Category: News

Financial professionals and guests gathered at the Orange County Business Journal’s annual CFO of the Year Awards on Thursday, January 21 to honor this year’s nominees and recipients. Century Group proudly sponsors the event each year to honor area financial professionals who have shown the highest level of talent and commitment as corporate stewards for their respective companies in the preceding fiscal year. This year’s awards went to Liz Williams of Taco Bell Corp. (Outstanding CFO of a Public Company), Kent R. Crandall of MBK Real Estate Co. (Outstanding CFO of a Private Company), Laurie Peterson of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire (Outstanding CFO of a Not-for-Profit Organization), Madhu Vijay of Aviation Capital Group Corp. (Lifetime Achievement Award), and Gina Mastantuono of Ingram Micro Inc. (Rising Star). “Each honoree took the time to mention how the award was a testament to the hard work and success of the members of their team,” said Ron Proul, Century Group’s CEO. “This truly resonates with what we do at Century Group, working with CFOs throughout the Southern California area to build teams and support the success of both the CFOs and the companies themselves.”

In addition to thanking their teams, both Liz Williams and Laurie Peterson spoke about their pride for their companies. Williams considers herself very lucky to be part of such an amazing brand, which makes being passionate about work easy, while Peterson remarked that she truly has her dream job.

“Century Group is proud to be part of the biggest celebration of the year for the Orange County finance community,” said Tim Calley, Managing Director of Century Group’s Orange County Office. “From Liz Williams, who Century Group nominated for this year’s award based on her phenomenal track record at Taco Bell, to Lifetime Achievement honoree Madhu Vijay, who helped reshape an entire industry as a part of Aviation Capital Group’s executive team, to Rising Star honoree Gina Mastantuono of Ingram Micro, who spoke of her pride in joining the Orange County community when she took on this role, this year’s winners represent some of the most iconic companies in today’s business world. It is definitely a testament to the strength of finance leaders and businesses in Orange County.”

The awards committee selected the winners from 37 finalists, all of whom were nominated by colleagues in the profession. Each nominee was said to have certain attributes, including the ability to successfully promote and support excellence as a CFO; establish procedures; set an example of ethical behavior; act as a team-builder, mentor and innovator; and contribute to the advancement of the industry and community. More details and photos from the event can be found online. Profiles on each honoree were published in the February 1 issue of the Orange County Business Journal.

Many members of the Century Group team spent their off hours helping causes that are important to them. Two such team members are actively involved in causes with similar missions – animal welfare.

Arielle LeBoulch Share, Director of Client Services on the Project and Interim Services team in the El Segundo Office, volunteers with Peace 4 Animals, an organization committed to improving the state of animal welfare on a global scale through education and awareness campaigns. Founded by model/actress, philanthropist and filmmaker Katie Cleary, Peace 4 Animals produces the World Animal News to educate the public on the latest in breaking animal news, as well as educating its viewers about current legislation, fundraising campaigns, innovative pet products and celebrity-related animal news. The organization also released an award-winning documentary, “Give Me Shelter,” on Netflix to expand the reach of their message. Most non-profit organizations find their strongest voice on social media, and that’s exactly how Arielle came across this organization. “Social media is a powerful tool,” she said. “As a huge animal lover, I was immediately drawn to their efforts, so I reached out to them and started to volunteer to help make a difference.” Learn more about the organization, how to support the cause and how to find them on social media at peace4animals.net.

Liz Reinhardt, Century Group’s Director of Marketing, is also an animal lover who spends time during the weekend volunteering at The Gentle Barn in Santa Clarita. Like Arielle, she too was drawn to the organization based on their active social media presence. “There are many animal sanctuaries in California, but none is like the Gentle Barn,” she shared. Founded by Ellie Laks, the Gentle Barn rescues and rehabilitates abused animals. They also host inner city and special needs children during the week, who learn kindness, compassion and confidence from the rescued animals. “The gentle approach they promote exudes in everything they do,” Liz said. “People are often astounded by the peaceful and friendly nature of the animals, especially once they hear the rescue stories. It’s a true testament to the environment Ellie has nurtured.” For the past six years, the organization has hosted a holiday event in South Central Los Angeles, complete with a bounce house, face painting, gifts and clothing for the kids. For some of the families, these are the only gifts they will get for the holidays, so it has become another way The Gentle Barn gives back to inner city kids who participate in their programs. Each year, they strive to make the holiday event bigger and better, and they’ve set a lofty goal for 2017. They are looking for anything from shoes and clothes for the kids to toasters and coffeemakers for the adults. Learn more about this past year’s event here; if you or your organization would like to make a donation for next year’s holiday event, contact them at [email protected]. You can learn more about The Gentle Barn and how you can visit, as well as links to find them on social media, at www.gentlebarn.org.

