CFO's on the Move: January 2025 - Controllers Council

In January 2025, many leaders made the bold decision to pivot their careers as Chief Financial Officers (CFOs), embracing fresh opportunities and new challenges across a variety of industries. As these leaders chart new paths, they are poised to drive transformative change, blending their deep financial acumen with a fresh vision for the future. Today, Controllers Council will focus on 12 CFOs that have accepted new positions this month.

NBCUniversal Names Randy Culbertson as New CFO

NBCUniversal has a new chief financial officer, with Randy Culbertson being elevated to oversee the entertainment company’s finances. As CFO of NBCU, Randy will oversee the Finance and Strategy functions across the company, and work closely with the leadership teams in our Media, News, Studio, and Universal Destinations & Experiences divisions on their growth strategies, operating plans, and budgets.

Freddie Mac Names James Whitlinger as New CFO

Freddie Mac has announced the appointment of James Whitlinger as EVP and CFO. Whitlinger previously served as the company’s SVP and Single-Family CFO since 2014. In his new role, Whitlinger will be responsible for the company’s financial controls, accounting, ESG strategy, investor relations, financial planning and reporting, tax, capital oversight, and compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Coca-Cola Consolidated Names Matthew Blickley as New CFO

Coca-Cola Consolidated announced Matthew Blickley as the executive vice president and CFO. Blickey joined Coca‑Cola Consolidated in 2014 as a corporate controller and has been a senior vice president, financial planning and chief accounting officer since August 2020. Blickley will continue to serve as the company’s chief accounting officer following this change.

Lucid Names Taoufiq Boussaid as New CFO

Lucid Group, Inc., maker of the world’s most advanced electric vehicles, announced the appointment of Taoufiq Boussaid as Chief Financial Officer. Boussaid brings extensive public company finance leadership experience to the Lucid team, where he will focus on aligning key strategic, operational, and financial processes with Lucid’s profit and growth objectives while driving initiatives to enhance shareholder value.

Medtronic Names Thierry Pieton as New CFO

Medtronic hired a new chief financial officer away from French carmaker Renault. Thierry Pieton, chief financial officer of Renault Group since March 2022, will take on the CFO role. While Pieton was CFO, Renault achieved the company’s highest-ever operating margins and improved free cash flow.

IBC Names Terena White as New CFO

IBC Advanced Alloys Corp. is pleased to announce the appointment of Terena White to the position of Chief Financial Officer. Ms. White has served as IBC’s Corporate Controller since September 30, 2019, and replaces Toni Wendel, who is retiring.

Wiz Names Fazal Merchant as New CFO

Wiz named Fazal Merchant as chief financial officer as the fast-growing cybersecurity startup prepares for an initial public offering. Merchant will be Wiz’s first CFO and has spent roughly the past five years as a corporate adviser and board member to various companies, including Warner Bros. Discovery, Ariel Investments and Ryman Hospitality Properties.

Starr Names Peter Hirs as New CFO

Starr announced that Peter Hirs has been named the company’s chief financial officer. Hirs brings significant finance and insurance experience to Starr, having spent the past 20 years at a global insurance carrier, where he managed regional finance teams across the world and led mergers and acquisitions activities. In his new role, Hirs will oversee the organization’s global finance operations.

Forge Global names James Nevin as New CFO

Forge Global Holdings, Inc., a leading global private securities marketplace, announced the appointment of former London Stock Exchange Group executive James Nevin as its new CFO. Mr. Nevin has more than 25 years of financial and capital markets experience, including most recently at the LSEG. He spent over a decade at LSEG in roles including Managing Director of the Funds, Research and Content business lines, Managing Director and Head of Data Solutions, and CFO and Managing Director of the Information Services division.

Mawson Infrastructure Names William Regan as New CFO

Mawson Infrastructure Group announced that it has appointed William Regan as the company’s CFO. Regan joined the company in 2024 as Deputy CFO. Regan has 40 years of finance and accounting experience, including 25 years at public companies and 10 years at technology companies.

Abnormal Security Names Lisa Banks as New CFO

Abnormal Security, a startup selling email security software to companies, announced that it’s hired former ServiceNow finance executive Lisa Banks as chief financial officer as the company gears up to prepare for an IPO.

Securian Financial names Pete Berlute as New CFO

Securian Financial has named Pete Berlute as its new chief financial officer. As the incoming CFO, Berlute will oversee the financial strategies of the company, the setting up of fiscal controls, the preparation of financial reports and the safeguarding of assets.