Corporate Report: March 21

National Restaurant Association, Fintech partner on purchasing, system
Tampa-based Fintech has reached an alliance with the National Restaurant Association (NRA) to offer its members a system for electronic funds transfer for alcohol purchases. The new system will give NRA members data analysis tools and automated reporting to help operators understand their alcohol invoices and purchasing habits.

“Beverage alcohol purchasing is an important part of our industry,” Phil Kafarkis chief membership and innovations officer for NRA, says in a press release. “With real-time data reports that educate operators on opportunities to save and maximize their purchases, we will educate members about their costs and help improve efficiency in their supply chain. Not only does this partnership help the operator, but it eliminates costly expenses for the distributor in delivery time and collections.”

Tech Data promotes three execs in realignment of financing functions
Tech Data Corp. has promoted and reallocated several executives as part of organizational changes to separate officials in charge of controlling and finance.

The company appointed Charles Dannewitz to senior vice president and chief financial officer for the Americas and Alain Amsellem to senior vice president and chief financial officer for Europe. The two will report to Jeffery Howells, the company's executive vice president and chief financial officer.

The company also promoted Scott Walker to vice president and treasurer. In that new role, Walker will oversee the company's worldwide Treasury function and will report to Howells.

Joseph Trepani will continue to serve as senior vice president and corporate controller, as well as the company's chief accounting officer.

“This organizational alignment creates a clear delineation between the company's controlling and finance functions in order to drive improved transparency, control, and compliance throughout the organization,” Howells says in a press release.

Dannewitz came to Tech Data in 1995, serving as senior vice president and treasurer since 2003. Prior to joining the company, he was employed by Pricewaterhouse for 13 years.

Amsellem joined Tech Data in 1994 through the company's acquisition of French distributor Softmart International, S.A., where he served as finance director. He progressed through various regional leadership positions and was appointed senior vice president of Finance and Operations for the company's European region in 2005.

Walker has been with Tech Data since 2010, serving as vice president, assistant treasurer. Prior to joining the company, he was employed by Jabil Circuit for seven years.

The organizational change comes after the company had to restate financial statements last year due to improper accounting.

Arrow Environmental Services adds Jacksonville company, new CEO
Sarasota-based Arrow Environmental Services has merged with Bug Out Service, a pest-control company in the Jacksonville market. Bug Out, which had annual revenues of $15 million, will continue to use its name in that market.

At the same time, Arrow Environmental Services has also brought on Joe Finney, 49, as its new CEO.

Finney, who has been a member of the company's board of directors since 2010, held positions as regional vice president and European managing director for Terminix earlier in his career, along with senior roles with TruGreen Lawn and Land Care, ServiceMaster and Michelin North America. In 2004, he also worked for Jordan Co., a private equity firm that was focused on acquiring pest-control companies. Most recently, Finney was president of Sears Automotive Group, in charge of the company's 800 auto repair shops, which had 14,000 employees and $1.6 billion in annual revenues.

With Finney's move back to the pest-control industry as Arrow's new CEO, Bill Hurd moves into the role of chief operating officer and president, working with Finney and Arrow's Chairman George Pickhardt to manage the company going forward.

“We are extremely fortunate to attract an executive of Joe Finney's caliber,” Pickhardt says in a press release. “As we work toward becoming one of the national leaders in our industry, we need to continue to enhance the quality of our operations and our people, and Joe will drive these efforts going forward.”

Since August 2010, Arrow has merged with 36 companies in Florida and Georgia. The company now has more than $36 million in annual revenues, and is expected to be one of the 20 largest pest-control companies in the United States.

Ashberry Water Conditioning hired as Marlo Inc.'s Florida representative
Ashberry Water Conditioning, a Tampa-based full service water treatment company, has been selected by Marlo Inc. as its new sales representative for Florida. Marlo designs and manufactures water treatment equipment for residential, commercial, institutional and industrial uses.

Ashberry plans to focus its sales and marketing efforts for the Marlo equipment on the new commercial building construction trades, primarily in the health care, educational and hospitality markets. The company expects to sell primarily water softening systems, reverse osmosis systems, media filtration and integrated ultrapure water systems for laboratory use.

“Florida is an important state for the Marlo brand,” Steve LaMere, president and chief operating officer of Marlo Inc., says in a press release. “We are confident that Ashberry Water will help us get to the next level and continue to strengthen our presence there. They offer the complete package with a knowledgeable technical sales staff, a highly trained and well-equipped service department, and excellent reputation for customer support.”

Along with Tampa, Ashberry Water Conditioning has additional offices in Orlando and Jacksonville.