C S Bud Kulesza

Bud Kulesza is a highly accomplished business professional with outstanding multinational, multi industry experience. His financial expertise combined with business acumen and leadership skills have led to his success as a CFO of ITT Automotive, a multibillion dollar global company, Chairman of ITT Industries Canada and a respected leader of the accounting profession as a former Chair of the Institute of Management Accountants. Bud brings a wealth of knowledge and an entertaining high energy style to all of his endeavors. From the boardroom to the podium from the shop floor to the classroom, his direct approach to addressing issues combining knowledge, experience and humor make an impact that is not soon forgotten.

Bud is currently the Dean Emeritus of the IMA Leadership Academy. He was named by Accounting Today as one of the top 100 most influential persons in Accounting. He has numerous publications in accounting journals including Strategic Finance, CFO.com, Management Accounting, Cost Management and the Journal of Accountancy and has been interviewed on Money Radio and CNBC’s Money Wheel. He is featured in the book “Leadership, Helping Others to Succeed”, interviews with America’s top leadership experts.

A member of Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and the Financial Executives Institute (FEI), Bud is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and Certified in Financial Management (CFM) and earned an associate degree in Accounting from Middlesex County Community College and his bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Rider University

Experience

The Man of Many Hats : Budkulesza.com - [2010-10 to Current]
Key-Note presentations Customized Training Courses Business Consulting Profitability Improvement Strategic Planning Cost Management / Cost Recovery

Dean Emeritus IMA Leadership Academy : Institute of Management Accountants - [2009-07 to Current]
In this role I provide support and guidance for the IMA Leadership Academy programs, from course development to course delivery, from mentoring to faculty training . Leadership development is key to the success of the profession and I believe in paying it forward.

Lecturer : The University of Texas at Austin - [2002-01 to 2003-06]
Taught Managerial Accounting for the MBA program at the McCombs School of Business , University of Texas at Austin .

Principal : Kulesza & Associates - [2001-01 to Current]
Business Consulting Profitability Improvement Strategic Planning Cost Management / Cost Recovery

Managing Director : Institute of Management Accountants - [2000-01 to 2000-06]
Performed the duties of the Managing Director ( Now called President CEO) of the IMA , managing day to day activities of 90+ staff. I waived compensation and appointed a search committee to find a replacement .

President and Chairman : Institute of Management Accountants - [1998-06 to 2001-06]
A non compensated volunteer position providing leadership direction of a 80,000+ member global organization I held the positions of President elect , President and Chairman .

Chairman : ITT Industries Canada - [1996-01 to 1998-12]
My responsibilities were largely custodial as we exited business in this area and wound down the remaining businesses. I performed these activities in conjunction with my CFO ITT Automotive role.

Senior Vice President / CFO : ITT Automotive - [1990-05 to 1998-09]
This multi billion dollar company operated globally with about 70 locations in over 18 countries. The business was sold for a profit in 1998 and I choose to "retire early" and devote my efforts to giving back to the accounting profession.

CFO / Comptroller : ITT Electromechanical Components - [1986-05 to 1990-05]
ITT Cannon was one of a number of companies that made up this group of Electronic Compenent Companys operating in about 18 different countries

Vice President Finance and Comptroller : ITT Busniess and Consumer Communications - [1983-07 to 1986-05]
uring this time of deregulation in the phone industry we championed the entry of ITT into the US market . As this company was sold to Alcatel in 1986 . I chose to transfer to another ITT company.

Senior Financial Manager -Marketing : DelMonte Frozen Foods - [1981-07 to 1983-07]
This position focused on the Financial support of the Marketing department as the aquiisition of Morton Frozed Foods was transitioned into RJR DelMonte

Assistant Comptroller/ Plant Comptroller : ITT Morton Frozen Foods - [1973-11 to 1981-07]
I held a variety of increasingly responsible positions from plant to corporate level until the sale of the company in 1981 to RJR DelMonte

Various Titles : Johnson & Johnson - [1969-06 to 1973-11]
I held a variety of increasingly responsible positions in the financial departments of Personal Products and Devro .... both J&J companies

Education

Associate Degree, Accounting : Middlesex County Community College - [1967 to 1969]

Bachelor of Science, Commerce : Rider University - [1696 to 1973]