David Eastman — Mentor profile, Title: Finance Leader | Mentor | Business Advisor, Company: SCORE & Startup 425, Industry: Management Consulting | Marketing & Communications | Finance, Mentor Type: Albers

Background

Job Description

As a former Vice President of Finance, managed the financial and business operations of the company, including budgeting, forecasting, financial operations & reporting, business insights & analysis and strategic planning. Led projects to successfully automate the company business and finance operations by implementing Cloud/SaaS systems and AI.

Currently serving as Mentor, Business and Financial Advisor to several organizations including Education, Entrepreneurs, and Small Business.

Company Description

Prime 8 Consulting is a management consulting firm (150+ people) that offers services in business and program consulting, workforce transformation, change management, AI strategy & delivery, and operational excellence to clients in a variety of industries.

SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer business mentors, dedicated to helping entrepreneurs start, grow and sustain their businesses. Since 1964, SCORE mentors have helped millions of small business owners turn their ideas into reality and build stronger local economies.

Startup 425 is designed to help you learn about starting a business on the Greater Seattle Eastside and providing resources and information to support you in your entrepreneurial journey, offering a S425 Accelerator educational program designed to help new entrepreneurs rapidly develop their business idea and launch a company while learning essential business skills.

st 10 years of career, joined and led the Fina

Employment History

After graduation, started career in Public Accounting and earned CPA. Decided to take Finance Manager role for two startups in the early years of technology industry as well as Controller for a manufacturing company developing electronic measuring devices.

After moving to Seattle, was able to gain employment with Microsoft in their Corporate Finance department in 1992. Over span of almost 20 years, had the opportunity to work in Finance/Business Management roles supporting Microsoft Products (Microsoft Network, PC Games & Hardware, Xbox, Bing Search) as well as time spent on the Commercial Software and Sales/Distribution teams (Office 365, SQL Server, Azure).

In last 10 years of career, joined and led the Finance and Business operations for a Professional Services firm and Marketing/Exec Communications agencies (200 employees, $40+ million in revenue). During my employment, two technology products/services were developed and successfully sold to 3rd party.

Education

B.S. in Accounting, University of Oregon

No civic involvement entered

Mentoring Objectives & Scope

I want to help students in both advising/guiding their areas of studies to match their career aspirations and ability to obtain internships and full- time employment. I would use my network and resources to help them identify opportunities. Most important, to give them the support, insight, advice and encouragement to inspire them to be successful in Albers Business School and in life.

When and where do you hold meetings with your students?

I am open to meeting students that is most convenient for them.  My calendar is fairly flexible and close to Seattle University.   I feel it’s important to hold monthly meeting on Campus (it’s good to feel the vibe and also easiest to work around class schedules) but always open to one-on-one meetings via Zoom or Teams if preferred by Student.

Additional Information

I bring broad, deep experience from Microsoft, nearly 10 years with smaller companies before joining Microsoft, and a recent role serving Microsoft and other technology companies as major clients. I have participated in several acquisitions and led and/or presented at numerous business planning and budget reviews both at Microsoft and small and midsize companies.