Public Company CFO of the Year: (Small — less than $1 billion in revenue)
Dan Bachus
Chief Financial Officer
Grand Canyon University
In just two years at Grand Canyon University, Dan Bachus has made an indelible mark on the company. While his accomplishments in 2009 were spectacular, Bachus really hit his stride this year.
In September, Bachus led the university through a successful $120 million secondary offering. He also is playing an integral role in GCU’s massive $100 million campus expansion.
In addition, Bachus is helping to guide GCU through a difficult political environment, in which congressional leaders are calling for reforms in the industry and the Department of Education is increasing its scrutiny on private, higher-education. Bachus is advocating the following initiatives to better position GCU: Educating congressional leaders and staff about the positive benefits that GCU offers; self-imposed limits on enrollment growth; transitioning the university to a “non-term” institution; and incentivizing enrollment counselors to focus on student success, not just registration.
“I thoroughly enjoy being actively involved in shaping the vision of a dynamic, visionary company such as Grand Canyon University, and I believe all companies benefit greatly from strong financial leadership,” Bachus said.”
Public Company CFO of the Year: (Large — greater than $1 billion in revenue)
Tod C. Holmes
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Republic Services Inc.
Tod Holmes’ efforts in helping Republic Services successfully complete the largest acquisition in its history during the 2008 economic meltdown continues to resonate positively with the company.
Republic’s purchase of Allied Waste Industries, which formed the nation’s second-largest non-hazardous solid waste services company, is considered Holmes’ signature achievement in his 12 years as the company’s vice president and chief financial officer. On closing, the acquisition had an equity value of approximately $4.5 billion and a total transaction value of $11 billion.
Holmes also has worked to make sure Republic Services adjusted as the economic crisis unfolded. As of March 31, 2010, Republic has achieved approximately $180 million in annual synergies — approximately $115 million were realized in 2009, and an additional $65 million-$70 million are expected this year.
Under Holmes’ financial stewardship Republic Services has been named one of the Most Shareholder Friendly Companies by Institutional Investor magazine for the past four years. Holmes himself has been named as one of the Best CFOs in America by Institutional Investor magazine for the past seven years.
