadership to address significant employment matters related to multi-geography operations and other scenarios not covered by existing union agreements, ensuring compliance and alignment with organizational goals. Promote Equity: Develop policies and programs that foster pay equity and transparency across all levels of the organization. Evaluate and Adapt Programs: Regularly assess the effectiveness of total rewards offerings, leveraging employee feedback and market data to make improvements that align with Lewis' goals and values. Department Leadership Attracts, develops, and retains a professional, high-performing People Services team in alignment with Lewis current needs and future strategic plan. Provides leadership and management direction; cultivate strong collaboration and teamwork within the team; ensure high performance through skill development, formal and informal coaching, growth assignments, and performance feedback. Provides guidance and support to ensure team develops and manages effective cross-functional relationships in a multi-stakeholder environment. SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required. Minimum 15 years of HR experience, and minimum of five years of leading HR teams. Ability to lead a functional group to high-performance; ability to think strategically and operationalize the strategy into the daily tactics of the organization. Strong strategic planning, problem solving, and client orientation skills combined with a proven record of leading change in an ambiguous and complex environment. Consultative and analytical mindset, with the ability to influence leaders and achieve results, including in areas without direct responsibility. Ability to provide quantitative and qualitative data/analysis to drive decision-making; excellent stakeholder and program/project management experience. Strong comfort with technology and proven ability to implement modern People Services and Learning technologies and solutions. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate with, and influence, all levels of management and employees; ability to engender trust and respect of employees at all levels. Excellent verbal and written communication skills; highly organized, self-starter; and demonstrates good judgment in protecting confidential information and uses discretion in discussing sensitive issues. Good negotiation, communication and conflict-resolution skills; ability to represent Lewis in negotiations with external agencies, vendors and partners. Interested in Learning More? 180one is a retained search firm and has been engaged by Lease Crutcher Lewis to manage this search. If interested in learning more about the opportunity, please contact Tom Haley /503.334.1350/ tom@180one.com
By Catherine Landgraf February 7, 2025
180one is pleased to announce our recent partnership with Columbia Distributing and the resulting placement of their new Chief People Officer! In 2008, Columbia Distributing, Mt. Hood Beverage, and Gold River Distributing united to form Columbia Distributing as we know it today. With this merger and the 2018 acquisitions of Marine View Beverage and General Distributors, Inc., our company is now one of the Top 5 largest beer/wine distributors in the US. Size is not our only distinction, however, as Columbia Distributing boasts an extensive selection of beverages, including craft beer, wine and spirits. Columbia Distributing’s success lies in the teamwork of the roughly 3,000 employees spread throughout 27 locations in Oregon and Washington, who every day come together to execute on a common vision. Congratulations to Columbia Distributing, and the 180one Search Team on a successful executive placement!
By Catherine Landgraf February 6, 2025
180one is pleased to announce our recent partnership with Oregon Food Bank and the successful placement of a new Director of Finance! Oregon Food Bank is a regional nonprofit working to end hunger and its root causes across Oregon and Southwest Washington. They believe that no one should be hungry, that food and health are basic human rights for all. Hunger is more than an individual challenge; it’s a symptom of deeper, systemic barriers to employment, education, housing, and healthcare. That’s why OFB takes a comprehensive approach: connecting people to nutritious food while building community power and strengthening the systems needed to eliminate hunger for good. Congratulations to Oregon Food Bank and the 180one Search Team on a successful placement!
By Catherine Landgraf January 23, 2025
180one is pleased to announce our recent partnership with Oregon Tool and the successful placement of a new Corporate Controller! Founded in 1947, Oregon Tool, Inc . has grown from a basement in Portland, Oregon, to a global designer, manufacturer, and marketer of precision cutting tools, equipment, and accessories for consumers and professionals in more than 110 countries.  Building off the pioneering spirit of their founder, Joseph Buford Cox, they have transformed the cutting industry and have become the world’s #1 manufacturer of saw chain and guide bars for chainsaws and diamond saw chain for concrete and pipe, a leading manufacturer of agricultural tractor attachments, and the leading OEM supplier of first-fit and replacement parts. Congratulations to Oregon Tool and the 180one Search Team on a successful executive placement!
By Catherine Landgraf December 10, 2024
We are excited to announce our recent collaboration with Firestone Pacific Foods, resulting in the placement of their new Chief Financial Officer! Firestone Pacific Foods (FPF) is a top-tier, efficient processor of frozen fruit that has earned a strong reputation in the market for quality and food safety. FPF has sales relationships with leading US and international food retailers and US food service companies. Agriculture Capital Fund II, an impact investment fund, acquired FPF in the fall of 2019 as part of its strategy to build out a low cost, vertically integrated supply chain of high quality, organic blueberries operating at scale to address growing global demand for this nutritious fruit. Together, FPF and Agriculture Capital seek to provide customers with product traceability back to the farm and a vehicle for creating and capturing value from Agriculture Capital’s regenerative agronomic practices. Congratulations to Firestone Pacific Foods, and the 180one Search Team on a successful executive placement!
