FINANCIALEXECUTIVES

OF THE YEAR

2015

Presented By

Stephanie CisakowskiCFO Bellarmine Preparatory School

At first, Stephanie Cisakowski was drawn to the job as chief finan-cial officer at Bellarmine Preparatory School because she had children headed into high school. That interest has grown into an infectious en-thusiasm for the mission, combined with her professional acumen.

During her nine-year tenure, Cisakowski has carried responsibility for a $17 million annual operation, $18 million foundation trust and $2 million in yearly financial aid for students and their families. Her nominator said tireless efforts and leadership of a five-person depart-ment have produced multiple years of surplus budgets and clean audit reports. The team also is the HR department, ensuring compliance and implementation of all those requirements, as well.

“My background was originally in public accounting before I became financial officer for a publishing firm,” Cisakowski said. “I then worked for a private school in Bellevue” and relocated to Tacoma to bring the Jesuit-related, college prep high school experience to her daughters.

She is “a constant source of inspiration to those she works with and all members of the Bellarmine community,” her nominator wrote.

Alan ErolaCFO Greater Lakes Mental Health

Over 15 years as CFO at Greater Lakes Mental Health, Alan Erola has developed a very sophisticated process for budgeting and forecasting.

“There is no rock for people to hide under,” explained the agency’s leader, CEO Terri Card. “Anything that can be measured, is measured – so we all are much more accountable.”

Erola’s approach comes from his experience in big hospital systems that go far beyond what’s normally found in community mental health operations. Functioning as a true CFO, most of his time goes to analy-sis, trends and disecting metrics so managers know what is happening in the professional clinic that serves more than 10,000 clients annually.

Erola’s leadership style is to keep his contributions “at the 30,000-foot level,” especially when others might be off-kilter due to an un-planned result. “Alan uses his calm demeanor to point out the big-pic-ture view, bringing down the intensity of the discussion,” Card said.

“And nobody could ever accuse him of engaging in ‘group think.’ That’s extremely valuable, especially to me (as CEO),” Card added.

Congratulations to all FinalistsWe at Heritage Bank are most pleased to be able to partner

with Moss Adams and Business Examiner Media Group to honor these exceptional examples of quality senior financial leadership from many companies and organizations located in the South Sound.

It is hard to over-emphasize the significant contributions to success that come from well-qualified financial profession-als within top level management suites. These individuals, with a focus on “the numbers” and trends, perform analysis that brings clarity to the decision-making process, offer up specific recommendations based upon those findings and chart the way forward, enhancing outcomes that bode well for the whole organization.

For all of their importance, too often the individuals who serve as Chief Financial Officer, Controller, Vice President of Finance, Accounting Manager or whatever job title do not get appropriate recognition. That is why Financial Executives of the Year program was created, and why we are pleased to be supporting it.

Congratulations to all the 2015 Finalists and Honorees.

Keynote Remarks by William G. “Bill” RobertsonCEO, MultiCare Health System

For a perspective on how financial ex-ecutives work with senior organizational leaders, we invited someone with service in each role to offer keynote remarks.

One year ago this month, William G. “Bill” Robertson was named the new Chief Executive Officer for MultiCare Health System, the largest private-sector employer in the South Sound.

Bill’s first college degree was in Accounting from Southern Adventist University and he worked as a Certified Public Ac-countant for some time, before later moving into Adminis-tration of Health Care facilities. Prior to coming to Tacoma last May, he was President and Chief Executive at Adventist HealthCare, one of the largest private employers in Mary-land, for 14 years. Upon his departure, The Washington Post wrote, “Under Robertson’s watch, Adventist became the larg-est provider of health care in Montgomery County (suburban Baltimore-D.C.) and added several new facilities.”

Having been on-the-job here for less than a year now, Bill may also have some observations on how this area differs from that “other” Washington.

Nominations are now open!Recognizing the South Puget Sound’s most outstanding company cultures

P r e s e n t e d b y

April 8, 2015 | McGavick Conference Center

2015

Is your company on the map?

www.BusinessExaminer.com/top

For nomination process and

event info visit,

Brett FreshwatersCFO Metro Park Distrcit

Live well!

