DONALD R. ISHAM
Office (239) 217-6281
2430 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Ste 108-286
Naples, FL 34109
URL: http://disham-portfolio.com
Home (239) 821-3187
mailto:disham@earthlink.net
General Management, IT and Financial Executive
Domestic & International Assignments / Executive Management / Human Resources
/ Business Development / Marketing / Sales / Strategic Alliances / Key Account
Management / Operations Management / Financial Management / Information
Technology / Application Development & Deployment / Outsourcing
Resume Supplemental Information – Accounting and Finance
GTE DATA SERVICES, INC., Tampa, Florida
Information Systems and Data Processing
Results and Analysis Manager
As Results and Analysis Manager, I was responsible for establishing accounting practices
according to FASB and GAAP, policies, methodologies and systems to execute all aspects of the
financial function. I developed financial models that identified risks, opportunities, and
alternative course of action for investment in the commercial markets. Created pricing models for
the commercial ventures that to assure the company did not violate regulatory requirements.
Managed a staff of thirty, with budgetary control of $2.4 M.
Situation Analysis
This $650 million, 3,000 employee business unit of GTE serves both internal customers,
GTE telephone operations, as well as the non-regulated commercial sector. The
accounting and decision support systems were obsolete due to the changes in the
telecommunications industry and the pursuit of non-regulatory business.
Action
Performed an extensive review of all accounting and decision support systems which lead
to a comprehensive needs analysis.
Reorganized financial structures, procedures, and staff to deal with the completed financial
information requirements of the business
Updated the local business unit’s financial policies
Realigned and enhanced financial systems to support the financial reporting function of the
company
Designed, developed, and implemented a LAN Base Financial Data Store, to provide the
various business segments financial information to enhance the effective of decision
support systems.
Developed revenue and expense studies to meet regulatory requirements that were
compatible to the non-regulated or commercial environment pricing methodologies
Results
Revamped the general ledger and decision support systems, which improved usability,
enhanced productivity and provided consistent and accurate financial information
internally and externally to GTE Data Services, Inc
Updated all financial policies to meet current business needs
A Segmented Data Store was implemented to allow users access to meet specific
information requirements for their respective organizations. This saved countless hours in
handling redundant information and eliminated 100% of the errors associated with the
original process.
Saved the company $150,000 in audit fees on the annual financial and regulatory audits
As a direct result of the aforementioned actions, no material items were noted in the
annual audit reports.
Reduced staff by 40% while increasing support services and improving the quality of
information.
Restructured financial information to reflect changes in the way the company was doing
business.
Shifted control of the financial information to the owner of the data via the establishment
of the financial data store
GTE MARKETING SERVICES, LTD., Uxbridge, England
Directory Advertising, Market Research
Financial Director - Europe
Served as United Kingdom controller and as European financial director and implemented
financial, accounting, budgeting, policies, and procedures for all European operations Provided
counsel to area management on financial and accounting matters and served as a key member of
the area management team for European operations with revenues of $50 M+.
Situation Analysis
The European operations based in the United Kingdom with a German subsidiary were
startup companies established to serve and develop the European Markets.
These operations were experiencing negative results due to lack of strategic, marketing,
sales, and financial planning.
Action
Organized the 70-member finance and administrative organizations in both the UK and
German operations
Staffed the finance functions, developed and implemented financial and decision support
systems, and installed internal controls.
Lead area management through its first budgets and long-range plans.
Established relationships with public accounting, banking, legal and tax authorities
Installed credit and collection procedures and developed policies to control receivables.
Contributed to a reorganization plan for the UK and German operations
A study was conducted to determine the current and future position of the companies and
evaluate potential acquisitions and joint ventures in Europe. The scope of the work
included an examination of the general economics and political environments, consumer
protection, potential acquisitions, union organizations, government policies, market
potential and financing requirements.
Results
Effectively developed a responsive finance and administrative organization, which met the
business needs of the European operations
Eliminated unprofitable business segments through re-negotiating contracts and eliminated
unprofitable business ventures, saving the company $4 million in investment and
subsequent losses.