By Catherine Landgraf December 6, 2024
180one is thrilled to announce the recent collaboration with Instrument, culminating in the successful placement of a new Chief Financial Officer! Instrument is a creative technology company headquartered in Portland, Oregon consisting of 300 talented people focused on redefining brands and experiences. Our teams push the boundaries of design, technology, and innovation for some of the world’s leading brands such as Google, Amazon, Spotify, and Nike. We are a collaborative partner to businesses seeking transformation and growth. We concept, design, and deliver best-in-class products, marketing, and brands. Congratulations to Instrument!
By Catherine Landgraf October 1, 2024
We are pleased to announce our recent partnership with Northwest Natural Holding Company (NW Natural) and the resulting placement of their new Chief Financial Officer, Ray Kaszuba ( press release ). Northwest Natural Holding Company, (NYSE: NWN) (NW Natural Holdings), is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and has been doing business for over 160 years in the Pacific Northwest. It owns NW Natural Gas Company (NW Natural), NW Natural Renewables Holdings (NW Natural Renewables), NW Natural Water Company (NW Natural Water), and other business interests. NW Natural has a longstanding commitment to safety, environmental stewardship and the energy transition, and taking care of our employees and communities. NW Natural currently provides natural gas service to approximately 2.5 million people in more than 140 communities through more than 795,000 meters in Oregon and Southwest Washington with one of the most modern pipeline systems in the nation. NW Natural consistently leads the industry with high J.D. Power & Associates customer satisfaction scores. Congratulations to the NW Natural team on this recent placement!
By Catherine Landgraf September 27, 2024
We are excited to announce our recent collaboration with SawStop, resulting in the placement of their new Vice President of Finance! Founded in 2000, SawStop’s first products were released in late 2004 and had immediate success. Since then, the company has essentially taken over the industrial table saw market. SawStop now has over 250,000 saws in the field and has documented over 10,000 fingers saved by SawStop saws. The company has received well over 100 US and foreign patents to date and continues to file and enforce new patents on the inventions created through its ongoing R&D. Their commitment to quality, innovation and safety over the past 20 years has made them the best in the industry. SawStop’s future looks just as bright as they accelerate their investments in new advancements in woodworking safety and performance. In July 2017, a family-owned German power tool company, TTS Tooltechnic Systems, purchased SawStop. TTS, celebrating 100 years in 2025, is respected around the world for their innovation, quality, and gold-standard market position. TTS (and their largest company, Festool) has a long and proven record of precision high-tech products. SawStop and Festool each focus on premier products in their respective markets and have minimal product overlap. Congratulations to SawStop, and the 180one Search Team on a successful executive placement!
By Greg Togni August 22, 2024
We are excited to announce our recent collaboration with Skutt Ceramic Products, resulting in the placement of their new Chief Financial Officer! Skutt Ceramic Products began in 1953 when Ralph and Neil Skutt manufactured the industry’s first multi-sided hobby kiln in Olympia, Washington under the name “Skutt & Sons”. The introduction of this new lightweight design revolutionized not just the ceramic kiln business but the whole ceramic industry by bringing ceramics to the home. A lot has changed over the last 70+ years. Kiln companies have come and gone, new clay bodies and glazes are constantly being developed that demand greater firing precision, and automatic controllers are quickly replacing the once cutting edge KilnSitter. Throughout the years Skutt has worked hard to meet the changing needs of their customers, but one thing that has remained constant is their fierce dedication to manufacturing quality products and providing outstanding customer service. They realize that every object placed in a Skutt kiln has value. It could be a child’s horse that looks more like a dog or a master potters $20,000 commissioned sculpture. Both of these artists are counting on their kiln to do its job and they don’t want to let them down. Congratulations to Skutt, and the 180one Search Team on a successful executive placement!
By Catherine Landgraf August 15, 2024
180one is thrilled to announce the recent collaboration with Impel, culminating in the successful placement of a new Corporate Controller! Impel Company (“Impel”) is a high-growth, rapidly expanding collection of small businesses. Our platform of companies includes capital equipment sales & distribution, repair & field work, manufacturing, and engineering. They operate in 12 locations across 12 states in the Western US with new acquisitions quarterly Impel is owned by Pike Street Capital, a growth focused PE firm out of Seattle, WA. The firm invests in middle-market companies in the industrial technology, specialty manufacturing, and distribution & logistics sectors. The Impel investment serves as a foundation from which to expand into the rapidly growing pump and related products industry. Pike Street Capital and Impel have completed 8 acquisitions since the partnership and are actively looking for additional acquisitions and other strategic partners to grow their product offering, service capability, geographic reach, and technology. Congratulations to Impel!
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