"I rely on knowing experts like the team at vcfo. They've always been very upfront and keep the best interests of my business in mind."
Scott Abel, CEO
Spiceworks
Meet the vcfo Leadership Team
With over a century of hands-on experience in finance and accounting, vcfo's executive
team understands the needs of companies large and small and is committed to addressing
clients' needs at every stage of development and growth. Meet the team:
Ellen Wood
President and CEO
Ellen co-founded vcfo in 1996 and serves as its President and CEO. Under Ellen's leadership, the company has opened offices in Dallas, Denver and Seattle and expanded its services to encompass new lines of business.
Prior to founding vcfo, Ellen served as Executive Vice President and CFO at Capital Network System, Inc., a privately held international telecommunications company based in Austin, Texas. Earlier in her career she co-founded a telecommunications business in Austin, and served as the Senior Financial Officer for two residential home builders, Hometown Builders and Block Watne Texas, Inc. In addition to her corporate responsibilities, Ellen enjoyed a dual role at vcfo in the early years, with field responsibilities as the vcfo CFO for clients such as Motive, Agere, Digital Motorworks, Ventix and Troux.
An active member of the Austin community, Ellen serves as the Treasurer and as a member of the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts Capital Area Council, as the Statewide Chairman of Technology Entrepreneurs Exchange (Texchange) and as the Treasurer for The Entrepreneur's Foundation. She also serves on the Audit Committee for Seton Hospital and as a member of the finance committee for The Chamber of Commerce. Ellen is a past board member and former Vice Chairman of Finance for the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and a past Board member and officer of the Financial Executives Institute, Austin Chapter.
Ellen received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas with majors in Finance and Accounting and is a Texas CPA.
Scott Killingsworth
Chief Operating Officer
Scott joined vcfo in 2000 and serves as its Chief Operating Officer. In his role, Scott is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of vcfo and each of its offices, leading the firm’s geographic expansion strategy, and overseeing the design, operation, and improvement of the systems that support the firm's services.
Prior to joining vcfo, Scott was the CFO and VP of Operations for MYTECH Corporation where he was responsible for Accounting and Finance, IT operations and the evaluation of business plans and acquisition proposals. Earlier in his career, Scott founded Balcones Technologies, and worked as a Controller at High End Systems in Austin, Texas. Scott is active in the Town & Country Optimists Club and is a YMCA volunteer.
Scott received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University and is a Texas CPA.
Darrell Tesmer
Chief Compliance Officer
Darrell joined vcfo in 1997 and serves as the Chief Compliance Officer. In his role, Darrell is responsible for analysis of new corporate opportunities, corporate tax strategies and planning and overseeing risk management. Previously, Darrell served as vcfo's VP of Finance and Administration.
Prior to vcfo, Darrell was the Finance Manager of Amnex, Inc. where he assisted in the integration and transition of acquired company Capital Network System, Inc. Earlier in his career, Darrell was a Financial Analyst and Staff Accountant for The Clorox Company in Oakland, CA.
Darrell received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Finance and Honors Business and a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Texas at Austin.
Gwen Williams
VP Finance, Corporate Controller and Austin Practice Manager
Gwen joined vcfo in 2003 and serves as the Vice President Finance, Corporate Controller and Austin Practice Manager. Gwen is responsible for overseeing all internal accounting activities for the company and providing guidance and support corporate wide.
Previously, Gwen served as an Associate at vcfo. Prior to joining the company, Gwen was the Controller at Texas Wind Power. She also served as Product Manager for Works Inc., Accounting Manager for Trilogy Software, Assistant Controller for Austin Regional Clinic and was an Auditor for Ernst & Young.
Gwen received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology, a Master of Business Administration Degree in Finance, and a Master of Public Accounting Degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Gwen is a Texas CPA.
Corey Blahuta
Managing Director Austin
Corey joined vcfo in 1999 and serves as Managing Director Austin. In his role, Corey is responsible for building the team and leading the overall management of vcfo’s operations in the Austin office. Throughout his career with vcfo, Corey has had the opportunity to work with over 50 companies in such industries as enterprise software, energy, life sciences, financial services, semiconductor and telecommunications. During 2004 and early 2005, Corey served as the VP of Finance for CoVi Technologies, Inc.
