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Blake Kloeckner
Director of Financial Planning & Analysis
Professional Background
Blake Kloeckner is an accomplished finance professional known for his robust financial acumen and strategic insight, which empower management teams to make informed decisions that fuel business growth. With a career that spans several prominent financial institutions, Blake has continually honed his skills in financial modeling, risk mitigation, and compliance. Currently, he serves as the Director of Finance at ThreeBridge Solutions, where he plays a pivotal role in overseeing the finance and accounting functions and driving strategic financial planning.
Blake's journey to his current position is enhanced by his exceptional ability to build strong relationships, which became evident during his time in banking. Having worked closely with the founders of ThreeBridge Solutions, who were his clients, Blake was invited to lead the company's finance initiatives at a time when they were experiencing rapid growth. His capacity to understand the business intricacies allowed him to effectively transfer the responsibility of day-to-day operations into his capable hands, enabling the founders to focus on scaling the business even further.
With a penchant for crafting complex and flexible financial models, Blake has demonstrated masterful proficiency in producing accurate profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow analyses. His experience with Private Equity transactions has granted him a nuanced understanding of how to identify and carve out non-recurring items and add-backs, thereby maximizing company valuations. Over the years, Blake has cultivated a proven track record of driving financial plans, managing risks, ensuring compliance, and effectively spearheading mergers and acquisitions.
Education and Achievements
Blake Kloeckner graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Financial Management and Economics from the University of St. Thomas at the Opus College of Business. This educational foundation equipped him with the theoretical knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of the financial world, allowing him to thrive in various roles in financial institutions.
Blake’s career has been marked by numerous accomplishments that underpin his reputation as a decisive and effective financial leader. Noteworthy achievements include:
- Successful SAP Concur Implementations: Blake led two successful SAP Concur implementations for invoice and expense management, significantly streamlining accounting processes and ensuring adherence to policy compliance across the organization.
- Financial Due Diligence Excellence: In 2017, Blake took charge of all financial due diligence during a Private Equity transaction. His efforts culminated in capturing 100% of the target company's valuation, a testament to his analytical prowess and detailed-oriented approach.
- Rapid Company Growth Management: Under his leadership, ThreeBridge Solutions experienced growth from $39 million to an astounding $100 million. Blake managed the successful integration of three strategic acquisitions during this expansion phase, showcasing his ability to oversee complex financial transitions while maintaining operational integrity.
Achievements
Blake's commitment to financial excellence extends to incentivizing team performance, as he collaborates with management teams to design effective incentive plans that align individual behavior with organizational performance. This strategic alignment not only motivates employees but also drives overall company success. Blake thrives on the thrill of solving business challenges through innovative financial modeling, continuously exploring the various levers that can change organizational outcomes for the better.
His diverse experience in the financial sector includes several notable roles prior to his current tenure at ThreeBridge Solutions. Blake has held positions as a Finance Officer at Tradition Capital Bank and a Senior Credit Analyst at MidCountry Bank, each role contributing to his comprehensive understanding of the finance landscape. Before that, Blake served as a Commercial Banking Officer at M&I Bank, a role that provided him with deep insights into banking operations and client relationships. He also began his career with invaluable experience as a Financial Representative Intern at Northwestern Mutual, followed by working as a Lead Teller at Wells Fargo Bank, where he developed foundational skills in financial service delivery.
Questions
- How did Blake Kloeckner develop his expertise in financial modeling and private equity transactions?
- What strategies has Blake implemented to streamline accounting processes at ThreeBridge Solutions?
- Can Blake describe his approach to building effective incentive plans that align employee behavior with company performance?
- What challenges did Blake face while overseeing the financial operations during the rapid growth of ThreeBridge Solutions, and how did he overcome them?
- How has Blake's education in Financial Management and Economics guided his career trajectory and decision-making in finance?
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