Joseph Della Penna
Forest,VA
Summary
Finance professional skilled in strategic financial planning, risk management, and corporate governance. Proven track record in team leadership and driving organizational growth through fiscal responsibility and innovative problem-solving. Strong emphasis on collaboration and adaptability ensures alignment with evolving business needs. Expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis, supported by integrity and unwavering commitment to results.
Overview
1
1
Certification
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Vice President of Finance
Delta Star, Inc.
Lynchburg, VA
03.2023 - Current
- Led financial strategy development to align with corporate objectives and drive sustainable growth.
- Directed budgeting processes, ensuring resource allocation aligns with strategic priorities and operational efficiency.
- Oversaw financial reporting practices, enhancing accuracy and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Implemented cost reduction initiatives that improved overall profitability through data-driven decision-making.
- Collaborated with executive teams to assess fiscal risks and opportunities in business ventures.
- Mentored finance team members, fostering professional growth and enhancing departmental performance.
- Streamlined financial forecasting methods, improving the reliability of projections for strategic planning purposes.
- Developed comprehensive financial forecasts, driving accurate decision-making and budgetary planning.
- Promoted transparency by establishing clear communication channels between finance department and other areas within the organization.
- Mentored finance staff members in their professional development, fostering a culture of continuous learning within the department.
- Oversaw preparation of annual budgets, incorporating input from department heads to align resources with organizational priorities.
Corporate Controller
Delta Star, Inc.
Lynchburg, Virginia
01.2015 - 03.2023
- Oversaw financial reporting and compliance for corporate governance and regulatory requirements.
- Manage monthly and quarterly forecasting in collaboration with operations and sales leadership
- Manage and mentor staff at four manufacturing facilities
- Identified need for a stronger financial focus at each facility and created new business unit controller structure
- Centralized payroll function eliminating need to hire additional position
- Secured over $12m in COVID-19 relief through U.S. Paycheck Protection Program and Canada Emergency Wage and Rent Subsidy programs
- Reduced closing cycle from 20 days to 10 days
- Negotiated with vendor to receive $1.1m in credits to compensate for a product recall
- Partnered with Corporate IT Director to successfully implement Microsoft Dynamics 365 ERP system upgrade and provided training to all departments in all office locations
- Launched monthly executive-level business review meetings to communicate operational results and future forecasts
- Integrated the finance department of acquired facility
- Streamlined annual budgeting process
- Established company’s first internship program, collaborating with local colleges to source and nurture emerging talent
Assistant Corporate Controller
Delta Star, Inc.
Lynchburg, Virginia
01.2011 - 01.2015
- Managed finance personnel including AP, AR, and Payroll at Lynchburg manufacturing facility
- Centralized Accounts Payable function eliminating the need to hire an additional position
- Assisted in implementation of Microsoft Dynamics 2009 ERP
- Led cost savings initiative that identified over $2m in annualized savings
- Assisted with corporate and departmental budgeting
- Collaborated with department heads to manage overhead budgets
- Managed corporate audit and external auditors
- Negotiated beneficial payment terms with vendors
Manager
Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P.
Lynchburg, Virginia
08.2010 - 01.2011
- Managed budgets, deadlines, and staff on various audit engagements
- Client base included manufacturing, engineering, colleges, financial institutions, and non-profits
- Proposed and implemented new software, improving efficiency in data analysis
- Mentored staff and senior accountants
- Reviewed personal and corporate tax returns
Senior Accountant/Staff Accountant
Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P.
Lynchburg, Virginia
12.2005 - 07.2010
- Directed and managed staff on audits
- Prepared personal and corporate tax returns of more complex clients
- Performed various tax, compliance, and financial research for clients
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, High Honors, Major: Accounting
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, New York11.2005
Graduate - Leadership Lynchburg Cohort 37
Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance
Lynchburg, Virginia05.2009
Skills
- Financial strategy development
- Corporate governance
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Financial analysis and reporting
- Business process improvement
- Financial modeling and forecasting
- Strategic financial planning
- Stakeholder communication
- Relationship and team building
- ERP system expertise
Certification
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA) - Commonwealth of Virginia, 01/08 - Present
Timeline
Vice President of Finance
Delta Star, Inc.
03.2023 - Current
Corporate Controller
Delta Star, Inc.
01.2015 - 03.2023
Assistant Corporate Controller
Delta Star, Inc.
01.2011 - 01.2015
Manager
Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P.
08.2010 - 01.2011
Senior Accountant/Staff Accountant
Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P.
12.2005 - 07.2010
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration, High Honors, Major: Accounting
Rochester Institute of Technology
Graduate - Leadership Lynchburg Cohort 37
Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance
Civic Leadership
- Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, Leadership Council Member, Lynchburg, Virginia, 06/2014 - 06/2017, Member of council that directed and provided oversight for the Alliance’s leadership programs
- Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, Leadership Lynchburg Program Committee Chairman, Lynchburg, Virginia, 06/2009 - 05/2014, Led committee that was responsible for the development of the annual flagship Leadership Lynchburg program