Cfo Thought Leader

It was not the first time John Gronen addressed the staffing company’s board — but it was very likely the most consequential. At the time, Gronen was vice president of finance, responsible for assessing acquisitions and analyzing their outcomes. The company operated two businesses: one generating about $30 million in EBITDA, while the other incurred annual losses of roughly $10 million. Gronen proposed a strategy to merge the two operations, consolidating efforts to increase profitability.Once the board approved the plan, Gronen led efforts to align sales teams and streamline processes. In just a few days, he and the leadership team developed a plan to reduce overlapping costs and improve operational efficiency. The merger cut $10 million in expenses, turning the combined business into a more profitable operation that was ultimately sold to a public company.This experience shaped Gronen’s career, reinforcing his commitment to taking on complex challenges and thinking beyond traditional finance roles. Looking