Robert W. Lawson
16985 Kara Lane, Lake Oswego, OR 97035
503.358.3890 robertlawsoncpa[at]gmail.com
Chief Financial Officer/Controller
Financial Analysis / Budgeting & Forecasting / Project Planning / Strategy
Senior Level Executive with extensive hands-on experience management, business leadership, and working with Banks, Attorneys and Boards of Directors. CPA with an established record of success in significantly growing enterprise value. Strong in budgets, cash forecasts, business valuations, acquisitions, IRS/DOL/CPA audits. Areas of expertise in:

Financial & Strategic Planning
Complex Business Issues
Budget Development & Management
Accounting & Financial Operations
Business Expansion & Start-ups
Crisis Management
Staff Management & Development
Merger & Acquisition Negotiation

Initiate, develop and direct administrative operations providing quality assurance and quality control. Responsible for managing all personnel activities, which includes recruiting, hiring, reclassifications/promotions and salary management. Demonstrated organizational and negotiation skills and the ability to organize multiple and complex tasks, often with conflicting deadlines. Proven ability to work independently as well as perform as a team member. Exercises a high degree of discretion, mature judgment, and tact in handling issues of a sensitive nature. Advanced knowledge of personal computers and associated software applications, including: Excel, Power Point, Word, Access, and integrated accounting and manufacturing computer systems. Strong leadership, problem-solving, planning, team-building and project management skills.

Professional Experience
Realty Exchangers, Inc., Vancouver, WA7/2007 to Present
Chief Financial Officer
Company specializing in IRS section 1031 exchange financing & facilitation.
Company also provides CFO, Legal & Internet Marketing consulting services, and other development endeavors.
Streamlined the exchange processing procedures to facilitate consistent transactional treatment.
Improved website and proprietary systems to remove risk of errors.
Pacific Lifestyle Holdings, Inc., Vancouver, WA12/2003 to 7/2007
Chief Financial Officer/VP Operations-Custom Home Division
Directed & managed the financial operations for this high growth $130 million residential construction, land & community development company, including developing a robust financing structure to facilitate 400% growth.
Developed and maintained systems for financial functions, cost accounting, PO system, home and land development budgeting, home pricing and construction variance analysis.
Designed and implemented effective internal cost controls, managed proper leverage ratios, cash flow and served as the corporations banking & private financing representative for all business endeavors including corporation, LLC and special investment project financing.
Handled purchase contract negotiations, business development and business plan development and execution, including the development and execution of the companys custom home division.
Hired all staffing, developed the human resources department and negotiated all benefits to accommodate significant growth.
Sonus Corporation, Portland, OR10/2002 to 11/2003
VP/Corporate Controller
Hired by a turnaround CEO to assist in achieving the primary objective of bringing the company to positive cash flow as quickly as possible and then facilitating the sale of the company. Company specialized as a hearing aid retailer roll-up. Specific responsibilities included targeting effective methods for eliminating non-essential expenditures and operating cost reduction.
Evaluated and eliminated non-performing operations.
Restructured the companys operations to streamline processes and reduce corporate and operating overhead.
Maintained a stable, positive and composed environment for staff during a turbulent time of transition.
Efforts took approximately 1 year to success, at which time the company was sold to Miracle Ear for $31.2 million, resulting in 100% return of original investor capital.
Wine.com, Inc., Portland, OR6/1999 to 10/2002
Chief Financial Officer/VP Operations
Company is an innovative internet wine retailer which specializes in operating within a virtual inventory model.
Designed and implemented all financial operations and internal controls. Responsibilities also included refining distribution techniques to minimize inventory and expedite timely shipment to customers.
Managed the B, C & D rounds of private preferred stock financing.
Instituted a POS/ERP system that consolidated ordering and billing into an integrated financial and inventory management system.
Redesigned and expanded the wine distribution operations of the company, from ERP through Pick/Pack/Ship process.
Researched, identified and launched 5 new distribution centers nationwide, including staffing, lease contract negotiations and handled local regulatory considerations.
Successfully managed a nationwide staff of 20 operations personnel, including their training and development.
Chrome Systems, Inc., Portland, OR7/1997 to 6/1999
Chief Financial Officer
Company provides pricing software to the auto industry, specializing in sales to the business sector.
Duties included all aspects of financial leadership, pricing, valuation, financial forecasting, accounting, banking relationships and raising private investor capital.
As a growth oriented software development company, I was responsible for managing very tight control over expenditures.
Additionally, worked closely with the Board of Directors, Investment Bankers, Attorneys and Private Investors to close a $10.2 million B round of preferred stock financing.
The Greenbrier Companies/Gunderson Mfg., Portland, OR1/1991 to 7/1997
Controller
Company is a sales, marketing and asset manager for various railroad and shipping companies. It also owns and operates manufacturing companies that produce railcars and ocean-going barges.
Managed several special projects focused on timely delivery of railcars to customers.
Developed custom financial model to manage and track all repair and maintenance for 10,000 leased railcars.
Education & Professional Affiliations
University of Oregon, Eugene, OR / B.S. Accounting 1983
Big 4 International CPA Firm Experience (1982-1986)
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Certified Public Accountant Oregon 1990, Washington 2005