TLRC proudly celebrates the nomination of David Hoffman, CFO as a Financial Executive of the Year!

David has a genuine love for people. We are truly blessed by his work, good natureand his grand sense of humor. Congrats David!

Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community

253.752.7112 www.tacomalutheran.org

Under great leadership, everyone prospers.Congratulations to the nominees and finalists of this year’s Financial Executives of the Year awards.

WWW.MOSSADAMS.COM

Responsibility for a government agency’s money is different for the chief financial officer, but Brett Freshwaters has proven capable in more than seven years at Metropolitan Park District Tacoma.

The agency manages public parks within the city, plus Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, and Northwest Trek – about 260 full-time employees and more than twice that with seasonal hires, plus a $50 million general fund budget and $77.2 million in capital projects.

“When we talk about the broad geographic spread and the different types of activities, the opportunity is wide for problems, which have not happened,” said Wayne Williams, director of business services for the District. He credits Freshwaters’ broad knowledge and collaborative leadership style for continuing a 14-year string of clean audits.

Freshwaters also chairs an in-house workforce management training program that aids cross-training and restructuring, if needed.

Service on an advisory committee for community college courses, more than 20 years as a Rotarian, plus using his experience in triathlons to teach a conditioning class at the YMCA keeps Brett busy.

Steve GraySecretary/Treasurer Gray Lumber Company

David HoffmanCFO Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community

With four decades experience as corporate secretary and treasurer of a family-owned business, Steve Gray has seen less than half of Gray Lumber’s operational lifespan. But the years have brought significant change and new competitors to the industry sector.

Rather than seek to mimic the new entries, Gray and his brother Mac, as CEO, have managed the firm begun by their grandfather into a supplier of high quality building products throughout the region.

“We send two semi-trucks and trailers to Seattle/King County each day to supply the building boom up there,” Steve Gray said. “Commer-cial sales are about half of what we do, along with commercial home-builders (25 percent) and remodelers are buying about 20 percent of our total volume.” Retail sales through their iconic store in Tacoma’s Sixth Avenue business district are just five percent of the whole.

An active leader in service, Gray is sought out by groups such as Associated Ministries, Broadway Center for the Performing Arts and Greater Tacoma Community Foundation. He’s also a past president and 26 year member of Tacoma Sunrise Rotary.

Just five years into a new industry, CFO David Hoffman has already earned a high compliment from his supervisor at Tacoma Lutheran Re-tirement Community.

“David is the best chief financial officer that I’ve had in (my career span of) 40 years,” said CEO Paul Opgrande. “He is new to long-term care, but he’s adapted very well to the different environment” in this non-profit with 350 employees serving 600 seniors on a $21 million budget.

An Army veteran with three young children, Hoffman came from a large for-profit energy firm where he had been controller. He is de-scribed as quiet, never anxious and modeling good, consistent behav-ior, with clear expectations and great follow-through. Hoffman recently successfully negotiated new long-term financing that actually reduced interest rate risk for Tacoma Lutheran.

“I value his ability to analyze opportunities and put the thinking (and) results into a beautiful document,” said CEO Opgrande. “He’s a bean-counter, but (can) communicate complicated financial informa-tion in a way that can be understood by others.”

Commencement Bank congratulates Jennifer Nino and all finalists for the Business Examiner’s ‘Financial Executive of the Year’ award. Thank you all for contributing so greatly to your companies and our community.

253.284.1800 commencementbank.com1102 Commerce St, Tacoma WA, 98402

Jennifer NinoExecutive Vice President,Chief Financial Officer

Lisa Miles, Chief Financial O�cerLucky Eagle Casino & Hotel CFO Lisa Miles

has become quite adept at keeping things

in balance. A�er all, she oversees every

aspect of �nance and purchasing for our

multi-million dollar property.

So it should come as no surprise that she

excels at managing a tremendous range

of personal interests as well. Not the least

of which involves the care and feeding of

two rather exuberant Great Danes.

