Flight Financial

Flight Financial is an outsourced CFO firm that helps professional service providers have growing, profitable, and successful businesses. https://www.flight.financial/

Founder & Chief CFO

Cadilus

•  Cadilus is a managed service and consulting firm founded to bring Fortune 500 finance and analytics to the middle-markets. 
•  The Company's strategy is to merge finance, analytics, and best-practice management systems into innovative capability offers that enable customers to make better business decisions. 
•  The Company leverages technology and delivery process excellence and innovation to offer exceptional value at an unprecedented pace.
•  As a Manager, I was responsible for leading several client engagements and my key tasks centered on the following core service offerings – 
(1) Financial Modeling & Forecasting, 
(2) Performance Measuring & Reporting, 
(3) Business Planning & Budgeting, and 
(4) Business Analytics & Insights.

Manager, FP&A Services

AmeriLife

Summary:

• Provide direction, coordination, oversight and execution of all phases of acquisition analysis and due diligence to ensure consistency with company strategy, commitments and goals.

• Support the firm’s Corporate Development function through management of research, due diligence, financial analysis and development of presentations for initiatives across the company.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the CEO, CFO and other senior Corporate Development executives in strategic and financial analysis for acquisitions and key business initiatives. 

• Research and assess transaction opportunities. 

• Build valuation and financial models. 

• Communicating the business case for proposed acquisitions, particularly the strategic alignment, market context, business analysis and financial justification. 

• Manage the due diligence review of target acquisitions. 

• Identify risk issues that impact transaction value and engage the right resources to address. 

• Meet with stakeholders and provide status updates; clearly communicate issues, potential risks, and mitigation plans. 

• Serve as liaison with target acquisitions and internal subject matter experts to clarify due diligence requirements and ensure thorough follow through. 

• Consolidate due diligence reports from subject matter experts; Distill and summarize relevant information for Senior Executive team. 

• Identify due diligence issues and work with legal team to resolve issues in the transaction documents.

Manager, Corporate Development

Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP

• Participate in buy-side and sell-side financial due diligence engagements with both private equity and strategic corporate buyers 

• Perform (i) quality of earnings, (ii) working capital and (iii) debt and debt-like items analyses 

• Analyze the financial operations of the target companies and identify issues that may impact the purchase price 

• Understand and evaluate financial and operational trends of target companies 

• Lead diligence meetings with target company management team 

• Communicate due diligence findings in a formal report 

• Supervise senior associates and provide performance review feedback 

• Develop and maintain strong client relationships/project management 

• Manage multiple tasks/projects at a time

Manager, Transaction Advisory Services

MetLife

• Worked in MetLife's Corporate & Other Segment Controllers Group. 
•  Served as Controller for start-up businesses within MetLife, primarily the Expatriate Insurance Business (Life, Health, LTD).

Controller, Expatriate Business, C&O Controllers Group

Crosstree Capital Partners, Inc.

• Crosstree is a Healthcare-Focused Investment Bank Providing Mergers and Acquisitions
and Financing Advisory to the Diagnostics & Tools, Drug & Medical Device Outsourcing, and Healthcare Providers segments of the Healthcare industry.

Investment Banker

Silverwood Partners

• Provided financial and strategic advisory services to TMT and Healthcare companies in connection with M&A, divestiture, and private financing transactions.

About Silverwood Partners

Silverwood Partners is a specialized investment bank that provides merger & acquisition advisory services, private capital financing capabilities, and financial and strategic advisory services to public and private companies worldwide in the TMT, healthcare, and consumer sectors.

Vice President Investment Banking

Liberty Savings Bank

• Coordinated several client projects and internal initiatives across multiple offices in different states

Associate, Investment Services

Is your business booming💥but your bank balance barely pays your bills?😭I can help.😎I'm a fractional CFO for founder-owned, self-financed businesses seeking more money, more time, and more peace. | DM me for details 🚀

👋 Lawyers & Fellow Professional Services Firm Owners,

Are you buried in billable hours, but your bank balance barely budges?

Want to grow, but lack financial and strategic guidance?

Do you seek freedom over your time and income?

I started my own firm, Flight Financial, to gain autonomy over my time and earnings. 

