Los Angeles Chapter www.financialexecutives.org Financial Executives International Monthly Newsletter March 2008 Tom Murphy, RSM McGladrey Forging New Partnerships: How to Thrive in Today’s Global Value Chain The March 20 dinner meeting with feature Tom Murphy, RSM McGladrey, who will present “Forging New Partnerships: How to Thrive in Today’s Global Value Chain.” Globalization has led to the supply chain being replaced by the global value chain. Just producing a product to specification is no longer enough. In order to produce value in every step of the chain, companies need to form partnerships with their suppliers, service providers and customers in order to compete. Learn the obstacles and risks of being a part of the new value chain and gain an understanding of the four key links in the chain – global markets, innovation, workforce and financing. This presentation is the second of the Small and Medium Manufacturers series, a report which was jointly developed and produced by the National Association of Manufacturers, the Manufacturing Institute, and RSM McGladrey. Tom Murphy oversees RSM McGladrey’s largest industry practice – manufacturing and wholesale distribution. As industry practice leader, Murphy ensures delivery of high quality service offerings that respond to the changing needs of midsized manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors. He joined RSM McGladrey in 2001. Prior to joining the firm, he served as a chief financial officer for manufacturing and distribution companies based in the Midwest. Those companies were in the pulp and paper, industrial parts, truck parts and aerospace industries. Tom’s 25 years of manufacturing experience include strategy development and implementation, new product innovations, international operations and sourcing, company restructurings, production rationalization, and implementation of new technologies. His current responsibilities include directing RSM McGladrey’s manufacturing and wholesale distribution national survey, which receives nearly 1,000 responses yearly from industry executives. The survey collects and reports on the status of the industry, challenges facing the industry, as well as best practices for competing in the global economy. Our preferred method of receiving your reservation for the Dinner Meeting and Professional Development Seminar is via the website. Go to http://www.financialexecutives.org/eweb/startpage.aspx?site=ch_lan, click on “meetings & events,” click on the name of the meeting you will be attending, click on “Register Now” at the top or bottom of the page. Alternatively, you may call the Chapter’s voice mail at 213/243-7648, or email Susanne Truitt at susannetruitt@att.net. Susanne can also be reached at 562/818-1133. If you are bringing a guest please use the Chapter’s voice mail or email Susanne with your guest’s information. Include your name, phone number, names of guest(s), their title, and company name. Please advise if a prospective member, otherwise the $50 guest fee is applicable. Please speak clearly. Please bring a $50 check (payable to F.E.I.) per guest to the meeting. Provide your guest’s name, company and contact information as early as possible so a name tag can be prepared. PLEASE RSVP NO LATER THAN 10AM THE MONDAY BEFORE THE MEETING. ON THE INSIDE • • • • • • President’s Message .............................. Page Two Area Luncheons...................................... Page Two Professional Development ....................... Page Two Estate Planning Seminar ......................... Page Two Advertising ............................................. Page Three Career Services ...................................... Page Three • • • Chapter Calendar ................................... Page Three Magic Castle Day.................................... Page Three Friends of the Chapter…………….. .......... Page Four APRIL ISSUE DEADLINE: Monday, March 24 Email copy to: Loren Miller at lorenjm@aol.com Page Two Financial Executives International PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Dear Fellow FEI Members: The March Professional Development session presents Mark Davis and Daniel Kravitz of Kravitz Davis Sansone, the largest independent firm of retirement consultants headquartered in Southern California, specializing in the design and administration of retirement plans. We had a terrific meeting on February 21. At our Professional Development session, Thomas Etzel of JPMorgan Chase gave us an enlightening talk on the coming Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). This was a new topic for those of us who do not live in the treasury world, and it was fascinating to learn about this new development. I knew that our dinner speaker, Chris Thornberg of Beacon Economics, was going to give us his forecast for the economy. Thus at dinner I asked him if he could give us a nice, upbeat talk. I was aghast when he showed his first slide with the title, “Recession Economics.” But Chris presented his forecast in a convincing way, with lots of data, and with great energy and entertainment value. If he is right, we will have some more movement to the downside. But, as Chris pointed out multiple times, the economy always recovers, eventually. At our March 20 dinner meeting we will be trying something new—a casual night. We will still be meeting at the Jonathan Club, and you can wear business attire if you wish. But for once there will be