The Strategic CFO by FEI

FEI Silicon Valley’s past president, and a past member of the National IT Advisory committee, George de Urioste, joins Jan Robertson on the Strategic CFO to bring years of experience in governance, strategy, and business wisdom. Urioste shares pivotal moments in his colorful career illustrating the intricacies and nuances of memorable moments. George also gives Jan a look into his best practices for board management and leadership.

00:00 Podcast discusses Silicon Valley's business and government.

03:13 CFO shares pivotal moments in company growth.

06:53 Differences between public and private company dynamics.

10:21 Positive board experiences, but contention over CEO decision.

15:05 To report effectively, CFO must provide context.

17:02 Choose meaningful KPIs, anticipate and share insights.

23:06 Board oversight of cybersecurity becomes crucial now.

24:46 Cybersecurity education for CFOs, future trends.

27:59 Emphasize questions, define risks, seize opportunities strategically.

About George de Urioste:

George currently serves as a Board Director at two companies. The first one is HeartBeam, Inc. a publicly traded medical device company and Roambee Corporation, a private company in the supply chain intelligence business. He also does CFO consulting for a cyber intelligence company. His Board roles include ten Board & seven audit committee chairman roles.

Overall, George has CFO or COO, Board, and advisor experience at 13 public and private companies. His experience with includes 3 IPOs and substantial M&A (both on the buy & sell side) and has raised over $½ billion in capital. George is a CPA and has an MBA from CAL and undergraduate degree from USC, where he was also a member of the tennis team.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, George is a past member of the National IT Advisory committee for President George W. Bush and met with the president at the White House on matters related to technology and tax policy. He was also selected by Stephen Forbes to present at Forbes magazine’s annual CFO conference. George has been interviewed in The Wall Street Journal regarding CFO and Board roles. And more recently The Wall Street Journal published a fun article about the family history of his 100-year-old antique car.

And, most importantly, George is a past president of FEI in Silicon Valley and served on FEI’s national board of directors for two years.

Christine Russel shares her dynamic and inspiring career highlights with Jan Robertson, host of The Strategic CFO podcast. Playing a pivotal role in an IPO of Persistent Software, she stands as an esteemed leader who has been on recognizable boards. Robertson learns of Christine's journey in this eye-opening episode.

00:00 President Fei Silicon Valley shares non-traditional journey.

05:01 Took CFO job without prior experience, succeeded.

09:28 Recruited for IPO, varied roles in technology.

10:39 Saying yes to opportunities can be rewarding.

14:55 Networking key to success, challenges for women.

19:51 CEO's seek audit committee chair for CFO.

23:41 CFOs and directors protect CEOs from activists.

25:57 DNO insurance should match potential lawsuit claims.

27:43 Create concise board bio, avoid common mistakes.

33:23 Encountered eGain CEO at wine cellar conference.

35:36 Authorship uncertain, but will commit with reservations.

About Christine Russel:

Christine Russell has been a financial executive in technology businesses in Silicon Valley for over twenty-five years with experience in both emerging and larger firms, public, venture and private equity backed. 

Since 2005, Ms. Russell has served as Audit Committee Chair of the Board of QuickLogic Corporation (Nasdaq: QUIK), a fabless semiconductor and IP company offering AI for voice and sensor processing. She has served on the Board of eGain Corporation (Nasdaq: EGAN), a customer engagement cloud solutions company, as Audit Committee Chair, since February 2017. She joined the board of AXT Corporation (Nasdaq: AXTI) in December 2019. AXT designs and manufactures high performance semiconductor substrates. 

Ms. Russell performed as CFO of PDF Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDFS) offering process design technology for semiconductor companies since July 2018. Prior companies include UniPixel, Inc, a manufacturing of touch sensor films, which was sold to a China based firm; Vendavo, Inc., a SaaS based pricing and margin optimization software company serving the Global 2000.  

She was CFO of EAG, Inc. (Evans Analytical Group), a global provider of analytical testing for technology companies. She was the finance lead in the acquisition of 7-laboratories creating a new company division. 

Prior to EAG, she served in the roles of both CFO and EVP Business Development at Virage Logic (Nasdaq: VIRL), a semiconductor intellectual property company which was sold to Synopsys.   

Prior positions include CFO for OuterBay Technologies, a database archiving software company, which was sold to HP in 2006. She was CFO of Ceva, Inc. (Nasdaq: CEVA), a DSP IP company, where she introduced the LSE traded company to the US investing public as it became listed on Nasdaq. 

She completed successful IPO’s for Persistence Software (Nasdaq: PRSW), and Valence Technology (Nasdaq: VLNC). Ms. Russell also served as CFO of Cygnus Solutions (sold to Red Hat), one of the first open-source software companies. 