Save $2.5 M annually by reducing fixed administrative costs through reorganization and
computerization.
Increased collections activity from 40% to over 90% of outstanding contracts and reduced
average outstanding receivable from 18 months to 3 months.
Improved communication between corporate headquarters in the U.S. and local area
management through introduction of computerized decision support systems
Trimmed the income tax liability by 30% by reorganizing the firm as a branch of the parent
firm as opposed to a limited company in the UK
Presented to management assessments that identified high-risk expansion ventures and
investment in the European markets that save the US Corporation millions in losses
GTE DIRECTORIES INC.
Yellow Page Directory Publishers, Dallas Texas
International Accounting Systems Manager
Designed and developed financial databases and decision support systems, which directly
supported the International Operations within GTE/DC. Defined and implemented global
accounting and financial management methodologies, strategic planning, project planning,
systems design and development to achieve GTE/DC’s worldwide business objectives.
Situation Analysis
The company was embarking on computerizing its international accounting and financial
decision support systems. The purpose was to standardize systems that were
predominantly manual and not compatible with domestic based reporting systems. To
complicate the task, different countries required unique governmental reporting. Other
obstacles were language, cultural, and staff skills sets.
Action
Designed and developed financial systems and decision reporting systems compatible with
domestic systems. This required a mix of PC, mini and mainframe computer interfaces.
After the requirements were known, software and hardware was researched to configure
the best system that could be installed at the foreign location.
A project plan and training programs were designed and implement the systems in the
foreign location. Customization on site was required to meet local government and
corporate reporting needs. Education of financial staff was performed on site in order to
enhance effective communications, and meet the expected objectives.
Results
The results were outstanding; world wide financial operations were standardized.
Financial staffs were reduced by 5%, without any increases projected for five years.
Reporting to corporate was consistent with closing schedules in the US, which forced
compression of the foreign locations closing time. Improved communications through
financial support systems was achieved. The professional staff’s productivity increased,
morale improved, and personal development was enhanced.
The project exceeded expectations of the Board of Directors, President, Vice President of
International Operations, Vice President/Corporate Controller, and the Director of
International Accounting Operations by meeting and exceeding all goals.
ST. PETERSBURG PRINTING COMPANY, St. Petersburg, Florida
(Wholly owned subsidiary of GTE Directories Corporation)
Full Service Graphics and Printing Company
Controller
Managed all the printing plant’s accounting, treasury, and finance and administration functions.
This included financial and cost accounting, budgets, inventory control, purchasing, and
administration groups. Oversaw credit and collection activities, acted as a liaison with the
banking community, and provided information for legal documentation and support to the
corporate legal council. Managed a staff of eleven, with budgetary control of $750,000.
Situation Analysis
The financial organization of this business unit of GTE/Directories Corporation was
fragmented and dysfunctional. Inadequate financial management, poor processes and
supporting systems, and low employee morale contributed to large write offs at year end.
Also, pricing models did not reflect operations and negatively impacted the ability price
properly and compete in the commercial market.
Action
Re-defined the accounting organization structure and aligned people, processes and systems.
Reorganized, recruited, and educated accounting staff
Rebuilt a problem cost accounting system, eliminated the cause of large inventory losses,
and provided accurate cost information to rebuild pricing models.
Created a positive team atmosphere in the financial department, which solved a serious
morale problem
Acquired new computers and implemented accounting, inventory control, budgets and
planning system
Installed internal controls consistent with corporate guidelines and according to FASB and
GAAP requirements
Established employee development programs, to enhance accounting knowledge and
personal growth
Results
Developed the finance and administration staff into a cohesive, effective team
Changed closing schedules to be consistent with corporate reporting requirements with
100% accuracy
Solved difficult personnel problems in the accounting department, resulting in improved
morale and departmental effectiveness
Three employees furthered their careers in accounting and in the corporation by improving
their skills to become productive employees in higher-level positions within the company.
Designed and implemented an effective budget and outlook systems that would predict
bottom line results within 1% of expectations.
Established a position and provided support to legal counsel in a successful court case
against the county over assessment of the plant’s fixed assets that saved the company $1.3
M in property taxes.