🛫 Why 'Flight'? Because it symbolizes freedom, momentum, direction, and raising your firm to unprecedented heights.

Today, I’m committed to guiding you towards experiencing that same sense of liberation and clarity for your firm.

My clients work 40 hours or less per week and have profits in excess of $500,000 per year, without financial unknowns and stress.

At Flight Financial, we have a 6-step One Clear Path system for your firm that will give you the roadmap to that lifestyle.

Within the first 30 days you’ll have a bulletproof plan in hand to gain at least a 2x return on our service in the first year - the sky’s the limit!
 
✅ Here’s How I Elevate You:

➡️ Craft a Clear Profit Path: We’ll give you actionable next steps to achieve transformative results for your firm.

➡️ Seal Profit Leaks: We’ll stop your firm from being a leaky bucket of profits.

➡️ Amplify Marketing ROI: Waiting years for marketing to pay off is a thing of the past. Every $1 of marketing should be generating at least $3 of billable hours for your firm this quarter.

➡️ Optimize Staff ROI: Start earning at least 3x what the lawyers on your team cost you.

➡️ Simplified Financial Mastery: No convoluted jargon, just tailored insights. Each month, you’ll get an easy-to-understand 1-page scoreboard that will clearly show you what’s working and what needs improvement in your business. No need to look at boring or confusing financial accounting statements.   

As a fellow professional services firm owner with 15+ years in finance, accounting, and diverse business collaborations, I deeply understand your aspirations and your challenges. 

I've aided professionals, from lawyers to marketing agencies, in nurturing businesses that thrive, boost profits, amplify cash flow, and resonate with their unique definitions of success.

Ready to soar higher in your firm? 

Let’s get on a quick call to see if we’re the right fit for each other.

Book your free “Right Fit” call here: https://calendly.com/flightfinancial/right-fit 🚀

Brian Zapf, CPA

Are you constantly managing fires instead of leading your team forward?

Do you feel like you're the only one who really gets it—and wish your team did too?

If you're ready to lead with clarity and stop babysitting your business, you're in the right place.

After 50+ years of hands-on leadership—from startups to multi-billion-dollar corporations—I know the real cost of unclear leadership: time, money, and energy you can't get back.

That’s why I created the T.R.I.P™ Leadership Method: a practical, proven framework to help small business owners and corporate executives:

-Identify internal leadership gaps

-Reignite team commitment

-Build a culture that performs without micromanagement

This isn't theory. It's grounded in decades of real-world leadership, mentoring, and executive coaching. I've coached hundreds of high-achieving business owners and executives through team disengagement, stalled growth, succession planning, and culture chaos.

The result?

-Passionate, accountable team members

-Strong internal leaders

-Higher profits and lower turnover

-More discretionary time for you

My process starts with the T.R.I.P™ Leadership Assessment—a diagnostic that helps us uncover what's really going on with your team and your leadership style.

From there, we dive into a personalized Clarity Call to map out your next best move. No fluff. Just real strategy from someone who's been there.

Want to lead a team that runs like a well-oiled machine—without running yourself ragged?

Let’s talk.

🔗 Book your Clarity Call: https://calendly.com/henrychidgey/45min
📧 Or email me directly: Henry@henrychidgey.com

• Chidgey

Respect isn’t lost in one big moment.

It’s lost in the small ones.

No shouting matches.
No dramatic exits.

Just quieter crews.
Shorter answers.
Good ideas that never get shared.

And one day you look around and think,
Something’s different.

Here’s what I’ve learned the hard way:

Respect doesn’t disappear overnight.
It fades when leaders aren’t paying attention.
A sharp tone at the wrong time.
A correction made in front of others.
One person getting grace while another doesn’t.

None of these feel “major.”
But together, they erode trust.

And folks won’t always call it out.
They just stop leaning in.
When that happens, leadership gets heavy.
And influence slips.

If you want respect, lead with care.
Correct in private.
Be fair with praise.
Watch your tone especially on hard days.

Small moments don’t stay small.

They either build trust…
or quietly take it away.

Here’s a question worth asking before your next shift:
What small moment will your crew remember from you today?