Financial professionals and guests gathered at the Orange County Business Journal’s annual CFO of the Year Awards on Wednesday, January 25 to honor this year’s nominees and recipients. Century Group proudly sponsors the event each year to honor area financial professionals who have shown the highest level of talent and commitment as corporate stewards for their respective companies in the preceding fiscal year. This year’s awards went to Colin Severn of William Lyon Homes Inc. (Outstanding CFO of a Public Company), James Molloy of Alorica Inc. (Outstanding CFO of a Private Company), Jo Ann Escasa-Haigh of Providence St. Joseph Health (Outstanding CFO of a Not-for-Profit Organization), Dessi Sarabosing of Real Mex Restaurants Inc. (Rising Star), and Joe McCarthy of Sunrise Growers Inc. (Lifetime Achievement Award). “This event is the biggest annual celebration for Orange County’s finance community, and I couldn’t think of a more deserving group of individuals to honor this year,” said Tim Calley, Managing Director of Century Group’s Orange County Office. “The industries represented by the honorees and winners truly speaks to the diversity and strength of the economy in Orange County.” Through the highs and lows of the past decade, the honorees shared that they came out stronger in the end. And, as with past years, each honoree credited their strong support systems – both at work and at home – for their ability to succeed.

Public company CFO winner Colin Severn became CFO in 2009 after a change in leadership and was extremely grateful for the opportunity he was given. He credited his award to his team. “Without you, I wouldn’t be here. You do all the heavy lifting!”

Following a merger in July of 2016, non-profit CFO winner Jo Ann Escasa-Haigh credited the hard work and commitment of her team for a smooth transition. “There is no way it would have come together so well without the people on my team.”

Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Joe McCarthy remarked that at meetings he is now “the oldest guy in the room.” He shared how he feels an obligation to both teach and learn from the younger generation – acting as a mentor and advisor, but also learning new ways of doing things. “If we change too, we will be heard more, and [the younger generation] will do great as they follow in our footsteps.”

“We hear it year after year – the winners credit their success to the team working behind them,” said Ron Blair, Century Group’s COO. “It’s one of the many reasons we’re proud to support this event and nominate such deserving finance leaders with whom we’ve worked to build those teams. I couldn’t think of a better way to acknowledge the success of the CFOs, their teams and the companies themselves.”

The awards committee selected the winners from 32 finalists, all of whom were nominated by colleagues in the profession. Each nominee was said to have certain attributes, including the ability to successfully promote and support excellence as a CFO; establish procedures; set an example of ethical behavior; act as a team-builder, mentor and innovator; and contribute to the advancement of the industry and community. More details and photos from the event can be found online. Profiles on each honoree will be published in the February 6 issue of the Orange County Business Journal.

After an impressive career spanning more than three decades, Don Yaeger is retiring from at Century Group, the company he co-founded 25 years ago. He will still remain involved on the Board of Directors. Don’s background in placement had quite a fortuitous start. As a psycho-diagnostician in 1970’s New York, it was his work developing personality profiles that led him toward career placement – long before the standard use of these tests to evaluate a candidate’s fit for a role. Don was approached to help a corporate advisory firm with their hiring needs. He spent weeks developing personalized profiles, but ultimately the company went with the recommendation of a headhunter, and Don discovered a new professional arena for his psychometric background. The skills he brought to the table in trying to fit candidates with roles has served him well over the last 30-plus years. “Part of a psycho-diagnostician’s job is figuring out exactly what test to give,” Don shared. “You have to interview a person and learn more about them to get deeper insight into the whys and wherefores. Then you write up a prognosis, stating what might benefit the person the most. Moving from psych to placement seemed like a very simple transition, since I could use much of the same process.”

“Don has an incredible ability to understand each candidate’s motivations for a job change,” Century Group’s CEO Ron Proul shared. “He took tremendous time and care with each candidate to ensure he could help them in the selection of the right opportunity.”

There was always one main key to his success. “My initial strategy: get a phone number, so I could call them at home,” Don said. Psychologically, he knew if he could talk to the potential candidate in their home environment where they would be more relaxed, they in turn would spend more time giving him the information he needed – their background and goals – so he could present the perfect match.

Getting additional background information became easier as recruiting became more technologically-savvy, but even in the early years, Don simply wanted the details so he could select what to present to the client. “We’re in the business of disseminating information. Our job is to make the best match between a client and candidate – and then to show each side why the other fits their wants and needs.” He shared this approach with the many Century Group recruiters he trained over the past 25 years.

