I started Lew’s List in 2002 when 5-6 of my CFO friends were looking for a similar group to one we already belonged, sponsored by PriceWaterhouse in Boulder, which I also helped start. 

In 1993, I assisted Don Keller and establish the Boulder County CFO Roundtable group. It functioned as a venue for CFO’s to network with amongst each other over a lunch that usually included an interesting speaker or presentation. The speakers varied from venture capitalist to successful entrepreneurs to anyone who had a great story to share. It was a great venue for CFO’s to network with peers and make acquaintances that they could network with on issues in their businesses. When I left PW in 1997, I became a member of this group instead of the group started through PW. The group continued until about 2001 when it was abandoned. 

In late 2002, several former members of the Roundtable group got together after work, a small reunion of sorts, and the results was to start something similar. I took the lead and sent out emails to my CFO and controller contacts about getting together. Our vision was NO speakers, NO agenda, NO fees, just networking. At the same time, I was asked by John Greff, of Sequel Venture Partners, to lead a CFO conference for their portfolio companies. In addition, I asked Jim Linfield (Cooley Godward) and Mike Devry and Frank Amoroso (Silicon Valley Bank) for names of CFO’s of their clients that would appreciate this type of networking. I ended up inviting about 80 to our first event. Despite a snow storm, our first networking event yielded about 25 people at Old Chicago in Superior. Several networking events followed and fast forward to March 2007, we had 180+ people at the Reniassance Hotel. In November 2008, there were nearly 400 people at Palettes at the Denver Art Museum and at each of the last 4 events at DU. The events are sold out each year!

So how did the emailing of job openings start? Mark Vellequette was looking for an accounting manager and asked if I could send out an email to the group that attended the first event in the snow storm. Unfortunately, I couldn't quite remember who all attended and so I forwarded his search for an accountant to the entire group that was invited. This triggered the start of Lew's List. Fast forward to now and I send out about 100 - 125 jobs a month.  

Who’s on the list? Mostly CFO’s, controllers, and finance and accounting and tax folks in the Front Range of Colorado. Nearly 12,000 members and growing every day. I appreciate all the referrals too! So come join Lew's List!