Finance executive with experience in CFO and COO roles
Ray Sant has a PhD in Finance along with an MBA and a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. He is also a CFA charterholder.
Accomplished in thought leadership, creative innovation and thinking outside the boundary, leadership and vision, team building, people skills, communication, project management, strong execution, performance and result orientation, risk management, entrepreneurship, and seeking out actionable opportunities.
Has extensive experience in CFO, COO, CTO and senior roles in manufacturing, finance, education, consulting, accounting, investment banking, real estate, and service companies. Has driven growth, turned around companies to profitability and positive cash flow. Created and led development of financial software and CRM based productivity solutions. Possesses in-depth knowledge of financial and cost accounting, cash management, working capital management, banking, capital markets, strategic finance, risk management, treasury functions, and private equity funding.
Ray also embodies the forefront of the e-learning revolution, leveraging a rich palette of skills in Blended, and Distance Learning to architect transformative educational experiences. With a deep-seated passion for utilizing state-of-the-art Educational Technology and Learning Management systems, Ray pioneers innovative learning solutions that exceed traditional boundaries and foster an environment of continuous growth and development. Driven by the commitment to make learning accessible and engaging, Ray is the catalyst for change in the digital education landscape.
A major state university in Texas conducting teaching and research activities.
Taught advanced corporate and commercial real estate finance courses.
Sep 2018 — Sep 2025
NP
Nodal Properties LLC, Austin, TX
President
Real estate developer - residential and multi-family properties.
Acquired properties - commercial and residential, in Austin metro area for development. Completed seven projects. Handled all aspects including acquisition, planning, development, financing, and disposition.
May 2014 — Sep 2018
KC
Kohana Coffee LLC, Austin, TX.
CFO, COO, CTO
High growth cold brew coffee products manufacturer. Produced shelf stable cold brew and sold it through large national grocery chains and bog box retailers. In addition to its own brand, Kohana also private labled its products.
As CFO, COO and CTO, managed operating, accounting, and finance functions including banking relationships.
Increased sales three-fold to $25 million. Led $5+ million expansion for beverage cans with automated canning line (over forty machines). Secured financing and supervised entire project.
Managed the sales team adding marquee big box retail and grocery chain customers while maintaining fifty percent gross margin.
Led negotiations with large CPG private equity firms and managed pricing, inventory, and customer onboarding functions.
May 2014 — Dec 2017
AA
Alliance Abroad Group LLP, Austin TX.
CFO, COO, CTO
Kohana group company that sponsors international guest workers under J-1 visa serving the hospitality industry.
Increased operating margins from under 10 to 35+ percent with 12+ percent sales CAGR.
Turned company into a positive operating cash flow entity generating surplus cash.
Developed CRM platform (MS Dynamics) to automate workflow management, and enhance cost efficiencies.
Aug 2008 — May 2015
• St. Edwards University, Austin, TX - Bill Munday School of Business
Associate Professor
A private university offering MBA and undergraduate business and finance courses.
Taught capital markets, bond and equity portfolios, global finance, foreign currencies, securities valuation, investments, investment banking, financial options and derivatives, corporate finance, hedge funds and private equity
Taught undergraduate and MBA finance courses.
Aug 2000 — Sep 2018
FI
Finsage Inc., Austin, TX.
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Developed portfolio management and trading software.
Developed financial portfolio management and AI based hedge fund trading and analytical software.
Jun 2000 — Aug 2003
Kaplan Inc., New York, NY (Schweser division)
VP Internet Technologies
Provider of training materials for Wall Street finance (CFA) certification.
Led development of e-learning system for global financial certification programs as well as e-Commerce solutions that tripled sales.
Delivered global seminars in North America (Morgan Stanley, Credit Suisse First Boston), Europe, and Asia for financial analysts.
Jul 1998 — Jul 2000
Ernst & Young, Houston, TX
Valuation & International Tax Consultant
Big Four accounting company providing auditing and consulting services to Fortune 500 and other large clients - international and domestic.
Assisted clients in oil; chemical; manufacturing; service; fast food; pharmaceutical; and software industries to create efficient tax strategies in transfer pricing. Also supported SALT planning from a valuation perspective.
Assisted clients in oil; chemical; manufacturing; service; fast food; pharmaceutical; and software industries to create efficient tax strategies in transfer pricing.
Aug 1992 — Aug 2000
• Minnesota State University, Mankato, MN.
Professor/Associate Professor - Finance
A state university in Minnesota offering graduate and undergraduate degrees.
Published or presented over twenty research papers in areas of mergers and takeovers, managerial incentives, dividend policy, equity issues, stock splits and share repurchases, IPO bid-ask spreads, financial analysts' recommendations, corporate restructur
Aug 1987 — Jun 1992
• University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.
Assistant Professor of Finance
A major Big Ten university engaged in education and research.
Conducted research and taught finance courses. Published papers in dividend policy, equity issues, stock splits and share repurchases, IPO bid-ask spreads, financial analysts' recommendations.
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