It all adds up to a positive outcome on both

sides of the work vs. play ledger.

Congratulations, Lisa, on being so good to

the people—and best friends—in your life.

And on your nomination for the Business

Examiner’s Financial Executive of the Year.

She keeps

our finances,

and her life,

in

perfect

balance.

253.756.2003 | www.LiveYourIdealLife.com Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Financial Planning and Investment Advice offered through Financial Advocates Investment Management, a Registered Investment Advisor, DBA Cornerstone Financial Strategies LLC and a separate entity from LPL Financial.

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Jennifer NinoCFO Commencement Bank

Jennifer Nino has held chief financial responsibility for Commence-ment Bank since its founding in 2006, meaning through the greatest recession and stressful times for financial institutions.

That this small Tacoma bank is now considered the 84th strongest on a recent list of the “Top 200 Healthiest Banks” is testament to her qualification as a finalist for 2015 Financial Executive of the Year.

“It’s been a rough six years since Commencement Bank started … happening to coincide with the financial melt-down,” said Nino, “but very rewarding to be with one that had very little exposure to the trou-bles that hit so many.”

“Jennifer is not just an outstanding CFO, she is also involved in everything from marketing to HR, and is constantly taking on new responsibilities as we grow,” said the bank’s president and CEO, Hal “H.R.” Russell.

She and her husband also have two teenagers who are very active in outdoor sports competition, so it’s a busy life.

Kerry ProsserCFO Life Center Ministries

Kerry Prosser already had big responsibilities as CEO of a family-owned piano retail store group when he was invited to take a leap of faith – and become CFO of Life Center Ministries.

Here was a $16 million operation with 225 employees operating a pre-K through 12th grade school, two senior care facilities, a founda-tion, two thrift stores and five separate church locations in the greater Tacoma area. Lead Pastor Dean Curry wanted Prosser to step away from what he had been doing and toward what he could give.

“I prayed about it and asked my store managers, then made the change,” he said, and the past three years have brought him “lots of growth and learning here.”

Prosser’s role is “big picture” working with a five-person accounting staff that handles the details. He also coordinates strategic planning, audit operations and fiscal responsibility processes. His fellow execu-tive leaders say Prosser’s addition to the team has been invaluable to all parts of the ministry. “We are better than ever before, and Kerry is part of the reason.”

On behalf of everyone at Wilcox Farms, we would like to congratulate

Natalya Washburnfor being a Financial Executives of the Year finalist

Wilcox Farms | Roy, WA(360) 458-7774

www.wilcoxfarms.com

Natalya WashburnController Wilcox Farms

In her first 14 years in a new country, Natalya Washburn has en-rolled and completed coursework at Clover Park Technical College, earned a BA in Accounting from Saint Martin’s University and passed the exam to become a Certified Public Accountant.

It’s been a fast pace for this emigre from Siberia, who started over and has become Controller for Wilcox Farms in only her second job in America.

“She appreciates so much in comparison to her former country,” said CEO Andrew Wilcox. “She really cherishes private enterprise and the positive merits of what a company will do.”

Washburn is also held in high regard by the Wilcox family owners of the 103-year-old agribusiness for looking out years in the future with possible decisions and bringing back to the table what strategic, fiscal (and other) plans will be needed to make big changes.

“The size of this corporation allows me to participate in additional areas,” Washburn said. “It is large enough to allow me to learn.”

Steve ZaitzCFO Associated Petroleum Products

The CFO of Associated Petroleum Products, Steve Zaitz is a finalist for 2015 Financial Executive of the Year, and it has been an eventful year for his company, too.

This Tacoma-based company grew significantly in 2014 as it ac-quired out of bankruptcy some assets, equipment and employees from a failed competitor. It brought APP to around $1 billion in revenue with some 250 employees.

Zaitz has held responsibility for sound fiscal management and guid-ance to the rest of his employer’s executive management team for four years. He previously was CFO for a similar company for more than a decade.

