FEI CHICAGO CHAPTER WEEKLY UPDATE
Week of April 19, 2021
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FEI Member Spotlight Jim Patterson; Financial Leadership Summit; CFO Award Nominations Open; Diversity as a Business Imperative; Networking Happy Hour; Trial Membership;
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FEI Member Jim Patterson reminds us all - Your Network is your Net Worth
Many of you are long-time members of FEI Chicago Chapter and you have heard my story of how I got involved in FEI. I will repeat it for those newer members and in-transition members and prospects that are considering joining FEI Chicago Chapter. I joined FEI in 1997 but only attended one event a year and it usually was the annual SEC, FASB and IRS updates (the Corporate Financial Reporting Insights Conference) in New York. In 2008 (after 10 years as CFO of a middle market publicly traded company) when I was about to go into transition, I decided I needed to reach out to my network to help me find my next position. I quickly realized that I had let my network go dormant since the last time I looked for a job over 10 years before. It was very uncomfortable to make those calls and start with, “Hi, I haven’t talked to you in 10 years, but how are you?” At that point, I decided that I would never let my network go dormant again. I also realized that I needed to always work on expanding my network. FEI Chicago Chapter was the perfect place for me and here’s why:
- FEI Chicago Chapter is the leading local professional association for middle market CFOs, Controllers, VP Finance and similar roles.
- FEI Chicago Chapter has many events where networking takes place, and everyone is open to networking with you. As a bonus, the events are informative and fun too!
- FEI Chicago Chapter has numerous programs that offer CPE credits so that you can meet your CPE requirements and learn the latest developments in finance, accounting and tax.
- FEI Chicago Chapter has the Career Management Group (CMG) that helps members with relevant matters on managing their career while in transition or when fully employed, including career development, resume writing, LinkedIn profile advice, and more networking, networking, networking.
All of the great aspects of FEI Chicago Chapter are only great for you if you take advantage of the events and programs. You get even more out of being a member if you volunteer to be on a committee – a LinkedIn profile booster! I joined the Membership Committee in 2008 and am still a member today.
The happy ending to my job search was directly related to my membership in FEI Chicago Chapter. As part of my job search efforts, I mailed cards to over 300 people in my network with a short update letter reminding everyone that I was looking for my next CFO job. One of the FEI sponsor representatives that I networked with at FEI reached out to me about a CFO opening. I interviewed and got the job with PLS Financial Services, Inc. and just retired a month ago after 10 years with PLS.
Now that I am retired, what’s next? I continue to serve on the Membership Committee and I also mentor DePaul University Accounting students. I hope to be able to utilize my skills as a CPA and CFO to help our veterans through one of the many organizations that assists homeless, wounded or disabled veterans. I am also looking forward to serving on middle market private company boards of directors … but for the next few months I just want to improve my golf game!!!
FEI Chicago says – "Happy Retirement and Good Luck on your golf game, Jim!"
And to the rest of us, what will you do TODAY to grow your net worth?
FEI Members and Sponsors... are you or another member or sponsor doing good and valuable work that you would like to share with the FEI Community? If so, let us know at: info@feichicago.org. Thank you!
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FEI CHICAGO CHAPTER SPONSOR RESOURCE |
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Below is an important resource from a Chapter Sponsor Partner. We hope this information will be helpful. FEI Chicago Chapter Sponsors can send any resources to our Sponsorship Chair, Skip Newman at skip.newman@gmail.com.
From Aon
Webinar: Lessons Learned from COVID-19: Preparing for Future Risks and Reshaping the Workforce of the Future
Tuesday, April 20, 1:00 - 2:00 PM (Central time)
As the Biden Administration’s vaccination plan continues to expand, organizations are increasingly ramping up plans for a return to the workplace. What lessons have we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and what do these strategies portend as organizations work to enhance resilience and sustainability in advance of future Black Swan events (and Grey Swan events), from climate change to pandemics? We will explore these questions and focus on the following topical areas:
- Navigating New Forms of Volatility
- Building a Resilient Workforce
- Rethinking Access to Capital
- Addressing the Underserved
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CFOs SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH THE CFO OF THE YEAR AWARDS. YOU NEED TO SEE THIS VIDEO! |
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Chicago CFO of the Year® Awards
November 18, 2021
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Our Prestigious Sponsors: |
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Share the benefits of a complimentary FEI trial membership with your Senior Finance Staff and Fellow Finance Professionals!
