Executive Team
With over a century of hands-on experience in finance, 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, Houston 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 a member of the Executive Board of the Boy Scouts Capital Area Council, as a Board member and Treasurer for The Entrepreneurs Foundation, on the Audit Committee for Seton Hospital and as a Board member of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. She previously served as a Board member and Statewide President of Technology Entrepreneurs Foundation (Texchange).
Ellen received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas with majors in Finance and Accounting.
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.
Craig Jackson
Managing Director, vrecruiting
Craig Jackson is the Managing Director of vrecruiting and is responsible for expanding recruiting solutions nationally, giving operational and strategic direction, and providing client support and guidance.
Prior to joining vrecruiting, Craig was involved in the development and growth of both publicly traded and privately held recruiting and staffing firms. He has over 17 years of experience in delivering recruiting solutions for multiple fields, including Accounting and Finance, Information Technology, and Engineering. He is a successful leader with experience and expertise in building and managing strategic partnerships with team members and external customers alike and brings with him comprehensive experience in compensation planning including competitive market analysis, bonus and incentive planning and employee salary negotiations.
Craig received a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in Management from Texas Tech University.
Tim Dahltorp
Executive Vice President
Tim Dahltorp is the Executive Vice President of vcfo. In this role, Tim is responsible for the overall operations of the Western region, building the team, providing client support and guidance, and refining and extending the vcfo brand. Tim is based in Denver and also serves as the Managing Director for our Colorado offices.
Prior to joining vcfo in 2010, Tim had over 16 years of operational and financial management experience as CEO or CFO of both public and private firms ranging in size from $5 million to over $750 million in annual revenue. Tim’s direct industry experience includes financial services, biotechnology, transportation, commercial real estate and entertainment. Tim also has extensive mergers and acquisitions experience, having led 25 purchase or sale transactions, as well as a broad capital markets background, raising over $1 billion in various debt and equity financings. Early in his career, Tim was a commercial lender for 10 years, providing financing for middle market firms.
Tim has a BS in Finance from Drake University and an MBA from De Paul University.
Click here to visit Tim's blog
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.
Bob Bintliff
Managing Director Dallas
Bob is the Managing Director of vcfo’s Dallas practice, where he manages the overall operations and supports our Dallas/Fort Worth clients.
Bob brings over 30 years of financial consulting and financial executive expertise, having previously served in a diverse range of roles from CFO in industry for Dallas based insurance company, Access Plans USA, to Partner with Big 4 Firm, PwC. He has worked in numerous industry segments including energy and utilities, financial services, healthcare, manufacturing, high tech, distribution, and consumer and business services.
Bob is a 5th generation Texan who has spent his entire business career in Texas. Consequently he has a deep understanding of the Dallas/Fort Worth and north Texas business community. He adds great experience to the vcfo team. Our clients benefit from his strong leadership and expertise as well as his extensive network within the professional community. He is currently a member of the Financial Executives International, the Texas Society of CPAs and Rotary Club.
Bob holds a BBA in Accounting from Texas Christian University where he was a National Merit Scholar.
Thomas Murphy
Managing Director Seattle
Thomas Murphy is the Managing Director of the vcfo Seattle office. In this role, Tom is responsible for providing Seattle-area clients high value services that dramatically improve their businesses.
Tom brings to vcfo more than 20 years of operational and financial management experience as CEO, COO and CFO of both public and private firms ranging in size from pre-funding to over $500 million in annual revenues. He has direct experience in the following industries: Biotech, Life Sciences, Hi-Tech – Software and Electronics, Manufacturing, and Telecommunications.
Prior to joining vcfo, Tom spent several years at a Seattle-based consulting firm specializing in taking small and mid-sized companies to the next level. A former Vice President at Hitachi and Alumnus of Ernst & Young, Tom was also a partner with Arthur Andersen during the last few years of the firm’s existence, so he has firsthand experience managing in a crisis, building loyalty in staff and clients while maintaining high quality customer service through a difficult transition.
Tom is a CPA and CMA, and received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting with a minor in Information Technology from the Ohio State University. He is currently an Entrepreneur in Residence at Washington State University.