She is Past President of Financial Executives International, Silicon Valley Chapter (FEI), Past President of National Assn. of Corporate Directors, Silicon Valley Chapter (NACD) and Past President and Board member of Silicon Valley Directors Exchange (SVDX).

Ms. Russell holds a B.A. and M.B.A. from the University of Santa Clara.

Glenn Gow, an AI thought leader & keynote speaker, discusses how CFOs can leverage AI for financial forecasting, automation, fraud detection, and M&A. He stresses the importance of CFOs becoming proficient in AI tools to stay competitive, while ensuring human oversight when using generative AI for critical decisions. Glenn believes CFOs must embrace AI to drive efficiency and strategy, or risk falling behind rivals.

 00:00 AI categorized as generative and traditional technologies.05:39 AI simplifies processes, aids error detection, and analysis.06:45 Software vendors racing to offer powerful AI tools.10:02 Use Excel to calculate z scores for transactions.16:53 Fact-check sources, verify accuracy, AI limitations apparent.20:59 Leverage software tools for efficient deal origination.23:25 Sophisticated buyers use Medoxo for due diligence.28:05 AI risks in lawsuits over copyrighted content.31:44 Chat CBT settings protect data privacy concerns. Microsoft and Adobe offer enterprise solutions.33:55 CFOs need to adapt to rapid change.36:36 Fei Silicon Valley's exciting quarterly AI events.

About Glenn Gow:

Glenn is a sought-after speaker on AI and has spoken at The Wall Street Journal AI Conference, the National Association of Corporate Directors, MIT/Stanford Venture Lab, Harvard Business School, and many more places.

He writes an AI column for Forbes and has been published in Directors & Boards, Directorship (NACD), CIO Magazine, Inc. Magazine, and InfoWorld. As a CEO for 25 years, he advised numerous leading tech companies including Apple, Google, Microsoft, and many more, on strategy.

Jan Robertson of SiVal Advisors steps it up by interviewing former California state controller Betty Yee. Going head on into the financial and economic issues shaping our state, Yee reflects on past initiatives and how she and her colleagues shaped the financial landscape of present-day California. Before being a gubernatorial candidate, Betty started from humble beginnings. Robertson learns about Betty's rise and her exciting unique trajectory how she impacted the intersection of politics and finance.

00:00 Early financial responsibility shapes views on integrity.

05:56 Leading HIV/AIDS public health advocate and influencer.

09:27 Improving efficiency, affordability, and sustainability in housing.

11:27 Climate crisis impacts, inclusive governance, resource distribution.

16:27 Stock options, budget challenges, reserves, Governor Newsom.

19:53 Mentored by old school legislators, advocating efficiency.

21:25 Preparing for technological advancement to benefit Californians.

26:22 AI shifts tasks, frees up time. Accelerates services.

30:28 Californians struggle with high housing costs.

33:23 AB 5 and worker support during crisis.

35:09 Concern for workers and unemployment insurance program.

40:46 Support for California's public university system essential.

42:54 Focusing resources on intentional recruitment and partnerships.

45:30 Digital equipment barriers addressed through public-private partnerships.

48:33 MBI feels like family, navigating many challenges

About Betty Yee:

Betty Yee is one of California’s top experts on the state budget and government accountability. As State

Budget Director and State Controller, Betty showed what competent, accountable government can do.

She took on big corporations, fought discrimination in our tax code, and discovered more than $7 billion

in improper spending. She’s running for Governor because she knows we have the power to make

California add up for all of us again.

Standing Up for Her Family: A Leader from the Start

Betty was born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrant parents. Her family lived in a one-room apartment

behind the family’s dry-cleaning business. Betty’s parents didn’t speak English, so at age eight, she began

managing the books at the family dry cleaners–dealing with suppliers and banks to get things done.

Raising Wages and Fighting for Economic Opportunity as the Governor’s Budget Director

As Governor Gray Davis’s Budget Director, Betty led development of the state budget and shepherded it

through the legislature. She fought for economic opportunity for all, established a minimum wage for

home care workers, and made groundbreaking environmental progress–working to protect the Delta and

requiring automakers to limit carbon emissions.

● Uncovering $7.3 billion in mismanaged spending and redirecting it toward real progress.

● Ensuring California did no external borrowing to pay the state’s bills.

● Taking on life insurance companies, forcing them to pay death benefits to surviving families.

● Preserving the retirement security of 3 million Californians, including 1 million teachers.

● Spearheading the state Foster Youth Tax Credit to provide vital assistance to foster youth.

● Conducting a robust outreach and education program for small businesses, connecting them to

federal, state, and local resources.

● Protecting thousands of jobs during COVID, by working to keep the state’s ports solvent.

● Shuttering the last state oil platform in the Santa Barbara Channel.

● Standing up to the Trump Administration to defend our coastline.

● Leading the work of the nation's largest public pension funds towards their net-zero pledges for

their investment portfolios.