👉 Explore it here: https://lnkd.in/gg9rMdEv

• Henry Chidgey

Helping small business owners and corporate executives lead skilled blue-collar teams with CLARITY using the T.R.I.P™ leadership method | Leadership Coach and Mentor

Leadership isn’t about protecting talent.
It’s about protecting the team.

I once kept someone because they delivered results.

But the room went quiet.
Energy dropped.
And we lost things no report could show.

Skill can carry a task.
Attitude carries the team.

Reward results and ignore behavior, and silent losses begin.

Protect the culture.
Protect the standard.
Protect the team.

Type “T.R.I.P” or visit trip.henrychidgey.com

#Leadership #CultureMatters #TeamFirst #TRIPMethod #Integrity #Respect #LeadWithPurpose

Growth feels risky when you’re used to what’s familiar.

That’s why new tools and better systems often create tension instead of excitement. The resistance isn’t really about change — it’s about fear. Fear of falling behind. Fear of not knowing. Fear of starting over.

Leadership isn’t about forcing progress. It’s about guiding it. Showing the why, offering support, and helping people build on what they already know.

What feels safe today can quietly become a trap tomorrow. Real leaders lead change with empathy — without letting fear decide the future.

👉 Type “T.R.I.P” or visit trip.henrychidgey.com
#LeadershipLessons #Adaptability #TRIPMethod

The louder you speak, the less they hear.

Leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about being the best listener. The moment people feel heard, walls come down.
 
Negotiation isn’t force, it’s connection. Listen with purpose, and influence follows.

Type “T.R.I.P” or visit trip.henrychidgey.com 

#LeadershipLessons#ListeningLeaders#NegotiationSkills#LeadershipMindset#CommunicationSkills#LeadBetter

Being busy isn’t the same as making progress.

It’s an easy trap to fall into.

Full days.
Full calendars.
Always moving.

I’ve been there.
Answering messages.
Sitting in meetings.
Checking boxes just to feel productive.

But at the end of the day, nothing had really changed.

Because doing a lot of work

isn’t the same as doing the right work.
You can stay busy all day
and still not move forward.

Progress comes from focus.
From clarity.
From choosing what actually matters.

Before you jump into the next task, pause and ask yourself:

Is this moving my crew forward…
or is it just noise?

Don’t chase busy.

Chase results that count.

That’s how real progress is made.

What’s one thing you’re doing today that could wait — or stop altogether?

Take the free T.R.I.P™ Method Assessment → Henry Chidgey

Small problems don’t stay small.
They grow quietly.

I used to tell myself the same things many leaders do:
It’ll work itself out.
I don’t want to make it awkward.
It’s not serious enough yet.

So I waited.

I let the tension sit.
I delayed the conversation.

And every time I did, the problem got heavier.

By the time I finally spoke up,
it was messier,
harder,
and more painful for everyone involved.

Here’s the lesson I learned the hard way:

Hard conversations don’t get easier with time.
They get heavier.

When leaders delay the truth:
 • Trust erodes
 • Assumptions fill the gap
 • Respect quietly slips

Avoiding discomfort today only creates damage tomorrow.

You don’t need to be harsh.
You don’t need to dominate.

You just need to be honest.
Early.
Respectful.
Clear.

Next time you feel that nudge to stay silent say it.

Kindly.
Privately.
Directly.

Because delayed truth always costs more.
And steady leadership speaks before things break.

Take the free T.R.I.P™ Method Assessment → https://lnkd.in/gcw92Bnc

Trust Isn’t Automatic

Trust doesn’t come with a title.
It isn’t handed out because you’re in charge.
It’s built slowly in the moments most people miss.

When trust is low, crews don’t argue.

They withdraw.
They do just enough.
Not because they don’t care 
But because they don’t feel safe.

Trust is built quietly.
Keeping your word.
Listening before speaking.
Staying steady when pressure hits.
Owning your mistake first.

That’s how influence is earned.
Not through authority.
through consistency.

If you lead people who work with their hands,
this will hit close to home.

▶️ Watch the full video and see where trust is really won or lost.

I’m Henry Chidgey.
For over 50 years, I’ve helped leaders of skilled workers earn trust and lead with integrity where it actually counts.

If this hit home, I built Field-Tested Leader GPT for moments like yours no fluff, just real world leadership moves that hold under pressure.