no need to wear either a jacket or tie. Our professional development meeting will still take place on the 4th floor at 5:00. Then our cocktail reception and dinner meeting will be on the 13th floor. We will be outside on the roof if it does not rain. If the weather is poor, we will have our meeting inside. Please let us know if you like the alternative venue. If you do, we will have more casual nights. Details about the March programs are provided elsewhere in this newsletter. We are now taking reservations (and money) for our Spring social event on May 18 at the Magic Castle. Please get your money in early, as this event promises to sell out. Please make your plans to attend the national FEI Summit in Phoenix on May 4-6. And please join one of our area luncheons on March 13. After much discussion amongst our board members, we will be moving to a unified billing system that combines national and chapter dues. After the change is made, we expect that the system will operate more smoothly with less confusion. We will each receive only one membership invoice per year, which will be due on your anniversary date of joining FEI. Look for more details about this change in the near future. I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming FEI event. Sincerely, Ken Ken Merchant President The Directors and Officers of the Los Angeles Chapter of Financial Executives International gratefully acknowledges Robert Half Management Resources for being the annual sponsor of the 2007-2008 Chapter Website and Chapter Directory Many business owners are looking for larger tax deductions. Larger companies are seeking a way to mitigate their Defined Benefit Plan liabilities. Cash Balance plans may be the perfect solution. Given statutory recognition by the Pension Protection Act of 2006, Cash Balance plans provide businesses and business owners with an opportunity to reduce their tax bite while increasing their savings. Come join Mark Davis and Daniel Kravitz as they share with you how these plans work, the advantages of Cash Balance Plans and how one might work in your company. Mark A. Davis is a sixteen-year veteran of the retirement industry. He is an investment adviser representative for KDS working with more than $1,200,000,000 in qualified retirement plan assets as of September, 2007. Mark is a partner with Kravitz Davis Sansone in Los Angeles. He has earned the Accredited Investment Fiduciary designation from the Center for Fiduciary Studies as well as the QPFC designation from the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries "ASPPA." Daniel Kravitz is president of Kravitz Davis Sansone the nation's leader in the design, administration and management of Cash Balance plans. He is also a principal in Kravitz Davis Sansone, the Registered Investment Advisory affiliate of Kravitz Davis Sansone. Mr. Kravitz oversees the smooth running of all day-to-day operations. It is his responsibility to ensure that all divisions stay focused on the company's primary goal: extraordinary customer service achieved through leading-edge retirement plan design, excellent client communications and education, and delivery of accurate and timely work products. AREA LUNCHEONS All members are encouraged to attend one of the area luncheons on Thursday, March 13 at the addresses listed below. Feel free to bring a guest and join members in an informal exchange of ideas. Downtown/Pasadena/Claremont/Glendale 12:00 Beckham Grill, 77 W. Walnut St., Pasadena Information: Jerry Clark 626/674-1193 West Side/South Bay 12:00 Tony P's Dockside Grill, 4445 Admiralty Way Marina Del Rey, CA 90292 www.Tonyps.com Information: Mark Green 310/348-4276 Email: mgreen@ksea.com San Fernando Valley 12:00 Nicola's Kitchen, 20969 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills Information: Bill Sleeper 213/680-1230 x225 PLEASE BRING CASH TO PAY FOR YOUR LUNCH Financial Executives International Page Three 59 years of experience squeezed into 7 years of FEI partnership. 1-888-400-7474 • roberthalfmr.com Downtown Los Angeles • Pasadena • Woodland Hills • Westwood • Torrance © 2007 Robert Half Management Resources. EOE Best practices. With considerably more practice. 877 525-3750 www.jeffersonwells.com SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY, MAY 18TH MAGIC CASTLE Join your fellow FEI members at the Magic Castle on Sunday, May 18th. Cost per person, including parking, is $50. Information about showtimes will be provided soon. Since we can only have 120 attendees, guests per member is limited to one and attendance is first come, first serve. This event will be our Annual Spring Social (in lieu of meetings). We are grateful to Robert Half Management for sponsoring the pre-dinner drinks. Please contact Susanne Truitt for reservations and information at susannetruitt@att.net or 562/818-1133. Payment is due at the time of your reservation. ARE YOU IN BETWEEN JOBS OR THINK YOU MAY BE SOON? The LA Chapter wants to help you obtain a new position. Here are several ways we can assist you: 1. Bob Havlik of our Career Services Committee receives jobopening notices from search firms and others. He forwards these to FEI members on his email list. To get on Bob’s distribution list, email him at havla@prodigy.net and put “Add my name to FEI email list” in the SUBJECT line. To advise Bob of an opening, please email him with the specifics. 