CFMA WESTERN MICHIGAN
CHAPTER ANNOUNCES
Roundtable Season
Welcome back
There are round tables
and there are
Roundtables
and West Michigan
has its Round
Tables
• Our Roundtable program
began in 1997 in an effort
to provide a forum for
members to discuss
current business issues
within the construction
industry
• About 1/3 of our
membership participates
• We usually have 4 groups
of nine who meet every
month
• CFMA Members only
Round Table
Guidelines
• Discussions remain strictly
confidential
• Each group has a mixture of
General Members and Associates
Members
• There is a limit of 1 Member per
company per group
• No substitutions allowed
• Each month a new members hosts
by supplying a location, a meal
and a discussion topic
Previous Round Table Topics
• 401K
• Hiring & retention practices
• Financial software
• Controlling health care costs
• Construction lien issues
• Equipment
Previous Round Table Topics
Topics can be very companyspecific to the host (“I have this
issue or problem”) or they can
be general.
Participants often form
stronger bonds from the
Roundtable groups than they
do from General Membership
Meetings.
Let’s hear from a few people who
have been part of the round table
program.
“The CFMA Roundtable allows you to not only
build relationships with your fellow
construction community members but also learn
from their real life experiences. Participating in
the program is an absolute must.”
Tim Koster, Behrends Hendricks Stuit
“I have found a ton of value in being able to
spend 75 minutes monthly with CFMA Members
from a variety of industries. Topics are always
very timely and relevant. I highly recommend
for newer members as a fantastic way to meet
fellow members.”
Mike Waalkes, CIC Account Executive, Lighthouse Group
“I was new to the construction industry when I
joined my first CFMA Roundtable group in
2007. The friendly small-group format was
instrumental in kick-starting my local
construction network, and continues to foster
new and stronger professional relationships
among the groups I’ve been a part of over the
years since.”
Jeff Koster, Controller, Wolverine Building Group
“When I joined CFMA back in 2008, I didn’t really know anyone and
was brand new to the entire concept of such an association. Upon
the recommendation of the one and only person I knew in CFMA, I
joined the round table program. This program really helped me get
to know people so much better as you really have time to spend with
other members and really get to know them on a whole different
level. Many times the normal monthly meetings don’t give much
time to interact - we quickly meet, eat, and listen to a speaker – then
we’re off to work again. The Round Table program is still my
favorite part of CFMA to this day!”
Andy Odehnal, CPA, MBA - Chief Financial Officer, Triangle
“CFMA roundtable is a great way to expand
your network with valuable people. It also gives
you a great sounding board on how to solve
issues within your Accounting Department.”
Steve Wilfong, Owen-Ames-Kimball Co., Corporate Controller
“I have been involved with the roundtables for
several years. I benefit most from the close
relationships that are built through having
interaction with a group over several
months. As an associate member, the topics
always seem to be on point since they are picked
by the group members. They help me keep a
pulse on the concerns of the construction
industry in West Michigan.”
John Koscielniak CPA, CCIFP, Walburg + Associates, P.C.
Most
importantly,
what is discussed
in the roundtable
stays in the
roundtable!