Don knows his approach is different from others in the profession. “Everyone wants to do it their way, and this business allows a highly-motivated recruiter to use their own strength even though we all want to end up in the same place.” His strength in utilizing his psycho-diagnostic training to find the best possible match, coupled with the time he puts in to discuss and evaluate each individual’s scenario, is what sets him apart as one of the original relationship-builders in the recruiting industry.

Click here to read more about Don Yaeger and his career and click here to learn more about Century Group.

Today marks Harry Boxer’s anniversary in the recruiting industry. After 41 years in the business, he is retiring from his day-to-day role at Century Group, the company he founded, but will remain on the Board of Directors as Chairman Emeritus. In the meantime, Harry still has a lot keeping him busy. He is the founder of a successful tech trading website, thetechtrader.com; author of the book “Profitable Day and Swing Trading;” has been a featured guest on many financial programs and sites; and is sought after to speak on the topic. Now he plans on writing a second book on trading. From Moving Stocks to Moving People Following years as a Wall Street broker, it was the state of the market combined with his keen intellect, drive, experience in sales and finance, and a way with words that led Century Group’s founder down this career path in 1974.
At a time when resumes were drafted on typewriters and the telephone was a recruiter’s best friend, Harry’s career in recruiting soared. He took to the new role like a duck to water, and within 18 months, he was the top producer at his firm. Between delivering resumes on his lunch hour to copying a fax before the ink faded, Harry has seen it all. Even with the onset of computers, internet and email, he says one thing has not changed – the phone is still a recruiter’s best ally. “I have found that those who make verbal presentations over the phone do the best in this industry,” he shared. That ability to make the pitch and really sell the candidate with a personal touch is what has helped him – and Century Group – succeed.

Leadership in Action

“A career spanning four decades speaks to the success and adaptability of one of the true leaders of the industry,” said CEO Ron Proul, who has worked with Harry since Century Group’s early years. “His passion, business acumen and knack for making deals is an inspiration to anyone in the search and placement profession.”

There has been another constant throughout all the technological changes­: the people. It is quite possibly Harry’s greatest achievement that he has been able to bring together – and keep together – so many talented people for so many years. And he is proud of the intelligent and insightful individuals who make up the firm. Not to mention, they not only share the same goals – they also share deals.

The team approach is an important part of the culture Harry has fostered. He estimates that he has interviewed about 20,000 people in his career, and he has a gift for reading people. “I can usually tell within five minutes if someone will work out at the company,” he said. “But I would never hire anyone without allowing every person on my staff a chance to meet the candidate.” It’s this collaborative approach that has set him and the firm apart.

“The people I hire also get the best training, because they work under seasoned recruiters and are encouraged to ask questions,” he shared. Twenty-five years later, Century Group still embraces what they call the group concept. Through this support system, the team becomes more personal and so do the placements.

But the real testament is Boxer’s own dedication to his career, his profession and the company he founded. After so many years in the business, he remained actively involved in the inner workings of Century Group. It is that dedication to the people and environment he nurtured that continues to punctuate his monumental career, and it is what will live on as his legacy.

Click here to read more about Harry Boxer and his career and click here to learn more about Century Group.

A classroom of 80 UC Irvine students listened intently as Century Group’s Kori Chapman spoke about what to do – and not to do – when embarking on a career search.

The class, New Venture Management/Entrepreneurship through UCI’s Business School, was comprised of undergraduate students preparing to graduate in the next year. Adjunct Professor Bill Morris tries to infuse the class with real world experiences, which he takes from his former career as a Wall Street Executive and CFO of a publicly-traded company, as well as his current role as a consultant on business-related matters.

He also invites special guests to convey a variety of perspectives. Ms. Chapman told them to begin by thinking about their education, their goals and where they see themselves in the next five years. With a strong understanding of those things, they would be able to sell themselves to any potential employer and stand out from the crowd.

“The information that Kori gave the students was great,” Professor Morris said. “They don’t know what they need to focus on, so from cover letters to resumes – what to do, what not to do – they drank it all in.”

An Associate Director for Client Services on Century Group’s Interim and Projects Services team, Ms. Chapman said the students asked a lot of questions about LinkedIn and other online resources. She spoke about the importance of managing an online presence and stressed the need to be careful about what you put online while trying to maintain a professional identity.

“A lot of bright kids are coming out of school and looking at the same jobs,” Professor Morris shared. “We showed them how to stand out, and Kori also provided a hiring perspective – leaving them with a variety of ways to get a foot in the door as they look for that first job.”