2. Attend Chapter functions and meet members and Friends who may be aware of opportunities. Internal Audit • Technology Risk • Tax • Finance & Accounting Jefferson Wells International, Inc. is not a certified public accounting firm. ©2007 Jefferson Wells International, Inc. All rights reserved. C G Professional Search & Project Consulting March 27, 2008 Web Seminar. 2:00 PM ET (11:00 AM PT) "Networking? Who has time for it?" Los Angeles | San Fernando Valley | Orange County We help you build your team and performance capabilities: n Recruiting The Right Professionals n Completing key projects n Executing interim roles 800.337.9675 www.century-group.com Ac c ount i ng|Fi nanc e|Audi t|Tax We all know that we should network regularly, not just when we’re in a job search. But with today’s demanding jobs, how does one make time for networking and still have time for family and friends? This interactive* program will give you practical advice on: • • • KPMG LLP 355 S. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90071 www.kpmg.com Using your network to improve your productivity and performance Combining leisure time with networking Getting the most out of your networking time This webcast is free to FEI members, $50 to non-members and offers 1 Hour of CPE credit. For additional information and/or to sign up for this webcast, please click on this link: http://www.financialexecutives.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx? Site=_fei&webcode=evt_basic_detail&reg_evt_key=a5b5b7eda7bb-479f-a6b1-e6ba0b628e21&PAYING=Fees CHAPTER CALENDAR ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR: MARCH 8 FEI is holding an Estate Planning Seminar from 8:30 to noon. Bring your spouse or significant other and join us for an interactive discussion of estate planning strategies, techniques and common mistakes. The main speaker will be Jeff Eisen, partner in the Tax and Trusts & Estates Practice Groups at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP. Jeff’ specializes in estate planning, ERISA, probate, tax and trust administration. He regularly represents beneficiaries, including charitable organizations, in contested or disputed trusts and estates. He is a popular speaker and frequent author on trust and estate planning matters. Mar 8 Mar 13 Mar 20 Apr 10 Apr 17 May 8 May 18 Estate Planning Seminar Area Luncheons 5 pm PD Seminar Alexander Room. Mark Davis and Daniel Kravitz of Kravitz Davis Sansone 6 pm Dinner Meeting Reagan Dining Room. (Business Casual Night) Tom Murphy, RSM McGladrey: “Forging New Partnerships: How to Thrive in Today’s Global Value Chain” Area Luncheons Monthly meetings at JC Area Luncheons Spring Social: Magic Castle FINANCIAL EXECUTIVES INTERNATIONAL Los Angeles Chapter 1827 Ximeno Ave. #131 Long Beach, CA 90815 2007-2008 Officers and Directors President Vice Presidents Ken Merchant Peter Allman-Ward, Frank Commons, Ken Feinberg, Robert Havlik, Lynne Shulim Secretary Loren Miller Assistant Secretary Jerry Clark Treasurer Hernan Hernandez General Auditor Jon Myers Directors Fred Findley Lucinda Hill Dewey Norton Jay Panzica Ted Pe rrine Roger Shockley Roger Stephens FIRST CLASS ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED FRIENDS OF THE CHAPTER Friends of the Chapter membership is open to companies that maintain relationships with Chief Financial Officers and other senior financial executives. Friends of the Chapter agree to send a senior representative to our dinners and meetings, and to bring a CFO or senior financial officer from one of their clients who is not a member of FEI. PLATINUM LEVEL Robert Half Management Resources www.rhmr.com Lauren Sullivan 626/463-2033 lauren.sullivan@rhmr.com GOLD LEVEL Century Group www.century-group.com Ron Blair 818/240-5200 X25 rblair@century-group.com Jefferson Wells www.jeffersonwells.com Kimberly Maturino 310/228-1310 Kimberly.maturino@ jeffersonwells.com KPMG LLP www.kpmg.com John D. Owens 213/955-8575 jdowens@kpmg.com SILVER LEVEL Analysis Team, Inc. www.AnalysisTeam.com Dave Stark, President 818/557-0396 dstark@AnalysisTeam.com Bank of America www.bofa.com 213/621-7198 Elisa Angeles 213/621-7198 elisa.angeles@bankofamerica.com BDO Seidman www.bdo.com Shelly Slaugh Nahass 310/557-8561 sslaugh@bdo.com Comerica Bank www.comerica.com Tom Kelly 562/590-2530 Thomas_R_Kelly@comerica.com Deloitte & Touche LLP www.deloitte.com John Ruddell 213/688-3279 jruddell@deloitte.com Ernst & Young www.ey.com Ian Eddleston 213/977-3304 ian.eddleston@ey.com Fulbright and Jaworski LLP www.fulbright.com Greg Wood, Partner 213/892-9235 gwood@fulbright.com PricewaterhouseCoopers www.pwc.com Dave Sohn, Partner 213/356-6000 Dave.sohn@us.pwc.com Houlihan Lokey www.hl.com Marc Asbra, CFA 310/712-6527 masbra@hlhz.com RSM McGladrey, Inc www.rsmmcgladrey.com Helen Young, Director 626/405-4232 Helen.young@rsmi.com Kravitz Davis Sansone www.lkravitz.com Mark Davis 818/325-3020 mdavis@kdsadvisors.com The Siegfried Group, LLP www.siegfriedgroup.com Michael Buchheit LA/OC Market Leader 213/337-0242 mbuchheit@siegfriedgroup.com Manufacturers Bank www.manufacturers-ca.com Mike Yadzyn VP, Business Development 213/489-6315 myadzyn@manubank.com Marsh Risk & Insurance Services www.marsh.com Judy Bamberger Sr. V.P. 213/346-5035 judy.a.bamberger@marsh.com Vaco Resources www.vaco.com Frances Moreno Cell: 310/892-3101 fmoreno@vaco.com Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. www.wellsfargo.com Jeffrey A. Heisinger 626/919-6619 Jeffrey.A.Heisinger@wellsfargo.com