“Our company’s ownership has always had an intention to help with the needs of the community where it operates,” Zaitz said. Indeed, APP is well-known for its charitable works throughout the South Sound, and now extending its service territory from the Canadian border south into Oregon and beyond.

Ned WittingCFO Print NW

As CFO and a partner at Print NW in Lakewood, Ned Witting is known for not being afraid of growth and the change that comes with it.

He is also a finalist for 2015 Financial Executive of the Year, and this has been another growing year for his company. Up to 150 employees now and with annual revenues approaching $19 million, Print NW is one of the nine largest commercial printers in the state.

One of Witting’s partners, Jeff Stalling, says Ned and his team’s ability to keep up with the firm’s explosive growth is so critical, with ever-changing equipment, staffing and financial needs. The company has also created a management track formality, for each leader to be working with outside resources every 60 days, “and Ned’s been a big part of that. He’s helping to match the talent to the need.”

Associated Petroleum Products, Inc. (APP)2320 Milwaukee Way, Tacoma, WA 98421

(800) 929-5243 or (253) 627-6179www.associatedpetroleum.com

www.apppropane.comCongratulations, Steve Zaitz

as a nalist for the 2015 Financial Executive of the Year ARC: 1501

Account Manager FISH Food Banks of Pierce CountyDescribed by her nominator as “an accountant with heart,” Nita

Earsley wears many hats at FISH Food Banks of Pierce County. And does so with professional competency and an expansive giving spirit.

Earsley performs traditional accounting tasks for this nonprofit agency with a meager $1.5 million operating budget and more than $10 million of in-kind supplies to neighborhood food banks. She also does HR-Personnel functions, financial reports, in-kind donations and the inventory of all products at food bank and warehouse locations.

“I’m a glorified bookkeeper,” Earsley said modestly, when asked about her FISH responsibilities.

She came to FISH in May 2014 when a builder that had valued her accounting skills for 17 years could no longer afford them in the eco-nomic slowdown. Earlier, she spent 8-9 years at another not-for-profit.

Many Saturdays, you can find her shopping (on her day off) at a neighborhood farmer’s market for fresh produce that she delivers to a nearby food bank, putting to reality the spirit she feels.

Nita EarsleyWinner-Non-Profit

Director of Finance Pierce County Library SystemClifford Jo joined Pierce County Library System in 2001 to man-

age its Information Technology, with degrees in computer science and physics. Not the background one sees in his current role as Director of Finance & Business Operations.

But that link began early with a demonstrated ability to help library executives use spreadsheets and document programs to share stories and management decision-making. Translating complex financial in-formation into something understandable to a lay person (and taxpay-er) was important.

Donna Albers, CEO of Albers & Co. and member of the Library gov-erning board, said it wasn’t long before his natural affinity for long-range forecasting, project planning, asset management and financial planning was clear.

“Cliff brings part of the ‘heart’ to our executive management team,” said Georgia Lomax, executive director of the Library. And he’s dem-onstrated the ability to share that with other co-workers and library patrons, as well.

Clifford Jo

Winner-Government

CFO Lucky Eagle Casino & HotelJoining Lucky Eagle Casino in 2002, Lisa Miles brought her profes-

sional CPA experience with a Big Four firm, time as a senior accountant and director of finance in nation entertainment operations and respon-sibility as gaming financial officer for another Northwest tribal casino.

Under Miles’ tenure as CFO, Lucky Eagle Casino has doubled the size of its gaming area and merged with Chehalis Tribe’s 170-room ho-tel. All of this with revenue growth of 114 percent, 12 consecutive years of positive operating results, and no audit adjustments in any year.

“It’s no secret that she’s passionate about the whole business, not just accounting,” said CEO John Setterstrom in his nomination of Miles. “It’s a dynamic spirit, along with her vast knowledge, and ability to listen and communicate, which has helped cultivate effective work-ing relationships with financial institutions, regulatory agencies and the Chehalis Tribal community.”

She has also taught two finance classes for a local community col-lege’s Gaming Certification program, and is an officer/board member for two local charitable, non-profit agencies.

Lisa Miles

Winner-Large Company