ACG South Florida CFO Round Table Luncheon: Business Planning and Strategic Finance in an Uncertain Economy

Eric is a results-oriented C-Level executive with a long-standing career in leading national and multinational businesses as CFO, COO and CEO, recognized for bold visionary initiatives, an ability to recruit / develop / maintain peak performing teams, and a keen and detailed understanding of the financial function’s interrelation with business operations, strategy and risk mitigation. Tri-lingual, Mr. Ospina has worked in all countries in Latin America creating a cultural bridge between US outbound and US inbound multinational companies and now brings his 30+ years’ experience to Nperspective clients with a focus in the South Florida market.

Mr. Ospina has a wealth of experience in M&A, leading acquisitions and disposals.  His expertise is most relevant in the integration of acquired companies and normalization / rationalization after the disposal of companies where, often times, value is lost. 

Matthew Beck leads the Sales, Marketing and Operations Executive Search practice nationally for StevenDouglas. Matthew has a proven track record of delivering mid management to executive level talent to various organizations including small to Fortune 500 companies. He focuses on building long term relationships with clients and candidates alike which allows him to successfully deliver quality individuals within the client’s specific guidelines.

Prior to joining StevenDouglas, Matthew spent over 6 years with a Fortune 1000 recruiting firm in South Florida holding progressive roles in both sales and management. Most recently, Matthew was Managing Director of the Miami office and responsible for the day to day operations of the division in addition to client service. He was charged with leading the division’s new hire training program and the “Leaders of Tomorrow” program in which the top 1% of the company’s performers are chosen annually. Matthew has always set himself apart through tireless work ethic, great communication skills, and unquestioned business ethics.

Matthew earned his BA in Economics from Eastern Illinois University. He has been actively involved in various charitable organizations, currently serving as Chairman of the United Way of Central Maryland's Leader's United Executive Council. He is also an active member of United Way's Tocqueville Society. Previously, Matt served two terms as Chairman of the Young Leader’s Society (YLS) with United Way of Broward County. In 2014, Matt was recognized by the South Florida Business Journal as a 40 Under 40 Honoree, which identifies the most dynamic individuals in South Florida under the age of 40 who work diligently to contribute to their company’s growth and to improve the local community.

Dr. Williams’ life has been full of adventures and exciting job opportunities.

But he doesn’t brag about his career. He brags about his students. In fact, his office walls are adorned with accolades he has received from some of the thousands of students that have crossed his path. Williams was nominated and received a Student Life Achievement Award, or STUEY, for Professor of the Year in 2017.

“I don’t teach economics and finance,” Williams says. “I teach people. I encourage, motivate, and care about my students.”

Williams says his recipe for student success is to help them grow by seeing how they can improve their lives from the knowledge gained from his classes. His lectures tap into his prior professional career, which enables Williams to share a variety of real-world examples with his students.

Before coming to NSU in 2003, Williams was a jack of many trades: a high school math teacher, banker, agricultural economist, CEO of an agricultural marketing firm, and analyst for Burger King Corporation.

He takes those experiences to the classroom and combines them with his ability to dissect complicated economic concepts and make them easier to understand. But he doesn’t stop there.

“I also bring current issues to class and have students discuss them,” Williams says. “This makes economics and finance more applied and alive!”

During his years at NSU, Williams has become a Shark through and through. He is the faculty adviser for the Graduate Business Student Association (GBSA). In this role he helps student leaders practice leadership by developing projects and implementing them for the benefit of all students. He also has played an active role in the Honors College and still speaks to new students and parents on the importance of being in the college.

When it comes to undergraduate recruitment, he doesn’t hesitate to speak to parent groups and answer their questions while promoting the advantages of attending NSU.

Williams also takes his expertise to the airwaves from time to time appearing on television and radio as one of NSU’s business experts. NBC and PBS have featured him locally and he frequently provides expert opinions on Love FM in Belize, his country of origin.

Despite his many roles, Williams’ headliner is teaching, which he considers as much an art form as playing his guitar.

“You have to put passion and knowledge into it and that makes learning exciting for students,” he says.