The BayCFO Buzz - Volume Fourteen

Volume Fourteen, Winter 2008 - 2009
"What's a-buzz at BayCFO!"

Your buzzin' editor doesn't know whether to hibernate or have Spring Fever with the crazy weather we've been having lately -
But first, off, Happy New Year 2009 to all BayCFO Members from all of us at the BayCFO hive!

... It's also the last call for you to make your reservation for our NEXT BayCFO Dinner Event, set for JANUARY 29th with Steve Workman, CFO of Finisar Corporation, who will speak on "War Stories and Lessons Learned from a Lifetime of M&A" including - the process, the benefits and the pitfalls to be avoided. This time, we have a very special venue for our BayCFO members, the historic, beautifully-restored Payne Mansion in San Francisco, CA.

For more information on this upcoming event and to register - CLICK HERE

BayCFO would like to take this opportunity to again thank our underwriters of our November meeting,
Ernst & Young, for their support.
BayCFO has chosen a select group of quality service firms
to assist with funding events and keeping your registration costs to a minimum.
We wish to thank Chris Nolet and Loretta Simms, of Ernst & Young, for helping to support this meeting.
For more information, please visit our sponsor web sites or
contact our sponsor representatives.

On Thursday, November 13th, BayCFO members returned to the Hotel Sofitel in Redwood Shores,
where we were treated to the usual gracious hospitality and gourmet menu that has come to be a hallmark of this venue.

With a chill in the air, BayCFO members arrived for our networking and cocktail hour at the Hotel Sofitel at Redwood Shores. As usual, the environment was perfect for our members to enjoy some good fun and an entertaining talk before dinner.

Our new sign!

Notice the lovely decor and hors d'oeuvres spread provided for our members by the Sofitel....Prosciutto, provolone, artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, freshly-baked french bread, just to name a few... As those of you who've been to our meetings know, fun and collegiality are the hallmarks of a BayCFO meeting!

After our networking hour, our members were called to dinner in the "Blue Room." The repast started with the signature Montrachet salad of baby greens, walnuts, goat cheese and balsamic vinaigrette. Then we were treated to our luxe entree of Grilled Atlantic salmon with basmati rice, sauteed vegetables and Meyer lemon beurre blanc.

BayCFO members enjoy pampering at the Sofitel ...

"Say CHEESE!"

After our entree, our members were served a signature Sofitel specialty, "Chocolate Trio Symphony" with their choice of coffee and tea. Since your buzzin' editor loves chocolate, we were VERY happy!

BayCFO President Joe Pelayo takes the podium to start off the meeting

While the members were finishing their lovely dessert, BayCFO President, Joe Pelayo, took the podium to kick off the night's program and introduce our sponsors, Chris Nolet and Loretta Simms, of Ernst & Young.

Chris Nolet then stepped up to introduce our evening's honored speaker, Lou Lavigne, Jr., former Chief Financial Officer of Genentech, winner of the "San Francisco Business Times Lifetime Achievement Award - CFO of the Year"

Lou Lavigne, Jr., Former CFO of Genentech, Inc.

Lou Lavigne reviewed the lessons from his experience as Genentec’s CFO and as part of the five man strategy setting and governing executive team as well functioning in a public company environment. This included the accounting and finance function standards to which he held himself and his team and the methodology by which he achieved those standards.

Lou gave us a glimpse as to how he prepared for Board meetings and examples of some of the key slides which were routine for him to present. He discussed preparedness, transparency and being proactive with gathering, digesting and reporting salient information for both the Board and the management team. Lou also covered characteristics, skills and attributes which he found fundamental for functioning at the highest levels.

Our members enjoying their dinner and the company!

Good night, BayCFO Members, see you next time!

If you missed this meeting, you won't want to miss the next one!
Our next BayCFO Event, will be held Thursday, January 29th at the beautiful, historic, PAYNE MANSION in San Francisco.
Come to BayCFO and enjoy the company!
In the meantime, everyone here at the BayCFO hive sends you our very best wishes!
We're all looking forward to seeing you at our next BayCFO event!
We'd also like to thank Burr, Pilger, Meyer in advance for their help in sponsoring our January 29th event

To RSVP for our next BayCFO Meeting, please use this link - http://www.acteva.com/go/baycfo

More pictures of our BayCFO Event at The Hotel Sofitel in Redwood Shores by the beautful San Francisco Bay!

Speaker Lou Lavigne and BayCFO President, Joe Pelayo

Another BayCFO Full House that evening ...

After the program, our speaker, Lou Lavigne, Jr. and BayCFO President Joe Pelayo share a few laughs...

Our BayCFO Members enjoying another great time .... if you haven't joined us, you've missed some great opportunities for networking and good times with your friends and peers. Our members know that BayCFO is unique and that's why they keep coming back! See you there!

Our lovely salmon entree in living color! Don't you wish you had been there?!

"Great food, good friends, come join us at BayCFO!"

Don't Miss Out! For information on our next BayCFO gathering please see - http://www.acteva.com/go/baycfo

Be sure your contact information in our BayCFO data base is current to avoid missing our BayCFO Meeting Notices
and new editions of the Buzz!

Bzzzzzzzzzz!

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All photos, content, copyright BayCFO and may not be used without the express written permission of BayCFO
You are receiving this edition of the Buzz because you have indicated interest in BayCFO or come to one of our meetings.
If you have questions or comments about the Buzz, or wish to be removed from our Buzz distribution list,
please contact the BayCFO Administrator, Genie Hawkins at genieh@baycfo.org

Be sure to visit the BayCFO website www.BayCFO.org for updates and notices of upcoming BayCFO events.