Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Affiliations
Personal Information
Timeline
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Thomas Johnson

Bellingham

Summary

CPA with 25 years of progressive leadership in accounting and finance across healthcare, real estate, biotechnology, retail, and cold storage industries. Expert in building scalable systems, driving financial performance, leading audits, and managing cross-functional teams. Known for integrity, problem-solving, and delivering measurable results in dynamic environments, including public companies and international operations.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience

Work History

VP Finance / Chief Financial Officer

BELLINGHAM COLD STORAGE
Bellingham
08.2021 - Current
  • Company Overview: Bellingham Cold Storage (BCS) has served the Bellingham/Whatcom County community for over 79 years with refrigerated, frozen, and dry warehousing storage services. BCS has three different facilities totaling approximately 24 million cubic feet and 85 thousand pallet positions, and manages 13 on-site processing tenants that occupy leases. We operate the three facilities with 150–175 employees and generate annual revenues of over $40 million.
  • Promoted from Controller to CFO within one year.
  • Led accounting, accounts payable/accounts receivable, treasury, risk management, IT, and strategic planning.
  • Delivered the company’s most profitable three-year period (2022–2024) in its 79-year history.
  • Streamlined month-end close, budgeting, and reporting processes.
  • Implemented QuickBooks and Lease Crunch with minimal resources.
  • Spearheaded a 10-year strategic growth plan with targeted capex, and cost reduction initiatives.
  • Played a key leadership role in the 2025 acquisition by Lineage Logistics.

Assistant Corporate Controller

ZUMIEZ INC.
Lynnwood
08.2017 - 08.2021
  • Company Overview: Zumiez is a leading specialty retailer of apparel, footwear, accessories, and hardgoods for young men and women who want to express their individuality through the fashion, music, art, and culture of action sports, streetwear, and other unique lifestyles. Zumiez operates over 700 stores, with 650 in North America, and has annual revenues of roughly $1 billion. NASDAQ: ZUMZ.
  • Oversaw accounting, accounts payable, and payroll departments for North American operations (650 stores).
  • Led 10-Q, 10-K, and proxy filings; ensured SOX compliance.
  • Implemented ASC 842 and CoStar for over 700 leases.
  • Mentored and promoted team members, reinforcing a strong talent pipeline.
  • Named as a 2019 'Rookie of the Year' finalist for the annual corporate office awards.

SEC Reporting & Accounting Manager

ACUCELA INC.
Seattle
09.2015 - 08.2017
  • Company Overview: Biotechnology company trying to find a cure for blindness. Tokyo Stock Exchange: 4589/4596.
  • Managed SEC and Tokyo Stock Exchange filings, reporting, stock comp accounting, and other accounting duties.
  • Reduced SEC filing turnaround time and costs.
  • Played a key role in redomiciling the company from a U.S. to a Japanese corporation.
  • Helped the company transition from GAAP to IFRS.

Various Accounting Leadership Roles

EMERITUS CORP.
Seattle
05.2002 - 04.2015
  • Company Overview: NYSE: ESC. National provider of senior living services serving over 47,000 residents in 45 states with annual revenues of over $2B. Became a wholly owned subsidiary of Brookdale Senior Living in July 2014.
  • Led consolidation, reporting, and covenant compliance for the joint venture division, with 144 properties, $1.3B in assets, and $1B in debt.
  • Supported Brookdale merger due diligence.
  • As the Financial Reporting Manager, I reduced Form 10-K filing time by 21 days using Workiva.
  • As the Corporate Accounting Manager, I designed and implemented an ERP system, reducing the chart of accounts by 90%.

Education

B.A. - Accounting, Business Administration

Western Washington University

Skills

  • SEC Reporting
  • Budgeting & Forecasting
  • Strategic Planning
  • M&A
  • Process Improvement
  • Consolidations
  • GAAP/IFRS
  • System Implementation
  • Lease Accounting (ASC 842)
  • Stock Compensation
  • Risk & Treasury Management
  • Board Reporting
  • Tax Oversight
  • Financial Analysis
  • Team leadership

Affiliations

Treasurer, Executive Committee – GCCA North Pacific Chapter

Personal Information

Title: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Timeline

VP Finance / Chief Financial Officer

BELLINGHAM COLD STORAGE
08.2021 - Current

Assistant Corporate Controller

ZUMIEZ INC.
08.2017 - 08.2021

SEC Reporting & Accounting Manager

ACUCELA INC.
09.2015 - 08.2017

Various Accounting Leadership Roles

EMERITUS CORP.
05.2002 - 04.2015

B.A. - Accounting, Business Administration

Western Washington University

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