Six Different Utah Companies Make C-Level Changes: February 3, 2022

Domo, Lendio, Lodging Dynamics, Sportsman's Warehouse Holdings, Udo, and VERB Technology each make C-Level changes on their executive teams.

Lendio Names David Bedell as Chief Financial Officer

In a move some suggest portends future options for the Lehi, Utah-based firm, Lendio announced this week it has added David Bedell to its executive managment ranks as Chief Financial Officer.

During his 20-plus-year career, Bedell worked for over 12 years for Intuit, rising to have oversight of the firm's FP&A (Financial Planning and Analysis) for Quickbooks' ~$2.5 billion in annual revenue.

Additionally, he was the VP of Finance & Investor Relations at Instructure, helping shepherd the EdTech firm through both a succussful Initial Public Offering via the New York Stock Exchange, as well as a follow-on $110 million secondary offering.

Most recently, Bedell was CFO at HireVue where he helped navigate the business overhang of the Covid-19 pandemic and orchestrated the sale of the firm to The Carlyle Group in the fall of 2020.

According to Lendio's CEO and Founder, Brock Blake,

“David’s depth and breadth of financial experience makes him the perfect addition to Lendio as we enter our next phase of growth. His combination of experiences at HireVue, Instructure, and Intuit make him the ideal fit to lead our financial strategy. Having him on board is extremely valuable to us as we continue to unveil more and more financial solutions to capital for small businesses across the country.”

I concur.

Additionally, with Bedell on board I won't be too surprised to see significant changes at Lendio in the not too distant future.

Written by David Politis

Hotel Industry Executive Sherif Guirguis Joins Lodging Dynamics as Chief Operating Officer

Lodging Dynamics (a Provo, Utah-based firm), has appointed Sherif Guirguis as Chief Operating Officer (COO).

According to a recent press release, Guirguis joins Lodging Dynamics from SilverWest Hotels where he served as Director of Hotel Operations and worked with several premium hotel brands, including Hilton (NYSE:HLT) and Hyatt (NYSE:H).

Prior to joining Lodging Dynamics, Guirguis was Regional Vice President of White Lodging Services.

Previously he spent nearly 25 years with Marriott International (NasdaqGS:MAR) where he served in General Manager, Regional and Area Executive Management roles.

According to Lodging Dynamics' President and CEO, Jamie Caraher,

"We are thrilled to bring Sherif on board. His incredible leadership coupled with his extensive experience and qualifications will be immensely beneficial for our company."

Lodging Dynamics' portfolio consists of Marriott, Hilton, and Hyatt branded hotels throughout the Western Region of the United States, including Hawaii.

Written by Macy Reamer

Domo Adds Mohammed Aaser as Chief Data Officer

Silicon Slopes, Utah-based Domo recently announced it has added Mohammed Aaser as Chief Data Officer.

Aaser will work with Domo's data and technology partners to extend the power of its robust ecosystem of integrations, which include more than 1,000 pre-built connectors to its Business Intelligence platforms.

Although he is joining a company probably known more in Utah for its saucy billboard signs, Aaser will also help customers create modern data experiences that automate and accelerate key business processes and optimize strategic outcomes.

According to the company's press release, Aaser brings more than 15 years of experience to the role, most recently as Chief Data Officer at McKinsey and Company, where he championed data strategies among thousands of client initiatives in all industries, and Ameriprise Financial, the Fortune 500 wealth and asset manager, where he spearheaded the analytics transformation.  

According to Domo CEO and Founder, Josh James:

“Mohammed has an incredible passion for making data accessible and actionable for all and aligning its use with key business goals. We’re thrilled to leverage his expertise to help customers compose new ways to use data with Domo to optimize how work gets done across the business.”

{NOTE:  Domo is officially headquartered in American Fork, Utah.}

Written by J'Nel Wright

Farmington-based Udo Hires Woodward as CFO

Udo, a Farmington, Utah-based healthcare communications tech company, recently welcomed Greg Woodward as its Chief Financial Officer.

This announcement follows prior news that the firm had raised $20 million in funding in October before then acquiring Smile Virtual, a similar app-based company that focuses on connecting patients to their dentists.

Previously, Woodward had served as CFO for Lehi-based Banner Acquisition Corp (NasdaqGS:BNNR), known for being the first Special Purpose Acquisition Company (SPAC) headquartered in Utah. {NOTE:  Banner went public last September with a $150 million IPO.}

According to Udo Co-Founder and CEO, Danny Frasure:

"Our opportunity for growth is significant and we are extremely pleased for the experience and talent Greg Woodward brings to ensure the financial side of our growth progresses as strategically and smoothly as possible."

As an aside, Woodward is also the owner of three Harley-Davidson dealerships in the Intermountain West.  

Written by Macy Reamer

Sportsman's Warehouse Holdings Removes the "Interim" Handle from Jeff White's Title to Make Him its CFO

After naming Jeff White its Interim CFO in September, West Jordan, Utah-based Sportsman's Warehouse Holdings (NasdaqGS:SPWH) has decided to make the appointment "permanent" by removing the Interim appendage from the title.

According to the news release announcing the change, he has been with Sportsman's for over six years.

White replaces former CFO, Robert Julian, who left the firm 1 October 2021 to "pursue other opportunities."

Written by David Politis

VERB Technology Appoints Salman Khan as its Interim CFO

American Fork-based VERB Technology (NasdaqCM:VERB) has appointed Salman Khan as its Interim CFO.

According to the company news release, Kahn has been with VERB since May 2021 as its EVP, Corporate Development and Strategic Planning.

Of Kahn, VERB CEO, Rory J. Cutaia said:

“He has been instrumental in the successful execution of our recently announced financing, and has provided valuable strategic advice and idea generation, including mergers and acquisitions, financial management and business planning since he joined us last year."

Written by David Politis

PUBLISHER'S NOTE:  Twice each month we publish wrap-up stories reporting about C-Level, Presidential, and EVP/SVP changes at Utah-based organizations. {This is typically separate from standalone stories about new CEOs.} As such, we do not report on personnel changes at the vice president level or lower.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

Dave Politis, Publisher & Editorial Director