IRVINE, LOS ANGELES, PLEASANTON, and RIVERSIDE, California, September 30, 2009 – McDermott & Bull, Southern California’s premier executive search firm, announced today the successful appointment of Ms. Barbara Wight as Chief Financial Officer of Taylor Guitars in El Cajon, California.
“Barbara’s success with founder-owned & operated businesses makes her a tremendous fit at Taylor Guitars,” commented Craig B. Lipus, Managing Principal Consultant at McDermott & Bull who conducted the search. “Barbara has built and led finance organizations for over 20 years, and that experience as well as her experience in manufacturing, operations, and international expansions will assist Taylor Guitars as they continue to expand a truly coveted brand in the music industry.”
Prior to joining Taylor Guitars, Wight gained almost 20 years of finance and operations experience at T-Systems International, Inc., where she began as a corporate controller and rose to Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. As a company leader, Wight was the strategic planner in working capital management, expense control, ERP implementation, and worldwide corporate finance policies. She was also the lead negotiator in business operations, successfully positioning and transitioning the company for a sale to John Deere Water Technologies (JDWT) in 2008. Most recently, she was a business advisor and general manager at JDWT and a member of its Global Executive Leadership Team.
Wight received both her Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Business Administration degree from San Diego State University. She is also a Certified Public Accountant from the State of California.
About the Client
Taylor Guitars (www.taylorguitars.com) is one of the premier guitar manufacturers in the US. It markets more than 130 models of acoustic and electric guitars known for their quality craftsmanship, playability, and tone. Played by artists of every genre and generation, the guitars range in price from moderate to several thousands of dollars. Taylor also sells accessories and apparel through more than 800 dealers in the US and 25 other countries. The company is owned and operated by the founders: President Bob Taylor and CEO Kurt Listug, who started the business in 1974.
About McDermott & Bull
McDermott & Bull, Inc. (www.mbsearch.net) is a retained executive search firm headquartered in Irvine, California with offices in Los Angeles, the Inland Empire, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The firm serves both public and privately held clients in a variety of industries and functional areas. McDermott & Bull has developed expertise in fields including Technology, Financial Services, Manufacturing, Bio-tech and Life Science, Retail, Professional Services, and others. Founded by Christopher Bull and Rodney McDermott, the firm specializes in recruiting difficult-to-find and critical talent for its clients. McDermott & Bull works with a large number of prestigious clients in many industries. Some notable clients include Allergan, Advanced Medical Optics, Western Digital, Conexant, Invitrogen, Bausch and Lomb, Black & Decker, Mattel, Boeing, Meggitt PLC, J.F. Shea and Union Bank.