FEI Chicago is currently offering a complimentary 6-month trial membership to new qualifying members. Forward this link to potential members now so they can learn more and apply: Membership - FEI
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FEI VIRTUAL EVENTS - ATTEND OTHER CHAPTER MEETINGS
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Many FEI Chapters have opened their virtual meetings to other FEI members. Look for the "OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS" image to identify these open meetings. CLICK HERE for a listing of all FEI events, many with CPE credit.
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FEI CHICAGO VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING |
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FEI Chicago Virtual Career Management Group
“Diversity as a Business Imperative”
with Joe Frodsham, President, CMP
Thursday, May 6, 2021
8:00 - 9:00AM CT
Open to all! No charge to attend.
Online Registration Only. Click here to RSVP by Tuesday, May 4.
A Zoom link will be sent out to registrants a day prior to this session.
The Events of 2020 have heightened the demand for social justice in all aspects of our society. Companies can no longer stand-on-the-sidelines. We all must take an active role in support of equity, diversity and inclusion. As Leaders, we contribute to and create the DEI strategies, tactics and blueprint for the organizations we support. Joe Frodsham, President of CMP, will share their findings and practices for creating diverse and engaging work environments. This will include:
- Results from their December DE&I survey which included FEI Participants.
- Emerging talent practices to “turn the table” and build DE&I momentum within an organization.
- Starting from the top and inside-out: A 3-Phased approach for coaching leaders for deeper awareness and commitment to DE&I
Joe Frodsham is President of CMP, a talent management and transition firm.
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FEI Chicago Virtual Happy Hour (Come On Get Happy!)
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
5:00 - 6:00PM CT
Open to FEI Chicago Chapter Members, Sponsors and their Prospective Guests
Online Registration Only. Click here to RSVP by Tuesday, May 18.
A Zoom link will be sent out to registrants a day prior to this session.
Join us for a virtual Happy Hour, featuring smaller group breakout rooms, hosted by FEI Members. Hosts have questions to pose to the group and will see where the conversation leads. So, finish up for the day, grab your favorite beverage and a salty snack and join in.
We make it easy to network, meet new people and reconnect with friends.
We hope you can join us!
Staying connected is one of FEI’s most valued missions.
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FEI Chicago Chapter Webinar
"The Five Laws of Cyber Security"
with Nick Espinosa, Chief Security Fanatic, CIO, Speaker, Columnist, Author, Radio Host, Forbes Tech Council
Held March 18, 2021
Based off Nick Espinosa’s TEDx Talk and Forbes article of the same name, this presentation dove into issues that non-technical users face. The Five Laws of Cybersecurity are designed to make everyone think and challenge that technology they use every day!
What we took from this session:
- Just how prolific hacking and data exposure is
- Why we need to reframe our thinking and approach to technology
- Real life examples of serious flaws in products we know and love
- Five easy to remember laws that will make you safer in whatever you do.
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FEI Chicago Chapter Webinar
"Leadership Session"
with Sherina Maye Edwards, CEO of INTREN
Held April 15, 2021
Sherina Maye Edwards, CEO of INTREN candidly and authenetically shared her path to the C-Suite and her thoughts on Executive Presence and much more!
Sherina Maye Edwards is the Chief Executive Officer of INTREN, the largest WBE utility contractor in the nation. In this role, she is responsible for the strategic direction, human resources, marketing, operations and financial performance of a US $550M private-equity owned utility contractor with 2000 employees and 14 regional offices throughout the United States. Read more about Sherina.
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WATCH PAST FEI CHICAGO PROGRAMS ON YOUTUBE |
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full-length videos from past presentations and highlight video clips from special events.
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CONNECT WITH FEI ON SOCIAL MEDIA |
Our chapter is active on many different social channels. So, you can pick the one that works the best for you! Here is a quick rundown of where you can find us and what you can expect from each channel: |
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Follow us on Twitter for daily FEI updates and news relevant news articles from top publications, like Forbes and USA Today. Visit www.twitter.com/FEIChicago to follow our Twitter page. |
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Subscribe to our YouTube channel for full-length videos from past presentations and highlight video clips from special events. Visit www.youtube.com/FEIChicagoto view our channel! |
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Like us on Facebook for daily updates on the latest FEI news and upcoming events. We also post photos and video clips from past events as well as clips highlighting our sponsors. Visit www.facebook.com/FEIChicagoto like our page! |
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We look forward to connecting with you on social media! |
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