👉 Try it here: https://lnkd.in/gg9rMdEv

Rigid plans can't keep up with today’s pace.

Adapt quickly to market shifts and spot opportunities first.

Flexibility isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s your edge.

Ask yourself: How ready is your strategy for change?

#leadership #strategicplanning #adaptability #businessgrowth #leadershipcoaching

https://lnkd.in/dPrm6E3m

No alternative text description for this image

If your team keeps missing deadlines or delivering off-target, it’s rarely a motivation problem.

It’s a clarity problem.

Most leaders think they’re being clear because they share the task and the deadline. But clarity isn’t just saying the words — it’s making sure they land. It’s checking for understanding, removing guesswork, and defining what success actually looks like.

When things are vague, people fill in the blanks. That’s where confusion grows, timelines slip, and frustration builds.

Leadership isn’t just about setting direction.
It’s about making sure everyone sees it clearly.

Because if they don’t get it, they won’t hit it.

👉 Type “T.R.I.P” or visit trip.henrychidgey.com

#LeadershipLessons #Clarity #Communication #TRIPMethod

Entitlement is loud. Leadership is quiet.

People ask for more pay, more authority, more titles but growth isn’t requested. It’s demonstrated.

More responsibility isn’t a reward. It’s a reflection of trust, built through consistency and follow-through.

Because growth isn’t given on request. It’s earned in responsibility.

👉 Type “T.R.I.P” or visit trip.henrychidgey.com

#LeadershipLessons #Accountability #Ownership #TRIPMethod

Let me tell you what trust looks like out in the field.

It ain’t complicated.

🔹 You do what you say you’ll do.
🔹 You own your mistakes fast.
🔹 And you follow through.

That’s it.

I’ve watched a new supervisor lose a good crew in one shift because he couldn’t do those three things.

I’ve also watched a quiet foreman earn the respect of a rough team in a week just by showing up the right way, every day.

Trust isn’t a feeling. It’s a pattern.

And your crew is tracking it even when you’re not.

So if you want more trust?

Start there.

If you want to go deeper take 3 minutes and run yourself through the free T.R.I.P™ Method Assessment. It’ll show you where you stand on Trust, Respect, Integrity, and Purpose and where to tighten things up.

👉 trip.henrychidgey.com

What’s one moment you saw trust earned or lost right in front of you?
 I’d bet every leader out here’s got a story. Let’s hear it 👇

Start smaller than you think.
That’s the part most leaders miss.

We’re taught that momentum comes from big goals and big moves.
Go all in.
Fix everything at once.

I used to believe that.

What it actually gave me was overwhelm.
Long days.
Half-finished plans.

Because when everything feels urgent,
nothing really moves.

You don’t need a big step.
You need a first step.

Not a leap.
Just one small move you can finish today.

One thing you don’t have to carry into tomorrow.
Start where you are.
Use what you’ve got.
Do what you can today.

Momentum has a way of showing up
once you do.

What’s one small step you could take before your next shift ends?

Promoting your best performer doesn’t always give you your best leader.

I once promoted someone because they were the strongest hand on the crew.
They hit goals.
Worked hard.
Outpaced everyone.

On paper, it made sense.

But not long after, the team started to struggle.
Tension crept in.
Communication broke down.
Results slipped.

That’s when the lesson showed up.

Being great at the work doesn’t mean you’re ready to lead the people doing it.

Leadership isn’t just skill.
It’s judgment.
Emotional control.
Decision-making under pressure.
And knowing how to bring people with you not just get things done yourself.

When we promote without preparation, we don’t help people grow.
We set them up to fail in public.

And when leadership isn’t ready,
trust erodes,
respect fades,
and good crews lose their footing.

So don’t just promote the best doer.
Look for leadership potential.
Coach early.
Develop before the title.

Because leadership isn’t a reward for performance.
It’s a responsibility that requires readiness.

What do you look for before promoting someone into leadership?

best performer doesn’t always give you your best leader.

When the talk gets petty, the work gets sloppy.

I used to wonder why good crews lost focus.
Why energy dipped.
Why progress slowed despite a solid plan.

Then I started paying attention.

The side conversations.
The quiet tension.
The things said around the work but not about the work.

It wasn’t a skills problem.
It was a culture problem.