Prior to joining vcfo, Corey was with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) for seven years, serving the final two and a half years as an Audit Manager. While at PWC, Corey worked with companies in Houston and Austin markets ranging from Fortune 500 companies to technology startups.
Corey serves as the Past President of Reading is Fundamental of Austin, Treasurer of the Austin Technology Council and Board Member of the Austin Chapter of Texchange. He and his family were the March of Dimes-Capital Area Ambassador Family for 2004.
Corey received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Baylor University. Corey is a Texas CPA.
R. Scott Wheeler
Managing Director Dallas
R. Scott Wheeler joined vcfo in 2003 as Managing Director Dallas. At vcfo, Scott is responsible for providing local vision, strategic impetus, building the team, providing client support and guidance as well as overall management of vcfo's operations in the Dallas Metroplex.
Prior to joining vcfo, Scott served as the CFO for Malibu Entertainment, a publicly traded, location-based entertainment company, as Vice President of Business Management for The Beltway Companies, a real estate development, management and investment company and as President of Beltway’s retail and entertainment subsidiaries. Throughout his career, Scott has been involved in numerous company acquisitions, sales, startups, capitalizations, financings and asset transactions totaling several hundred million dollars.
In addition to his position as Managing Director Dallas, Scott serves on the Advisory Boards of Texas A&M-Commerce’s College of Business and Technology, Texchange and the Entrepreneur’s Foundation of North Texas. He is also the former Mayor of Addison, Texas and served on the Boards of the Dallas Central Appraisal District, Compass Bank Dallas and numerous other organizations. He is also a frequent guest lecturer at the University of Texas at Dallas, author of numerous articles on business management issues and a frequent speaker on topical business and public policy issues.
Scott received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Southern Methodist University.
Don Van Winkle
Managing Director Colorado
Don Van Winkle joined vcfo in 2008 as Managing Director Colorado where he is responsible for refining and extending the local vision, building the team, providing client support and guidance, as well as overall management of vcfo's successful Colorado office.
Throughout his 30 year career Don’s professional work includes a broad spectrum of industry sectors and roles. Most recently he was President of Citywide Banks Metro North returning to corporate banking for three years after a 14 year hiatus. In the interim he founded and managed an outsourced CFO services firm, served as the CEO/Owner of a multiple store retail grocery group which he sold in 2002, and as the COO CFO of a large sportswear design and distribution firm.
Additionally, Don served on the Boards of Directors of several Denver area firms and advised on numerous Board related activities to include debt and equity financings, mergers and acquisitions, executive recruitment, succession planning, turnaround activities and strategic planning. Don’s Board participation included work with Eldorado Artesian Springs, Inc., Fresh Produce Sportswear, Inc., Correctional Products and Services, Inc., Silver Canyon Coffee Corporation, and JBH Travel Audit, Inc. Today he participates on the Boards of Centennial Peaks Hospital, iSatori Technologies, Inc. and Weathervane Contracting, Inc.
An active member of the Denver Boulder business community, Don is a member of the Denver Chapters of Association For Corporate Growth (ACG) and National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). He is also a charter member of the Colorado chapter of the Bill Gove Speech Club. He holds a BS in Finance from New Mexico State University.
Jerry McGuire
Managing Director Washington
Jerry McGuire joined vcfo in 2007 as Managing Director Washington. Jerry is responsible for developing the local vision, building the team, providing client support and guidance, as well as overall management of vcfo's West Coast office.
Jerry has assisted in the success of more than 30 business enterprises over the course of his career. From 1990 to 2006, Jerry served as president of CFO Pro Tem, a financial services consulting firm he founded. During that time, Jerry helped guide the success of a number of technology companies in the Northwest, including: Ceptyr Inc., Darwin Molecular, Activate.net, Forte Design Systems, Inc., and others. Prior to CFO Pro Tem, Jerry was the vice president of SeaMed Corp. and a consultant with Deloitte Haskins and Sells.
An active member of the Seattle community, Jerry contributes time to organizations including the Washington Software Association and the Northwest Entrepreneur Network.
Jerry has a Master in Business Administration Degree from the University of Southern California and is a Washington CPA.