Profit Planning: 60 Minutes to Forecasting Excellence

In this workshop, Mike Bress and Rusty Fette, both experienced CFOs at Arena, will walk through examples of a financial forecast. Join alongside them and create your 2024 forecast to set your business up for success. Mike and Rusty will discuss best practices, shortcuts, and pro tips in this hands-on workshop for your business. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to set up your new year right.

Key Takeaways:

• What a financial forecast is and why it’s important
• How to tactically build out your 2024 forecast
• Tips and tricks to make managing your forecast successful
• Registration for the event enters you for a chance to WIN 3 months of FREE CFO Services with ARENA, subject to the Sweepstakes Official Rules.
• All registrants will receive a free financial forecast template courtesy of ARENA.

OUR SPECIAL GUESTS

Mike Bress

Mike Bress has over 30 years of experience building and leading high-performing accounting, financial, and operational teams. In recent years, he has operated as a fractional CFO/COO with a practice focused on venture- and private equity-backed companies in health care, financial services, asset management, software/hardware, B2B services, consumer products, and renewable energy. Prior to that, as CFO and/or COO for organizations ranging from tech-related start-ups to multi-billion-dollar asset management companies (including a stint as“CFO” of a US Navy submarine), he has encountered and solved most accounting, financial, technology, operational, and staff-related problems. As a financial strategist and consultant, Mike has helped over 100 clients across multiple industries maximize value through in-depth financial analysis, execution of complex transactions, and business process reengineering. Mike has a degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Georgetown University. When he’s not wrangling data and Excel spreadsheets, Mike can be found with his wife, kids, grandkids, and friends hiking the heights of Colorado, biking along the lakes of Wisconsin, exploring new cities and countries, or relaxing by (or below the surface of) the ocean. And, of course, with all his spare time, he started and helps run a non-profit animal rescue that adopts and fosters dogs, cats, horses, and other hoofed animals.

Rusty Fette

Rusty Fette is a seasoned fractional CFO with over 19 years of experience in finance leadership. His expertise spans across strategic & growth planning, budgeting & forecasting, digital transformation, debt & capital raising, and mergers & acquisitions. His strategic approach to finance, combined with a keen focus on scalability and profitability, has consistently delivered tangible results in various sectors including technology, banking, and consulting. Rusty’s passion for driving business success through innovative financial leadership makes him a valuable asset to any organization looking to achieve new heights in their financial journey.

Ronald L. Milsap

Director, U.S. Zero Barriers to Business, BMO

Ronald L. Milsap is Director, U.S. Zero Barriers to Business, where he is responsible for managing and leading programming for under-represented and underserved, specialty programs, as well as developing specialized strategy, customized products, training and education across BMO Bank, N.A. U.S. footprint. Ron has over 17 years of blended banking experience in commercial underwriting, business banking relationship management and sales, and retail banking management. Prior to joining BMO, Ron served as the CRA Officer for Providence Bank & Trust overseeing its lending, services, and investments into low-to-moderate income communities. Ron is passionate about serving the diverse needs of communities, non-profits and small businesses and leveraging his skills to deliver innovative, industry-specific financing and cash management solutions to help BMO clients realize their vision for success. Ron earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. Ron is a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow and a graduate of the Chicago Urban League’s IMPACT Leadership Development Program. Ron serves on the boards of Invisible Institute, E.G. Woode and the South Shore Chamber of Commerce. Ron is an advisory board member of Community Desk Chicago and a volunteer and mentor with several youth-based organizations. Ron currently resides in Chicago with his wife, son, and daughter.

The Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center is a 501c(3) public charity whose mission it is to make entrepreneurship accessible to all. We deliver world-class resources and mentoring to enable every entrepreneur across the globe to realize their maximum potential. Please join us and make your gift to ensure these transformative programs may continue to reach the underserved.

All Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least 48 hours in advance of this event; please send an email to [email protected] with the subject header ACCOMMODATION REQUEST. For assistance with registration or other technical difficulties, please contact [email protected]