Here’s the truth:

If you don’t lead the culture, gossip will.

And gossip always comes at a cost.

It drains focus.
It shifts attention from the mission to the mess.
It trades trust for suspicion.

Every petty conversation steals energy from the job at hand.

Field-tested leaders don’t ignore it.
They set the tone.
They name the drift.
They make room for real conversations in the open.

Because clarity dies in gossip.
And trust dies in silence.

Protect the culture.

Lead the room.

What’s one thing you do to shut down gossip and refocus your crew before it spreads?

When the days blur together, purpose clears the fog. 

Most crew leaders don’t wake up thinking, “What’s my purpose today?” 
They’re thinking about the next job, the broken equipment, or who’s late again. 

But here’s the truth: 
The leaders who last — and leave a mark — know why they lead. 

It’s not about barking orders. 
It’s not about the title. 
It’s about being the kind of steady hand others can count on — especially when the wheels come off. 
One supervisor I worked with said it best: 

“My job is to leave ‘em better than I found ‘em — even if it’s just one small thing each shift.” 

That’s purpose. 
It’s quiet. Practical. Field-tested. 
And it changes everything. 
When you know why you lead, you stop chasing every fire and start lighting a path. 

Try this: 
Next time you walk the yard, ask yourself — 
“What’s one way I can leave this crew better today?” 

Then do it. 
Purpose isn’t a speech. It’s a habit. 

What reminds you why you lead? 
Drop it in the comments — your story might steady someone else. 

#FieldTestedLeader #LeadershipInTheField #TRIP #PurposeDrivenLeadership

 Purpose clears the blur.

Numbers don’t lie.

Here’s how data powers your leadership moves:

1️⃣ Spot patterns in team performance
2️⃣ Pinpoint where quick fixes are needed
3️⃣ Set clear goals with measurable outcomes
4️⃣ Track progress to keep momentum going

This isn't just theory. It’s practical steps to lead with clarity and get real results.

Ready to see how data sharpens your strategy? Try this with your team on the next shift. 👊

#leadership #strategy #dataanalytics #businessgrowth #teamperformance

https://lnkd.in/dPrm6E3m

Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s a leadership tool.

Making time for hobbies and yourself boosts:

• Mental clarity to see what truly matters
• Better decisions under pressure
• Resilience when challenges hit

How will you recharge this week?

#leadership #mentalclarity #resilience #selfcare #decisionmaking

https://lnkd.in/dPrm6E3m

A team wins when every voice matters. Start with these steps:

1️⃣ Listen actively — hear beyond words.
2️⃣ Celebrate diverse strengths openly.
3️⃣ Encourage honest feedback daily.

Build trust, respect, and purpose — watch your team lead with integrity.

How will you show up for your crew tomorrow?

#leadership #teamwork #inclusivity #trust #respect #purpose #skilledworkers

https://lnkd.in/dPrm6E3m

Building a Team Where Everyone Thrives

Pressure doesn’t turn you into a leader. It shows who you already are. 

When things get loud, leadership isn’t about speed or force. 

It’s about presence. 
Calm over chaos. 
Clarity over reaction.

#LeadershipLessons
#LeadershipMindset
#CalmUnderPressure
#EmotionalIntelligence
#ModernLeadership
#LeadWithClarity

Being busy is not the same as making progress.

That’s a lesson I had to learn the hard way.

For a long time, my days were full.
Messages answered.
Meetings attended.
Tasks checked off.

I felt productive.

But I wasn’t moving forward.

I was doing a lot 
just not the things that actually mattered.

Here’s the truth:

Busy feels productive.
Progress feels intentional.

You can work all day
and still end up in the same place.

What makes the difference isn’t effort.
It’s focus.

Clarity.
And doing the work that truly moves you and your people forward.

Before you take on the next task, ask yourself:
Is this helping the goal… or is it just noise?

Progress doesn’t come from doing more.
It comes from doing what matters most.

So don’t chase busy.
Chase results.

What’s one thing you stopped doing that helped you make real progress?

taplio

The Battle

Brian Zapf, CPA

• Chidgey

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The Battle

Brian Zapf, CPA

• Chidgey

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}• Chidgey's LinkedIn Performance

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