Yoav M Cohen
Interim CEO, CFO, COO, Turnaround
Whether my role is CFO/CEO, Interim CFO, Strategic Consultant, Business Advisor or Board Member, my passion is to resolve challenges others may view as insurmountable, with creative problem-solving and the highest degree of ethical behavior and integrity.
I am an innovative negotiator and dealmaker, a proven business partner with CEOs and Boards of Directors, and successful in shaping strategy and improving operations. From a financial perspective, I have proven success in driving growth and bottom-line results to increase business value.
My broad experience uncovering and implementing unique and workable solutions for challenging business situations includes global public and private, Fortune 500, mid-size, and start-up companies in a wide range of industries, such as Hi-Tech, Healthcare, Medical Devices, Manufacturing & Distribution, and other services.
With over 25 years experience in CFO, COO & CEO positions, I also enjoy serving on Boards and Audit Committees of small-cap public companies. As a Board member, I provide guidance and strategic oversight to management, ensuring that Best Practices of Corporate Governance are followed, while providing critical transparency to shareholders.
To request a call with Yoav, contact InterimExecs at 847-849-2800 or enter your details here.
SELECT INTERIM EXPERIENCE
Company Stage Focus: Startup, Early Stage, Late Stage Venture Funded, Private Equity Backed, Turnaround/Distressed, Public, Private, Family Owned, Bankruptcy
Interim CFO / Chief Restructuring Officer (CRO) – Technology Staffing Company
Led a turnaround after several years of reoccurring losses. As Interim CFO, initiated and implemented a plan to increase gross margin and reduce operating cost, resulting in a 50% increase in gross margin within one year, as well as and its first profitable quarter
Interim CFO – Multi-Million-Dollar Electronics Distributor
Successfully restructured the balance sheet and negotiated new financing agreement with the Company’s lenders, implementing a plan for debt reduction while reducing interest expense; Created new daily and monthly reports to allow for an-depth analysis of the business
Part Time CFO – Wet Wipes and Face Mask Manufacturer
Hired to assist in buying the assets of a predecessor wet wipes manufacturer from its secured lender. Closed a multi-million dollar acquisition of a disposable wipes manufacturer with over 100% long-term financing. Reviewed monthly financials, prepared budgets and forecasts, and negotiated additional financing as needed. Restructured financials by product lines, allowing management to better understand cost and profitability structures.
Interim CFO & COO – Military Contractor
Asked by the secured lender to prepare a rescue plan; negotiated a new financing agreement for the Company; During the first year, turned around the Company from years of successive loses to an EBITDA of $1.5M, while reducing its debt by $1.0M; Company continued its profitability and debt reduction in the following 2 years. Improved Manufacturing productivity by over 75%
Chief Restructuring Officer – Black Car Company
Asked by secured lender to prepare a rescue plan. Streamlined operations, changed sales team, and hired an outside company for business development; Sold the company at a price that paid off all secured and most unsecured debtors; owner was hired by the buyer
Interim CFO – Publicly Held Prescription Drugs Benefit Company
Stepped in when Company lacked cash; reduced cost and assisted in closing a convertible note round of financing; Advised Board of Directors on finance and operations
CFO & COO – Manufacturer & Distributor of Pet Toys and Apparel
Worked with the Company and its asset-based lender to liquidate assets; Successfully paid all secured debt to lender and released Vo-Toys owners from their personal guarantees.
Chief Restructuring Officer – DVD & CD Distributor
Acted on behalf of its secured lender to successfully liquidate all assets while avoiding bankruptcy; Secured lender was paid in full and the owner was released from all personal guarantees
CFO & Acting COO, Medical Device Public Company
Increased manufacturing productivity (up 224% in 5 months) and restructured the balance-sheet, allowing for fast growth on an improved financial and operational infrastructure; Analyzed operations of 2 factories and created improved efficiencies and reduced cost (savings of $800K); Sold a product line that allowed the Company to develop a new product line.
CFO / Turnaround, Public Telecom Company
Directed successful turnaround from $4.5M loss, to $2M and 2.8M profit in following 2 years; Reviewed product line and eliminated losing products; Restructured Accounting Dept. and accelerated the monthly closing from 17 days to 5 days; Implemented new IT system, improving efficiency and management reports.
Workouts & Liquidation
For an Asset Based Lender – liquidated the assets of 2 companies, with 100% of its outstanding debt paid in full. Also, successfully sold the assets of a debtor company within a week, before the company was forced to shut down due to lack of cash.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
• Led 10 start-up investments & private placements from evaluation to closing, totaling $38M
• Acquired office suite provider, resulting in 75% increase in revenues and 390% increase in EDITBA
• Successfully restructured a public company to better reflect its segment reporting to the SEC, while transitioning accounting staff from MA to NY
• CFO/Interim CFO of public companies in the telecom, manufacturing, technology, pharmaceutical, medical devices, and medical insurance industries.
BOARD EXPERIENCE
• Stark Office Suites, a fast growing premium office space & virtual office solutions
• Baruch College, NY, Mentor & Member of the Executive on Campus Advisory Committee
• As CFO, actively participated in board meetings of 5 public companies
• Chairman – inci.com – a public document management company
CREDENTIALS/EDUCATION
• MBA – Finance, CUNY – Baruch College
• BBA – Economics & Finance, CUNY – Baruch College
• Certified Merger & Acquisition Advisor, Pepperdine University
• Accredited Executive Associate, Institute of Independent Business
Years Executive Experience: (25)
Years as an Interim Exec: (12)
Company Size: ($1M-$200M)
SPECIALTIES:
• Due Diligence
• Strategic Planning (Including Business Plans)
• SEC, GAAP, SOX
• Workouts
• Financial and Operational Review
• Building a Management Team
• Board Advisory
• Corporate Governance
• HR
• Joint Ventures
• Budget, Cost & Internal Controls
• Business Valuation
• Debt and Refinancing
• Financial Analysis
• Investment Advisory
• Turnaround: Crisis Management, Distress, Liquidation
• Cost
• ERP
• Logistics
• Outsourcing
• Planning/Modeling/Execution
• Process Improvement
• Pricing Strategies
• Sales Forecasting
• M&A – Fundraising/Company Sale/Acquisition Integration
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
• Turnaround & Workouts
• Manufacturing
• Consumer Products
• Medical Devices
• Medical Insurance
• Distribution
• Asset Based Lenders
• M&A
• Telecom
• Business/Professional Services