The finalists for WashingtonExec’s Chief Officer Awards were announced March 28, and we’ll be highlighting some of them until the event takes place live, in-person May 10.
Next is Manuel Mendez, chief financial officer at Integral Federal, Inc., and finalist in the Private Company Chief Financial Officer (annual revenue greater than $20 million and less than $100 million) category. Here, he shares key achievements, focus areas going forward, career advice and more.
What key achievements did you have in 2023?
In 2023, I am proud to have achieved several key milestones that significantly impacted our organization’s financial health and strategic direction. Firstly, I successfully led the implementation of a new cost-saving initiative that resulted in a 43% EBITDA improvement on 18% top-line growth. In addition, I played a key role in negotiating a new Credit Facility that has enabled us to focus on an acquisition strategy and accelerate our growth trajectory.
What are your primary focus areas going forward, and why are those so important to the mission?
Moving forward, my primary focus areas revolve around financial stability and operational excellence.
I will prioritize maintaining a strong financial position by effectively managing our cash flow, optimizing our capital structure, and mitigating financial risks. This will ensure that we have the financial flexibility to weather economic uncertainties and invest in future growth initiatives.
I will focus on enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness across all areas of our organization. This includes streamlining our processes, leveraging technology to automate repetitive tasks, and investing in our workforce to ensure we have the right talent in place to drive our success.
These focus areas are critical to our mission because they will enable us to continue delivering value to our customers, shareholders and employees. By focusing on financial stability, and operational excellence, we will be better positioned to achieve our long-term goals and fulfill our mission of driving sustainable growth and value creation.
What is your best career advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
My best career advice is to seek out opportunities which allow you to gain diverse experiences. A focus on continued growth and development will position you for a successful career.
Fun Fact: What is something about you that most people do not know?
I’m a coach for my daughter’s basketball team. I love encouraging the team through practice, supporting them through challenges during games, and celebrating their accomplishments with every win!